Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's fierce, real-life chemistry fueled their roles as the bickering but loving couple on their trailblazing sitcom "I Love Lucy." No matter how aggravating Lucy's goofy schemes became, at the end of the day Ricky always forgave her and couldn't help but be charmed by her wild antics. But behind the scenes, Lucy and Desi's actual marriage was far from the cookie-cutter image they presented in their beloved television series.
There was a tension between Lucy and Desi that would impact the "I Love Lucy" production even from the very start. Amy Poehler's fantastic documentary "Lucy and Desi," assembles private audio tapes recorded by the couple with home movies and photographs, giving a unique insight into their own personal thoughts and feelings — especially regarding the fractured state of their marriage and how working on "I Love Lucy" exacerbated many of their pre-existing conflicts. "It's...
There was a tension between Lucy and Desi that would impact the "I Love Lucy" production even from the very start. Amy Poehler's fantastic documentary "Lucy and Desi," assembles private audio tapes recorded by the couple with home movies and photographs, giving a unique insight into their own personal thoughts and feelings — especially regarding the fractured state of their marriage and how working on "I Love Lucy" exacerbated many of their pre-existing conflicts. "It's...
- 10/9/2023
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
It’s been over 70 years since “I Love Lucy’ premiered on CBS. Sixty-two years since its stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz divorced. And over 30 years since they died. But the decades haven’t diminished fans’ love affair with the remarkable couple who changed the face of sitcoms. And two vastly differently projects currently streaming on Amazon further add fuel to the current Lucy and Desi-aissance.
Aaron Sorkin’s bio-drama “Being the Ricardos” looks at a pivotal week in the production of “I Love Lucy in 1953. Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem have earned Oscar nominations for their turns as Lucy and Desi. And “Lucy and Desi,” funny lady Amy Poehler’s thoughtful valentine of a documentary recently began streaming on Amazon after a successful premiere at Sundance.
If you are a “I Love Lucy’ aficionado — and just who isn’t? — you may want to check out these film and TV projects,...
Aaron Sorkin’s bio-drama “Being the Ricardos” looks at a pivotal week in the production of “I Love Lucy in 1953. Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem have earned Oscar nominations for their turns as Lucy and Desi. And “Lucy and Desi,” funny lady Amy Poehler’s thoughtful valentine of a documentary recently began streaming on Amazon after a successful premiere at Sundance.
If you are a “I Love Lucy’ aficionado — and just who isn’t? — you may want to check out these film and TV projects,...
- 3/21/2022
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
This review of “Lucy and Desi” was first published on Jan. 22, 2022, following the film’s Sundance premiere.
There were a lot of scenarios in which Amy Poehler’s affectionate documentary “Lucy and Desi” might never have existed. As Lucille Ball herself recounts via wonderful vintage interviews, the future superstar couldn’t even make it as a showgirl in the early years. She was kicked out of drama school and canned from various chorus lines. “I was a dud. A real nothing,” she admits, adding that at one desperate point she changed her name to Dianne Belmont, pretended she was from Montana (instead of New York) and gave herself the nickname “Two Gun.”
By Ball’s own modest account, it wasn’t talent but unrelenting hard work that pulled her up a few rungs, until she’d done enough low-budget studio movies that she was considered “Queen of the Bs.” Her...
There were a lot of scenarios in which Amy Poehler’s affectionate documentary “Lucy and Desi” might never have existed. As Lucille Ball herself recounts via wonderful vintage interviews, the future superstar couldn’t even make it as a showgirl in the early years. She was kicked out of drama school and canned from various chorus lines. “I was a dud. A real nothing,” she admits, adding that at one desperate point she changed her name to Dianne Belmont, pretended she was from Montana (instead of New York) and gave herself the nickname “Two Gun.”
By Ball’s own modest account, it wasn’t talent but unrelenting hard work that pulled her up a few rungs, until she’d done enough low-budget studio movies that she was considered “Queen of the Bs.” Her...
- 3/4/2022
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
It’s always a kick to encounter a documentary about a subject after you’ve seen the deluxe scripted and acted Hollywood version. “Lucy and Desi,” Amy Poehler’s film about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz — their love, their showbiz partnership, their revolutionary influence on the creative landscape of television, their meshing and clashing spirits — is a nimble and fascinating documentary. But I suspect I’ll be far from alone in experiencing it through the lens of Aaron Sorkin’s “Being the Ricardos,” especially given the awards heat that was shined on that film this week. “Lucy and Desi” gives you the real story, so it’s only natural that you want to compare notes.
What did “Being the Ricardos” get right and wrong? Given that Sorkin’s film compresses three major story arcs — the public accusation that Lucy was a Communist; the attempt to turn her pregnancy into the...
What did “Being the Ricardos” get right and wrong? Given that Sorkin’s film compresses three major story arcs — the public accusation that Lucy was a Communist; the attempt to turn her pregnancy into the...
- 1/29/2022
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Like a lot of us, Aaron Sorkin loves Lucy. (For the record, the writer-director seems pretty fond of Desi as well.) He digs the way that former model Lucille Ball took her knocks as a contract player at Rko and transitioned to radio, where her manner of goosing punchlines through physical comedy — listeners couldn’t see her, but hey, that’s how Jack Benny did it — attracted the attention of TV executives. Sorkin admires the manner in which Ball wooed Cuban musician Desi Arnaz, her co-star in the forgettable 1940 romp Too Many Girls,...
- 12/10/2021
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: Amy Poehler will make her documentary feature directing debut for Imagine Documentaries and White Horse Pictures on Lucy & Desi, the working title for a definitive film about the remarkable personal and professional partnership between comedian Lucille Ball and husband Desi Arnaz.
This will be the biggest documentary to be fully financed by Imagine Documentaries and the film will have the benefit of full cooperation from the estate of Ball & Arnaz and their family. Through her Paper Kite banner, Poehler will produce with Imagine’s Justin Wilkes and Michael Rosenberg, White Horse’s Nigel Sinclair and Jeanne Elfant Festa, and Diamond Docs’ Mark Monroe. Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Sara Bernstein will be executive producers with White Horse’s Nicholas Ferrall and Cassidy Hartmann, and Diamond Docs’ Morgan Sackett. Monroe also serves as writer.
The film will tell the story of the groundbreaking comedian who changed the landscape,...
This will be the biggest documentary to be fully financed by Imagine Documentaries and the film will have the benefit of full cooperation from the estate of Ball & Arnaz and their family. Through her Paper Kite banner, Poehler will produce with Imagine’s Justin Wilkes and Michael Rosenberg, White Horse’s Nigel Sinclair and Jeanne Elfant Festa, and Diamond Docs’ Mark Monroe. Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Sara Bernstein will be executive producers with White Horse’s Nicholas Ferrall and Cassidy Hartmann, and Diamond Docs’ Morgan Sackett. Monroe also serves as writer.
The film will tell the story of the groundbreaking comedian who changed the landscape,...
- 8/24/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Lucille Desiree Ball
Born: Aug. 6, 1911 in Celeron, N.Y.
Died: April 26, 1989 in Los Angeles
Best known for: CBS comedy series “I Love Lucy” (1951-1957), “The Lucy Show” (1962-68), “Here’s Lucy” (1968-74). As Variety‘s Tom Gilbert observed after her death, “Ball’s elastic facial expressions and precise comic timing catapulted her into an American institution.”
Autobiography: “Love, Lucy,” published posthumously in 1996, from a memoir Ball wrote in the mid-1960s.
Awards: Emmy wins for lead comedy actress in 1953, 1956, 1967 and 1968. Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.‘s Cecil B. DeMille Award, 1979. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Governors Award, 1989
Behind the scenes impact: With her husband and “I Love Lucy” co-star Desi Arnaz, Ball was a TV pioneer who etched an enduring template for TV sitcoms shot on film, which ignited the syndication marketplace for TV. Known for her signature flame-red hair color, Ball was also the first woman to head a major TV studio,...
Born: Aug. 6, 1911 in Celeron, N.Y.
Died: April 26, 1989 in Los Angeles
Best known for: CBS comedy series “I Love Lucy” (1951-1957), “The Lucy Show” (1962-68), “Here’s Lucy” (1968-74). As Variety‘s Tom Gilbert observed after her death, “Ball’s elastic facial expressions and precise comic timing catapulted her into an American institution.”
Autobiography: “Love, Lucy,” published posthumously in 1996, from a memoir Ball wrote in the mid-1960s.
Awards: Emmy wins for lead comedy actress in 1953, 1956, 1967 and 1968. Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.‘s Cecil B. DeMille Award, 1979. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Governors Award, 1989
Behind the scenes impact: With her husband and “I Love Lucy” co-star Desi Arnaz, Ball was a TV pioneer who etched an enduring template for TV sitcoms shot on film, which ignited the syndication marketplace for TV. Known for her signature flame-red hair color, Ball was also the first woman to head a major TV studio,...
- 8/6/2020
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz starring as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo were the first famous multicultural marriage in show business. According to Biography.com Desiderio Alberto Arnaz III was born on March 2, 1917 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. His family had known great wealth, but also great poverty, and by the time he arrived in America, Desi took work cleaning bird cages before trying his hand in the entertainment world Lucille Ball was working as a model and B movie actress when they starred together in the film “Too Many Girls” released in 1940. Their long and winding courtship played
Casting a Lucille Ball- Desi Arnaz Movie...
Casting a Lucille Ball- Desi Arnaz Movie...
- 10/4/2019
- by Virginia Repka-Franco
- TVovermind.com
Producer, actor and musician Desi Arnaz has received one of the digital age’s highest honors – he’s been chosen as the Google Doodle to celebrate what would have been his 102nd birthday, his caricature being viewed hundreds of millions of times today.
Best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy, where he played the husband of real-life wife Lucille Ball, Arnaz was a pioneering figure in early television and later, with his own studio, innovated on reruns and syndication of the shows.
Arnaz was born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha on March 2, 1917 in Santiago, Cuba, but his family decamped to Miami early in his life. His first career was in music, where he worked under band leader Xavier Cugat. Arnaz eventually launched his own band, which is credited with starting the Conga line craze in the Us.
From there, he moved to...
Best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy, where he played the husband of real-life wife Lucille Ball, Arnaz was a pioneering figure in early television and later, with his own studio, innovated on reruns and syndication of the shows.
Arnaz was born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha on March 2, 1917 in Santiago, Cuba, but his family decamped to Miami early in his life. His first career was in music, where he worked under band leader Xavier Cugat. Arnaz eventually launched his own band, which is credited with starting the Conga line craze in the Us.
From there, he moved to...
- 3/2/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
A Mexican Affair Created and performed by Rafa Reyes Produced and directed by Jeremy Williams The Metropolitan Room, NYC Saturday, April 8, 2017
What keeps A Mexican Affair -- cabaret show headlined by Rafa Reyes and backed by a fine Latin group -- going? It is the immense personable charm and contagious self-delight of Rafa himself, coupled with the powerful support he receives from the quintet behind him. This young singer from Mexico, who came to the United States to attend New York’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy, certainly has “that something” and it bespeaks of the kind of presence that compels an audience to stay with him and see what will unfold. That’s no mean feat in the world of solo cabaret performing (or in solo performing of any kind). The seasoned New York cabaret audience knows immediately if the performer in front of them is up to something,...
What keeps A Mexican Affair -- cabaret show headlined by Rafa Reyes and backed by a fine Latin group -- going? It is the immense personable charm and contagious self-delight of Rafa himself, coupled with the powerful support he receives from the quintet behind him. This young singer from Mexico, who came to the United States to attend New York’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy, certainly has “that something” and it bespeaks of the kind of presence that compels an audience to stay with him and see what will unfold. That’s no mean feat in the world of solo cabaret performing (or in solo performing of any kind). The seasoned New York cabaret audience knows immediately if the performer in front of them is up to something,...
- 4/30/2017
- by Jay Reisberg
- www.culturecatch.com
Noah Solloway: Ruining lives for 30 years.
After watching episodes such as The Affair Season 3 Episode 6, I'd like nothing better than to sit down with Sarah Treem with a glass of wine and just chat.
An interview would be nice, but far too formal. There are things about Noah that could never be discussed in such a formal setting, and nobody but Ms. Treem knows Noah like she does. I need to know what's going on with this guy.
More importantly, I need to know what Sarah Treem loves so much about Noah Solloway. Because I am admitting right now that I'm exasperated. I feel like someone has me by the feet and they're flinging me like a rag doll when it comes to understanding Noah.
After two and a half seasons, shouldn't I have nailed down an opinion on the guy? I should either like or dislike him and be...
After watching episodes such as The Affair Season 3 Episode 6, I'd like nothing better than to sit down with Sarah Treem with a glass of wine and just chat.
An interview would be nice, but far too formal. There are things about Noah that could never be discussed in such a formal setting, and nobody but Ms. Treem knows Noah like she does. I need to know what's going on with this guy.
More importantly, I need to know what Sarah Treem loves so much about Noah Solloway. Because I am admitting right now that I'm exasperated. I feel like someone has me by the feet and they're flinging me like a rag doll when it comes to understanding Noah.
After two and a half seasons, shouldn't I have nailed down an opinion on the guy? I should either like or dislike him and be...
- 1/2/2017
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
Howard Hughes movies (photo: Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes in 'The Aviator') Turner Classic Movies will be showing the Howard Hughes-produced, John Farrow-directed, Baja California-set gangster drama His Kind of Woman, starring Robert Mitchum, Hughes discovery Jane Russell, and Vincent Price, at 3 a.m. Pt / 6 a.m. Et on Saturday, November 8, 2014. Hughes produced a couple of dozen movies. (More on that below.) But what about "Howard Hughes movies"? Or rather, movies -- whether big-screen or made-for-television efforts -- featuring the visionary, eccentric, hypochondriac, compulsive-obsessive, all-American billionaire as a character? Besides Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays a dashing if somewhat unbalanced Hughes in Martin Scorsese's 2004 Best Picture Academy Award-nominated The Aviator, other actors who have played Howard Hughes on film include the following: Tommy Lee Jones in William A. Graham's television movie The Amazing Howard Hughes (1977), with Lee Purcell as silent film star Billie Dove, Tovah Feldshuh as Katharine Hepburn,...
- 11/6/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
With love well and truly in the air recently with Prince William tying the knot with the rather lovely Kate Middleton a few days ago, it seems an appropriate time to take a look at some of the most legendary on/off screen couples that have fascinated us film lovers over the years. Chemistry sparks when a real romance lies behind the scenes and when a new relationship begins the tabloids go crazy!
So to celebrate the union of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge – and to appease my wife’s (yes, we just beat the Royals by getting married on 24th April!) constant requests to chronicle the following – here are the top ten on/off screen lovers the past century has immortalised…
10. Kim Basinger & Alec Baldwin
Back in the early 90s, Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin were one of the more popular on and off screen couples in Hollywood. Meeting...
So to celebrate the union of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge – and to appease my wife’s (yes, we just beat the Royals by getting married on 24th April!) constant requests to chronicle the following – here are the top ten on/off screen lovers the past century has immortalised…
10. Kim Basinger & Alec Baldwin
Back in the early 90s, Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin were one of the more popular on and off screen couples in Hollywood. Meeting...
- 5/4/2011
- by Stuart Cummins
- Obsessed with Film
This week’s Wamg Top 10 is having a look at all the on and off-screen couples of Hollywood. The Drew Barrymore/Justin Long romantic-comedy, Going The Distance, comes out next Friday on September 3rd, so we thought we’d give it a go with our list of favorite “Work and Play Couples.” Let us know what you think and who you would put on the list in the comments section below.
Honorable Mention: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
Lucille Ball was a rising star under contract to Rko Studios when she was cast as the female lead in the film version of the Broadway smash Too Many Girls. Prior to the start of filming she was introduced to the young Cuban singer who had taken New York City by storm, Desi Arnaz. Stories from several sources in that Rko office said that sparks flew when they locked eyes on each other.
Honorable Mention: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
Lucille Ball was a rising star under contract to Rko Studios when she was cast as the female lead in the film version of the Broadway smash Too Many Girls. Prior to the start of filming she was introduced to the young Cuban singer who had taken New York City by storm, Desi Arnaz. Stories from several sources in that Rko office said that sparks flew when they locked eyes on each other.
- 8/24/2010
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Season 7 winner of American Idol David Cook has arrived in Ethiopia as a guest of the United Nations Foundation to learn about the challenges adolescent girls face in many parts of the world.
While in Ethiopia, Cook will visit the United Nations’ Biruh Tesfa (Bright Future) Project to see firsthand how the Un Foundation is supporting the work of the Un to educate and empower girls. Footage of Cook’s trip to Ethiopia will be featured during Idol Gives Back, the Emmy-winning television event and musical celebration developed by American Idol creator Simon Fuller, on Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 Pm Et live/Pt tape-delayed) on Fox.
“Once again, we are proud to join with the Idol Gives Back Foundation, Fox, and American Idol to help raise awareness about the work of the United Nations,” said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the United Nations Foundation. “One of our top priorities is...
While in Ethiopia, Cook will visit the United Nations’ Biruh Tesfa (Bright Future) Project to see firsthand how the Un Foundation is supporting the work of the Un to educate and empower girls. Footage of Cook’s trip to Ethiopia will be featured during Idol Gives Back, the Emmy-winning television event and musical celebration developed by American Idol creator Simon Fuller, on Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 Pm Et live/Pt tape-delayed) on Fox.
“Once again, we are proud to join with the Idol Gives Back Foundation, Fox, and American Idol to help raise awareness about the work of the United Nations,” said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the United Nations Foundation. “One of our top priorities is...
- 3/31/2010
- Look to the Stars
On last night's episode of One Tree Hill, Brooke and Julian were forced to examine their hectic live; while Alex sets her eyes on Alexander.
As usual, the events were set to some catchy, appropriate singles. Review them all in our music selection and check out a sampling below:
Wakey!Wakey! - "Brooklyn" Samantha Stollenwerck - "Carefree" J.R. Richards - "Far End of the Black"
Also, as usual, we loved the witty and/or profound One Tree Hill quotes uttered on "My Attendance is Bad But My Intentions Are Good." We've also listed a few examples of those below.
Miranda: Personal sells records and wins Grammys. Personal gives people the words they're too afraid to say. So when you're ready to man up, come and make a record with me. | permalink Nathan: You working hard, or hardly working?
Julian: Wow, that's your movie quote? Shrek 2?
Nathan: I like Shrek 2.
As usual, the events were set to some catchy, appropriate singles. Review them all in our music selection and check out a sampling below:
Wakey!Wakey! - "Brooklyn" Samantha Stollenwerck - "Carefree" J.R. Richards - "Far End of the Black"
Also, as usual, we loved the witty and/or profound One Tree Hill quotes uttered on "My Attendance is Bad But My Intentions Are Good." We've also listed a few examples of those below.
Miranda: Personal sells records and wins Grammys. Personal gives people the words they're too afraid to say. So when you're ready to man up, come and make a record with me. | permalink Nathan: You working hard, or hardly working?
Julian: Wow, that's your movie quote? Shrek 2?
Nathan: I like Shrek 2.
- 2/9/2010
- by matt@iscribelimited.com (M.L. House)
- TVfanatic
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