“I Love Lucy has been called the most popular television show of all time. Such national devotion to one show can never happen again; there are too many shows, on many more channels, now. But in 1951-1952, our show changed the Monday-night habits of America. Between nine and nine-thirty, taxis disappeared from the streets of New York. Marshall Fields department store in Chicago hung up a sign: ‘We love Lucy, too, so from now on we will be open Thursday nights instead of Monday.’ Telephone calls across the nation dropped sharply during the half hour, as well as the water flush rate, as whole families sat glued to their seats.” - Lucille Ball 

Happy 67th Anniversary I Love Lucy! Thanks so much to Lucy, Desi, Vivian and Bill for the laughter and teaching us about the true meaning of love and great friendship.

Lucy and Desi’s second wedding on June 19th, 1949

“We had been married for nine years but when I saw her coming down the aisle with her bouquet and wedding dress and hat, I got as much of a thrill as the first time, perhaps even more. The church and all made it seem so much more real. Lucy looked lovely, with those big blue eyes looking straight at me..” 

 - Desi Arnaz (A Book)

“So we were married again in 1949 in Our Lady of the Valley Church of Canoga Park. Groucho Marx couldn’t make it but wired, ‘what’s new?’ Desi and his band were appearing on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip the June day we were remarried. He wore a white suit and I was in a blue satin dress with a bridal bouquet. My mentor in comedy techniques, Ed Sedgwick, gave me away and Desi’s mother Dolores was matron of honor. I thought it would please her to have us married in the church and I promised to bring up any children we might have as Catholics. It was a sentimental occasion with our closest friends and family there, and wedding reception afterward. It was a beautiful ceremony and I believed in it.” 

- Lucille Ball (Love, Lucy)

Lucy and Desi poses in front of Our Lady of the Valley Church of Canoga Park - their second wedding on June 19th, 1949

The Latin Roots show is a tip of the straw hat, if you will, to my dad because, if it hadn’t been for the inspiration of that music and him in my life, I don’t think I’d be able to get up and do what I do. But, I can honor him with his music and take it down the next generation and it becomes my music. I introduce myself as Lucie Desirée Arnaz y Ball because I like that in Latin they always use both parents’ names for the child. It reminds you you’re a product of these variety of soils, and it’s nice to be reminded of all of that.

Lucie Arnaz 

I Love Lucy (1954): “The Business Manager” | S04:E01

Lucille Ball and Edward Brophy in Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)

Lucille Ball by Ernest A. Bachrach, 1936

“I will always remember the first birthday of mine we celebrated at our new little house. It was August 6th, 1941 and I was thirty - not an easy number for any woman to face. I thought Desi had forgotten the day especially when he sent me to go out some shopping by myself. At 5 o’ clock, when I drove our station wagon into our long drive way. I found Desi leading five-piece combo of fellow Latins and forty guests singing ‘Happy Birthday’. The final touch of romantic, willing spender was the solid carpet or white gardenias floating in our swimming pool.” 

- Lucille Ball (Love Lucy)

HAPPY 105TH BIRTHDAY, LUCILLE BALL! | AUGUST 6TH, 1911 - APRIL 26TH, 1989

“My Mom spent a lot of time with Lucie and me. She attended school plays and Little League games, helped me with my homework, and made an effort to get to know my friends. She took us to Disneyland and followed us around with a home movie camera. She even tape recorded interviews with us. Mom saved everything from our childhood and kept boxes of boxes of moments, including baby shoes, our drawings, and all the gifts her fans sent when I was born” -Desi Arnaz Jr.

“The first lady of television - her face was seen by more people more often than the face of any other human being who has ever lived. Who can forget Lucy? She was like everyone’s next door neighbor, only funnier. Lucille Ball was a national treasure who brought laughter to us all. This nation is grateful to her.” - Inscription for her Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1989

“She had a tenacity, an amazing ability to keep going until she got it right. Bravery. She was the first to do things that women didn’t do. She was gifted. She had genius, like Chaplin. Artistry of the top rank.” - Lucie Arnaz

“I once told Lucy that she was a beautiful clown. She didn’t want to hear it because it embarrased her, but it was true. She might be dressed in a baggy suit and a battered top hat and wearing big, funny shoes but she was still beautiful. And unlike some actresses who worry that they won’t look good, or that their hair will be mussed, Lucy would get into any crazy costume we would think of. She couldn’t wait to black out her teeth or get soaking wet or put on a funny wig.” - Madelyn Pugh Davis, writer for I Love Lucy

“One of the most important things that Lucy showed us was that women could be funny and attractive all at once - a groundbreaking concept for the day. This was particularly admirable considering Lucy was beautiful enough to be a conventional film star. But she shrugged off the persona of a cool beauty, instead reveling in the chance to get a laugh. She was never afraid to look foolish, silly, or even ugly for the sake of a good gag and her public loved her for it. By proving this formula, she paved the way for generations of funny women to come. Think of Carol Burnett, Roseanne, Gilda Radner, and Candice Bergen - they all owe at least part of their success to the amazing Lucy.” - Commentary on her role for women

Happy Birthday, Lucille Ball | August 6, 1911 - April 26, 1989 

Lucille Ball during a screen test for “I Love Lucy.”

Forever, Darling (1956)

Lucille Ball c.1940s

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