BEAUTY INTO BUFFOON

February 18, 1952

Queen Elizabeth is on the cover of the February 18, 1952 issue of LIFE magazine, with an inside article about Lucille Ball. HM Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, after the death of her father King George VI. Her official coronation was held on June 2, 1953. It was the first coronation to be televised. When Little Ricky was born more people watched that episode than watched the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II six months later. The crowning came one day after the airing of “Lucy Wants New Furniture” (ILL S2;E28).

A year later, Lucille Ball (previously known as the Queen of the ‘B’ movies and about to become the Queen of TV Comedy) appeared on the cover of LIFE in 1953 and then again in 1962.

Ball also appeared on the covers of two LIFE special editions: “Remarkable American Women” in 1976, and “Classic Faces” in 1991.

It was also used as an on-air prop in several episodes of “I Love Lucy.” The photo magazine was a weekly from 1936 to 1972 and a monthly from 1978 to 2000. It maintained a web presence until 2012.  

Photographs in this article were from “The Ballet” (ILL S1;E19) and credited to  Life staff photographer Loomis Dean (1917-2005).  The episode was filmed on January 11, 1952 and was aired on the February 18, 1952, the same date of this issue of LIFE.  It starred Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Frank J. Scannell, and Mary Wickes. 

The glamour shot of Lucille Ball was credited to photographer Philippe Halsman, who also photographed Lucille Ball for the cover of TV Guide.