FUNNY FACE LUCILLE BALL

January 30, 1952

On January 30, 1952, Lucille Ball appeared on the cover of People Today, volume 3, number 4. 

People Today was an adult magazine founded in 1950. The first issue was published on June 20, 1950 and featured Faye Emerson on the cover. It was a bi-weekly pocket digest originally published by Weekly Publications, publisher of Newsweek. Purchased by Hillman Periodicals end of January 1951, the small 4 X 6 magazine fit perfectly in the breast pocket of a gentleman’s suit coat or in a woman’s pocket book. One of the unique characteristics of People Today was the attractive photos of beautiful, sexy women often scantily clothed on the front and back covers. Because of this, People Today soon became categorized as a risqué or cheesecake periodical. People Today featured models, celebrities, the elite, news you can use and people in the know. The magazine featured many popular models such as Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Elizabeth Taylor, June Blair, and Jean Carroll. The magazine was sold to P.T. Publications, Inc. and published its final issue in 1977. It is not associated with the tremendously popular People Magazine. 

The inside article focuses on Lucille Ball’s role as star and vice-president (and chief worrier) of Desilu Productions Inc. The photograph on page 17 is from “The Séance” (ILL S1;E7) which aired on November 26, 1951.

Photos on page 18 are from: 

• “The Benefit” (ILL S1;E13) aired on January 7, 1952 (top)
• “Men Are Messy” (ILL S1;E8) aired on December 3, 1951 (bottom)

Photos on page 19 are from: 

• “The Quiz Show” (ILL S1;E5) aired on November 12, 1951
• “The Adagio” (ILL S1;E12) aired on December 31,1951

Lucille Ball is compared by the writer to the late Carole Lombard, who happened to be a personal friend of Lucy’s as well as a talented comic actress. 

The article says that the “I Love Lucy” studio audience has been filled by such luminaries as Rosalind Russell, Eve Arden, Arlene Dahl, Lex Barker, Laraine Day, and her husband, baseball great Leo Durocher.  The mentioned Desilu Durocher / Day TV project never came to pass. 

The author implies that Bing Crosby is intending to be an audience member, and that perhaps the experience will coax him into trying television.  Crosby had appeared on TV as a guest as early as 1948, but would not launch his own show until January 1954, in a one-off variety special. 

The photograph on page 20 is from “Lucy is Jealous of Girl Singer” (ILL S1;E10) aired on December 17, 1951. Page 21 features a candid photo of Lucy, Desi and Little Lucie. 

The date this magazine was published (January 30, 1952), Lucy and Desi were filming “Fred and Ethel Fight” (ILL S1;E22) at General Service Studios in Hollywood.  The episode would air on March 20, 1952. 

Exactly six months later, on June 30, 1952, Lucy was back on the cover of People Today, this time with Desi Arnaz. It was rare for a male to make the cover of People Today.