LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION

1947-1950

Before the October 15, 1951 premiere of “I Love Lucy,” radio personality and movie star Lucille Ball made a select few appearances on the brand new medium of television.  

“Pantomime Quiz Time” ~ December 1947

Lucille Ball’s first time on the new medium of television was on “Pantomime Quiz Time” hosted by Mike Stokey. At the time, the program was a local show aired only on KTLA in Los Angeles, but it soon moved to CBS. It was later re-titled “Stump the Stars.” The game show was essentially the parlor game charades, something Lucille Ball excelled at and integrated into all of her television shows. Later in her career, she appeared on a similar game show titled “Body Language” (1984).  In late 1947, Lucille Ball had just premiered the film Her Husband’s Affairs for Columbia Pictures.  

“Perry Como’s Chesterfield Supper Club” (S3;E9) ~ February 18, 1949

Lucille Ball guests on the 15-minute variety show to promote her radio show “My Favorite Husband.” Perry Como sings "So in Love”, “Powder Your Face” and “Far Away Places”.

“Texaco Star Theatre” (S1;E38) ~ February 22, 1949

On this date, Walter O’Keefe filled in for an ailing Milton Berle on “Texaco Star Theatre.” Guests include Lucille Ball, Paul Winchell, and The Ink Spots. Berle’s absence delays the first meeting of superstars-to-be Ball and Berle until 1950, when he hosted the “Cerebral Palsy Telethon.” This was Ball’s first collaboration with ventriloquist Paul Winchell, who she later invited to appear on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy.”  Professionally, Lucille Ball was the star of the radio show “My Favorite Husband” (1948-1951) and had just wrapped the film Sorrowful Jones with Bob Hope.  

“Inside U.S.A. with Chevrolet” (S1;E5) ~ November 24, 1949

“Inside U.S.A.” was an attempt by composer and producer Arthur Schwartz to transfer his 1948 Broadway hit of the same name to television. The show was a revue with music, comedy and song and dance that also spotlighted different states of the Union. Peter Lind Hayes was the Master of Ceremonies, a kind of wandering minstrel who introduced the acts and participated in skits. He was joined by his wife singer Mary Healy, and movie character actress Mary Wickes. Big name guest stars like Lucille Ball also appeared. The show was done in New York and Lucy was delayed in getting to the studio for rehearsals, so Mary Wickes was asked to stand in for her. When she finally arrived, Lucy observed Wickes and was impressed with her work. In 1952, Lucy invited Wickes to play the ballet instructor on “I Love Lucy.” Lucie Arnaz later said that of all her mother’s friends, Wickes was the most constant.  

“The Ed Wynn Show” (S1;E14) ~ January 7, 1950

Lucy and Desi both guest-star on “The Ed Wynn Show.” Highlights include a silent movie sketch with Lucille Ball portraying actress Theda Bara and Desi Arnaz singing “Babalu.” Ball had just experienced her second miscarriage. In May 1952, after the success of the first season of “I Love Lucy,” Wynn invited Ball and Arnaz to guest star on his new show “Four Star Revue.”  

“Show of the Year: Cerebral Palsy Telethon” ~ June 10, 1950

The telethon was hosted by Milton Berle and was aired on NBC. It was broadcast from New York City with remotes from Philadelphia. A week later, Lucille Ball became pregnant for the third time but miscarried again on June 27.  Lucy and Desi were in New York City on their ‘vaudeville tour’ designed to try-out material for “I Love Lucy” and prove to the networks they had good chemistry together. (Photo, left to right: Gabby Hayes, Roger Clipp, UCP Poster Child, Jane Pickens, and Dennis James.)

“The Ken Murray Show” ~ July 8, 1950

On KTTV (Los Angeles), “The Ken Murray Show” featured Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, along with dancer Bunny Briggs and instrumentalists The Marvellos. 

“The Star-Spangled Revue” ~ September 14, 1950

Lucille Ball and Bob Hope’s first collaboration on the small screen. Lucille played a female mayor and Hope her henpecked husband. Also featuring Mary Wickes and Dinah Shore.