JAMESTOWN GIRL on TREASURE HUNT

June 23, 1934

On June 23, 1934, The Warren (PA) Times-Mirror reprinted an item from The Jamestown (NY) Post.  Contrary to Lucille’s claim of being born in Butte, Montana, Chautauqua County residents claim her as 100 percent from Jamestown – and the first from the New York town to have success in Hollywood.  

Apparently, after a first spate of films for RKO, Lucille had time to return to Jamestown for a visit. There she hosted a press gathering at the home of relatives.  

Although Ball had done two films with Constance Bennett – Moulin Rouge and The Affairs of Cellini – she probably doubled for Bennett on the latter, which would not be released until August 1934. 

Although The Barbary Coast was made by United Artists (released in 1935), Lucille Ball was not in the cast.  Resurrection was to be a sound remake of UA’s 1927 film based on Tolstoy’s novel.  UA was scooped by Universal who filmed a sound version in 1931. Another remake so soon would have been unusual, but not impossible. 

This item from the Los Angeles (CA) Times confirms that Ball was traveling TO Hollywood to appear in her next picture, The Treasure Hunt.  If the title is unfamiliar to fans, it is because the film was eventually re-titled Kid Millions.  

This item from the Cincinnati (OH) Enquirer strongly suggests that The Treasure Hunt was indeed the same film known as Kid Millions.  The ‘treasure’ of the title was inherited treasure in Egypt, not to be confused with pirate treasure.   

The Pride of Jamestown!