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The official Lucy-Desi Days 2007 (May 25-27) festival booklet will be delivered to the Jamestown post office later this week so….watch for it in your mail soon!Until then, here are a few terrific extras we didn’t plan on that will make this festival the very best yet!***We just received word that Lucille Ball’s sister-in-law, Zo Ball, will be flying in to take part in the weekend!***Cleo Smith (who was Lucy’s cousin but referred by Lucy as her “sister”) is bringing her son to Jamestown for the festival. Lucy-Desi fans can help celebrate Cleo’s 88th birthday at the Lucy-Desi Fan Reunion on Friday, May 25. Ticket information is available at: http://lucille-ball-desi-arnaz-center.stores.yahoo.net/lufan rebipa.html***A very, very special prop from one of Lucy’s TV episodes is being donated to the Lucy-Desi Center by the daughter of “I Love Lucy” writer, Bob Carroll, Jr. It will be unveiled as part of the fan reunion event that Cleo Smith will be attending!***In time for the festival, an amazing collection of Lucille Ball handwritten letters, Christmas cards, and more has been added to the new exhibit at the Lucy-Desi Museum! Visit and you’ll also see a collection of rare snapshots of Desi and his fishing pal, Pepito (yes—the same “Pepito” that appeared in the pilot and episode 52!) along with their fishing licenses!***We’ve just uncovered two very special “FREE gifts with purchase” that we’ll be offering during the Museum Members Only Party on Saturday morning, May 26. If you’re not a member, you can become one today at: http://lucille-ball-desi-arnaz-center.stores.yahoo.net/museu m-memberships-museum-memberships.htmlHave you booked your hotel yet? If not, a listing of over 100 places to stay within an hour of Jamestown is available at: http://www.lucy-desi.com/info/accommodations.html
Jamestown, NY – As president of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in her mother’s hometown, Jamestown, New York, Lucie Arnaz created Legacy of Laughter (LOL) seminars to explore and celebrate the healing powers of laughter. On April 14, Ms. Arnaz and her brother, Desi Arnaz, Jr., will be in Los Angeles to accept TV Land’s Legacy of Laughter Award on behalf of their mother, Lucille Ball.TV Land announced this week that legendary comedienne Carol Burnett will bestow the Legacy of Laughter Award for Ms. Ball’s “groundbreaking career and body of work including her enduring sitcom I Love Lucy”. The gala premieres on TV Land on Sunday, April 22nd at 9 p.m. ET/PT and will be rebroadcast on TV Land’s sister network, Nick at Nite that same night beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT.The announcement noted that the Legacy of Laughter award “is presented to honor an entertainer whose awe-inspiring work continues to serve as an inspiration and a guiding force: Lucille Ball. Her comedy always delivered, from the broadest slapstick to the most nuanced verbal reaction. Her gift is indeed a legacy. It serves as both an ideal for those who have followed her, and also in and of itself - timelessly providing the invigorating, healing power of laughter.”The announcement continued: “Named by TV Guide as the ‘Greatest TV Star of All Time’, Lucille Ball’s groundbreaking work in film and television continues to touch the funny bone of viewers all over the world. Lucille Ball was born in Jamestown, NY in 1911 and always wanted to make her mark in entertainment. She entered a New York City drama school and later landed a coveted RKO contract which brought her roles in Top Hat, The Big Street and Too Many Girls - the motion picture where she met and fell in love with her husband and I Love Lucy co-star Desi Arnaz. Today, I Love Lucy is one of the most successful and longest running programs in television syndication.“Lucy was not only a comedy genius but a power to be reckoned with behind the camera. With her business prowess she laid the groundwork for many of today's innovative television production methods. In 1951, she became the first woman to run her own production company -- Desilu -- that produced such television hits as Star Trek, The Andy Griffith Show, Mission Impossible and Mannix. From shooting I Love Lucy on film with three cameras to the creation of re-runs during her real-life pregnancy to starting a successful syndication model, she was truly one of television's first major players.”The Lucy-Desi Center’s Legacy of Laughter events fulfill the Center’s mission to enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter. These panel discussions, with audience interaction, explore and celebrate the inestimable value of laughter. These are moderated by Lucie Arnaz, and panelists include those who create or perform comedy, who use it in their work, or who have been healed by it. The next LOL will be held in Jamestown during Lucy-Desi Days Memorial Day Weekend Festival on Saturday, May 26. The following evening Ms. Arnaz will perform “Lucie Arnaz in Concert: A Daughter’s Tribute”.
All of the details and event opportunities for Lucy-Desi Days 2007 are now online at: http://lucille-ball-desi-arnaz-center.stores.yahoo.net/feevt i.htmlMake plans to be with us in Lucille Ball’s hometown (Jamestown, New York) May 25-27 for three days of laughter and fun! Order your tickets online today!
This year’s very special celebrity headliner for Lucy-Desi Days 2007 will be Lucie Arnaz!A “pull out all the stops” festival grand finale is being planned for Sunday, May 27, at the same Jamestown theatre a young Lucille Ball watched vaudeville. Lucie Arnaz In Concert—A Daughter’s Tribute will cap a 40+ event festival weekend May 25-27. The concert will be a heart-touching evening of music and song featuring a very special video compilation.And, Ms. Arnaz is bringing in musicians from Los Angeles, Texas, and Florida for this one-night-only performance!Immediately following the concert, a Grand Finale Gala will complete the weekend and give visitors an opportunity to not only meet Ms. Arnaz, but other weekend Lucy-Desi celebrities as well!Look for all festival details online at www.lucy-desi.com at noon (Eastern) tomorrow!P.S. Did you know we’ll be offering “Laughter Yoga” workshops throughout the weekend with Sebastien Gendry (the founder of the American School of Laughter Yoga)? And, did you know that fans will be encouraged to attend the Masquerade Party & Trivia Contest dressed up as their favorite “I Love Lucy” character? And, did you know that “Lucy” (Diane Vincent) from Universal Studios will be a big part of the weekend along with “Ethel” (Rhonda Medina)? And, did you know if you arrive by 10 am on Friday, you can be a part of a live TV show when A.M. Buffalo broadcasts their show live from the Desilu Playhouse with host Linda Pellegrino? And, did you know that several personal items from the Estate of Vivian Vance will be made available at the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction? And, did you know that a special “Lucy & Liberace” Luncheon will be held in the Tropicana Room (with guest speaker Darin Hollingsworth, Executive Director of the Liberace Foundation and Museum) and will include a screening of the seldom-seen Here’s Lucy episode guest-starring the King of Bling!? And, did you know all weekend long air-conditioned motor coach buses will be offering Lucytown Tours? And, did you know Jamestown’s very own improv group, The Unexpected Guests, are scheduled for a night of late night laughs? And, did you know Sister Anne Bryan Smollin (author of Tickle Your Soul) will be among the panelists for Legacy of Laughter: An Interactive Celebration & Exploration of Humor sponsored by TV Land (and moderated by Lucie Arnaz)?! And, did you know there will be free outdoor screenings, free contests and scavenger hunts, and free live music during the weekend, too!And don’t forget, as we reported earlier—Vivian Vance’s sister, Lou Ann Graham will be the guest of honor during a special Vivian Vance Treasure Chest Boat Cruise on Lake Chautauqua as well as taking part in a very special Saturday morning tribute, “I Remember Viv!” (hosted by Lucy historian, author, and We Love Lucy fan club president, Tom Watson)! And…Direct from California, Lucille Ball’s “sister” (and Here’s Lucy producer) Cleo Smith (and her husband—former L.A. Times TV critic, Cecil Smith) will also be on hand to celebrate their May birthdays during the Lucy-Desi Fan Reunion! And, we’re thrilled to be welcoming “I Love Lucy” Film Editor, Dann Cahn to Jamestown to offer opening remarks on Friday night’s very special Lucy-Desi screening! And, if that isn’t enough, Sammy Ogg and David Stollery (you know them better as “Jimmy” and “Timmy” Hudson from episode 14!) are also flying in for the weekend for a special “I Love Lucy” Legend Event! And, believe it or not, that’s not all! Visit www.lucy-desi.com at noon tomorrow for every detail!But until then, here’s that link for hotel accommodations: http://wwwlucy-desi.com/festival/festival_accom.html(Make your reservations early or you might just find yourself bunking outside Cincinnati next to the railroad tracks with a stale cheese sandwich (episode #111)!
Lucy-Desi Fans:
It’s true! Forty events are being planned for the upcoming Lucy-Desi Days festival (May 25-27) this year! And, Lucille Ball’s close friend (and favorite side-kick!) Vivian Vance is the focus of three of them!
During Lucy-Desi Days 2007 you’ll be able to enjoy a special screening of Lucy and Vivian’s last TV appearance together.
Later, you can come aboard the Summerwind for a special Vivian Vance Treasure Chest Boat Cruise hosted by Vivian Vance’s sister—flying in direct from Albuquerque for the weekend! (Yes, Vivian Vance’s sister! This once-in-a lifetime opportunity makes the trip to Jamestown a “must” this year!)
A special Saturday morning tribute: “We Remember Viv!” will include live performance, a video tribute, candid conversation, and a family album slide show, too! Hosted by Tom Watson, president of the “We Love Lucy” Fan Club, this event is all about our favorite second banana!
Additional festival event information will be coming soon. All festival tickets will go on sale later this week at www.lucy-desi.com.
Stay tuned for more exclusive details all this week!
Lucy-Desi Fans:
This Friday at noon (Eastern time)…That’s when tickets will go on sale for Lucy-Desi Days 2007, the annual festival in Lucille Ball’s hometown that celebrates the First Couple of Comedy!
Over 40 fabulous events are being planned. All details will be online on Friday.
But until then….guess whom we found: Jimmy & Timmy Hudson—those twin rascals who traumatized their babysitter, Lucy Ricardo! It was 1952—episode 14, “The Amateur Hour,” to be exact. Actors Sammy Ogg and David Stollery will be our very special guests of honor at the “I Love Lucy” Legend Event on Sunday morning, May 27.
Ticket holders will have the opportunity to meet Sammy & David and get their picture professionally taken with them on the Ricardos’ New York apartment living room set at the Desilu Playhouse (the “I Love Lucy” museum)! After the photo shoot, enjoy a continental breakfast, special screening of “Jimmy” and “Timmy” in action (in the Tropicana Room), and an intimate question and answer session with them!
To guarantee an up-close-and-personal experience, admission will be limited to this special event.
We’re thrilled to be welcoming these two very special “I Love Lucy” actors to Jamestown and we hope you’ll make plans to join us!
More festival details to follow soon!
LUCY ON TV IN MARCH
MARCH 1 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Ragtime Band") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Building a Barbecue") - TVLand
MARCH 2 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy's Night on the Town") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Country Club Dance") - TVLand
MARCH 3 10:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Raises Tulips") - TVLand 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Girls Want to go to a Nightclub") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Be a Pal") - TVLand
MARCH 4 10:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Diet") - TVLand 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Quiz Show") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Audition") - TVLand
MARCH 5 11:30 PM Du Barry was a Lady - TCM
MARCH 6 3:15 AM Thousands Cheer - TCM
MARCH 7 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Plays Cupid") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Fakes Illness") - TVLand
MARCH 8 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Writes a Play") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Breaking the Lease") - TVLand
MARCH 9 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Ballet") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Young Fans") - TVLand
MARCH 10 10:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Seance") - TVLand 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Men are Messy") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Fur Coat") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy is Jealous of Girl Dancer") - TVLand
MARCH 10 10:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Drafted") - TVLand 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Adagio") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Benefit") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Amateur Hour") - TVLand
MARCH 12 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Plays Cupid") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Fakes Illness") - TVLand
MARCH 13 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Writes a Play") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Breaking the Lease") - TVLand 6:15 PM The Facts of Life - TCM
MARCH 14 6:15 AM Mame - HBO Signature 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Ballet") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Young Fans") - TVLand
MARCH 15 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("New Neighbors") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Fred and Ethel Fight") - TVLand
MARCH 16 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Mustache") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Gossip") - TVLand
MARCH 17 10:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Pioneer Women") - TVLand 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Marriage License") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Kleptomaniac") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Cuban Pals") - TVLand 8:30 PM Three's Company - TVLand
MARCH 18 10:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Freezer") - TVLand 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Publicity Agent") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy's Schedule") - TVLand 3:00 PM Three's Company - TVLand 3:30 PM Three's Company - TVLand
MARCH 19 6:00 AM Bunker Bean - TCM 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Ricky Thinks He is Getting Bald") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Ricky Asks for a Raise") - TVLand
MARCH 20 2:00 AM Ziegfeld Follies - TCM 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Saxophone") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Anniversary Present") - TVLand
MARCH 21 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Handcuffs") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Operetta") - TVLand
MARCH 22 7:00 AM Mame - HBO Signature 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Vacation from Marriage") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Courtroom") - TVLand
MARCH 23 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Redecorating") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Ricky Loses His Voice") - TVLand
MARCH 24 10:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy is Enceinte") - TVLand 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Pregnant Women are Unpredictable") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy's Show Biz Swan Song") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Hires an English Tudor") - TVLand
MARCH 25 10:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Ricky Has Labor Pains") - TVLand 10:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Becomes a Scupltress") - TVLand 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Goes to the Hospital") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Sales Resistance") - TVLand
MARCH 26 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Inferiority Complex") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Club Election") - TVLand
MARCH 27 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Black Eye") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Changes Her Mind") - TVLand
MARCH 28 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("No Children Allowed") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy Hires a Maid") - TVLand
MARCH 29 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Indian Show") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy's Last Birthday") - TVLand
MARCH 30 11:00 AM "I Love Lucy" ("The Ricardo's Change Apartments") - TVLand 11:30 AM "I Love Lucy" ("Lucy is Matchmaker") - TVLand
LUCY-DESI CENTER’S LEGACY OF LAUGHTER SELLS OUT IN BOULDER CITY, NEVADA! Release Date Thursday, March 8, 2007
Jamestown, NY -- The audience in a sold-out house laughed and learned at last Saturday (March 3) evening’s Legacy of Laughter (LOL) at the Historic Boulder Theatre in Boulder City, Nevada. A program of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York, the event was an interactive celebration and exploration of the healing power of humor.
The LOLs were developed by Lucy-Desi Center president Lucie Arnaz following her and Center vice-president Desi Arnaz, Jr.’s search for a way to explore, extend and celebrate the impact that humor has on the world. Previous LOLs were held in Jamestown – Lucille Ball’s hometown – and Los Angeles. For each event, Ms. Arnaz moderates a panel of professionals who write, produce, research or use comedy.
The brother and sister team co-produced the most recent LOL held in the theatre Desi owns. Panelists were:
Desi Arnaz, Jr. - musician, actor, producer, who, with his wife Amy, owns and operates the Boulder City Ballet Company and the Historic Boulder Theatre
Sean Astin - actor (The Goonies, Rudy, Memphis Belle, Lord of the Rings), Academy Award nominated director (Kangaroo Court), and member of the Directors Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Christina Carroll - artist who studied at Connecticut College, DeCordova Museum School, Boston Museum School, and Sir John Cass School of Art in London, and daughter of Bob Carroll, Jr., who, with others, wrote every episode of “I Love Lucy”
Jim Dunnigan - longtime resident of Boulder City and award-winning family and crisis intervention counselor who has helped many people deal with addiction and crisis through application of the 12 Step Program
Sebastien Gendry - author, educator and motivational speaker who is the founder and director of the American School of Laughter Yoga and the Laugh Angeles Foundation
By listening, asking questions, and practicing Laughter Yoga exercises, the audience was informed, inspired and engaged throughout the evening.
Continuing to fulfill the Center’s mission to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter, the next Legacy of Laughter will be held during Lucy-Desi Days Memorial Day Weekend Festival, May 25-27, in Jamestown.
FRED BALL, LUCILLE BALL'S BROTHER, DIES Release Date Tuesday, February 5, 2007
Jamestown, NY – At the request of his family, the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, in his hometown, Jamestown, New York, sadly announces the passing of Fred Ball at his home in Cottonwood, Arizona earlier today.
Mr. Ball was born on July 17, 1915, in Jamestown, the son of Henry and Desiree (Hunt) Ball, and younger brother of comedienne Lucille Ball. He left Jamestown to join his sister in California in the 1930’s, where he later traveled with his brother-in-law Desi Arnaz and his band and worked at Desilu Productions, the studio that produced Mission Impossible, Star Trek, and The Untouchables, as well as “I Love Lucy”. In recent years, he and his wife operated a motel in Cottonwood, Arizona.
From her home in New York City, Lucie Arnaz said, “It was always special to us that Uncle Fred and I shared the same birthday. In addition to being my mother’s brother, he was also a close friend of my father. I like to think that they are all enjoying a wonderful reunion right now.”
Mr. Ball had requested that his ashes be interred in Jamestown’s Lake View Cemetery along with his sister, parents, grandparents and other family.
This is a profile all about saluting one of the
greatest...
Mrs. Lucille Ball.
She was born Lucille Desiree' Ball in Jamestown, NY on August 6, 1911 to Henry Ball and Desiree' Hunt Ball (DeDe). As soon as her mother could travel again they moved back to Montana. She was an only child for four years, being the center of her parents affection. Her mother was five months pregnant with her brother, Freddy, when her father fell ill. Her father never recovered, it turned into typhoid fever and he died shortly after. He was only twenty-eight and Lucy was not yet four. They returned to Jamestown and her brother was born four months after her father passed. Her mother soon remarried and moved places with her stepfather Ed Peterson. Young lucy had to leave her brother and cousin and move in with ed's parents. She had an awful time in that cold environment for years. She finally moved back to her house where her grandmother died shortly after.
Growing up in Jamestown, New York, her grandfather used to take her to see the vaudeville acts. She absolutely loved them. Lucille always wanted to be like those great comedians and comidennes, she didn't think she was funny but she would do almost anything. Then tragedy struck even worse when a little boy was shot in there back yard by a little girl, the family sued her grandfather because he was the only adult there at the time supervising. Her grandfather went to jail even thought it wasn't his fault, lucy's family lost everything, he was released after a while, but he was never the same. Lucy then begged her mother to send her to New York to a school for actresses. She stayed there for a while but the star pupel, Bette Davis, made it impossible for anyone to succeed there. Lucille had a terrible time there, it made her shy and selfconsicious. She said many years later that the school traumitizied her, and was a horrible school. Anyway she soon returned home when the school wrote her mother and told her that she was wasting her money. Lucy was terribly homesick anyway, so she went back to regular school in Jamestown. Years past and lucy return to New York city where she had several jobs at a fashion boutique, modeling for Hattie Carnigie and posed as a chesterfield cigeratte girl. One day lucy was modeling on a stage and she collapsed. Hattie took her to a hospital and they said she would never be able to walk again. But that didn't stop lucy and she went home to rest and get better, and after two years she got better and was off to NYC agian, working for Hattie. One day a lady came up to her in the street and said they were leaving for Hollywood the day after tomorrow. One girl had just dropped out of the group and they needed a replacement. And since lucy had modeled for several places and been a cigeratte girl, she was the right type. Bam, just like that Lucy was on her way to Hollywood to be a Goldwyn girl for Samuel Goldwyn himself in his new picture, Roman Scandels.
This film took a long time to film, it was supposed to only take six weeks to film but instead it stretched to six months. So in the meantime lucy made sure she was always in the right place when someone needed an extra. She stared in many films before Roman Scandels ever finished, like blood money, the bowery, and broadway through a keyhole. She was told she wasn't the prettiest out of all the goldwyn girls, but she found that she got many parts because she would do anything for a part. If a producer needed a girl to get a pie in the face or something where they got dirty, all the other girls were to pretty and sophisticated to do it so the producer would see lucy and say,
what about her, if the other girls won't do it, ask her, she'll do it".
That's how she got her start by being the one who didn't care whether she got down and dirty, or that no one could recognize her with the pie or mud on her face, she was just happy to be in the show. So she was in many movies, and after a while this got tiring because she wasn't getting anywhere in show business. Her first big break was The affairs of Annabel and Stage door. But still she was getting small parts, and people still didn't know who she was. They used to say she was the queen of the B pictures and "Lucille Ball deserves better parts then she been given."
When she was a Goldwyn she would get loaned out to different studios like 20th Century-FOX all the time. That's how hollywood worked in the 1930's, sometimes lucy wouldn't even know who was in the picture with her, or nobody would even bother to tell her the title, they just told her to show up at a certain time and day, and walk through a scene and say one line maybe and leave. She said in her book that "I never knew I was in Broadway Through a keyhole with Russ columbio until a few weeks ago, when i saw the film for the first time". Now Broadway through a keyhole was made in 1933 and she wrote her book in 1964. She was so worried about her career, that she put romance aside for a while. She was so determined to earn enough money to bring her family to hollywood and live with her. She had brief walk in parts but like i said before it wasn't getting her anywhere.
After being in Hollywood for about a year she went about home to jamestown and stayed with grandma peterson, her stepfather ed's mother, and even though no one really knew her yet, jamestown was making a huge deal out of the premire of Roman Scandels. To them Lucille Ball was a wonderful success and big time celebrity in Jamestown...they were so completely proud of her.
At Columbia, Lucy was making seventy-five dollars a week, every week she would take her check and put it in her "survival" account. When her brother, freddy, graduated he moved up to california to live with her and got a job at the Trocadero supper club. They rented a house on Ogden drive for eighty-five dollars a month. They got the house fixed, called her family, and invited up to live with her. So when she got off the phone, ten minutes later she got a call saying she had been fired from columbia, even though her mom, and grandpa, were on their way. That night her date told her that there was a showgirl call at RKO. So she went over to RKO and meet Bernard Newman, he likeed her height and manner, so she got the job. Which led to a three-month contract that turned into seven years.
She was only making fifty dollars a week RKO, which was later the site for Desilu Studios. On the set of Roberta, Lela Rogers, ginger rogers mother, got at call and was told, that they had hired four new models for the movie, "three of them may be star material. Then there's a kid named Lucille Ball. Don't pay any attention to her. Berny Newman hired her, I don't know why. She's great at parties, real funny kid, but I can't see any future for her in movies". Lela didn't care, she told lucy later, that she saw the twinkle in her eyes, she was great. Then when her contract ran out after a year studio didn't renew it, so when lucy told lela, lela said that "if lucy goes so do I". she said lucy was the best student she had, and she would manage lucy like she did ginger.
Lela always said not to let anyone see your temper. well one day lucy was getting her make up done by Mel Burns and he got a call that Katharine Hepburn was on her way down. So he rudely told Lucy to get out...he basically threw her out the door to say the least when kate got down there. Well after she was out she realized she left her eyebrow pencil in there, so she came back drinking her coffee and stuck her head through the talking whole in the dressing room, Mel ignored her completely. She asked three times, he made a stale remark , Lucy was boiling, Lucy said, "Suddenly the coffee cup left my hand and went sailing into the dressing room, narrowly missing Hepburn's celebrated head." They almost fired lucy for that but lela once again saved her. Then lucy was in a play, but the night of one of the performances, lela called lucy and said the star couldn't make it and lucy would have to play the lead that night. Lucy was wonderful, and after the performance lela told her it was a test and she would never face a more difficult task, even if lucy stayed in show business for fifty years.
Well lucy dated the producer of RKO at the time, who was married with children. He asked Lucy to marry him and eventually she got up the courage to turn him down. With his wounded pride, he lost all interest in lucy's career and her, then he made an announcement that "Lucille Ball would never again do an A picture at RKO. this almost ended her career entirely. So she became known as the "Queen of the B's" since B pictures were all she was getting to do. When lucy went to New York they told her to go see the broadway play "Too Many Girls" because she might get the lead in the movie version. But lucy fell on ice and had to go to the hospital. So she missed the play, but her friends who visited her in the hospital told her it was a great success and one of the stars "Desi Arnaz" was extremely handsome, and was a great singer and actor. So when she was able to get out of the hospital bed, her friend took her to see it..she said she couldn't take her eyes off Desi.
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