LUCY

May 4, 2003

Directed by Glenn Jackson
Executive Producer Neil Meron, Craig Zadan
Written by Katie Ford, T.S. Cook
Aired on CBS TV (USA) on May 4, 2003

The film was shot entirely on location in Auckland, New Zealand

Synopsis ~ “Lucy” covers 35 years of the comedienne’s life, from her time as a free-spirited teenager through to the last Lucy and Desi Comedy Hour in 1960. In the interim, Lucy tries acting classes and modelling, becomes a Goldwyn Girl, appears in a string of movies and falls in love with Desi Arnaz.

PRINCIPAL CAST

Rachel
York (Lucille Ball) is an award-winning Broadway performer, who was seen with Julie Andrews in Victor / Victoria, and the musical Kiss Me, Kate, also aired on PBS. 

“York is a revelation, with the voice down perfect and the physical comedy at least approximate.” ~ John Leonard, NY Magazine

Danny
Pino (Desi Arnaz) was born in Miami Beach, Florida, a place Desi Arnaz also called home. He has just been cast in the film version of the Tony-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen. 

Rebecca Hobbs (Vivian Vance) is from Auckland, New Zealand. She has transitioned from acting to screenwriting. 

Russell Newman (Bill Frawley) is an Australian actor who has been seen on television in the US and Australia. 

Ann
Dowd (Dede) is now best known as Aunt Lydia on Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” 

Zoe Carides (Lolita De Acha) is from Sydney, Australia. She is the sister of Gia Carides. 

LaChanze (Harriett) is a Tony-winning actress best known for originating roles in the musicals Once On This Island, and The Color Purple. 

Madeline
Zima (Teen Lucy) is a Connecticut-born actress discovered by Woody Allen for his movie, Alice (1990). Zima was chosen for the role of Teen Lucy after a worldwide search. 

Merv
Smith (Grandpa Fred) was for many years New Zealand’s highest rated radio broadcaster, presenting ae breakfast show on Auckland-based Radio 1ZB from 1961 until 1986.

• Christopher
  Brougham (Adult Freddy) 
• Ray
  Woolf (Ed Sedgwick)
• Peter
  Mochrie (Don Sharpe)
• Andrew
  Robertt (Bob Carroll Jr.)
• Lauchlin
  MacDonald (Jess Oppenheimer)
• Theresa
  Healey (Madelyn Pugh)
• Mark
  Clare (Red Skelton)
• Vanessa
  Gray (Carole Lombard)
• Ian
  Mune (Buster Keaton)
• Bartholomew
  John (Hubbell Robinson)
• Owen
  Black (Johnny)
• Laurie Dee (Congressman Jackson)
• Alex
  Ewan (Intern)
• Liddy
  Holloway (Mildred)
• Paula
  Keenan (Sylvia Hahlo)
• Charles
  Pierard (Alex Hall)
• Peter
  Rowley (Mark Daniels)
• Joy
  Watson (Grandmother)

UNCREDITED CAST

• Priscilla
  Bonnet (Young Bette Davis)
• David
  Britz (Dancer)
• Lori
  Dungey (Italian Grape Crusher)
• Gregor
  McLennan (George Mandicos)
• Daniel
  Pujol (Doorman)
• Angela
  Shirley (Deborah)
• Olivia
  Tennet (Lucie Arnaz)
• Charles
  Unwin (Clark Gable)

“If you’re a fan, you may watch in frustration, demanding, ‘Tell me something or more things I don’t know.’” ~ Barbara Vancheri, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

Clips courtesy of Dimitri Bitu and The Biopic Story

~GOOFS~

Frank Tuttle directed Roman Scandals, not Eddie Cantor.

Buster Keaton (Ian Mune) is depicted as being considerably older than his long-time collaborator Ed Sedgwick (Ray Woolf). Buster was six years younger than Ed.

During a discussion about Lucy appearing before the HUAC, Desi mentions RKO is up for sale. These two events were separated by four years.

The final episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” was not filmed in front of a live studio audience, as is depicted.

Harriett (LaChanze) is a composite character based on several maids Lucy had.