Saturday, November 30, 2013

November 30 - Lucy and Desi: Before the Laughter

This movie has a scene that happens today – November 30. I hope you enjoy this film and watch it tonight.

LUCY AND DESI:
BEFORE THE LAUGHTER         

As Lucy anxiously awaits the first taping of the “I Love Lucy” show she thinks back to how she met Desi. He’s a womanizer and she plays hard to get. They work together on the film Too Many Girls. On November 30, 1940 [27:29 to 32:00] Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez get married by a notary public.  She refuses to go on location to shoot films, but he tours with his band. Then Desi gets drafted. Then he catches him necking with a girl and she threatens divorce.   However, she finally agrees to put him on a year’s probation, with Desi not going on tour. After he gets slighted at the Oscars, he persuades her to let him return to touring. When she thinks he’s been involved in a serious accident while on the road they look for a way they can work together.  They renew their wedding vows in church. Desi’s infidelities continue, while Lucy works on radio. They try to sell CBS on a show starring the two of them, but can’t until they go on the road with a successful stage version of the show. She has a difficult time after a miscarriage, but they get word that the show has been approved. They have their first child. They begin taping the first episode of the “I Love Lucy” show.

A pure fluff biopic. It has been criticised for taking great liberties with the facts. If you’re looking for a Hollywood biography and not a factual one, it is entertaining enough.  

Ball of Fire by Stefan Kanfer (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2003) at page 78 gives their wedding date

Producer – John Thomas Lenox

Director – Charles Jarott

Awards – This film was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special and the Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special Emmys at the 43rd Primetime Emmy Awards.
 
Screenplay – William Lucas and Cynthia A. Cherbak

Runtime – 1 hour 35 minutes

Released – February 10, 1991

Starring –

Frances Fisher as Lucille Ball
Maurice Bernard as Desi Arnez
Alan Oppenheimer as Arthur Lyons
Don Keefer as Grandpa Ball




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