LUCY BUSY WITH PLAY, TV, FAMILY

January 1, 1961

On the first day of 1961 the Associated Press (AP) published a story about Lucille Ball, and her transition from TV star in California, to Broadway star in New York City.  In the below article – reprinted verbatim – footnotes have been added for historical perspective.  This story appeared in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on New Year’s Day 1961, but may have been published elsewhere on other dates. 

NEW YORK (AP) Television fans who believed the 3,000 miles and legal action now separating Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz meant a wind-up to the adventures of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo can in take heart. 

Plans are in the works to film a semi-biographical “Lucy Goes to Broadway” right after New Year’s Day. (1)

The setting will be New York and all the “I Love Lucy” regulars are to be present and accounted for. 

Meanwhile, Lucille Ball spent a sabbatical rehearsing for her first Broadway show, “Wildcat.“ (2)

Concurrently, Lucy was involved in exploitation plans for the movie, "The Facts of Life,” which she recently made with Bob Hope (3); regular sessions with a voice coach; in making occasional guest appearances on television (4); in getting her family settled in a new East Side Manhattan apartment; and in getting the children settled in school. 

HAPPILY OVERWORKED 

“I’m over-working and I’m over-booked. I don’t have time even to see friends,” she said, looking slim, happy and healthy. “But I love to work and I love to try new things. It’s good for me." 

The comedienne, her two children and her mother have moved into a handsome apartment in a building so new that most of the lower floors still are uninhabitable and mechanics still are installing elevators. (5)

The apartment, done in light cool colors and the walls hung with colorful oil paintings every one done by friends of Lucy, is still in the process of being furnished. 

A big terrace overlooks the city, and Lucy says the two children, Lucie, 9. and Desi, 7, like this best.

"Desi has been watching the fireman, and he’s decided he’ll be one,” she said, gesturing toward the building where men were being hauled on ropes up and down the side of the building.  

“And Lucie’s going to be a nurse she’s got a pair of binoculars and she knows every time one of the children in the hospital cries,“ she said pointing east to a children’s hospital. (6)

Recently, Lucille collaborated with a professional writer on a magazine piece in which she explained the circumstances surrounding her divorce from Desi after almost 20 years of marriage. 

She wrote the piece, she says, because she wanted to explain the situation once and for all. Now she will not go into the marital matter again, although references to Desi are casually and affectionately scattered through her conversation, and pictures of him are prominent in her bedroom, the living room, and of course in the children’s rooms.

~FOOTNOTES~

(1) “Lucy Goes To Broadway” was a scripted TV special about Lucille Ball performing on Broadway. Although the script was written, it was never produced. 

(2) The Philadelphia tryout of “Wildcat” opened on October 29, 1960. The scheduled Broadway opening had to be postponed when trucks hauling the sets and costumes to New York were stranded on the New Jersey Turnpike for several days by a major blizzard. After two previews, the show opened on December 16 at the Alvin Theatre. The cast included Paula Stewart and Swen Swenson, with Valerie Harper among the chorus members. Hampered by lukewarm reviews and Ball’s lingering illness, it ran for only 171 performances, closing on June 3, 1961. 

(3) “The Facts of Life” was a comedy from United Artists that opened on November 14, 1960, starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. It won an Academy Award for costume design and Lucille Ball was nominated for a Golden Globe. 

(4) During Fall 1960 until the end of the year, Ball appeared on television on “The Garry Moore Show” (September 27), “Eleanor Roosevelt’s Diamond Jubilee Plus One” (October 7), and “The Jack Paar Tonight Show” (December 29). Coincidentally, on the same day this AP story was published (January 1, 1961) Lucille Ball appeared as a mystery guest on “What’s My Line?” Ball used a low, hushed voice to answer questions posed by blindfolded panelists. Faye Emerson correctly guesses Lucy’s identity by saying “Are you a red-headed wildcat?” Lucy says she’s lost twelve pounds doing the musical. She says how much she owes to “I Love Lucy.” Emerson reminds everyone that Lucy and Bob Hope have a new film coming out, The Facts of Life.  Emerson suggests it could be up for an award.

(5) Lucille Ball’s Manhattan address was 150 East 69th Street, in the Imperial House, just a short distance from the fictional location of “I Love Lucy” 623 East 68th Street. The Imperial House is a white brick building designed by Emery Roth & Sons and built in 1960. It is situated on 69th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues with a large circular driveway leading to the covered entrance. The 30-story building has 378 apartments. Originally a rental building, it was converted to a cooperative in 1971. The building’s lobby was designed by William Raiser of Raymond Loewy William Snaith. 

(6) Needless to say, Desi Jr. and Lucie (above in 1961) both followed in their parents footsteps and went into show business. He did not pursue firefighting and she did not become a nurse.