Lucille Ball: A Little Golden Book Biography

Monday, February 26, 2024

Lucille Ball wanted to be a famous performer -- but people told her she wouldn't be a star. She struggled to get the big roles in movies that she dreamed of. But when she and her husband, Desi Arnaz, got the chance to create their own TV show, I Love Lucy, her comedic skills made the show a smash success. Then, her business savvy helped her become a producer and the first woman to own a major studio!

Posted by LampLighter at 02:30 PM | 15 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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... This Little Golden Book biography -- part of a new series which also includes picture books on Dolly Parton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, and Betty White -- tells the story of this trailblazing entertainer in a colorful, fun way, perfect for young readers " and for parents and grandparents who grew up watching and loving Lucy's show! Kids will love learning all about how Lucy built an entertainment empire and made millions of people around the world laugh. It's sure to teach a new generation to love Lucy... and encourage them to dream their own big dreams. ...

Yeah, ya gotta ignore the overt advertising aspect of this.

And just acknowledge what Ms Ball brought to the fore, the fun she gave to so many people.

imo, Ms Lucille Ball is a legend in our entertainment history.

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-26 12:57 AM | Reply

Of course, there's this...

That Scary' Lucille Ball Statue Has Finally Been Replaced (2016)
time.com

... A new Lucille Ball statue was unveiled in the late actress' New York hometown on Saturday, officially replacing the one dubbed "Scary Lucy" that went viral last year after locals claimed it didn't quite look like her.

Hundreds of fans chanted "Lucy!" as Celoron Mayor Scott Schrecengost and sculptor Carolyn Palmer revealed the replacement life-size statue of the beloved I Love Lucy star during a ceremony on what would have been her 105th birthday, CNN and the Associated Press reported. ...

R.I.P. Ms Lucille Ball.

One of the Great Ones.

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-26 01:00 AM | Reply

What made Lucy and Desi uber rich was the deal they made when filming was about to begin:

The network would only pay for a format that was good for only a single use and would disintegrate in a short time.

Desi & Lucy said they'd pay the cost to have episodes filmed instead, and they'd retain the rights for future broadcast. Syndication, a new concept, made them rich.

What Lucy did with her money made her uber rich:

She, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Fred MacMurray bought up much of L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, which was agricultural land until they subdivided and sold lots to create neighborhoods. Bing Crosby even recorded a song to spark interest in families looking at moving there.

As Paul Harvey would say ... "and now you know the rest of the story."

#3 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2024-02-26 05:54 AM | Reply

www.youtube.com

#4 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2024-02-26 03:08 PM | Reply

Comedy genius and smart business woman. Great role model...

#5 | Posted by catdog at 2024-02-26 05:41 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Desi was also the first to use 3 cameras. He was brilliant about the nuts and bolts of production. A true innovator.

#6 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2024-02-26 06:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

I didn't understand the big deal about Lucy until I watched her in 1930s movies.
Then I understood. Watch some of them old movies on YT. Ouch.

#7 | Posted by libs_of_dr at 2024-02-26 06:50 PM | Reply

Hell I might have to rub one off just remembering...

#8 | Posted by libs_of_dr at 2024-02-26 06:51 PM | Reply

Women used to be so breathtakingly beautiful, and today it's just hideous tattoos and grotesque oversized derrier, plus no doubt three digit body counts. Yuck. Bring back real women!

#9 | Posted by libs_of_dr at 2024-02-26 07:10 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Hell I might have to rub one off just remembering daddysfist ...

#8 | POSTED BY HUMANIMAL

#10 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2024-02-26 07:13 PM | Reply

#10 | Posted by reinheitsgebot

I like your style.

#11 | Posted by libs_of_dr at 2024-02-26 07:22 PM | Reply

#6 | Posted by lee_the_agent

Yes, he was. This reporter says those canisters of film continue to make millions a year:

$20 million per year

The Financial Success of "I Love Lucy" Reruns CBS, the network that aired the show, reportedly earns $20 million per year from the reruns alone. The cast members of "I Love Lucy" receive residual checks or royalties from these reruns, providing them with a consistent income stream from their iconic work on the show."

zacjohnson.com

No telling how many millions in AFTRA royalties they earned over the years. The casts of other network series that went to syndication earned millions.

Danforth could probably do a credible back of the napkin guesstimate, having been an AFTRA board member.

#12 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2024-02-26 08:40 PM | Reply

"No telling how many millions in AFTRA royalties they earned over the years"

For decades they got nothing. Initially, there was no such concept as residuals. Finally, one of the board members wrote the battle cry: "If it's PLAYABLE, it's PAYABLE" Even then, that only covered the current contracts. It took current members giving up other issues in recent negotiations to get residuals for ALL Union shows, not just the ones who knew reruns would exist when they began.

"The casts of other network series that went to syndication earned millions."

The current gold standard is the Friends cast, who each get $20 million/year. Most other contracts pale in comparison.

On the other side of the spectrum, one of the Cosby Show cast members was seen bagging groceries between the Cosby Trial and landing a new hosting gig.

#13 | Posted by Danforth at 2024-02-26 10:30 PM | Reply

She indeed was a brilliant woman, I was fortunate enough to be a friend to her great granddaughter who sadly passed away from cancer. She definitely had Lucy's eyes and was a very special person.

#14 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2024-02-27 07:48 PM | Reply

@#13 ... The current gold standard is the Friends cast, who each get $20 million/year. Most other contracts pale in comparison. ...

Probably why the near-endless chopped up syndicated episodes of some second-level cable channels.

#15 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-27 07:55 PM | Reply