| Timelines |
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| THE JANUARY TIMELINE January 1, 1899 - Cuba liberated from Spanish rule 1, 1900 - Xavier Cugat (bandleader) born 1, 1994 - Cesar Romero dies 1, 2002 - New Year's Day! 1, 1996 - Announcement made that Lucille Ball's autobiography was discovered a year ago and will be for sale 2, 1893 - Jesslyn Fax born 2, 1956 - "Staten Island Ferry" airs 3, 1888 - The drinking straw was invented on this day in 1888! 3, 1955 - "Lucy Learns to Drive" airs 3, 1957 - "Lucy Hunts Uranium" (Lucy Desi Comedy Hour) 3, 1959 - Alaska becomes the 49th state (it had only been a state for a month when the Ricardos/Mertzes visited there) 4, 1936 - First Top 100 chart published by Billboard. (wonder how many times Ricky Ricardo & his band were on it) 5, 1914 - George Reeves born (was in "Lucy and Superman") 5, 1926 - Grauman's Chinese Theatre ground breaking ceremony 5, 1953 - "Ricky Has Labor Pains" 5, 1959 - Lucille Ball portrays Lucy Ricardo on "Make Room for Daddy" 5, 1962 - Lucy on cover of Life magazine 5, 1982 - Hans Conried dies at age 64 6, 1914 - Danny Thomas born 7, 1714 - Typewriter patented. Where would we be without it today?? 7, 1950 - Lucy and Desi on "The Ed Wynn Show" (first network appearance) 7, 1952 - "The Benefit" airs 7, 1957 - "Lucy and the Loving Cup" airs 8, 1977 - Jenny Lewis born. She was "Becky" on 'Life with Lucy' 9, 1788 - Connecticut became the 5th state 9, 1975 - Lucille Ball is nominated for a Golden Globe for `Mame' (up against Diahann Carroll, Helen Hayes, Cloris Leachman, and Raquel Welch who won) 9, 2000 - "Little Big Mom" episode of 'The Simpsons' cameos Lucille Ball's ghost, who gives Lisa an idea how to trick Bart & Homer into behaving while Marge is away 10, 1926 - June Haver (Mrs. Fred MacMurray) born 10, 1955 - "California, Here We Come" airs 10, 1960 - Lucy on "Hedda Hopper's Hollywood" on NBC 10, 1997 - Sheldon Leonard dies 11, 1954 - "The Million-Dollar Idea" airs 11, 1987 - Arthur "Dagwood" Lake dies (worked with Wm. Frawley and Irving Bacon in "Blondie" movies) 12, 1953 - "Lucy Becomes a Sculptress" airs 12, 1957 - Lucy on cover of TV Guide 12, 1996 - Nancy Schnepp started her web page! SIX years in 2002 ! 13, 1885 - Alfred C. Fuller, founder of Fuller Brush Co. born (Lucy's "Fuller Brush Girl" is one of her best movies) 13, 1928 - First American home gets a tv set 13, 1979 - Desi Jr. marries actress Linda Purl at the Hollywood Paladium on Sunset Blvd. 14, 1952 - "The Amateur Hour" airs 14, 1957 - "Lucy and Superman" airs (Little Ricky's Superman was 43) 15, 1622 - The real Don Juan is born 16, 1909 - Ethel Merman born 16, 1955 - `Blood Alley' (John Wayne movie he promoted on ILL) released 16, 1956 - "Bon Voyage" airs 16, 1961 - Vivian Vance marries John Dodds 16, 2002 - National Hat Day (Hedda would have loved this) 17, 1955 - "First Stop" airs 18, 1905 - Chick Chandler born in Kingston, New York 18, 1954 - "Ricky Minds the Baby" airs 19, 1953 - `Little Ricky Ricardo' born 19, 1953 - Desi Arnaz Jr. born in Los Angeles 19, 1953 - "Lucy Goes to the Hospital" airs 20, 1896 - George Burns born (lived to 100) 21, 1952 - "Lucy Plays Cupid" airs 21, 1957 - "Little Ricky Gets a Dog" airs 21, 1971 - Lucy guest stars on "Make Room for Grand-daddy" with Danny Thomas 21, 2002 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day 22, 1911 - "Ann Sothern" born (real name: Harriet Lake) 22, 1968 - Rowan and (Dick) Martin's Laugh-In premieres (Dick Martin was Harry Conners on `The Lucy Show' 23, 1919 - Ernie Kovacs born in Trenton, New Jersey 23, 1956 - "Second Honeymoon" airs 24, 1955 - "Tennessee Bound" airs 25, 1949 - First Emmy awards held (at the Hollywood Athletic Club). Six awards were presented! History says that "Emmy" might have been called "Tilly" or "Ike" instead. 25, 1954 - "The Charm School" airs (with Natalie Schaefer) 25, 2002 - National Popcorn Day (where's Ethel & her popcorn passer pan?) 26, 1905? - Charles (Levison) Lane born (would someone please write a book about this man!) 26, 2005 - WILL CHARLES LANE BE 100 ?? !! 26, 1953 - "Sales Resistance" airs (with Sheldon Leonard) 27, 1994 - Claude Akins dies, but he'll always be with us as the native chief 28, 1952 - "Lucy's Fake Illness" airs 28, 1957 - "Lucy Wants to Move to the Country" airs 29, 1913 - Victor Mature born - starred in "Easy Living" and "Seven Days Leave" with Lucy 30, 1956 - "Lucy Meets the Queen" airs 31, 1892 - Eddie Cantor born (star of one of Lucy's first movies--- noticed a young Lucille Ball and said of a messy stunt-- "give it to that girl, she doesn't mind. 31, 1903 - Tallulah Bankhead born 31, 1954 - Florence Bates dies (Mrs. Pettybone in "Pioneer Women") 31, 1955 - "Ethel's Home Town" airs 31, 1966 - Elizabeth Patterson, 91 (Mrs. Trumball) dies in Los Angeles (known as the virtual babysitter) |
| FEBRUARY TIMELINE February 1, 1887 - Hollywood, California registered as a town 1, 1898 - First auto insurance policy issued (good thing Ricky called HIS in!) 1, 1901 - (William) Clark Gable born (wonder if he ever really got a head cold) 1, 1946 - Bart "Bradley" Braverman born in LA 1, 1953 - 'Private Secretary' premieres with Ann Sothern as the star 1, 1954 - "Sentimental Anniversary" airs 1, 1966 - Hedda Hopper dies and leaves her Rolls Royce to Lucy 1, 1998 - Irene Kampen, author of "Life without George" (basis of The Lucy Show) dies at age 75 2, 1906 - Gale Gordon born 2, 1953 - "The Inferiority Complex" airs 2, 2002 - GROUNDHOG'S DAY 3, 1690 - First paper money issued in America (Fred Mertz probably had some of this!) 3, 1958 - "Lucy Wins a Racehorse" airs 3, 1998 - Voting ballots were at post office for the I Love Lucy stamp 4, 1914 - Ida Lupino born (was in "Lucy's Summer Vacation") 4, 1941 - The United Service Organization was formed on this day, better known as the "USO" (Lucy served at Hollywood USO) 4, 1952 - "Lucy Writes a Play" airs 4, 1957 - "Lucy Hates to Leave" airs 5, 1921 - Land purchased for Yankee Stadium (one of Fred's fave spots) 5, 1953 - Three Emmys won for I Love Lucy: Lucy, best comedienne, Vivian Vance best supporting actress, ILL best show Held at the Statler Hotel 5, 1956 - Desi Arnaz on "What's My Line?" panel 5, 1956 - Toast of the Town with Lucy and Desi promoting their movie "Forever Darling" 5, 1965 - Irving Bacon (Bert Willoughby) dies (Ethel's father) (mailman in Blondie movies) 6, 1952 - Queen Elizabeth II becomes Queen of Great Britain. 4 years later she would meet the Queen of Comedy! 6, 1956 - "The Fox Hunt" airs 6, 1991 - Danny Thomas died (Lucy Makes "Room" for Danny) 7, 1827 - Ballet introduced to the United States 7, 1955 - "L.A. at Last" airs (with Wm. Holden) (This is just Brown Derby month!!) 8, 1954 - "Fan Magazine Interview" airs 8, 1980 - Special: "Lucy Moves to NBC" 9, 1894 - Hershey bar introduced :) 9, 1909 - Carmen Miranda born (Lucy did a great "Carmen") 9, 1956 - "Forever Darling" released 9, 1956 - Lucy appears on I've Got a Secret 9, 1956 - Lucille Ball is panelist on "What's My Line" Desi Arnaz is the celebrity guest. 9, 1959 - "Lucy Goes to Alaska" airs (LDCH with Red Skelton) 9, 1960 - The Hollywood Walk of fame groundbreaking ceremony Joanne Woodward is first - must find a Lucy connection here there would be 1,558 stars originally placed 10, 1991 - The infamous `Lucy and Desi: Before the Laughter' airs 11, 1949 - Gale Gordon's first appearance on My Favorite Husband 11. 1952 - "Break the Lease" airs 11, 1954 - Vivian Vance wins an Emmy for her portrayal of Ethel Mertz; I Love Lucy wins for best situation comedy 11, 1957 - "Lucy Misses the Mertzes" airs 12, 1809 - Abraham Lincoln's birthday 12, 2000 - Jerry Lewis remarks that "I don't like any female comedians". Asked about Lucille Ball, he replied, "No." 13, 1913 - Removable auto wheel first used 13, 1919 - Tennessee Ernie Ford born 13 or 15? - Mary Jane Croft born 14, 1889 - Trainload of oranges heads east from Los Angeles for the first time. (66 yrs later, Lucy would bring east her Robert Taylor autographed orange) 14, 1894 - Jack Benny born (Benjamin Kubelsky); Lucy's friend & neighbor 14, 1929 - Second Brown Derby opened on Vine Street (Hollywood Brown Derby) 14, 1934 - Bob Hope and Dolores Reade marry: 68 years in 2002 14, 1938 - Hedda Hopper starts her gossip column in the Los Angeles Times! 14, 1955 - "Don Juan and the Starlets" airs 14, 1974 - Desi Arnaz appears in ep of "Ironside" 14, 1993 - "Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie", Lucie's tribute to her parents, airs for the first time 14, 2002 - VALENTINE'S DAY 15, 1907 - Cesar Romero born (he was in "Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana" and one of my mom's favorite actors) 15, 1954 - "Oil Wells" airs 15, 1984 - Ethel Merman died 16, 1953 - "The Club Election" airs 16, 1995 - Nancy M. Schnepp joined the newly created 1 day old Lucy list 17, 1979 - Saturday Night Live sketch [Jane Curtin may be Ethel?] 18, 1952 - "The Ballet" airs 18, 1957 - "Lucy Gets Chummy With the Neighbors" airs 19, 1878 - Edison patents the phonograph 19, 1969 - Madge Blake dies 20, 1936 - `Follow the Fleet' (Lucy movie) released 20, 1956 - "Lucy Goes to Scotland" airs 20, 2001 - Bob Weiskopf dies of congestive heart failure at 87 (one of the writers for I Love Lucy) 21, 1888 - Florence Bates born (Mrs. Pettybone in "Pioneer Women" on ILL) 21, 1950 - `The Secret Fury' movie with V. Vance is released 21, 1955 - "Lucy Gets in Pictures" airs 21, 1976 - Desi Arnaz hosts (and is musical guest) on Saturday Night Live (sings Babalu and Cuban Pete) [Gilda Radner portrays Lucy in "Untouchables" sketch] (this episode is rarely shown) 22, 1907 - Sheldon Leonard born (sold Lucy her Handy- Dandy vacuum cleaner) 22, 1954 - "Ricky Loses His Temper" airs 23, 1455 - Johannes Gutenberg printed the first book (the Bible) using movable type. 24, 1890 - Marjorie Main born (she was in "The Long Long Trailer") 25, 1952 - "The Young Fans" airs (with Richard Crenna who will be 75 in November) 25, 1971 - Patty Duke has a baby son 26, 1887 - Wm. Frawley born in Burlington, Iowa (wonder if they have a Fred. Fred! FRED!! DAY in Burlington?) 26, 1916 - Jackie Gleason born 26, 1978 - Desi Arnaz guest stars on "Alice" (The Cuban Connection) 27, 1883 - 1st practical cigar-rolling machine patented (where's Lucy when you need her?) 27, 1956 - "Paris at Last" airs 27, 1970 - Desi Arnaz Jr. appears on `The Brady Bunch' 28, 1951 - this week Desi Arnaz hosted "Your Tropical Trip", an audience participation show with Latin-American music on CBS radio 28, 1955 - "The Fashion Show" airs 28, 1998 - This was deadline for Lucy stamp ballot to be postmarked 29, 1904 - Jimmy Dorsey born 29, 1940 - "Gone with the Wind" wins 8 Oscars without Lucy 29, 1964 - Frank Albertson dies (was in "Room Service" movie with Lucy and the Marx Bros.) 29, 2000 - Gregg Oppenheimer appeared on `Donny & Marie' to show lost ILL scene not seen in its entirety since October 1, 1952. |
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| MARCH TIMELINE March 1, 1886 - Ida Moore born ["oh hi, Mrs. Knickerbocker"] 1, 1952 - "Rancho Notorious" (w/Wm. Frawley) released (also with Marlene Dietrich, Jack Elam, George Reeves) 1, 1953 - NY Times editor Jack Gould wrote: "In the comical trials of Lucy & Ricky Ricardo, tv audiences recognize the exasperation and warmth of their own lives." 1, 1954 - "Home Movies" episode of I Love Lucy airs 1, 1975 - "The Black Dahlia" (movie) with Lucie Arnaz airs 2, 1917 - Desi Arnaz born (Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III) in Santiago, CUBA 2, 1951 - Pilot show of I Love Lucy went before the cameras 2, 1960 - Lucy files for divorce on Desi's 43rd birthday 2, 1963 - Desi marries Edith Mack Hirsch (his red-headed neighbor) in Las Vegas 2, 1983 - Lucille Ball on Bob Hope special "Bob Hope on Road to Hollywood" 2, 1987 - Kate & Allie do a spoof of Lucy & Ethel 2, 1997 - Jean (Hazelwood) Widmark dies 3, 1845 - Florida becomes the 27th state 3, 1952 - "New Neighbors" airs 3, 1966 - William C. Frawley dies of heart attack in Hollywood, after collapsing on Hollywood Blvd., at the Knickerbocker Hotel. Is buried in San Fernando Mission Cemetery, CA. 4, 1957 - "Lucy Raises Chickens" airs 4, 1984 - Lucille Ball on special "The TV Academy Hall of Fame" 5, 1936 - "Top Hat" has been nominated but doesn't win an Academy Award tonight. (Lucy in there as a flower shop girl) 5, 1956 - "Lucy Meets Charles Boyer" airs 5, 1988 - Lucille Ball on "America's Tribute to Bob Hope" 6, 1971 - Desi Arnaz appears on "The Andy Williams Show" 6, 1992 - Elvia Allman (supervisor, Kandy factory) dies of pneumonia 7, 1876 - Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone (Lucy Ricardo certainly made good use of it, especially when she ordered that cute little hat...) 8, 1935 - `Roberta' (Lucy movie) released (Lucy as a fashion model) [Vivian Vance's middle name was Roberta] 8, 1954 - "Bonus Bucks" airs 9, 1953 - "The Black Eye" airs 9, 1996 - George Burns dies at age 100 10, 1952 - "Fred and Ethel Fight" airs 11, 1957 - "Lucy Does the Tango" airs 12, 1946 - Liza Minnelli, ex-girlfriend of Desi Jr., born 12, 1977 - "Disco Lucy" hits #24 on the Billboard charts 13, 1992 - "The Mambo Kings" (movie) released (Desi Jr. plays his Dad, and Lucy is seen) 14, 1955 - "The Hedda Hopper Story" airs 15, 1916 - Harry James born (LDCH "Lucy Wins a Racehorse") 15, 2001 - Ann Sothern dies (heart failure) 16, 1957 - Emmys (three nominations for I Love Lucy) 17, 1952 - "The Moustache" airs 17, 1956 - Lucille Ball wins an Emmy for Best Actress in a continuing performance 17, 1967 - Richard Reeves dies (was an extra on I Love Lucy, playing an Indian, other roles; was George [Superman] Reeves brother) 17, 2002 - ST. PATRICK'S DAY (wear green or get pinched today) (Wm. Frawley did the movie "My Wild Irish Rose" in 1947) 18, 1887 - Edward Everett Horton born (Mr. Ritter) 18, 1957 - "Ragtime Band" airs 19, 1956 - "Lucy Gets a Paris Gown" airs 19, 1977 - Lucy and the chocolate factory are parodied on Saturday Night Live [Gilda Radner] 20, 1961 - John Clark Gable is born 4 months after his father died (November 16, 1960) 20, 2002 - SPRING 21, 1869 - Florenz Ziegfeld (Follies) born 21, 1955 - "Don Juan is Shelved" airs 22, 1954 - "Ricky's Hawaiian Vacation" airs 22, 1966 - Carol Burnett special "Carol + 2" (Lucy), CBS 23, 1902 - Phil Ober born 23, 1987 - Dean Paul Martin (Dino of Dino, Desi and Billy) killed in plane crash :( 24, 1952 - "The Gossip" airs 25, 1957 - "Lucy's Night in Town" airs 26, 1894 - Will Wright born (locksmith in "Handcuffs" 26, 1956 - "Lucy in the Swiss Alps" airs 27, 1914 - Richard Denning born in Poughkeepsie, NY [Real name: Louis Denniger] (he was husband in "My Favorite Husband" on radio with Lucy) 27, 2002 - Milton Berle "Mr. Television" goes to that big studio in the sky 28, 1955 - "Bull Fight Dance" airs 29, 1951 - `Sunset Boulevard' is nominated for 11 Academy Awards including William Holden for best actor. Won: 3 (best writing,story,screenplay; best art direction B&W; best music) 29, 1954 - "Lucy is Envious" airs 29, 1989 - Lucy's last public appearance (at 61st Academy Awards) 30, 1953 - "Lucy Changes Her Mind" airs 30, 1858 - Pencil with eraser patented (Lucille Ball couldn't save enough pencils) 30, 1959 - Vivan Vance is sued for divorce by Phil Ober 30, 1968 - Lucy on cover of TV Guide 30, 1978 - Ellen Corby returns to the Waltons a year after suffering a stroke [She was Miss Hanna on ILL ep] 30, 1999 - Gary Morton dies of lung cancer at age 74 31, 1889 - Eiffel tower inaugurated (67 yrs later, Lucy would cause havoc in Paris!) 31, 2002 - Easter Sunday |
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| APRIL TIMELINE: April is National Humor Month April 1, 1778 The $ symbol is created by Oliver Pollock, a businessman 1, 1947 "Jitterumba", a short subject starring Desi, released 1, 1957 "Housewarming" airs 1, 1960 Last Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour airs ("Lucy Meets the Moustache") 1, 1979 Nickelodeon Network premieres on cable tv (up till now they WERE very good at showing I Love Lucy) 1, 1993 Jerry Hausner dies, age 83, heart failure 1, 1996 Marion Strong (VanVlack) passes away 1, 2002 April Fool's Day 2, 1985 "The Lucie Arnaz Show" debuts 3, 1953 First issue of TV Guide, with Desi Jr's baby picture on the front cover 4, 1906 Bea Benaderet born (Mr. Ritter was 19 yrs older) 4, 1955 "Hollywood Anniversary" airs 4, 1984 Lucille Ball on "Bob Hope's Who Makes the World Laugh, Part 2" 5, 1942 Richard Widmark marries Jean Hazlewood. They were married until her death in 1997 (March 2) ~ 55 years married. 5, 1954 "Lucy Writes a Novel" airs 6, 1953 Lucy and Desi on cover of Life Magazine with Lucie and Desi Jr. 6, 1963 Lucy on cover of TV Guide 7, 1927 First successful demonstration of tv 7, 1952 "The Marriage License" airs 7, 2002 National straw hat day 8, 1957 "Building a BBQ" airs (don't take off your wedding rings today) 8, 1979: Keith Thibodeaux's daughter Tara is born 9, 1900 Allen Jenkins (Sgt. Morton) born (real name Al McConegal) 9, 1950 Bob Hope appears on tv for the first time 9, 1950 Jimmy Demaret won Masters gold tournament 9, 1984 Automan (with Desi Jr.) airs last original show "Club Ten" 9, 1956 "Lucy Gets Homesick" airs 9, 1983 Weird Al Yankovic shaves his moustache to portray Ricky Ricardo in his "Hey Ricky" video 10, 1885 Bernard Gimbel (department store merchant) born (Gimbel's Department store opened in NYC in 1910) [Lucy & Ethel frequented Gimbel's basement!] 10, 1975 Marjorie (Ma Kettle) Main dies. Was in `The Long Long Trailer'. [Hedda's 2nd fave after Lucy.] 10, 1991 Natalie Schafer dies. Played Phoebe Emerson, owner of "The Charm School" (ILL ep); was Millie in `Forever Darling'; she was Mrs. Howell on Gilligan's Island 11, 1907 Paul Douglas born (LDCH: Lucy Wants a Career) 12, 1954 "The Club Dance" airs 13, 1899 Alfred Butts, inventor of "Scrabble" born 13, 1934 `Bottoms Up' (movie) released (Lucy in bit part as "girl") 13, 1959 "Lucy Wants a Career" airs 13, 1963 `Critic's Choice' (with Bob Hope) released 13, 1964: Keith Thibodeaux in "A Deal is a Deal" on Andy Griffith 13, 1969 Lucy appears on Dinah Shore Special 14, 1952 "The Kleptomaniac" airs 14, 1958 "Lucy Goes to Sun Valley" airs 14, 1994 Turner Classic Movies is born (TCM) 14, 1999 Ellen Corby dies 15, 1917 Hans Conreid born (Lucy's English tutor) 16, 1925 Edie Adams born in Pennsylvania 16, 1956 "Lucy's Italian Movie" airs (drink some purple grape juice for breakfast---not the white stuff!) [take care of your grape-stompin' doll] 16, 1965 Final episode of the Jack Benny Show airs (with the Smothers Brothers---shades of things to come) 17, 1918 William Holden born :) 18, 1955 "The Star Upstairs" airs 18, 1989 Lucille Ball has surgery to replace torn section of her aorta and a weakened aorta valve 19, 1954 "The Black Wig" airs 19, 1964 Lucy appears on special with Bob Hope, Gale Gordon 20, 1953 "No Children Allowed" airs 21, 1926 Queen Elizabeth II born (she considers ILL one of her all time favorite shows) 21, 1952 "Cuban Pals" airs 22, 1908 Eddie Albert born (in `Fuller Brush Girl' w/Lucy) 22, 1957 "Country Club Dance" airs 22, 1970 First Earth Day 22, 2002 Earth Day 23, 1954 Lucy on cover of TV Guide 23, 1956 "Lucy's Bicycle Trip" airs (a good day for a bike hike!) 22/23, 1989 Marc Daniels died (directed first season of I Love Lucy; hired Vivian Vance) 23, 1998 The Lucy mailing list finds a new home on onelist 24, 1951 CBS announces Phillip Morris has bought I Love Lucy 24, 2002 Secretary's Day (Mr. Mooney's secretary was LUCY!) 25, 1955 "In Palm Springs" airs 26, 1954 "The Diner" airs 26, 1965 Keith Thibodeaux on "Andy Griffith Show" (ep: Opie and the Carnival) 26, 1989 Lucille Ball departs this world (13 yrs gone in 2002) (buried at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery) [make the trek if you can---you'll be glad you did] 26, 2000 Helen Eileen Beardsley dies. Her book "Who Gets the Drumsticks" became the movie "Yours, Mine and Ours" which starred Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. 27, 1953 "Lucy Hires a Maid" airs 28, 1948 Lucy on The Jimmy Durante Show "Women in Industry" 26, 2002 Arbor Day in Indiana [how did Ethel climb that tree when she dropped the plucked duck for Lucy? Plant a tree in her memory this year.] 29, 1553 The art of starching linen introduced. (The art of starching Lucy was 400 years away.) 29, 1957 "Lucy Raises Tulips" airs 30, 1886 Dick Elliott born (2 eps ILL) 30, 1912 Eve Arden born (cameo in "LA at Last"; was star of `Our Miss Brooks') In her honor, send a favorite teacher a card. 30, 1964 Keith (Little Ricky) Thibodeaux is on `The Lucy Show' episode "Lucy is a Process Server" [scene gets cut in re-runs] 30, 1966 Lucy on cover of TV Guide 30, 1990 The Pilot Show of I Love Lucy airs (it was found by Pepito the Clown's wife) |
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| MAY TIMELINE: May/June 1940: Lucy & Desi meet on the set of `Too Many Girls' May 1943: Desi Arnaz is drafted May 1945: `Without Love' (Lucy movie) released (Hepburn/Tracy) May 1921: See's Candies begins chocolate production May 1954: Article by Lucy "Our Second Wedding" in "Guideposts" May 1959: Lucy on Phil Silvers; cameo in episode "Bilko's Ape Man" May 1984: Lucy's Manhattan apartment is featured in Architectural Digest May 1992: Desi Jr. portrays his dad in "Mambo Kings" May 1996: Sydney Guilleroff (hairdresser of the stars, including Lucy, dies) May 1999: 1950's stamps are issued, including one of I Love Lucy! Was on a sheet of 15 with others including "Cat in the Hat" May 1, 1931 Empire State Building dedicated (Lucy & Ethel would be dressed as martians atop it 23 years later!) 1, 1950 William Frawley appeared on "The First 100 Years" soap opera (ran 13 weeks) 2, 1903 Dr. Benjamin Spock born (Lucy used his book to raise Little Ricky!) 2, 1929 `Bulldog Drummond', first of the Drummond movies, released (Lucy was in `BD Strikes Back' in 1934) 2, 1947 "Miracle on 34th Street" released (Gimbel's vs Macy's!) (William Frawley in the cast) 2, 1955 "The Dancing Star" airs (with Van Johnson) 3, 1954 "Tennessee Ernie Visits" airs 4, 1960 Lucy and Desi divorced 5, 1862 Cinco de Mayo 5, 1952 "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" airs vitameata... 6, 1911 Frank Nelson born 6, 1915 Orson Welles born (he should have been in the Martians episode) 6, 1957 Last regular episode of I Love Lucy airs ("The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue") 7, 1956 "Lucy Goes to Monte Carlo" airs 8, 1989 Memorial service held for Lucy at the St.Monica's Catholic Church in Los Angeles 9, 1955 "Harpo Marx" airs 10, 1888 Irving Berlin born (wrote "Cheek to Cheek", many other songs used on I Love Lucy) 10, 1899 Fred Astaire danced his way into the world 10, 1954 "Tennessee Ernie Hangs On" airs 10, 1988 Lucille Ball suffers a mild stroke 11, 1953 "Lucy's Last Birthday" airs 12, 1952 "The Publicity Agent" airs 12, 2002 Mother's Day in USA 13, 1998 Lucy seen on "The Nanny" via camera magic 14, 1956 "Return Home From Europe" airs 14, 1968 Tallulah Bankhead meets Lennon and McCartney on the Tonight Show. Well, Paul is a "dahling"...) 15, 1909 James Mason born (was Lucy's angel in `Forever Darling' with Lucy/Desi) 16, 1955 "Ricky Needs an Agent" airs 16, 1988 Bob Hope's 85th birthday special airs, which Lucy taped a few days before her stroke 17, 1954 "The Golf Game" airs (with Jimmy Demaret) 18, 1921 Patrick Dennis born (writer of Auntie Mame) 18, 1927 Grauman's Chinese Theatre opening night! 18, 1953 "The Ricardos Change Apartments" airs 18, 1982 Lucy hosts `The Best of Three's Company'. She enjoyed their slapstick comedy. 18, 1987 Lucy appears on "Happy Birthday Hollywood" 18, 2002 Armed Forces Day 19, 1952 "Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio" airs 19, 1952 Lucy Ricardo has this day circled on her calendar as her and Ricky's anniversary 19, 1975 Lucy appears at 27th Annual Emmy Awards 20, 1874 Blue jeans marketed for first time by Levi Strauss (and Ethel didn't want to wear hers on the subway!) 21, 1917 Dennis Day (of the Jack Benny Show) born in NY 22, 1761 The first life insurance policy in the United States was issued (remember how Lucy was so upset when Ricky took out life insurance on her??) 22, 1975 Torben Meyer dies (was Swiss bandleader in ILL Swiss Alps ep); he was also in the film "Roberta" with Lucy; head waiter at Brown Derby in movie "Variety Girl" w/Wm. Holden, George Reeves 22, 1979 Johnny Carson ends his reign on the Tonight show. Lucy appeared with him several times. 23, 1983 Lucy appears on "Happy Birthday Bob" (his 80th) 24, 1910 Jimmy Demaret born (won the Masters 3 times AND appeared in "The Golf Game" on I Love Lucy) 24, 1954 "The Sublease" airs 25, 1918 Claude Akins born (who can forget him as the native on "Desert Island" that scared Lucy & Ethel) 25, 1953 "Lucy is Matchmaker" airs 25, 1996 Lucy-Desi Museum has it's grand opening, Jamestown, New York 26, 1907 John Wayne born 26, 1952 "Lucy's Schedule" airs 26, 1999 DATE FOR RELEASE OF 1950's POSTAGE STAMPS FEATURING ILL !! 27, 1911 Vincent Price born (was in episode of "Here's Lucy" as himself) 27, 1961 Cathy Silvers, actress and daughter of Phil, is born 27, 2002 Memorial Day 28, 1945 `Flame of the Barbary Coast' released (w/Wm. Frawley, John Wayne) 29, 1903 Bob Hope born 99 years ago 30, 1955 "The Tour" airs 31, 1899 Madge Blake born 31, 1915 Barbara Pepper born 31, 1949 Mary Margaret McBride tribute at Yankee Stadium with 35,000 people. MMM was celebrating her 15th year in radio. (Fred compared Ricky to her in "Men are Messy") |
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| JUNE TIMELINE May/June 1940 - Lucy and Desi meet on set of `Too Many Girls' June 1, 1796 - Tennessee became 16th stat 1, 1926 - Andy Griffith born 1, 1926 - Marilyn Monroe born (remember how Lucy imitated her, and how many times her name is mentioned on ILL) 1, 1953 - "Lucy Wants New Furniture" airs 2, 1890 - Hedda Hopper born 2, 1950 - Lucy and Desi's vaudeville tour opens in Chicago Paramount Theatre 2, 1952 - "Lucy Thinks Ricky's Getting Bald" airs 3, 1911 - Miss Hannah! (Ellen Corby) born 3, 1952 - Look magazine article: "Laughing Lucille" 4, 1939 - First grocery store cart introduced. (How else could Lucy and Ethel deliver Martha's Old-Fashioned?) 4, 1967 - Lucille Ball wins an Emmy for Outstanding Continued Performance in a leading role in a comedy series 5 1928 - Robert Lansing born. Was on tv show "Automan" with Desi Jr. 6, 1933 - First drive-in to show movies "Wife Beware" (Camden, NJ) 6, 1944 - D-Day 7, 1996 - Max Factor Jr. dies 8, 1869 - Vacuum cleaner patented (and what would Lucy do without her Handy Dandy vacuum cleaner?) 8, 1918 - Robert Preston born (was in `Mame' with Lucy) 8, 1953 - "The Camping Trip" airs 8, 1959 - "Lucy's Summer Vacation" airs 9, 1891 - Cole Porter born (wrote song `Friendship') 9, 1952 - "Ricky Asks for a Raise" airs 10, 1908 - Bob Cummings born (Lucy and Ethel met him in Japan) 11, 1979 - John Wayne dies (cancer) 22 years in 2001 11, 1985 - Final "The Lucie Arnaz Show" 12, 1959 - "The Horse Soldiers" with John Wayne, William Holden, released 13, 1912 - Mary Wickes born (her voice was heard one last time in the Disney cartoon "Hunchback of Notre Dame") 14, 1887 - Flag day is observed for the first time 14, 1948 - TV Guide begins 15, 1844 - Charles Goodyear received a patent for his process to strengthen rubber. Wonder if Lucy and Ethel knew this when they were changing Edna Lanchester's tire on the way to Florida? 16, 1959 - George (Superman) Reeves dies 17, 1917 - Dean Martin born 17, 2001 - Father's Day in USA 18, 1897 - Kay Kyser born (Lucy was in his movie "That's Right You're Wrong" (1939)) 18, 1917 - Ross Elliott born in NYC [director of Lucy's vitameatavegamin] 19, 1949 - Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz remarry in Catholic ceremony performed by Father Michael Hurley at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Chatsworth 20, 1989 - Teresa Tirelli D'Amico dies (was in grape-stomping scene with Lucy) 21, 1961 - "The Parent Trap" released. (shown to Lucy and Desi by their children many times in hopes of getting them back together) 22, 1953 - "Ricky and Fred are TV Fans" airs 23, 1846 - Saxophone is patented (glow little gloworm....) 23, 1983 - Lucy interview in Rolling Stone 24, 1987 - Jackie Gleason goes to that great stage in the sky. Ralph Kramden lives on in black and white. 25, 1951 - First color tv broadcast (Arthur Godfrey) 26, 1819 - Bicycle patented. (How else could Lucy and company have tooled around Europe?) 27, 1889 - Moroni Olsen born (in Ogden, Utah, home of the Moroni Olsen Players (judge in "The Courtroom") 27, 1955 - Phillip Morris drops I Love Lucy 28, 1946 - Gilda Radner born (admirer of Lucy, who sent Lucy flowers when both were in the hospital; in Sat Nite Live sketch as Lucy Ricardo) 29, 1953 - "Never Do Business with Friends" airs 29, 1995 - Lana "sweater girl" Turner dies. (Lucy Ricardo tried to get discovered like her, at Schwab's Drugstore) Drink a malted in her honor today. (Or wear a sweater if you're brave enough.) 29, 2000 - Richard Widmark's Biography premieres on A&E 30, 1995 - Gale Gordon dies at age 89 |
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| JULY TIMELINE July 1951 - "Jezebel" by Frankie Laine is #2 on the music charts (Ricky would sing it in December 1951) July 1915 - Fred Ball born mid-July 1933 - Lucy goes to Hollywood July 1926 - Bob Cobb, owner of the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles, created the Cobb Salad eat one in Lucy's honor this month Do you need the recipe? July 1, 1997 - Ghana issues a stamp depicting Lucille Ball 2, 1894 - Walter Brennan born (The Real McCoys) 2, 1776 - 9000 British troops land on Staten Island (180 years later Lucy and Fred would arrive by ferry) 3, 1986 - Rudy Vallee dies (was in "Cruise to Havana" on LDCH) 4, 1949 - "Sorrowful Jones" released (Lucy with Bob Hope) 4, 2001 - Independence Day in USA 5, 1948 - My Favorite Husband went on the air as a special (CBS Radio show) 6, 1974 - Drawing of Lucille Ball on cover of TV Guide 6, 1989 - Lucille Ball is awarded the Medal of Freedom posthumously. Gary Morton accepted. 7, 1958 - President Eisenhower signed a bill approving Alaskan statehood 8, 1907 - First Ziegfeld Follies opened in NY (Lucy was in the movie "Ziegfeld Follies") 8, 1996 - Gregg Oppenheimer writes to the Lucylist and informs us that his Dad's memoirs will be published. 9, 1955 - "Spin and Marty" is born at Disney studios [featuring David Stollery as Marty. David was "Timmy Hudson" on the ILL ep "Amateur Hour"---one of those evil twins!] 10-12, 1998 - Lucy convention at Burbank Airport Hilton 11, 1953 - Lucy appears in Phillip Morris ad in Saturday Evening Post 12, 1908 - Milton Berle born 12, 1957 - Eisenhower is 1st president to fly in a helicopter (Lucy did this 1 l/2 yrs. before in "Bon Voyage") 12, 1958 - Lucy on cover of TV Guide 12, 1962 - Rehearsals start for The Lucy Show 13, 1940 - Patrick Stewart born in England. He might not have reached the rank of Captain Picard if Lucy hadn't supported Star Trek (though she thought the "stars" were people!) 14, 1946 - Dr. Benjamin Spock's "Common Sense book of Baby & Child Care" published. Lucy used it to raise Little Ricky! 15, 1965 - Joan Rivers marries Edgar Rosenberg. Joan was a Lucy fan, and did a special about her when she had her show. 16, 1960 - Lucy on cover of TV Guide 17, 1951 - Lucie Desiree Arnaz born in Hollywood. SHE WILL BE 50 this year!! Lucie was 7 pounds, 6 ounces at birth 17, 1951 - Desi Arnaz writes "There's a Brand New Baby at Our House" 17, 1954 - TV Guide changes its listings from Friday through Thursday, to Saturday through Friday. 17/18, 1955 - Disneyland opens in California. The Ricardos and Mertzes had arrived in California in February. Wonder if they went to the opening? :) 17, 1971 - Lucie Arnaz marries Phil Vandervort in her Mother's backyard 18, 1969 - Barbara Pepper dies 18, 1913 - Red Skelton born in Vincennes, Indiana 19, 1933 - Lucille Ball arrives in California 19, 1950 - "Fancy Pants" released (Lucy with Bob Hope) 20, 1890 - Verna Felton born (Lucy tries to sell her a Handy Dandy vacuum cleaner) 20, 1974 - Allen Jenkins (Sgt. Morton) dies 21-23, 2000 - Lucy Convention in Burbank, California 21, 1951 - This week Dore Schary named head of production and studio operations at MGM. 22, 1944 - Last Ziegfeld Follies (after doing 533 performances) 23, 1829 - Patent issued for typewriter (Lucy couldn't have written her novel without one) 23, 1948 - My Favorite Husband premieres, goes on to do 125 shows 24, 1963 - Gary Morton plays "The Sands Hotel" (now a victim of the wrecking ball) 25, 1941 - "The Bride Came C.O.D." premieres (with Wm. Frawley) 26, 1788 - New York becomes the 11th state 26, 1909 - Vivian (Roberta Jones) Vance born (Cherryvale, KS) She would be 92 this year. 27, 1991 - TV Guide publishes it's 2000th edition 28, 1901 - Rudy Vallee born; he received the 1st singing telegram on this day in 1933 28, 1951 - Vivian Vance "discovered" while performing "Voice of the Turtle" 29, 1938 - "Professor Beware" (w/Wm. Frawley) released 29, 1958 - Eisenhower signs a bill creating NASA (Astronauts would be featured in a Here's Lucy episode in 1971) 30, 1992 - Brenda ("Mrs. William Holden in 'The Fashion Show') Marshall dies. Married to Mr. Holden from 1941-1971, divorced. 31, 1955 - 'Seven Year Itch" released, with Marilyn Monroe (Lucy did a great Marilyn Monroe, didn't she??? I'm sure the Ricardos and Mertzes saw this on one of their movie nights.) |
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| AUGUST TIMELINE Lucy's birthday month! Lucy was a Leo. She believed in astrology, saying "Leos are vain, forthright, and accident prone." August 1978: work began to rebuild the HOLLYWOOD sign. August 1, 1789 - US customs officers began collecting (Charles Lane made the best one in LDCH Mexico ep) 1, 1903 - First cross-country trip by automobile under its own power (52 days - how long did the Mertzes and Ricardos take?) 1, 1980 - Strother Martin dies (was the man behind the counter in "Off to Florida") 2, 1769 - Los Angeles was named this day 2, 2001 - Friendship day (friendship... friendship...) 3, 1995 - Ida Lupino dies 4, 1693 - Don Perignon invents champagne. Lucy & Ricky are remembered for celebrating their 13th anniversary in the hall closet with champagne. 4, 1989 - My birthday!! :) 5, 1911 - Robert Taylor born (was in `Bataan' with Desi; `Her Cardboard Lover' with E. Patterson; signed an orange for Lucy Ricardo). Born the day before Lucy, same year. 5, 1914 - Parley Baer born (2 eps ILL) 5, 1955 - Carmen Miranda dies hours after collapsing on tv 5, 1961 - Wm. Frawley on cover of TV Guide with Fred MacMurray, Stanley Livingston from My 3 Sons 5, 1962 - Marilyn Monroe dead 5, 1984 - Richard Burton dies 5, 1964 - Drawing of Lucy on cover of TV Guide 6, 1911 - Lucille Ball born! (she would have been 90 in 2001) 6, 1942 - Lucy signs with MGM (her 31st birthday) 6, 1948 - According to Ricky, the Ricardos move into their first apartment (with the Mertzes as landlords) 6, 2001 - THE U.S. POSTAL SVC LUCY STAMP IS AVAILABLE!!! 7, 1928 - The dollar bill shrank on this day by 1/3 in size! A billion new bills were printed (includes all denominations). [Wonder what Fred Mertz thought about this?] 8, 1963 - The Great Train Robbery (over $7million) [Did they get this from the ILL ep which aired in Oct. 1955 called "The Great Train Robbery?!") 9, 1996 - Lucie Arnaz on the Rosie O'Donnell show 10, 1833 - Chicago incorporated 10, 1846 - Smithsonian Institute established (wonder if any Lucy stuff resides here) 10, 1869 - Motion picture projector patented 10, 1912 - Richard Reeves born (was an extra on ILL, playing an Indian, getting knocked on head by Lucy); assassin (Maharincess); other roles. Is he George "Superman" Reeves' brother? 11, 1892 - Carrie Jacobs Bond, composer of `I Love You Truly' born (remember `The Marriage License' & Elizabeth Patterson) 12, 1933 - Batista revolution in Cuba 12, 1982 - Henry Fonda dies (`Yours, Mine and Ours' with Lucy) 12, 1999 - Ross Elliott dies of cancer 13, 1889 - Pay phone patented this day. I'm sure Lucy Ricardo used one of these on more than one occasion and Fred was checking the change return) 14, 1873 - First issue of "Field and Stream" magazine is published. Lucy should have read a copy before she went hunting/fishing with Ricky! 15, 1887 - Author of "Stage Door" is born (Edna Ferber) 16, 1977 - That swivel-hipped kid "Elvis somebody" [quote from Ethel Mertz] leaves the building for the last time. 16-19, 2001 - Lucy convention in Burbank 17, 1959 - Desi Arnaz ran off the road in his sports car and hit three poles [this to be confirmed yet] 17, 1979 - Vivian Vance dies (cancer) :( Gone 22 years... 18, 1904 - Max Factor Jr. born 19, 1977 - Groucho Marx dies (was in movie `Room Service' w/Lucy) 20, 1741 - Alaska discovered (Lucy and Red Skelton would discover it later) 20, 1948 - Richard Crenna's first appearance on My Favorite Husband 20, 1948 - Bob and Madelyn's first script for Lucy on My Favorite Husband 20-22, 1999 - Lucy convention! 21, 1959 - President Eisenhower signed an order declaring Hawaii the 50th state. When Lucy Ricardo tried to win a trip there in 1954, it was not yet a state! 22, 1864 - International Red Cross founded. Remember Lucy as the "Japanese Red Cross Girl" with Bob Cummings?? 22, 1904 - Jay Novello (Mr. Meriweather) born in Chicago 23, 1934 - Barbara Eden born (was Diana Jordan in ILL ep) (She knew JR before he was a villain!) 24, 1869 - Waffle iron invented. Wonder if Ricky ever got those waffles made for Lucy? :) 24, 1999 - Mary Jane Croft dies at 83 (Betty Ramsey)(Mary Jane Lewis)(Audrey Simmons) (Cynthia Harcourt)(Evelyn Bigsby) 25, 1916 - (Charles) Van Johnson born (The Dancing Star) in Newport, RI will be 85 in 2001 26, 1978 - Charles Boyer died (suicide, would have been 79 two days later) 27, 1882 - Samuel Goldwyn born (Lucy was a Goldwyn Girl!) 27, 1898 - Byron Foulger born 28, 1899 - Charles Boyer born (Lucy Meets Charles Boyer) 28, 1921 - Nancy Kulp born (played a maid in "Lucy Meets the Queen" and in the Lucy/Desi movie "Forever Darling") 28, 1965 - Lucy at Marineland on cover of TV Guide 29, 1906 - Lurene Tuttle born in INDIANA 29, 1964 - "Mary Poppins" movie released (with Elsa Lanchester) 30, 1889 - Eduardo Ciannelli born (in "Vistor from Italy") 30, 1908 - Fred MacMurray born (Lucy Hunts Uranium) 30, 1951 - Desilu moves to General Service Studios lot 31, 1958 - Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme meet for the first time on the Steve Allen Show 31, 1964 - "Lucy Day" at the World's Fair. Lucy and Gary Morton attended & were accompanied by Hedda Hopper 31, 1987 - Milton Berle's 30 year contract with NBC expired on this day. |
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| SEPTEMBER TIMELINE: September 1968 - `Here's Lucy' premiered Fall 1944 - Lucy files for divorce from Desi September 1, 1859 - Pullman sleeper car debuts (almost 100 years later, Fred and Ethel Mertz would be using an "upper berth" on their way home from California) 1, 1910 - Henry Durrell Ball married Desiree Hunt 2, 1955 - Linda Purl born (Desi Arnaz Jr.'s first wife) (They starred together in the movies "Having Babies" and "Black Market Baby") 2, 1982 - Jay Novello dies (Mr. Meriwether) 3, 1951 - Vivian Vance meets Lucy for the first time 3, 1951 - First rehearsal for I Love Lucy 3, 2001 - Labor day in USA 4, 1888 - "Kodak" (film/camera) is registered 5, 1964 - Drawing of Lucy on cover of TV Guide 5, 1970 - Lucy with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton on cover of TV Guide 6, 1893 - Irving Bacon born (Bert Willoughby)(Ethel's father) (107 years ago) 6, 1935 - `Top Hat' (movie) released (Lucy is flower clerk) 6, 1987 - "Stone Pillow" is repeated on CBS 7, 1971 - Picture of TV with Lucy on the screen on cover of Look magazine 7, 1969 - Last episode "The Mothers-in-Law" 8, 1951 - Filming of first episode of I Love Lucy 8, 1966 - "Star Trek" debuts (thanks in part to Lucille Ball) 9, 1850 - California became a state (31st) (those great Hollywood episodes!) 9, 2001 - Grandparents' day 10, 1953 - The first TV dinner is sold (Swanson) 10, 1967 - "The Mothers-in-Law" premieres (Desi Arnaz was executive producer and appeared on the show as Raphael del Gado 10, 1972 - Lucy on "A Salute to TV's 25th Anniversary" (ABC) 10, 1984 - Lucy appears on "Body Language" tv game show (nobody can do charades like Lucy!) 11, 1959 - Paul Douglas dies (was his last tv appearance the LDCH "Lucy Wants a Career" on 4/13/59?) 12, 1888 - Maurice Chevalier born (112 years ago) 12, 1952 - Lucille Ball and Milton Berle on cover of TV Guide 12, 1965 - Lucille Ball is nominated for an Emmy as Outstanding Continued Performance by an actress in a leading role in a comedy series (whew) 12, 1986 - Frank Nelson dies 13, 1898 - Celluloid photographic (movie) film patented 13, 1982 - Phil Ober dies (Vivian Vance's ex) 14, 1950 - Lucy on "The Bob Hope Show" (NBC) 15, 1952 - "Job Switching" airs (a good day for buying fancy chocolates or going job hunting!) 16, 1968 - Last "The Lucy Show" airs 16, 1973 - Lucy on special "Steve & Eydie...on Stage" (NBC) 17, 1918 - Desiree married Ed Peterson 17, 1957 - Small picture of Lucy and Desi with "Little Ricky" on cover of Look magazine 17, 1985 - Lucy on "Bob Hope Buys NBC" 17, 1997 - Red Skelton is clowning for God now. 17, 2001 - Citizenship Day (always Sept 17) 18, 1851 - First issue of NY times 19, 1962 - Gary Morton plays "The Sands Hotel" (torn down in 2000) 20, 1986 - Life With Lucy premieres on ABC ("One Good Grandparent Deserves Another") 21, 1893? - Is this Lucy's mother's birthday? 21, 1948 - `Texaco Star Theatre' (Milton Berle) begins 21, 1948 - Mary Margaret McBride gets her own tv show right after Uncle Miltie (does this remind you of Mary Margaret McMertz?) 22, 1952 - "The Saxophone" airs 22, 1963 - Last episode of "The Real McCoys" airs 22, 2001 - First day of Autumn 23, 1968 - `Here's Lucy' airs for the first time ("Mod, Mod Lucy") 24, 1924 - Sheila MacRae born (ILL "The Fashion Show") 25, 1959 - "Lucy Meets Milton Berle" airs 26, 1962 - Beverly Hillbillies premiered (with Bea Benaderet as Cousin Pearl) 26, 1964 - Ida Moore dies 27, 1960 - Small picture of Lucy on front of this issue of Look magazine 27, 1986 - Life With Lucy episode "Lucy Makes A Hit With John Ritter" airs (good one -- Lucy vs. computers) 28, 1966 - Lucy on "A Bob Hope Comedy Special" 29, 1952 - "The Anniversary Present" airs (good day to buy pearls) 29, 1962 - Lucy on cover of TV Guide 29, 1970 - Edward Everett Horton (Mr. Ritter) dies (he was 83) He had a voice every former child remembers. 29, 1978 - Lucy on General Electric All-Star Anniversary (ABC) 30, 1938 - `Room Service' (Marx Bros. movie) released (with Lucy) 30, 1956 - Lucy on "Toast of the Town" |
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| OCTOBER TIMELINE: October 2002: Hallmark Christmas ornament "Job Switching" available for purchase! October 1958: Desilu Playhouse began with "Bernadette" October 1996: Lucille Ball's autobiography came out in book form. October ties with November and January for the most new episodes of I Love Lucy aired for the first time. (25 each) October is National Pizza Month. Lucy finally got the hang of making pizzas, didn't she? October 1939: Too Many Girls debuts on Broadway Fall 1946: Dr. Spock publishes his baby care book. October 1, 1956 - "Lucy and Bob Hope" airs for the first time 1, 1962 - `The Lucy Show' premieres 1, 1962 - `The Tonight Show' debuted (w/Johnny Carson) 1, 1971 - Walt Disney World opened in Florida 2, 1948 - Lucy performs her first script written by Jess Oppenheimer 2, 1955 - Lucy and Desi are the celebrity guests on "What's My Line?" 3, 1954 - An hour of "The Toast of the Town" is dedicated to Lucy and Desi. Vivian Vance and Wm. Frawley do a musical number. 3, 1955 - "Lucy Visits Grauman's" (46 years ago!) 3, 1957 - "The Real McCoys" debuts (starring a young Richard Crenna) Several "extras" from I Love Lucy appeared over the years including Charles Lane, Nancy Kulp, Madge Blake, Shirley Mitchell, 4, 1954 - "The Business Manager" airs 5, 1953 - "Ricky's Life Story" airs 5, 1959 - Lucille Ball plays Lucy Ricardo on The Ann Sothern Show 6, 1952 - "The Handcuffs" airs for first time 6, 1958 - "Lucy Goes to Mexico" LDCH (Maurice Chevalier) 6, 2001 - Lucille Ball to be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in Seneca Falls, NY 7, 1917 - June Allyson born (she did 3 movies with Lucy) 8, 1937 - `Stage Door' (movie) released. Lucy in the cast. 8, 1956 - "Little Ricky Learns to Play the Drums" 8, 1959 - Wm. Frawley appears in "Oh Susanna" tv show. Ep: The Card Shark with Gale Storm 8, 1987 - Desi Jr. marries Amy (Amee) Bargiel (a ballerina) (2001 will be their 14th anniversary) [They now operate a non-profit Ballet Company in Boulder City) 8, 2001 - Canadian Thanksgiving 9, 1954 - Lucy on cover of TV Guide 10, 1955 - "Lucy and John Wayne" airs for the first time 10, 1985 - Orson Welles dies (he was 70) 11, 1954 - "Mertz & Kurtz" airs 11, 1998 - Richard Denning dies, age 84 12, 1939 - Vivian Vance in play "Skylark" 12, 1953 - "The Girls Go Into Business" airs 12, 2001 - Columbus Day 13, 1918 - Cornel Wilde born 13, 1952 - "The Operetta" airs (Lucy once told Jim Brochu this was her favorite episode) 14, 1890 - Dwight Eisenhower born 15, 1900 - Fritz Feld born *POP*!! 15, 1951 - I LOVE LUCY AIRS FOR THE FIRST TIME 50 YEARS AGO in 2001 (one of the 19 comedies that premiered that fall, and one of the few to survive) (first sitcom filmed in front of a live audience) 15, 1956 - "Lucy Meets Orson Welles" 15, 1996 - Gregg Oppenheimer's book day! 16, 1989 - Cornel Wilde dies ("The Star Upstairs") 17, 1955 - "Lucy and the Dummy" 17, 1991 - Tennessee Ernie Ford dies (he was 72) 18, 1954 - "Lucy Cries Wolf" airs 19, 1953 - "Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress" 20, 1951 - Ida Lupino and Howard Duff marry this week 20, 2001 - Sweetest day (buy some chocolates!)(or make some) 21, 1956 - The Bob Hope Chevy Show with the cast of ILL (other guests: James Cagney, Diana Dors) 21, 1958 - Lucy is on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse "K.o. Kitty" 21, 2001 - Mother-in-law's day 22, 1951 - "Be a Pal" airs 22, 1956 - "Little Ricky Gets Stage Fright" 22, 1995 - Mary Wickes dies (age 85) 23, 1925 - Johnny Carson born (Lucy on his show many times) 24, 1931 - The George Washington Bridge officially opened (So the bridge was only 24 years old when the Mertzes/Ricardos crossed it singing "California Here We Come") 24, 1945 - Gimbel's Department Store had the first mass demo of television (probably NOT in the basement) 24, 1955 - "Ricky Sells the Car" (46 years ago!) 24, 1962 - Lucy promotes "The Lucy Show" on Bob Hope special 24, 1966 - Lucille Ball in London tv special (airing in Lucy's regular timeslot) 25, 1954 - "The Matchmaker" airs for first time 25, 1965 - William Frawley's last video appearance (on The Lucy Show) 26, 1953 - "Equal Rights" airs 27, 1904 - New York subway opened (Lucy and the loving cup...) (Cost: 5 cents) 27, 1952 - "Vacation From Marriage" airs 28, 1902 - Elsa Lanchester born ("hatchet lady") 29, 1945 - The first ballpoint pens went on sale, at Gimbel's Department store in NY City. 10,000 sold at $12.50 each! (I'm sure Maurice wished he'd had one of these.) 29, 1951 - "The Diet" airs 29, 1956 - "Visitor From Italy" (Lucy makes pizzas!) 30, 1907 - Sue Carol born 30, 1936 - Vivian Vance in play "Red, Hot & Blue" (with Bob Hope! So did Viv met Bob before LUCY?) 30, 1986 - Lucille Ball guest on "Late Show Starring Joan Rivers" (wonder if Lucy bought any of Joan's jewelry) 31, 1938 - Orson Welles does his famous "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast 31, 1955 - "The Great Train Robbery" airs |
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| NOVEMBER TIMELINE: Ten year anniversary of Cathy's Closet! The first I Love Lucy store on the planet! November 1, 1870 - The National Weather Service founded---it was probably never the same after Lucy did the weather for Paul Douglas! 1, 1954 - "Mr. and Mrs. TV Show" airs 1, 1985 - Lucille Ball is guest on "The Tonight Show" 2, 1953 - "Baby Pictures" airs 2, 1957 - Lucy on cover of TV Guide (caricature) 3, 1957 - Laika is the first dog in space. Fred was Little Ricky's first dog, earlier in 1957. 4, 1918 - Art Carney born. Appeared in "A Guide for the Married Man" with Lucy. 4, 1963 - Lucy is seen on The Danny Kaye Show 4, 1968 - Lucy appears on The Carol Burnett Show 5, 1900 - Natalie Schafer born in Red Bank, NJ (or 1902?) 5, 1951 - "Lucy Thinks Ricky's Trying to Do Away with Her" airs 5, 1985 - `Stone Pillow', Lucy's last movie, airs on cbs is number 8 in the Nielson ratings 5, 1991 - Fred MacMurray dies 6, 1814 - Adolphe Sax born (inventor of saxaphone) 6, 1957 - "Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana" airs with Hedda Hopper (first Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour) 7, 1955 - "Homecoming" airs 7, 1988 - Lucille Ball guests on "Super Password" 8, 1940 - `Too Many Girls' released (when Lucy met Ricky) 8, 1954 - "Ricky's Movie Offer" airs 8, 1962 - Lucille Ball bought out Desi Arnaz's part of Desilu Production for about $3 million 9, 1953 - "Lucy Tells the Truth" airs 10, 1927 - The Mertzes become man and wife (give or take 2 years) 10, 1952 - The Mertzes celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary 10, 1952 - "The Courtroom" airs 10, 2001 - The Mertzes should be celebrating their 74th anniv. 11, 1913 - Jess Oppenheimer born 11, 1954 - Moroni Olsen dies (judge in "The Courtroom") 11, 2001 - Veteran's Day (USA) (Fred Mertz was a veteran of WWI) 11, 2001 - CBS I Love Lucy 50th anniversary special! 2 hours 12, 1951 - "The Quiz Show" airs 12, 1955 - "Off to Florida" airs 12, 1990 - Eve Arden dies (she was in famous "Brown Derby" scene) 13, 1927 - Holland Tunnel opens (Where else would Lucy have gone when she was learning to drive?) 13, 1955 - First live telecast in the USA from a noncontiguous foreign country: Havana, Cuba 14, 1896 - Mamie Eisenhower born. Have you ever had her fudge? 14, 1955 - "The Ricardos are Interviewed" ("Face to Face") airs 14, 1960 - `The Facts of Life' released (Lucy and Bob Hope) 14, 1963 - Gary Morton plays "The Sands Hotel" 14, 1978 - Hollywood is 75 years old. Newly rebuilt HOLLYWOOD sign is unveiled live before a tv audience of 60 million. 15, 1948 - Jess Oppenheimer joins Columbia networks staff as a producer-director. 15, 1952 - "Stars in the Eye" hosted by Jack Benny, featuring among others, Lucy and Desi 15, 1954 - "Ricky's Screen Test" airs 16, 1899 - Mary Margaret McBride born in Paris, Missouri. Fred compared Ricky to her in "Men are Messy". She was a radio personality, wrote cookbooks, and had a talk show on radio and television. Compare her to today's Martha Stewart. 16, 1953 - "The French Revue" 16, 1964 - John Emery dies, aged 59 (tramp - Lucy's "lost" husband) 17, 1925 - Rock Hudson born 17, 1952 - "Redecorating" airs 19, 1895 - Pencil is invented. Lucy would collect many of these through her life. 18, 1908 - Imogene Coca born. Another very funny lady, 3 years older than Lucy. 19, 1951 - "The Audition" airs for the first time 19, 1955 - "Deep Sea Fishing" airs 19, 1961 - Lucy marries Gary Morton (Morton Goldapper) 20, 1926 - Kaye Ballard born (was on Desi's "The Mothers-in-law" tv show) 21, 1940 - Laurence Luckinbill born, Ft. Smith, AR, married Lucie Arnaz 22, 1875 - Elizabeth Patterson born (Mrs. Trumball) (126 years ago!) 22, 1934 - Vivian Vance in play "Anything Goes" 22, 1954 - "Lucy's Mother-in-Law" airs 22, 2001 - Thanksgiving (in USA) (can you imagine how the Ricardos, Mertzes, and their relatives might have celebrated?) Think about the meal on "Lucy's Schedule". Can you see the turkey flying out of the kitchen? 23, 1936 - Life magazine - first issue 23, 1953 - "Redecorating the Mertzes' Aparment" airs 23, 1953 - Lucy and Desi have "Dinner with the President" (Eisenhower)(wonder if they had Mamie's fudge) 23, 1958 - Lucky & Desi, testimonial dinner at Friar Club 24, 1927 - First Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade 24, 1952 - "Ricky Loses His Voice" airs 24, 1969 - Lucy appears on The Carol Burnett Show 24, 1994 - A&E Biography on Lucy and Desi airs (only airing) 25, 1920 - Gimbel's Department store founds the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade 26, 1951 - "The Seance" airs (so that's where you are...) Ethel as Madame Mertzola.. Ethel to Tilly... [Did you know that "tilly" was a nickname for television? No, not the English "telly", but tilly.] 26, 1955 - "Desert Island" airs 27, 1959 - "The Ricardos Go to Japan" airs 28, 1955 - "Lucy Goes to a Rodeo" airs 29, 1940 - Desi proposes to Lucy in New York. What was her answer? 29, 1954 - "Ethel's Birthday" airs for the first time (just LOVE those hostess pants) 29, 1986 - Herb Vigran dies (Mrs. Trumball's nephew; Empire state bldg. martian stunt coordinator) 30, 1927 - Richard Crenna born in Los Angeles (74 today and lookin' good) 30, 1940 - Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz elope (guess she said yes) 61 years ago in 2001 30, 1953 - "Too Many Crooks" airs |
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| DECEMBER TIMELINE December 1949 - Tops on this year's Christmas list: A tv set! December 1951 - Wm. Frawley and Bob Hope in the great movie "Lemon Drop Kid" (one of those forgotten Christmas movies) December 1951 - "The Glow-Worm" by the Mills Brothers reaches #2 (imagine if Lucy had been playing it) December 1959 - Desi Sr. is arrested in Hollywood for drunkeness. :( December 1995 - No Bob Hope Christmas special, first time since 1945 December 1, 1878 - First phone in White House (Lucy called the Prez once) 1, 1939 - LaGuardia airport in New York opens to public 1, 1950 - Keith Thibodeaux born 1, 1955 - "Bon Voyage" is filmed 1, 1958 - "Lucy Makes Room for Danny" airs (LDCH) 2, 1937 - Vivian Vance in play "Hooray for What" 2, 1986 - Desi Arnaz dies (It's been that long....) 2, 1990 - Bob Cummings dies 3, 1951 - "Men Are Messy" airs 3, 1956 - "The Ricardos Visit Cuba" 3, 1957 - "The Celebrity Next Door" airs (LDCH) [with Tallulah Bankhead] (number one rated program of that week) 3, 1984 - Lucy guests on "The Tonight Show" 4, 1950 - First daytime serial "The First 100 Years" airs (Wm. Frawley appeared in it) 4, 1973 - Alfred Carl Fuller (founder of Fuller Brush Co.) dies (Lucy did "The Fuller Brush Girl") 5, 1955 - "Nursery School" airs 5, 1955 - Paul Harvey (actor) dies 5, 1957 - William Frawley guests on The (Tennesee Ernie) Ford Show 5, 1977 - Lucy ringmaster on 2nd annual Circus of the Stars Lucie Arnaz also appeared 6, 1877 - Thomas Edison made first sound recording (thanks, Tom) 6, 1902 - Martha Washington first US woman on a US stamp (We saw Lucy on a stamp in 1999!) 6, 1954 - "Ricky's Contract" airs 6, 1977 - Lucy on Barbara Walters Interview Special 6, 1987 - James (Pete the trumpeter/grocery boy) Dobson dies 6, 1989 - "Aunt Bea" dies 7, 1953 - "Changing the Boys' Wardrobe" airs 8, 1934 - "Three Little Pigskins" with 3 Stooges, Lucille Ball released 8, 1952 - King Features Syndicate Lucy comic strip begins 8, 1952 - "Lucy is Enceinte" airs 9, 1984 - CBS All-Star Party for Lucille Ball 9, 2001 - Hannukah begins 10, 1951 - "The Fur Coat" airs 10, 1955 - Lucy on cover of TV Guide (portrait) 10, 1997 - Elliot Daniel dies at 89 (wrote the I Love Lucy theme song) 11, 1816 - Indiana became the 19th state (Fred often mentioned Indianapolis) 11, 1959 - Lucy in "Desilu Revue" on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 12, 1787 - Pennsylvania became the 2nd state 12, 1955 - "Ricky's European Booking" 12, 1959 - Vivian Vance in episode "Land Greed" of The Deputy 12, 1968 - Tallulah "darl-ing" Bankhead dies 13, 1954 - "Getting Ready" airs 14, 1946 - Patty Duke born in New York 14, 1953 - "Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined" 14, 1966 - Verna Felton dies (Mrs. Simpson) 15, 1832 - Builder of Eiffel tower born (A. Eiffel) (I'm sure Lucy saw the Eiffel tower while she was in Paris!) 15, 1905 - "Variety" first published 15, 1939 - `Gone With the Wind' premiered (without Lucy!) 15, 1952 - "Pregnant Women" airs 15, 1983 - "Automan" with Desi Arnaz Jr. premieres 16, 1968 - Vivian Vance as guest on Here's Lucy episode "The Matchmaker" 17, 1951 - "The Adagio" airs 17, 1956 - "Little Ricky's School Pageant" airs 17, 1960 - Wildcat opens on Broadway at Alvin Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St. (thanks Bob) 17, 1984 - Lucy honored by Pres. Reagan, Kennedy Ctr. lifelong achievement ? 18, 1916 Betty Grable [Ruth Elizabeth] born in St. Louis 18, 1989 - Highest rated Christmas special of the season airs: lost ep "I Love Lucy Christmas show" (6th place) 19, 1955 - "The Passports" airs 20, 1920 - Bob Hope becomes an American citizen! 21, 1953 - "Ricky's Old Girl Friend" airs 21, 2001 - WINTER 22, 1937 - New York's Lincoln Tunnel opens 22, 1952 - "Lucy's Show Biz Swan Song" airs 23, 1955: - "Sixteen Tons" by Tennesee Ernie Ford at the top of the charts! 24, 1922 - Ava Gardner born (Fred's fave) (her real name?-- *LUCY* Johnson) 24, 1951 - "Drafted" airs 24, 1956 - "The I Love Lucy Christmas Show" airs 24, 1982 - Mary Margaret McBride dies, 83 years old (Ethel called herself "Mary Margaret McMertz" in "Million Dollar Idea"). 25, 1956 - Lucy and Desi on cover of Look magazine with Keith Thibodeaux 25, 1959 - Desilu Playhouse presented a "Special Christmas Show" starring the whole I Love Lucy bunch as themselves. 25, 1995 - Dean Martin dies 25, 2001 - CHRISTMAS DAY 26, 1914 - Richard Widmark born - will be 87 this year. He has remarried and seems happy in the last interview I saw. 26, 1974 - Jack Benny (Lucy's neighbor) dies 26, 1986 - Elsa Lanchster dies (Hatchet lady) 26, 1986 - Lucy receives a Kennedy Center Award 26, 2001 - Boxing Day 27, 1903 - "Sweet Adeline" is sung for the first time 27, 1947 - Vivian Vance in play "Cradle Will Rock" 27, 1988 - Jess Oppenheimer dies 28, 1926 - Grauman's Chinese Theatre completed 28, 1983 - Jimmy Demaret ("The Golf Game") dies 29, 1952 - "Lucy Hires an English Tutor" 29, 1969 - Vivian Vance on Love American Style episode "Love and the Medium" as the medium who's in love with George Gobel 30, 1987 - Lucy at 10th Annual Kennedy Ctr. Awards 31, 1951 - "Jealous of Girl Singer" airs 31, 2001 - New Year's Eve January 1, 2002 - HAPPY NEW YEAR! |
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