Barb's Book Reviews: Review of "Lucille Ball Treasures" by Cindy De La Hoz

Monday, October 23, 2023

Review of "Lucille Ball Treasures" by Cindy De La Hoz

Lucille Ball

Most people know Lucille Ball from her television shows 'I Love Lucy' (1951 -1957); 'The Lucy Show' (1962 - 1968); and 'Here's Lucy' (1968 - 1974). However Lucille broke into show business long before television comedies put her in every living room. This pictorial biography, filled with great photographs, chronicles Lucille's career, and provides a look into her private life.

Lucille Ball, born in 1911 in Jamestown, New York, inherited traits from both her parents. Lucille's mother DeDe Hunt Ball was an artistic woman who played piano, and Lucille's father Henry Ball had a good sense of humor and bright blue eyes. Lucille's father died when she was a toddler, and Lucille grew up in a household with her mother, her brother Fred, and her grandfather Hunt - all of whom remained close throughout their lives.

Young Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball's mother DeDe and father Henry

Lucille Ball with her mother Dede

Lucille Ball with her brother Fred

Lucille wanted to be an actress since she was a child, and DeDe encouraged her daughter every step of the way. At the age of 17, Lucille moved to New York City to study acting, and tried out for every stage production available. Failing to get acting roles right away, 18-year-old Lucille - a beautiful platinum blonde at the time - became a model. Soon afterwards Lucille became one of the Hollywood 'Goldwyn Girls', a stock company of female dancers that gave many actresses their start in show business.

Lucille Ball started her career as a platinum blonde

Lucille Ball was a model early in her career

The Goldwyn Girls (Lucille Ball is far right)

Lucille soon moved on however, and author Cindy De La Hoz writes, "Although [Lucille's] earliest roles had done little more than add beauty to the background of a scene, Lucille volunteered to do anything and everything the other 'glamour girls' did not want to do, such as scream and make funny faces." Thus Lucille came to the attention of show business moguls, and started her movie career with bit parts, which morphed into small roles, and then became star turns. This is fully catalogued by De La Hoz, with photos to accompany the text.

Lucille got to know Cuban musician/entertainer Desi Arnaz during the filming of 'Too Many Girls' (1940) and it was love at first sight. Lucille would say, "I fell in love with Desi, wham bang, in five minutes." The attraction was mutual, and the couple courted, then wed in November, 1940.

Desi Arnaz

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

Newlyweds Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

Around this time, MGM Film Studios decided to give Lucille an 'overhaul' and she ended up with more colorful clothing, different make-up, and flaming red hair. Meanwhile, Lucille and Desi continued their independent careers, but really wanted to work together.

Lucille Ball's 'new look' with bright red hair

Lucille Ball sporting red hair in 'Du Barry Was A Lady' (1943)

After many negotiations with the studio, Lucille and Desi became Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on 'I Love Lucy' in 1951, and immediately became America's favorite couple. Costars Vivian Vance and William Frawley, who played Ethel and Fred Mertz on the program, added to the show's popularity.

The cast of 'I Love Lucy': From left, William Frawley, Vivian Vance, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz

De La Hoz writes, "Above all, no one failed to recognize that the true hero of the 'I Love Lucy' success story was Lucille Ball herself. After nearly twenty years in Hollywood and a movie career that was fruitful but did not make her a household name, Lucille finally found the character she was born to play."

Desi was also instrumental in the success of 'I Love Lucy.' Lucille once said, "I had always known Desi was a great showman, but many were surprised to learn he was a genius with keen instincts for comedy and plot." Desi was also a major force in turning the couple's production company, Desilu, into a thriving television empire. De La Hoz goes into great detail about 'I Love Lucy', with wonderful photos from the program.

Scene from the pilot episode of 'I Love Lucy'

William Frawley, Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance, and Desi Arnaz in a scene from 'I Love Lucy'

Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance in a scene from 'I Love Lucy'

Lucille and Desi had two children, Lucie and Desi Jr., which completed the family. But the couple's enormous workload - 39 episodes of 'I Love Lucy' per season as well as movies and other commitments - along with Desi's philandering, strained the marriage. Lucille has acknowledged, "We had everything, Desi and I, two beautiful children, our own show, even our own studio. That's when everything began to come apart." The couple divorced in 1960, though they remained cordial and cooperated in raising the children.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz with their children

Lucille went on to perform on Broadway and in feature films, and continued her television work with 'The Lucy Show' which co-starred Vivian Vance and then Gale Gordon. Lucille then went on to do 'Here's Lucy', with Gale Gordon and her children, Lucie and Desi Jr.

Lucille Ball and Don Tomkins in the 1960 Broadway production of 'Wildcats'

Lucille Ball and Gale Gordon in 'Here's Lucy'

Lucille Ball's children, Lucie and Desi Jr., starred in 'Here's Lucy' with their mother

After her divorce from Desi, Lucille met and fell in love with nightclub comedian Gary Morton, who could make her laugh. The couple wed in 1961 and had a long and happy marriage.

Lucille Ball and her second husband Gary Morton

During Lucille's long career she worked with a 'who's who' of Hollywood personalities, and De La Hoz mentions many actors, actresses, writers, directors, producers, dancers, choreographers, acting coaches, etc. Many of these people were close friends of Lucille's, who seemed to like everyone she met.

Lucille died in 1989 at the age off 77. De La Hoz writes, "The outpouring of public grief from all corners of the world was unprecedented. To the millions who had grown up with Lucy, it was like losing a member of the family. The woman is gone, but her legacy of laughter will never die, as proven by each new generation that discovers - and falls in love with - Lucy."

Lucille Ball in 1986

This is a wonderful book for fans of Lucille Ball.

Thanks to Netgalley, Cindy De La Hoz, and Chartwell Books for a copy of the book.

Rating: 4 stars

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Barb's Book Reviews

Monday, October 23, 2023

Review of "Lucille Ball Treasures" by Cindy De La Hoz

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