Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Chronology - Week 4 - August

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August 25

 

Ruby Keeler, co-stars with William Frawley (Lucy’s Fred Mertz) on Broadway Bye, Bye Bonnie, 1927; appears with Desi Arnaz, The 26th Annual Tony Awards 1972; appears with Lucille Ball, via archive footage, That's Dancing! 1985 and Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood, 1987, is born this date in 1909.

Bob Crosby, Bing Crosby's brother; co-star, Lucille Ball film Thousands Cheer 1943; with Lucille, Desi Arnaz, William Frawley and Vivian Vance (The Mertzes) Stars in the Eye 1952; guest, Desilu Productions' Cavalcade of Stars 1952, and Shower of Stars 1956, 1957, 1958; is born this date in 1913.

Van Johnson, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’ long-time friend and co-star Too Many Girls 1939, both Broadway and Chicago, and in the film version Too Many Girls 1940, his first film; Lucille’s early film-career co-star, MGM Easy to Wed 1946; (“I Love Lucyâ€), 1955; guest Desilu Productions' Shower of Stars 3 episodes, 1958; guest, Desilu Productions’ Here’s Hollywood, 1961, (“Here’s Lucyâ€), 1968, both as himself, Lucille co-star, Yours, Mine & Ours, 1968; with Lucille, archivally, That's Dancing 1985; as well as with Desi and Lucille, via archival footage, Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's 1997, is born this date in 1916.

Mel Ferrer, Vivian Vance (Lucy’s Ethel Mertz) co-star, The Secret Fury, 1950 and LaJolla Playhouse, Pal Joey, 1953, as well as co-star, William Frawley (Lucy's Fred Mertz), Rancho Notorious 1952; is born this date in 1917.

Monty Hall, infamous Show Host; with Lucille Ball: Al-Star Party for Carol Burnett 1982; All-Star Party for Lucille Ball 1984; All-Star Party for Clint Eastwood 1986; as well as with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball [via archival footage] Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's 1997, is born this date in 1921.

William Frawley (Lucy's Fred Mertz), stars in Pathe Exchange's, Turkey for Two, released this date in 1929.

King Features’ Syndicate ‘weekly comic strip’ called “Seein’ Stars – America’s Greatest Comic Weekly,†features Lucille Ball, illustrated in her hula attire worn in Dance, Girl, Dance, published this date in 1940.

Lucille Ball appears on Mutual Radio’s Erskine Johnson’s Hollywood Story this date in 1948.

Lucille Ball appears in Saturday Evening Post this date in 1949.

CBS’ The Lucy Show - While each of Lucille Ball’s series has always gone on summer hiatus, selected re-runs of the show are aired in prime time instead of a summer replacement series, commencing March 24. The remaining weeks are re-runs for the first time in color from the series’ last three seasons (1965-68) on this date in 1969.

Joseph Kane, Associate Producer/Director, William Frawley (Lucy's Fred Mertz) film, Flame of Barbara Coast 1945; as well as Desilu Productions' Whirlybirds Director, premiere episode and unknown other episodes 1957, dies this date in 1975.

Gower Champion, half the team of Marge and Gower Champion; appears Desilu Productions' Shower of Stars “The Dancers†1956; as well as, archivally, with Lucille Ball That's Dancing! 1985, dies this date in 1980.

Ray Ferrell, supporting cast member, (“I Love Lucyâ€) 1957, dies this date in 2006.

That's So Raven episode - has a Lucy Ricardo sketch in it - with Raven Symone' as Lucy; Orlando Brown as Ricky; Kyle Massey as Fred and Analise Vanderpole as Ethel, premieres on this date in 2006.

Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz IV, Lucille Ball and Gale Gordon (by archival footage) appear on GAB Entertainment's Meet the Carters, airing this date in 2009.

 

August 26

 

June Whitley Taylor, supporting cast member. (“I Love Lucyâ€) 2 episodes, 1953; as well as Lucille's guest cast member, with Lucie Arnaz, (“Here's Lucyâ€), 1972, is born this date in 1921.

Thomas Malley was a successful jockey who won the Belmont Stakes, riding “Faireno†in 1932. Desi Arnaz was an avid horseracing fan, and presented a plaque to Mr. Malley, having ridden “Lighthouse†- Tavistock Purse, on this date in 1947.

Candy Moore, guest star, with William Frawley (Lucy's Fred Mertz) My Three Sons “Fire Watch†1961; Lucille Ball veteran cast member, as Chris Carmichael, The Lucy Show, 21 episodes, 1962-63; with Vivian Vance, (Lucy's Ethel Mertz), as Viv Bagley, The Lucy Show, 21 episodes, 1962; with Jimmy Garrett, Jerry Carmichael, The Lucy Show, 18 episodes, 1962; with Ralph Hart, as Sherman Bagley, The Lucy Show, 18 episodes, 1962; with Desi Arnaz, The Lucy Show, 1962; with Lucie Arnaz, as Cynthia, The Lucy Show, 2 episodes, 1962; guest star, Desilu Productions' The Comedy Spot, 1962; as well as guest star, among many others, via archival footage, GAB Entertainment, You Know The Face, 2009, is born this date in 1947.

CBS’ 60-minutes, black & white - The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour – The thirteen hour-long specials that Lucille and Desi did for Ford and Westinghouse from 1957-60 are re-run as a summer replacement series. Fresh opening and closing graphics are created to accommodate the new show title and sponsorship this date in 1963.

Larry Keating, guest, Desilu Productions' Shower of Stars 1955; guest cast member, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour 1959; as well as Desilu Productions' Vacation Playhouse 1963, dies this date in 1963.

Desilu Productions' “Swinging Together†an unsold pilot, produced by Jerry Thorpe, for a proposed CBS comedy misadventures of a band, trying to make it big on the music scene, starring Stefanie Powers, Bobby Rydell, Dennis and Lindsay Crosby, among others, premieres this date in 1966.

Lucille Ball, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz IV and Gary Morton appear on CBS’ 30-minute Password, airs this date in 1965.

Warner Anderson, co-star, Vivian Vance (Lucy's Ethel Mertz) The Blue Veil 1951; as well as co-star, Lucille Ball, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood 1945, dies this date in 1976.

Willis Bouchey, guest, Desilu Productions; Cavalcade of America 2 episodes 1956; co-star, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Forever, Darling 1956; guest, Desilu Producations' Sheriff of Cochise 1957, The Californians 1958, Official Detective 1958, U.S. Marshal 1959, The Untouchables 1960, and Harrigan and Son 3 episodes 1960, 1961, dies this date in 1977.

Charles Boyer, guest co-star (“I Love Lucyâ€) 1956, dies this date in 1978.

LA Times, Roderick Mann: “Lucie Arnaz Says . . .†published this date in 1980.

[leenorman]

August 27

 

Byron Foulger, veteran supporting cast member, (“I Love Lucyâ€), 1953; Desilu Productions The Untouchables, 1959; The Lucy Show, 1965, 1967, is born this date in 1899.

Martha Raye, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’ friend, appeared, with others, as guest co-star in a Desi-organized a musical, G I’m Happy, for the troops who had received casualties while serving in the south Pacific and recovering in Birmingham Hospital, 1943, with Lucille, Bob Hope's 30th Anniversary Special 1981; with Lucille, via archival footage, Entertaining the Troops 1994; is born this date in 1916.

Ira Levin, best-selling playwright and author, wrote stage play, Critic’s Choice, in which film version, 1963, Lucille Ball co-starred with Bob Hope, is born this date in 1929.

LA Evening Herald Express, Harrison Carroll: Lights! Camera! Action! “Over at RKO, Lucille Ball is playing a dumb heroine and loving it in Annabel Takes a Tour, Lucille playing a nitwit Hollywood actress making a personal appearance in Chicago,†published this date in 1938.

NY Times, Frank Nugent: “Lucille Ball Annabel Takes A Tour is becoming one of the country’s brightest comediennes,†this date in 1938.

Jamestown Post Journal, Jamestown NY - Desi Arnaz’ double-sided popular record, “Siboney†and “Green Eyes†is available at Bigelow’s Department Store, which advertisement published this date in 1947.

Lucille Ball, and co-star, Richard Denning, appear on CBS Radio’s 30-minute Situation Comedy, My Favorite Husband, an untitled episode asking the question: “Is Your Ship of Matrimony on the Rocks?†episode #6, with veteran supporting cast member, John Hiestand and writers, Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll, Jr., airs this date in 1948.

Lucille Ball appears on Sunday News, New York’s Picture Newspaper cover, this date in 1950.

[‘Research’ Note: This note appears with several dates of importance in prelude to Lucille and Desi’s performances which made history and will perpetuate. Official announcement that (“I Love Lucyâ€): “. . . the first regular TV series to headline a top current Hollywood actress – with Philip Morris as sponsor, and a premiere date of October 15, 1951,†is made this date in 1951.

CBS is supporting the General Service renovation with a cash infusion, and the ever-expanding production staff was headquartered in the new Studio by this date in 1951.

CBS’ The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour – 60 minutes, black & white – The thirteen hour-long specials that Lucille and Desi made for Ford and Westinghouse are re-run as a summer replacement series. New opening and closing graphics are created to incorporate the new name and sponsorship. This same series in the same format will be used four more times until 1967. There is heavy on-air promotion of the forthcoming The Lucy Show with Lucille doing voice-overs during the closing credits reminding folks to tune in come October to her new CBS-TV sitcom this date in 1962.

Gracie Allen, wife/co-star of George Burns, Burns & Allen Show; friend of the Arnazes; appears Desilu Productions' Shower of Stars 1955; appears with Lucille, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley (Lucy's The Mertzes) Stars in the Eye 1952; with Lucille Legends of Comedy, both via archival footage, 1992; as well as with Lucille and Viv, via archival footages, 50 Years of Funny Females 1995, dies this date in 1964.

Desilu-Productions' Vacation Playhouse “Three On An Islandâ€, starring Julie Newmar, as Kris Meeker, co-starring Ned Glass, directed by Richard Crenna, written and produced by Hal Kanter, premieres this day in 1965.

Hazel Boyne, supporting cast member, (“I Love Lucyâ€) 1951, 1954, dies this date in 1966.

Vivian Vance (Lucy’s Ethel Mertz) stars in Butterflies Are Free, Pocono Playhouse, Cape Cod, for the week commencing this date in 1973.

Lucie Arnaz appears, as guest, on CBS' Match Game '73, airing this date in 1973.

Billy Sand, Desilu Productions' ABC's Wide World of Entertainment 1973; (“Here's Lucyâ€) 1971, 1972, and 1974, dies this date in 1984.

Greg Morris, co-star, Desilu Productions' Mission: Impossible, as Barney Collier, 1966-1973; co-star, Mission Imposible Versus the Mob 1968; with Lucille Ball, Swing Out, Sweet Land 1970; as well as Desilu Productions' You Don't Say 1975, dies this date in 1996.

 

August 28

 

Charles Boyer, guest co-star (“I Love Lucyâ€) 1956, is born this date in 1899.

Simon Oakland, guest co-star, Desilu Productions' Sheriff of Cochise, 1956; Desilu-filmed My Favorite Martian, 1963; Desilu Productions' The Untouchables, 2 episodes, 1962, 1963; Desilu-filmed Slattery's People, 1965; as well as Desilu Productions' Mission: Impossible, 1967, is born this date in 1915.

Nancy Kulp, of Beverly Hillbillies’ fame, co-stars with Lucille and Desi, Forever, Darling 1956; (“I Love Lucyâ€),1956; co-stars in NBC’s Desilu Productions’ Our Miss Brooks 3 episodes, 1956; Fountain of Youth Desi Arnaz, Executive Producer, Orson Welles, Writer, Director, 1958; December Bride, 1954, 1956, 1959; guest stars in Desilu Productions' Ernestine, 1962, The Comedy Spot 1962; as well as The Lucy Show, 1962, is born this date in 1921.

Donald O’Connor, guest, Desilu Productions’ Here’s Hollywood, 1961; as well as Lucille Ball long-time friend and co-star Lucy Moves to NBC, 1980, archivally, with Lucille, That's Dancing 1985; is born this date in 1925.

Film Daily, Dance, Girl, Dance, RKO Radio: “Strong human interest musical drama, with appeal for all brackets of film goers, which is essentially a Cinderella story recounted in a pleasing atmosphere of music, dancing, comedy and romance, Lucille Ball cast in the role of a riotously popular blonde burlesque queen, is a superb asset to the film’s tempo both via her characterization and rendition of two peppery song numbers,†published this date in 1940.

David Soul, of Starsky and Hutch fame; Desilu Productions’ Star Trek, 1967; and appears with Lucille Ball and others, Happy Birthday, Bob, 1978; is born this date in 1943.

Robert Walker, Desi Arnaz’ co-star Bataan, dies this date in 1951.

CBS’ Sunday Lucy Show: 30 minutes black & white: This is a collection of (“I Love Lucyâ€) programs, (beginning April 3 until October 30) - this week’s episode #40. Because so many home viewers requested to see the early episodes, as they did not have television sets when they originally aired, CBS and the Arnazes re-ran these shows in the late afternoon on Sundays, this date in 1955.

CBS, which now owns the 179 (“I Love Lucyâ€) films outright, re-titles the last thirteen episodes Lucy in Connecticut and beams it every Sunday night in prime time for the duration of the summer, airing this date in 1960.

TV Guide cover: Lucille Ball appears at Marineland, with resident dolphin, Splash, this week in 1965.

Lucille Ball appears on St. Louis Post Dispatch TV Magazine cover this week in 1971.

Ruth Gordon, appears with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Toast of the Town 1956; appears with Vivian Vance (Lucy's Ethel Mertz) The Great Houdini 1976; as well as with Lucie Arnaz Night of 100 Stars 1982, dies this date in 1985.

Jamestown, NY -The movie poster exhibit in Jamestown, NY’s new and expanded Lucy-Desi Museum was made possible by recent gifts to the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Lucille Ball’s hometown. New Jersey collector, Joe Genua, donated three original 1940 movie posters from Lucille Ball’s film career including a vintage 1944 poster for the MGM musical, Meet The People, co-starring William Powell. Two other posters provided to the Lucy-Desi Center by Genua include an original 1946 poster for the Universal Studios comedy, Lover Come Back and one for the 1947 film, Her Husband’s Affairs, Lucille Ball’s first film for Columbia Pictures. Longtime Illinois Lucy-Desi fan, Patti Oelrich, also contributed two movie posters - An original poster promoting Yours, Mine, & Ours, the 1968 film co-starring Henry Fonda, which is now on display in the Lucy-Desi Museum. Oelrich’s second contribution is a poster documenting Lucille Ball’s last motion picture, the 1974 musical, Mame, announced via the Lucy-Desi Website, this date in 2008.

[leenorman]

August 29

 

Barry Sullivan, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, 1959, 1960, Desilu Productions’ Here’s Hollywood 1961, You Don't Say 1963, and Mission: Impossible, 1967, is born this date in 1912.

Willard Waterman, co-star, William Frawley (Lucy's Fred Mertz) Rhubarb 1952; Desilu-filmed The Real McCoys 5 episodes, 1957-9, Desilu Productions’ The Californians, 1959, Desilu Productions’ December Bride, 1958, Guestward Ho! 1961; and supporting cast member, The Lucy Show, 1966, is born this date in 1914.

George Montgomery, co-star, with Desi Arnaz, Screen Snapshots, Series 23, No. 1: Hollywood in Uniform 1943, and Screen Snapshots: Memories in Uniform 1954, as well as guest co-star, Desilu Productions’ Here’s Hollywood, 1962, is born this date in 1916.

Isabel Sanford (Weezy of The Jeffersons), co-star with Lucille Ball, The Thirty-Third Annual Emmy Awards, 1981, and receives the Emmy as Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series; appears with Lucille on Bob Hope’s Hilarious Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars 1984; and is the Headliner at Lucille Ball Birthday Celebration 2000, Jamestown, NY, is born this date in 1917.

Mary Ellen Kay, co-star, Lucille Ball, A Woman of Distinction 1950; as well as cast member, (“I Love Lucyâ€), 1957, is born this date in 1929.

LA Evening Herald Express, Jimmy Starr: “Lucille Ball was in attendance when Harry Richman received the finest and most glittering ovation ever tendered a café entertainer, Clover Club, the cream of Hollywood in abundance, and ‘hanging from the rafters’,†published this date in 1938.

Desi Arnaz With His Latinos, records for Decca in Los Angeles, California, “Un Poquito De Tu Amoor†and a Spanish version of “Similau†[recorded 7/22/49 and released], this date in 1949.

Daily Variety: “In what is probably the largest studio rental deal ever consummated, CBS and Desilu Corporation have signed a contract with General Service Studio calling for production of 52 half-hour television films in the Desi Arnaz-Lucille Ball series (“I Love Lucyâ€), rehearsals to commence September 1; filming next week, this date in 1951.

Desi Arnaz and Orchestra record the background music for CBS-TV (“I Love Lucyâ€) Episode #45, and which is filmed this date in 1952.

Michael Jackson, who met Lucille Ball once, on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, 1974 - Michael appearing with The Jackson Five – Lucille, the first guest and leaving after her interview, wanted to give each member of the Five a kiss before she left, as she loved them - [courtesy: The Lucy Lounge – ‘Harry Carter’ this date in 2009; with Lucille [she via archival footage] on Fame in the Twentieth Century 1993; with Lucille Ball [she via archival footage] 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons 2003; as well as with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball [both via archival footage] TV in Black: The First Fifty Years 2004, is born this date in 1958.

Desilu Productions' Fractured Flickers, with veteran supporting cast (Lucy) member, Hans Conried, Host, [who explains what a 'fractured flicker' is; introduces several wacky segments and interviews guests] co-starring this segment, Annette Funicello and Lon Chaney [via arhival footage] - which airs on this date in 1963.

Desilu-filmed The Two Of Us, produced by Elliott Lewis, [Mary Jane Croft's husband] - an unsold pilot proposed for CBS about the adventures of a boy and his widowed mother, a writer of children's books, starring Barry Livingston, Mary Jane Croft, Billy Mumy, premieres this date in 1966.

Jean Hagen, Desilu-filmed Make Room for Daddy,1953-61; Desilu Productions' Shower of Stars 1959; Desilu-filmed The Andy Griffith Show 1961, dies this date in 1977.

Desi Arnaz IV stars in Twentieth Century Fox, a Robert Altman film, A Wedding, as Dino Sloan Corelli [as Desi Arnaz, Jr.], co-starring Carol Burnett and Howard Duff (Lucy/Lucille/Desilu), Mia Farrow, Vittorio Gassman, Lillian Gish, Dina Merrill, and many others, is released this date in 1978.

Simon Oakland, guest co-star, Desilu Productions' Sheriff of Cochise 1956; Desilu-filmed My Favorite Martian 1963; Desilu Productions' The Untouchables 1962 and 1963; Desilu-filmed Slattery's People 1965; as well as Desilu Productions' Mission: Impossible 1967, dies this date in 1983.

Lee Marvin, guest co-star, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 1959 and Desilu’s The Untouchables 1961, 1962, dies this date in 1987.

Mail on Sunday (London), Dottie Keane: “Funny Girls on Top: How Women Have Ousted Men as the Leading TV Comics,†published this date in 1993.

 

August 30

 

Eduardo Ciannelli, Lucille Ball early film-career co-star, RKO Radio’s Winterset 1936, Hitting A New High 1937, and (“I Love Lucyâ€) supporting cast member, 1956, is born this date in 1889.

Raymond Massey, co-star Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, 1959, is born this date 1896.

Fredric March, Lucille Ball early-film career co-star, United Artists Affairs of Cellini 1934, appears Desilu Productions' Shower of Stars, 1954, 1956; is born this date in 1897.

Sarah Selby, supporting cast member, (“I Love Lucyâ€), 1954; Desilu Productions' Cavalcade of America, 1956; co-stars with William Frawley (Lucy's Fred Mertz) My Three Sons, 1960; as well as co-stars with Vivian Vance (Lucy's Ethel Mertz) The Great Race, 1965; is born this date in 1905.

Joan Blondell, co-stars with Vivian Vance (Lucy's Ethel Mertz) The Blue Veil 1951; guest star, Desilu Productions' Shower of Stars, 1955; and Lucille Ball guest co-star, The Lucy Show, 2 episodes, 1965, is born this date in 1906.

Fred MacMurray, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz-friend and guest co-star, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, 1958, with wife, June Haver; co-star, William Frawley (Lucy’s Fred Mertz) on My Three Sons 1960-1965; and (“I Love Lucy’sâ€) 50th Anniversary Special 2001, is born this date in 1908.

Maury Thompson, camera coordinator; sometime director, second unit or assistant director; script supervisor, unknown episodes (“I Love Lucyâ€), 1951; stage manager, 1 episode (“I Love Lucyâ€), 1951; camera coordinator, 23 episodes (“I Love Lucyâ€) 1956-1957; camera coordinator, 4 episodes, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour 1959-1960; camera coordinator, Mr. & Mrs. (The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour) 1964; director, Desilu Productions’ The Mothers-In-Law; director, 20 episodes, The Lucy Show 1962-1965, only director winning an Emmy nomination for his work; camera coordinator, 4 episodes The Lucy Show 1962-1965; Lucille Ball guest co-star The Lucy Show, 1966; as himself, American Masters’ (“I Love Showâ€) 2000, is born this date in 1916.

Larry Orenstein, (“I Love Lucyâ€), 1956, Headliner Guest at Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Days, Jamestown, NY, early 2000’s, is born this date in 1918.

Lucille Ball appears as a burlesque queen, Tiger, in RKO Radio film Dance, Girl, Dance, released this date in 1940.

Life Magazine: Full-page ad for Lucille Ball’s MGM musical, Best Foot Forward, published this date in 1943.

William Frawley (Lucy's Fred Mertz), appears in Universal Pictures' We've Never Been Licked, as Traveling Salesman, co-starring Noah Beery, Jr., Robert Mitchum; Moroni Olsen [uncredited], among many others, released on this date in 1943.

Daily Variety reports in 8/29 article: - Desilu moves to General Service Studios lot this date in 1951.

The Post Journal, Jamestown NY - “Lucille Ball appears in photo after stopping by the set to greet Marshall Thompson and Annie Farge in their first day of production of new situation comedy series CBS’ Angel, with an anticipated October 6 premiere,†published this date in 1960.

Albuquerque Tribune, George S. Baldwin: “Benefit Play Gave Vivian Vance (Lucy’s Ethel Mertz) Her Chance,†published this date in 1962.

CBS’ The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour - 60 minutes – black & white – The thirteen hour-long specials that Lucille and Desi did for Ford and Westinghouse are re-run yet again as a summer replacement series this date in 1965.

Desi Arnaz reports a roudy group at his beach house to police [Desi nervous because Lucie Arnaz, age 15, and a girlfriend were spending the night with him at the time] and was ultimately arrested himself, since he tried to break up the gang in front of the beach house, by firing a gun into the sand trying to scare them off, [upon hearing the horrifying details, Lucille Ball, still protective of Desi, sent a supply of blanks to Desi to help ‘prove’ his case, should there have been a further investigation] this date in 1966.

Joe DeSantis, Desilu Productions’ Sheriff of Cochise, The Walter Winchell File and Official Detective 1957; star of Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 1959, 1960, 6 episodes of Desilu Productions’ The Untouchables 1960-1963, The Lucy Show 1965, Desilu Producations’ Mission: Impossible 1967, 1970, dies this date in 1989.

Charles Bronson, guest co-star, Desilu Productions’ Cavalcade of America 1955, Those Whiting Girls, Sheriff of Cochise 1957, and The Walter Winchell File 1958; U.S. Marshal 1959; The Untouchables and Here’s Hollywood 1962, dies this date in 2003.

Glenn Ford, guest co-star, Desilu Productions’ Here’s Hollywood 1962; Hollywood Without Make-Up, with Lucille Ball via archive footage; Desilu Productions’ ABC’s Wide World of Entertainment “That’s Entertainment! 50 Years of MGM†1974; as well as with Lucille Ball on Sinatra: The First 40 Years 1980, dies on this date in 2006.

 

August 31

 

Arthur Godfrey, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’ long-time friend, The Lucy Show, 1965, as well as rehearsal scenes from “Lucy the Robot†on Arthur Godfrey CBS’ special highlighting the state of modern television, is born this date in 1903.

Buddy Hackett, Lucille Ball guest co-star, The Lucy Show, 1968; as well as with Lucille, via archival footage, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 1992, is born this date in 1924.

LA Evening Herald Express, Jimmy Starr: “ . . Lucille Ball was seen . . . about town . . .†published this date in 1936.

CBS Press Release: “ . . . four days prior to the rehearsal for (“I Love Lucyâ€), announcing to the world the arrival of (“I Love Lucyâ€), no mention of William Frawley and Vivian Vance (Fred & Ethel Mertz)†published this date in 1951.

The Post Journal, Jamestown NY – Mrs. Betty Hoffman – Lucy - ‘Ghost Writer’: “ . . . Help Seeking Stories Here – . . . writing the story of Lucille Ball’s life, with the assistance of Mrs. Betty Hannah Hoffman of Newtown, Pa., author of several books . . . has been here this week, having Lucille’s permission, to collect stories and anecdotes, especially of her early years here . . . [a former editor/ writerfor for The Ladies Home Journal many years] Mrs. Hoffman invites those familiar with Lucille’s early days mail or leave them at Post-Journal under her name,†published this date in 1963.

CBS’ The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour – The thirteen hour-long specials that Lucille and Desi did for sponsors Ford and Westinghouse from 1957-60 are re-run as a summer replacement series. New opening and closing graphics are created for the shows this date in 1964.

The Post Journal, Jamestown NY - ‘Lucy Day’ At Fair August 31 – “Lucille Ball is honored with an official day: ‘Lucy Day’ at the New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows. Johnny Roventini, long-time Philip Morris ‘bellboy’ joins her for photo opportunities during her day. ‘I am deeply touched by this honor. The World’s Fair theme of ‘Peace Through Understanding’ expresses the feeling I’ve always had about international cooperation throughout my life in show business. I’ll be very happy and honored to be there,’†(‘research’ note: More than 100,000 fans turn out for Lucille Ball and Gary Morton, accompanied by Hedda Hopper, columnist, a close friend. The crowd is equal to the number viewing Pope Paul VI the following year. Lucille puts her hand prints in concrete at the Hollywood Pavilion, and receives a silver medallion from James K. Kealoka, representing the State of Hawaii), published this date in 1964.

Lucille Ball, Gary Morton, DeDe Peterson, and Hedda Hopper flew to the East coast for an August 31 “Lucy Day†at the New York World’s Fair – the publicity event pegged on various Lucy programs airing in forty-four countries. After the heady experience, which drew tens of thousands of fans, Lucille returned home to Los Angeles and faced the remainder of her summer hiatus away from the camera. A little known fact about Lucille was that she had a shy quality; for parties she would have a tutor come over to coach her on current events; not wanting to appear uninformed, is reported this date in 1964.

Dennis O’Keefe, Lucille Ball early film-career, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1939, and 1940’s Radio; co-star, William Frawley (Lucy’s Fred Mertz) 1936, 1937, 1944, dies this date in 1968.

Joseph Mell, Desilu Productions' Cavalcade of America 1956, The Untouchables 1959, 1960, 1961; The Lucy Show 1962; with Lucille Mr. and Mrs. 1964; Desilu-filmed My Living Doll 1964, 1965; The Lucy Show 1966; Desilu Productions' Star Trek 1966; guest Desilu-filmed Hogan's Heroes 1966; appears with Desi Arnaz and Desi IV The Mothers-In-Law 1967; with Lucille, Desilu-filmed Make Room for Grandaddy 1970; dies this date in 1977.

Liz Smith, columnist, [long-time friend of Vivian Vance [Lucy’s Ethel Mertz], was on vacation when she dies] on her death: “ . . . so long, girl, you were the greatest,†published this date in 1979.

Milton Berle’s 30-year NBC contract expires this date in 1987.