Jean Russell (Lucille Ball) is a beautician, in love with cosmetic salesman Denny Williams (Patric Knowles). But Denny ditches Jean when he manages to win the affection of the very wealthy Flora Barton (Frieda Inescourt). Denny marries for money, leaving Jean lonely. Luckily for Jean, her lack of beau just gives her more time to put into her work. She perfects a new face cream … Continue reading Beauty for the Asking (1939)
I Love Lucy‘s season one episode “The Ballet” (originally airing in February of 1952) featured not one, but two veteran Hollywood character actors in guest-starring roles: Mary Wickes and Frank J. Scannell. In the episode, Scannell appears as a comic attempting to teach Lucy a burlesque act, while Wickes plays Madame Lamond, a French ballet instructor. The episode has Lucy attempting to steal the spotlight … Continue reading Classic Stars on the Small Screen: I Love Lucy’s “The Ballet”
Annabel Allison (Lucille Ball) is an actress whose popularity is waning with the rise of another star, Natalie Preston (Frances Mercer). Natalie is engaged to royalty and has won the affection of the public with her elegance and exciting, romantic life. Annabel’s scheming publicist, Lanny (Jack Oakie), sees that it’s going to take a lot of effort to get Annabel back on top of the Hollywood … Continue reading Backstage Blogathon: Annabel Takes a Tour (1938)
Lucy Barnard (Tanis Chandler) and Sandra Carpenter (Lucille Ball) are toe-tapping ladies making their living in a dance hall. The two are close friends, and when they’re both offered auditions for a new gig, Sandra couldn’t be more excited. A Fleming and Wilde show! And the opportunity to dance alongside her best friend — without the smarmy male customers of the dance hall! What could be … Continue reading Lured (1947)
Cruising through the WPA work yard in her convertible, Nancy Crocker Fleming (Lucille Ball) is on the hunt for a husband. The men are at work digging a ditch; she shouts out and asks each if he is married. Finally, she meets Anthony Joseph Anthony (James Ellison), an eligible bachelor. She offers him $500 if he’ll agree to marry her. He won’t be bought for … Continue reading Next Time I Marry (1938)
Clint Kelly (Richard Carlson), Jojo (Eddie Bracken) and Al (Hal Le Roy) are big-time football players for big-time schools (Princeton, Harvard, Yale). All of them are pursuing up-and-coming athlete Manuelito (Desi Arnaz, in his film debut) and trying to recruit him to their schools. While the four are hanging around discussing Manuelito’s prospects, they all decide to drop out of college when a wealthy man … Continue reading Too Many Girls (1940)
The Long, Long Trailer (dir. Vincente Minnelli, 1954) follows Tacy and Nicky, a young and soon-to-be married couple. The two dream of making a home together that they can call their own. The trouble is, they have very different views of what type of home that should be. Tacy is dead-set on living in a trailer, so she can travel with Nicky wherever his work … Continue reading The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
Best Foot Forward (1943): 2/5 Bud Hooper (Tommy Dix) is a cadet at Winsocki Military Academy. He invites Lucille Ball to be his date at one of the Academy’s dances. Not expecting a reply, he invites his girlfriend Helen (Virginia Weidler) and turns her name into the academy for approval. His evening is spoiled when he receives a reply from Ball, who decides to accept … Continue reading Best Foot Forward (1943)
