Tag: desi arnaz

LUCY AND DESI – Review

(Original Caption) Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz going over business matters. Picture from Lucy’s personal file.

So here’s the perfect companion to one of the big feature film “docudramas” from the last weeks of 2021. You may even consider it a “super bonus extra” for a proposed home video release. Ah, but it’s so much more than that. It delves into the history and legacy more thoroughly than any “squeezed into a brief timeline” big-screen treatment. Sure there are lots of clips from this duo’s greatest collaboration, which is still being adored by fans all over the planet every day, but there are historical artifacts that many of us have never seen and heard before. And happily, there are the early, early”pre-superstardom” snippets as the careers of these two began to converge and meld. These gems along with archival footage have been assembled by a talented comic actress who might be considered a “spiritual offspring” of the feminine half of the couple in question. Hey, these two still come to mind when examining their main medium’s history. In the arena of real-life couples who worked together, you’ve got Lunt and Fontanne on stage, in the movies there’s Bogie and Bacall and in television, particularly comedy, it all begins with (and some say is still dominated by). LUCY AND DESI.


It all starts with the enduring images of the two, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. There are countless clips of the Ricardos: Lucy trying to share the stage with Ricky at “the club”, Ricky exploding with a barrage of Spanish as he reveals Lucy’s newest scheme, Lucy hatches said plot with BFF neighbor Ethel Mertz. Then the filmmakers take us back to the duo’s modest, even desperate early times. Brother Fred (in an archival interview) tells of his sister Lucy almost becoming the head of the household when a target practice accident nearly takes everything from their grandfather’s Jamestown NY home. She’s determined to be a star, trying out for Broadway shows, modeling, and even creating a “wild west” persona “Montana” Ball to try and jumpstart a hopeful film career as she heads to LA. Not far from the US, young Desi flees the Cuban Revolution of 1933 and barely makes it to Miami, eking out a living by cleaning canary cages before his musical skills attract the attention of Xavier Cugat, leading to the formation of Desi’s own band. Fans only familiar with the sitcoms will be dazzled by the early images of the two, Lucy, a Technicolor flaming-red-haired movie goddess at MGM, and Desi, a gorgeous exotic untamed congo drum-pounding heartthrob. Home movie scenes and audio recordings (Desi on seeing Lucy for the first time, “Now, thas’ some hunka’ woman!”) chronicle their fiery romance, courtship, and marriage. We’re treated to an amazing montage of Lucy’s screen roles, many of which couldn’t quite capture her talents (leading lady or wisecracking supporting player). And there’s that TV show that never “went away”. We see the foundation being built for the Desilu empire, and its demise as the divorce almost derails the entertainment juggernaut. Though the heads of the company wouldn’t perform on camera, they still had a behind-the-scenes working relationship…for a time. The film provides an overview of their solo lives and careers leading up to their final days in the late 1980s.

Oh, that talented comic actress I mentioned earlier is none other than the “pride of Pawnee” Amy Poehler, known for her memorable TV work on SNL and “Parks and Recreations” in her impressive feature documentary debut. Though much of the story and materials are familiar, she brings a real vitality to the legend via access to those family treasures. Hearing the duo’s voices paired with the keenly selected clips adds an unexpected poignancy. Footage shot on the set of the 1960s “The Lucy Show” gives us Desi’s unexpected visit to the Studio, surprising the guest star (another show biz superstar), though Ms. B doesn’t look that pleased (maybe just indifferent). We get Ball’s work ethic, hinted at in Sorkin’s biopic, as she shockingly states that, “I’m not funny…I just work very hard”. And though he professionalism often caused many to label her the “B word’, I’d think that stands for “boss” as we see her presiding over a board meeting of Desilu shareholders just after Desi was bought out. .Ms. Poehler know when to sparingly utilize some great “talking head” subjects. Carol Burnett gushes over her “gypsy pal, Bette Midler tells of Lucy’s mentoring, while Charo (yes the “gootchie-gootchie gal”) sings the praises of Desi while strumming a guitar. Most prominently daughter Lucie Arnaz offers insights and anecdotes, while we only hear from brother Desi Junior. Plus we’re treated to news interviews with TV writers Madelyn Davis and Bob Carroll Jr., along with Lucy’s brother Fred, though it’s a shame that the last surviving TV cast member, Richard Keith (“Little Rick”) doesn’t appear. We really get a sense of the Desilu domination of early TV as Desi was the major force behind the three-camera filming setup (still used today) and (for better or worse) the rerun., That’s one of the sadder aspects of the tale as Desi had to remind folks that he wasn’t just the “lucky stiff’ riding the apron strings of his comic firebrand wife. And this helped accelerate the breakup that devastated fans. My only complaint with the film is its omissions of the post “I Love Lucy” careers of the two. Yes, Lucy’s follow-up sitcoms are here, but no mention of her feature film work: two comic romps with Bob Hope, the surprise hit YOURS MINE AND OURS (recently spoofed in LICORICE PIZZA), and the “megaflop” MAME (reportedly Desi tried to warn Lucy of the bomb, but she didn’t listen). Oh, and no mention of the mid-80s misfire sitcom comeback on ABC, “Life with Lucy” (perhaps that’s a good thing). Plus Desi stayed active behind the scenes in the late 60s show “The Mothers-In-Law”. Maybe it’s not a “knock” to wish this engaging and often moving non-fiction film was a bit longer. And really, couldn’t the world right now use a lot more of LUCY AND DESI? Babalooooo!!

3.5 Out of 4

LUCY AND DESI is now streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video

BEING THE RICARDOS – Review

JAVIER BARDEM, J.K. SIMMONS, NINA ARIANDA, and NICOLE KIDMAN star in BEING THE RICARDOS Photo: GLEN WILSON © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

As awards season is now in full swing, just what subject is the source of the newest work by an Oscar-winning screenwriter and three Oscar-winning directors? An acclaimed literary classic, perhaps? Maybe a pivotal moment in history, eh? No, they’ve decided to shine their talents, and considerable “star power”, on … a TV show. Really? Well, it’s not just any bit of “video escapism”. Oh no, this is a “biggie”, a true icon, one that still influences all matter of media to this day. And it’s still on the air, either being broadcast or streamed or replayed in all recorded formats, from Beta to Bluray. In any list of the “greatest TV shows of all time” it’s placed near the very top. And during its “hay day”, it was garnering “Soper Bowl-sized’ ratings…every week. It could be called the “mother of all situation comedies”. Its stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who were fairly well-known as a film star and a singer/bandleader before the show premiered, but they achieved “pop culture immortality” by BEING THE RICARDOS.


But rather than giving us a full biography of the stars or a year-by-year history of that TV show, the filmmakers decide to spotlight one production week, Sunday through Friday (filming day) of a 1953 episode of “I Love Lucy”. To tie things together, some recreated 1970’s talking heads interviews with the former writers and executive producer “frame” the drama with a running narration/commentary. Those trying times commence with the interruption of some pre-work romance by the last minutes of newspaper gossip Walter Winchell’s radio broadcast as he drops some not-so-subtle hints that America’s favorite TV “funny lady” is a “red” AKA a “Commie”. Needless to say that this destroys the mood for Lucy (Nicole Kidman) and Desi (Javier Bardem). The resulting “discussion” leads to another recent scandal, as a photo of Desi sharing drinks with a woman, not Lucy. has made the cover of “Confidential” magazine (recall “QT” from LA CONFIDENTIAL). He reminds Lucy that this was an old pic of him entertaining the daughter of their show’s sponsor. Still, Lucy has her suspicions over Desi’s claim that he was “playing cards” with the boys on their boat the previous night. But it’s back to work the next morning for a “read through” of that week’s script. There’s open animosity between co-stars Vivian Vance (Nina Arianda) and Bill Frawley (J.K. Simmons) who play the Ricardos’ neighbors Ethel and Fred Mertz. Plus the rivalry between writers Madelyn Pugh ( Alia Shawkat) and Bob Carroll (Jake Lacy) is in full force. Keeping them on track while keeping the stars, the network, and the sponsors happy is over-worked executive producer Jess Oppenheimer (Tony Hale). But a new bombshell soon drops on him. The show’s star duo informs him, along with the CBS and the other “money men”, that Lucille is pregnant. What will they do? How will it affect the show? But if this whole Communist headline isn’t squelched, will there even be a show? Perhaps the couple will be drummed out of “show biz”. You’d think that getting a show on “its feet” within five days is stressful enough!

Amidst all the social media bashing over the casting of these beloved, almost worshipped TV icons, the ensemble does a terrific job of not nearly mimicking, but bringing real humanity to them. At the forefront of the frenzy is Ms. Kidman, who may be scrutinized most of all. The “Lucy legion” need not fret, as her performance captures the comic genius while giving us a woman truly ahead of her time. And in certain shots, at certain angles, you’d think Mrs. Aranz was recreated ala CGI (much like another comic star in a recent “re-boot”). Kidman shows us the hard-working “pro”, the exacting perfectionist who dares to question her “role”. Despite the outlandish slapstick, she won’t throw out “logic” for a laugh. At times she seems to go into a “trance’ as we almost see through her eyes how she plans to “sell” a gag. There’s even a glimpse of Ball’s playful sexy “vibe’ in some steamy flashbacks. But best of all, we get her vulnerability as her old studio home at RKO “evicts” her, as she begins to fight to keep her marriage together (she doesn’t budge on casting Desi as “Ricky”). Kidman makes her the unstoppable “hero” of the story. And Bardem’s Desi is a big part of that. He conveys the wild, untamed passion of his nightclub act (with tables of swooning admirers. But we also see his “taming”, if only temporary, by the glamorous starlet (Bardem has a great “gobsmacked’ expression during their very “lengthy” first date). But we see his frustration via Bardem’s expert body language, as Desi’postwar movie dreams are dashed. But on the set of his sitcom, his shoulders broaden, as his finely tailored suits barely contain his new “swagger”. And pity those who try to patronize him as the affable Cuban turns into a roaring lion. These talented actors show us how this “power couple” generated laughter, ratings, and heat.

From left to right, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, Desi Arnaz (1917 – 1986) and Lucille Ball (1911 – 1989) on the popular television series ‘I Love Lucy’, circa 1955. (Photo by Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

The “ice” is created in the interactions between the show’s supporting couple. Simmons gives Frawley a “seen-it-all” snark as he tries to stay away from his “cups” while staying above the chaos. He’s even a warm father-like mentor to his boss and co-star Lucy. But he just can’t “get” his other co-star, played with annoyed energy by Arianda (so good as Mrs. Laurel in STAN AND OLLIE). Her Vivian is dismayed that Ethel is the brunt of jokes about her appearance, while nothing is made of the big age difference with her sitcom spouse. She wants her light to shine, but it must be dimmed next to the title role. Hale breaks out of his nebbish former TV roles in “Arrested Development” and “Veep”, as the no-nonsense producer Jess. His intense glare tells us that he will do his job and won’t be intimidated by anyone, especially the “stars”. His “AD” castmate Shawkat is terrific as the lone female writer in a mostly male talent pool. She won’t be pushed aside even as she tells Lucy of her fight to keep her character from being “infantile”. And there’s a teasing rivalry/attraction with Lacy as her scheming co-writer/partner, who delights in claiming credit, even as he hesitates on presenting new ideas.

The Oscar-winner in charge is lauded screenwriter turned director (this is his third feature) Aaron Sorkin. Sure, he indulges in his “talky-walky” penchant that he used most famously in his own TV show “The West Wing”, as Desi and company argue through endless hallways behind studio sets. But here it feels somewhat natural to the frantic pace of doing a weekly show. In a wise move, he eschews the usual bio-format (“this happened which let to this…then this…”) to focus on a five-day period (similar to what Spielberg did with LINCOLN). The idea somewhat stumbles by pushing too many things in the time frame, as those scandals didn’t rally “pile-up’ over one episode. But it can be chalked up to the need for “dramatic conflict” (I’d hope the rest of their ‘season” was a “cake-walk”). Although a final confrontation between the main duo seems highly implausible. Plus the story is “fleshed-out” with those aforementioned “flashbacks” as we get a handle on the romance of Lucy and Desi. But there’s also a “flash-forward’ as Lucy imagines what will be a signature scene, though I’d have enjoined another “forward” of her buying RKO after they gave her the “boot”. Happily, the era is expertly recreated via the talented production artisans (nice to see the Ricardos tiny living room in color) and the lush cinematography from Jeff Cronenweth. Oh, and those fashions from Susan Lyall are stunning, too. I may quibble with what’s left out, but the cast really delivers, giving us an inside look into the very real people who kept us entertained for over 70 years by BEING THE RICARDOS. Babaloooo!!

3.5 Out of 4

BEING THE RICARDOS opens in select theatres on Friday, December 10, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Work & Play Couples

This week’s WAMG Top 10 is having a look at all the on and off-screen couples of Hollywood. The Drew Barrymore/Justin Long romantic-comedy, GOING THE DISTANCE, comes out next Friday on September 3rd, so we thought we’d give it a go with our list of favorite “Work and Play Couples.” Let us know what you think and who you would put on the list in the comments section below.

Honorable Mention: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

Lucille Ball was a rising star under contract to RKO Studios when she was cast as the female lead in the film version of the Broadway smash TOO MANY GIRLS. Prior to the start of filming she was introduced to the young Cuban singer who had taken New York City by storm, Desi Arnaz. Stories from several sources in that RKO office said that sparks flew when they locked eyes on each other. In a little over a decade these sparks would grow into a flame that swept thru the entertainment world( and engulf the RKO studio which would become the home of Desilu). TOO MANY GIRLS did not duplicate its stage success on the big screen, but both stars would continue to star on stage and screen and eventually become man and wife. By the late 40’s, Lucy’s film career would begin to stall as did Desi’s music career. She decided to jump into radio by starring in MY FAVORITE HUSBAND alongside Richard Denning. With stories beginning to herald the advance of television, Lucy thought about taking her show into this new medium, but with her real life hubby Desi instead of Denning. The result, I LOVE LUCY, would become one of the most successful and influential TV shows of all time. Because of the shows incredible popularity, the movie studios came calling on Lucy and Desi to bring some of their magic to the silver screen . Their first film with MGM, Vincent Minnelli’s THE LONG, LONG TRAILER, proved to be a box office hit in 1953 while a follow up film, Alexander Hall’s FOREVER DARLING fizzled in 1956 even with the great James Mason cast as their guardian angel. A few years later Lucy and Desi split, and although they’re known mostly for their TV work, their movie efforts are definitely worth a look.

10. ANGELINA JOLIE AND BRAD PITT

You know that a list like this can’t be complete without the hottest it couple in Hollywood today. Starring in Mr. and Mrs. Smith sparked such chemistry between them that they began dating. Now, with six children and rumors of more, the two are going strong. They can often be seen either on outings or doing humanitarian work as a unit. Might I add, that this is one good looking family!

09. DIANE KEATON AND WOODY ALLEN

You didn’t think that we would actually leave the ANNIE HALL duo out of this, did you? Diane Keaton’s career really began with her romance, both on and off screen with Woody Allen. Together, they were in SLEEPERS, LOVE AND DEATH and PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM. Of course, the most famous between the two is ANNIE HALL. Despite splitting up, Diane Keaton appeared in his film INTERIORS, MANHATTAN, RADIO DAYS, and  MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY, proving that ex’s can still work together.

08. ANNETTE BENING AND WARREN BEATTY

For several decades starting tin the late 50’s, the number one swinging Hollywood bachelor was Warren Beatty. During this time he was linked to some of the big screen’s most popular leading ladies: Natalie Wood, Joan Collins, Leslie Caron, Julie Christie, Diane Keaton, and many others. In 1991 Beatty was cast in the lead in Barry Levinson’s BUGSY, a bio of the notorious gangster Benjamin Siegel. Tapped to play the actress who would help lead Bugsy to his doom was Annette Benning, who had earned critical praise in performances in VALMONT, REGARDING HENRY, and THE GRIFTERS. According to several sources on the set nothing unusual was occurring between the actors. However, their scenes together in front of the camera seemed to sizzle. After BUGSY was released to much praise and great box office, the stars revealed that they were indeed a couple off screen. Then came the event that stunned Hollywood (and most of the planet) : Warren and Annette marry. The ultimate ladies man was finally domesticated. In 1994 they shared the screen again for Glen Gordon Caron’s adaptation of the classic LOVE AFFAIR. Though this version did not find success at the box office, the real life love affair has had much success( and several children).

Let’s hope that Annette and Warren will be burning up the screen again in the near future.

07. JILL IRELAND AND CHARLES BRONSON

Their meeting was rather bizarre. Bronson met Ireland on the set of THE GREAT ESCAPE while she was married to David McCallum. Bronson apparently told McCallum that he was going to marry his wife. Two years later, just that happened. The two starred in 15 movies together including LOVE AND BULLETS, FROM NOON TILL THREE, CHINO, HARD TIMES and BREAKOUT. Ireland use to joke “I’m in so many of Charles Bronson films because no other actress will work with him.” Now that right there is love! Their last film together was ASSASSINATION. During which, she was in the advanced stages of cancer. Ireland passes away in 1990 but will remain infamous in of one heck of a love story.

06. GOLDIE HAWN AND KURT RUSSELL

This is a couple that just will not quit! Kurt and Goldie have been together for over 25 years. Snubbing their nose at marriage, Goldie believes that their relationship is so strong because they have never tied the knot. Hawn and Russell met on the 1968 film THE ONE AND ONLY, GENUINE, ORIGINAL FAMILY BAND. In 1984 the two reconnected on SWING SHIFT and went on to film OVERBOARD in 1987, while still a couple. Now, I know that Overboard did not do that well at the box office, but it is still one of my favorite movies. KEEP IT GOING KURT AND GOLDIE!

05. JOANNE WOODWARD AND PAUL NEWMAN

Legendary “cool man” icon Paul Newman first worked with Joanne Woodward on THE LONG, HOT SUMMER (1958) about a drifter that arrives in Mississippi, targeting a wealthy family with Woodward as their daughter. This professional encounter would ultimately lead to a spark between the two Hollywood favorites in real life. This unlikely relationship would survive for fifty years, a feat of its own in tinsel town, but Newman and Woodward would also go on to work together on other films, including FROM THE TERRACE (1960) and PARIS BLUES (1961

04. LAUREN BACALL AND HUMPHREY BOGART

The relationship of Bacall and Bogart all began as a Hollywood affair off camera, while making memories as an on screen couple in TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT. This is where they met, the handsome and charismatic Bogey and the beautiful Bacall, together on film for the first time. TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT is the film in which Bacall established her trademark “The Look” quite by accident, nervous on set, putting her chin against her chest and turning those big eyes upward. Of course Bogey would fall for Bacall. From here, Bacall and Bogey transferred their passion to the big screen for three legendary film noir titles… Howard Hawks’ THE BIG SLEEP, the unconventional DARK MASSAGE and John Huston’s KEY LARGO.

03. JANET LEIGH AND TONY CURTIS

In the 1950’s, not much was happening with real life movie couples. Gable lost Lombard in 43 and Bogie and Bacall did their final film together, KEY LARGO, in 48. There wasn’t a couple that captured movie going young people until Tony Curtis met Janet Leigh. Tony was the dark, handsome New Yorker who became the heart throb of bobby soxers, across the nation, by starring in a series of small films while under contract to Universal-International. Janet was the young movie princess that was groomed for stardom under the watchful eyes of Mr. Mayer over at MGM. The two met at a tinsel town party and immediately clicked. When Tony was loaned out to Paramount for George Pal’s big screen bio, HOUDINI in 1953 he hoped to pull some strings in order to have Janet, play Harry’s wife Bess. Their on screen chemistry helped turn director George Marshall’s movie into a box office smash. The two soon married and continued to share the screen in, THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH( 54), THE PERFECT FURLOUGH (58), and WHO WAS THAT LADY?(60). In their heyday they attracted media attention that would not be rivaled until Angelina and Brad several decades later. The marriage ended in 1962, but their movie legacy would live on thru their actress daughters: Kelly and movie scream queen, Jamie Leigh Curtis.

02. KATHARINE HEPBURN AND SPENCER TRACY

Hepburn and Tracy first graced the silver screen together in WOMAN OF THE YEAR. This is the movie that sparked a lifelong romance. Together, the pair appeared in eight other movies, including KEEPER OF THE FLAME, ADAM’S RIB, PAT AND MIKE, DESK SET, and GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER. Despite never marrying (Tracy refused to divorce his estranged wife due to his catholic beliefs), the two were very much a couple until Tracy’s death. The two hid their affair from the public to keep up appearances. They used back entrances and constantly tried to avoid the press. They are still considered one of Hollywood’s’ great romances.

01. ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND RICHARD BURTON

Altogether, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton starred in 11 movies, it’s their first one together, CLEOPATRA, that the two are known for. During filming, Taylor met Richard Burton and the two began a very public affair, which made headlines worldwide. Taylor left her husband, Eddie Fisher (who had previously left Debbie Reynolds for Taylor), and married Burton the next year. Even though some were morally outraged by their affair and the scandal did bring publicity to what was a troubled production, Dick and Liz did have their supporters who flocked to the theaters to see their love affair played out on the big screen. Many U.S. housewives wrote to the two stars in Hollywood to make a go of it¬ that’s how people rolled back in the 60’s. While Elizabeth Taylor won 2 Academy Awards for WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and BUtterfield 8 as well as the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, Richard Burton was nominated for 7 Oscars, but unfortunately never won.

Here’s a list of the films that Taylor and Burton were in together:

  • CLEOPATRA (1963)
  • WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966) Best Actress Oscar Win for Taylor, Best Actor Nomination for Burton
  • THE V.I.P.s (1963)
  • UNDER MILK WOOD (1972)
  • THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (1967)
  • THE SANDPIPER (1965)
  • HAMMERSMITH IS OUT (1972)
  • DOCTOR FAUSTUS (1967)
  • DIVORCE HIS – DIVORCE HERS (1973) (TV)
  • THE COMEDIANS (1967)
  • BOOM! (1968)

Taylor had an uncredited cameo in Burton’s film ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (1969). Another Best Actor Nomination for Burton.

Watch as our pick for the #1 movie couple ignite the screen in CLEOPATRA.