Have you heard Lucy in Mame?. She was not a great singer. A great person and actress, yes, but not a great singer. Once Bea Arthur; who appeared on the mame show on broadway playing the same part as she did in the movie, said “Lucy was so generous but for mame she was so terribly miscast” I agree with her. We all love Lucille ball but Mame is not her best work. Not funny....no, no, just not for her.
Always remember Lucie with Neil Diamond in 'The Jazz Singer". Great story, good actress (politically incorrect) Men are still actors, and women are still actresses. Lucy and Desi set the standard everybody tries to copy. But will never be beat.
I had no idea she inherited her dads voice and musicality too! Lucie really is the best of both her mom and dad! I wonder if they are both fluent in Spanish?
I remember at the end of the Lucy-Desi Home Videos documentary that Lucille splashed water into Desi's face when they were playing in a pool with their first grandchild (a girl, I believe). She did that because Desi was speaking Spanish to their granddaughter when he never taught their children Spanish. I think that Desi wanted Lucie and Desi, Jr. to focus on speaking perfect English instead of learning Spanish, so that no one would make fun of them like people made fun of his English (which included, Lucille, lol). I also remember Lucie saying that her Spanish was horrible but that her Cuban side comes out when she performs (i.e., sings). I don't think that Lucie and Desi, Jr. are fluent in Spanish, but they could be. EDIT: Lucille's and Desi's first grandchild, who was shown in the documentary, was a boy: Lucie's son, Simon.
I would have so enjoyed seeing Lucie do more acting. As an adult she really came into her own on that score. In my considered opinion her acting talent out shown that of both of her parents put together & her singing talent far exceeded that of her father. So much talent in one woman!
I love the details they give. Desi always was great on camera. You would have never guessed all that he had to do. Castro took everything, killed all the animals on the farms etc. He and Lucy were alot alike. Look at his incredible drive. He played the drums just to make money. And I thought he was a terrfic singer and performer. Desi and Lucy connected for a reason.
Lady, Castro was like 14 years old when he left Cuba you dodo! He left when there was a military coup in 1933 and the dictators who Uncle Sam loved are the ones who took it all. Battista! Oh. no wonder America makes so many blunders with that historical knowledge.
@@mediterraneanworld That's the brainwashing and inadequate schooling most kids get in the USA. We have to really want to work at it to get a more complete education and perspective.
It was not the Castro Revolution - it was the Batista Revolution which was a dictatorship and Fidel Castro overthrew that government. The Batista Revolution was the one that Desi Arnaz was escaping from.
He was an excellent actor, and it is a pity his career didn't flourish. She is also superb, and when we saw her along with Maria Friedman and Joanna Riding in the original London production of "The Witches of Eastwick," it must be nearly 30 years ago, she was a delight.
RT, it's called being an apprentice and having a mentor. Lucy learned from Buster Keaton how to work with props, and then went on to become even more famous than Keaton. Buster Keaton, for his part, was born into a vaudeville family and learned from his elders. Carol Burnett (who didn't write her bits, either) claimed Lucy was her mentor. Vicky Lawrence had Carol Burnett as a mentor. Nobody goes out there and creates all their art from scratch with no influences from anybody before them. Get real. Do you think someone becomes a doctor without going to medical school first? Or that a good attorney doesn't first go to law school? You're being awfully obtuse. And "I Love Lucy" is the most successful sitcom in history, still running daily nearly 66 years after it first debuted. Obviously millions of people have found it very funny.
It's a credit to both of them that, even at her most bitter re his adultery and alcoholism, Lucy (the mother) ALWAYS praised Desi,Sr.'s vision, production management and drive! Yes, he had his faults, but Lucy never would let anyone attempt to belittle his intelligence or his vision. The ironic thing is that they each had had their worlds torn apart in their teens via forces beyond their control and went into entertainment as a means to take care of their extended families and even 'I Love Lucy' was done so they could work together and have their children but, in the end, they had to split to save themselves!
Lucy had her world torn apart earlier - her beloved father died before she was aged 4. Then they lived with their beloved maternal grandparents - the grandmother died; and her beloved aunt died. All at a young age.
@@LJ-ht4zs Don't disagree but Desi hadn't had a smooth life before they met either. Moreover, it's not a contest over which of them had suffered longer but the fact that they each had had to deal with their beloved families getting torn apart and losing their homes due to forces beyond their control. Yet both of them resolved to take care of their families and gain control via becoming entertainers- despite the fact that the entertainment industry
Despite the fact that the entertainment industry itself is rather unstable and unpredictable from entry level onward and even if one overcomes the incredible competition and odds to become a star, that's no guarantee of lasting good fortune. Yet both Lucy and Desi DID make sure their parents were well-provided for decades into their twilight years. Desi's mother Dolores would live to 92 having outlived Desi two years but he had seen to it she was comfortable despite his earlier death.
Lucie Arnaz did not appear in the "I Love Lucy" finale, or any episode for that matter. Desi Jr. did appear in the finale, however, but without his sister.
While this short clip is interesting, there really is no "discussion" about their Cuban roots. It's more about Desi running the studio with a few references to his history, which is common knowledge.
I don't understand his comment on the Revolution. The Revolution happened in 1959. Desi Arnaz was already a television star and a very successful and wealthy man.
Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city in Cuba and the capital city of Santiago de Cuba Province. It lies in the southeastern area of the island, some 870 km (540 mi) southeast of the Cuban capital of Havana. Emilio and Gloria Estefan are also from there.
As for the music, Cuban music is so, so, so beautiful, and the most fun to dance to. My dad was a salsero. He composed, arranged, wrote lyrics, played several instruments (mostly congas), sang, and performed for 30+ years. I'd come home from school to him at the piano, creating music.
Oh I knew she could sing (RE: They're Playin' Our Song broadway cast album), but I got chills watching this. She missed her calling singing en espanol.
I have no doubt that everyone in the Ball-Arnaz family was bi-lingual--Lucille Ball included. But like every immigrant from that era, Desi Sr was raised that the best and fastest way to get ahead was to learn English; it would be his ticket to prosperity. And though he taught Cuban/Spanish to his children, I would bet dollars to donuts that he raised them to know that it was their second language, and English is their first.
I think it's great, because that way it remains outside of the pack. I mean they give Emmy's to soap operas and other crap. This kind of work, rises above awards. Awards are not worthy of them. Can you imagine someone doing PR on I Love Lucy... the Emmy-award winning series... ughh..
Mystery of the Universe, why Desi never won an Emmy, also I remember when he died 1986, the Los Angeles times obit left out many of his accomplishments just focusing on being Lucy's "Second Banana, how crude.
He wasn't even nominated. His cast mates either won or were nominated during the show's run. He was never even nominated for a golden globe or emmy. It was a much more racist world back then. Anyways, nobody really remembers the actors who did win or were nominated. But we still remember and love Desi. ❤
Desi Arnaz was a great and humble man, a visionary, who changed the nascent television industry forever. His innovations are still being used. As a young boy watching I Love Lucy, I thought it would be so cool to have "Ricky Ricardo" as a father. My life-long love affair with Spanish came about because I wanted to know what Ricky was saying to Lucy whenever he lost his cool over one of her antics. Mr. Arnaz was an underrated comedic actor, too, the perfect foil for Lucy.
Both Desi & Lucy were forces to be reckoned with. Lucy's incredible talent has always been well recognized, but Desi hasn't been given nearly the same acknowledgement. Without going through his whole childhood, suffice to say the revolution in Cuba tore everything away that rightfully belonged to Desi & his family. To come to the US and start all over again, without a roof over his head, relying on his talents in order to eat was a rather common denominator of immigrants to the US. However, together with Lucy, his abilities in everything from establishing new methods & concepts in filming for the new venue of TV, building an entire studio complex, and continuing with his music really speaks to Desi's drive, intelligence, stick-to-it-tiveness. I've always admired both of them, as they both TOGETHER represented the best of humanity.Actually, they were far ahead of their time. So glad we have their example to draw from.
Lucille Ball did not hate Desi - they became very good friends a few years after the divorce and remained close for the rest of their lives. When the kids joined their mother on “Here’s Lucy”, Desi took out an ad congratulating the kids. At the bottom of the ad, it said, “P.S. - that red headed gal playing your mom is the greatest.”
what attractive kids........love them and my God Lucy is a great singer. well done Lucy! I'm just sad that Desi Jr's wife Amy just died..........oh how sad.
how sad? Desi Jr & wife knew of & devoted themselves to the ultimate success -- living Eternally with our Creator - and No Memory of any sadness or pain. No Emmy for Desi would be expected, considering the "political" climate in the 1950s, relative to Cuba.
@@jenniferdonlin6627 huh? Are ya Sure??There are many many other examples, I just picked 2 outta the air without thinking but a moment .. so...turn the TV on, and see. Again, the Point is ... the beholder decides, and all have varying opinions, likes, dislikes, etc. Take care & be well.
Desiderio Arnaz (better known as Desi Arnaz) (March 2, 1917 - December 2, 1986) was born in Santiago de Cuba, was a musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to whom he was married at the time. He and Ball are generally credited as the inventors of the rerun in connection with the show.
Desi, Jr. (actually Desi IV) was in a rock band as a kid with Dino Martin. He was a drummer. He played the drums A few times on his Mom's show, "Here's Lucy".
I did not know what a beautiful voice, Lucie has. I literally felt chills hearing her sing. What an Incredible, passionate talent & gift from her father. Just SO beautiful! 💝
During the pandemc, I saw of clip of Here's Lucy, with Donny Osmond as a costar. He played a teen who crushed on Kim. I was a baby / toddler during the original of the show. I was surprised she sang as well.
Hollywood always determined to capitalize on Lucys name and make it sound like she did all the business , and brain work for her and desi. Desi was so hurt and probably contributed to his drinking ,,, Lucy said she didn't handle any of it til she had too and hollywood had shafted Desi . Such a travesty , Desi was a brilliant man , talented and the real reason they were so successful in on business side.
Desi was an entertainment genius...he was the one responsible for Desilu...the multiple camera sitcom...produced The Untouchables...negotiates a really With the network to own all the episodes of I Love Lucy...genius
I am friends with Desi Arnaz Jr., his wife was my first ballet teacher when I was three years old [I am 28], Dance Etc is where I learned how to dance and I am so sad to say that his wife, Amy Arnaz, passed away in January from brain cancer. :( I love this family so much.
My son is cuban American. Not all cuban's are loud,messy or what ever you say they are. Please respect other people's nationality. And if you have nothing nice to say keep your mouth shut
Jennifer Hunter And if they're loud , so what? As long as they're law abiding, decent citizens who work and treat others with respect, nobody cares about if they're loud or soft talkers.
IamKayRenee About her life from childhood to after divorce from Dezi; it's an autobiography which was discovered by her kids after she passed away. Very interesting read. I recommend it to any fans of hers. The book is called 'Love, Lucy' by Lucille Ball.
Wow, Lucie has a GREAT voice (just had a flashback of her mom's singing voice on "I Love Lucy" :D )! ABSOLUTELY LOVE the fact that Lucie and Desi Jr. turned out to be GREAT adults/human beings (unlike ALOT of Hollywood raised children). :)
When I was a little girl I used to think I was going to marry Desi in the form of Ricky Riccardo. I was so upset when my mother told me he was already married to Lucy!
From what I've seen Lucy balls children seem to be more fond of the father in Memory. They don't say anything bad about their mother but Ball was a very different person off screen. I remember seeing these guys as I guess teenagers In the 2nd edition of I Love Lucy
He came in 1934 due to the revolution of Battista (America's best friend) and his family fled - his father was the mayor of the 2nd largest city and the family was very wealthy and prominent but with the wrong politics.
He was not a musician - he was a very well-educated, privileged teenager who had to start over but due to good connections was able to attend a fancy private school even though they had no money. He got into the music business indirectly.
I respect the entire family - for different reasons. Young Desi thrived after finding Out Creator, Savior & His Holy Spirit - and spoke publicly, as humble as his dad, about that. Every man & woman is as fallible as the next soul. These individuals did well in life.
