** SET  13 **

 

*** Last updated - October, 2005 ***


 

1.

Q. 

Hi Lucie:
I am doing research on a set designer for the I Love Lucy show.  I understand he was an artist who went by the name of Carlo and he was also the set designer for the Lucy show.  I was told he was your father's (Desi Senior's uncle).  I also was told that he designed the set and used his own pictures around the set.

Can you give me any info on this person?  Is the above true?  And more importantly, if he is Desi Sr's uncle, what is his FULL (real) name?  I have several of his works and would like to know more about him.  Any info would be helpful.  Thank you very much.  Maria

 

LucieDear Maria:  I wonder how these rumors get started!  I don't remember my father even having an uncle Carlo, much less hearing that he designed the I Love Lucy set.  In fact, I've never heard or read anything about an I Love Lucy set designer at all.  In those early days they were working so fast and furiously they were all doing the work of more than one person, so it's hard to say how it all came together.  Sorry to disappoint you.  My parents did hire quite a few family members to work with them throughout the years (my uncle Kenny Morgan, my uncle Fred Ball, my aunt Cleo Smith, etc.) but other than that I'm afraid the story you've been told is untrue, or at least the part about his being related to me.



2.

Q. Hi my name is Karen Stockham.  I really enjoy your website.  I grew up in the 50's.

Back in 1959  ( my brother and I were only twelve , we are twins ) my parents got a divorce and I was devasted.Being a catholic it was extra hard on me. I remember going to the movies to see Parent Trap with Haley Mills, hoping I could find a way to get my parents back together.

I can remember one thing I seen on the news that your parents were getting a divorce ( I think it was in 1960 ) and felt a little better ( I know it sounds weird ) but I was thinking  there was another family that was suffering as bad as we were on unhappiness...  One thing I must add though I never ever felt that my parents did not love us, or that we were the cause of my parents break up. I knew what caused the break up (my father was an alcoholic)

I guess what I want to ask is was it very traumatic on you when your parents split up?

I just lost my mother a year ago and I guess I am going down memory Lane more than I usually do.

Thanks

 

Lucie:   Dear Karen:  Nothing is more traumatic for kids than divorce -- except maybe seeing their mother and father angry and fighting with each other day in and day out.  Of course my brother and I were devastated when our parents split up, but now that I'm older I realize that if two people can't find a way to stop hurting each other, divorce might be easier on the whole family.  And if there can be an amicable divorce (which my parents had) so they can share custody of their children and be good parents, the family can begin to heal.  My parents remained good friends throughout their lives and they never used their children to hurt each other, and for that I've always been grateful to them.

 



3.

Q.  Lucie,

Hoping this email finds you in good health and great spirits!

I was wondering if you could answer two questions for me:

(1)--When would you say you came into her own as an actress? Would you say it was when you did "They're Playing Our Song" ?

(2)--If you like to cook, what is your favorite thing to make and can you share the recipe?

Love your work and only wish I got to see more of you on a regular basis!  You're the BEST!

Regards,
Michael

 

 

LucieDear Michael:  As an actress, I consider myself to be constantly learning.  Important projects for me have been Lost in Yonkers on Broadway, Master Class which is basically a one person play about opera star Maria Callas, and the most recent film I did, The Pack.  I learn and grow from all the projects I've done, in one way or another. 

I do love to cook.  One of my favorite recipes is Puerco Asado with Mojo Criollo and frijoles negros which I found in the "Memories of a Cuban Kitchen" cookbook.  Enjoy!

 

 



4.

Q.  Hi,

I enjoy your website.  It is very interesting.  I am traveling a lot to Cabo in Baja California and I know that Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Phil Harris and your dad loved Baja.  What part of Baja did your dad own his house?  Does the house still belong to the family?  When did he buy it?  How often was he there?  And did he travel and fish with Bing Crosby and John Wayne?

Thanks

Jeff Stokes
Pasadena


 

Lucie:   Dear Jeff:  The house my father built is in Las Cruces, on a private beach.  He built it in the 1970s and went there for months at a time every year.  Desi and I own it today and share it with our families.  Yes, he used to fish with Bing Crosby, but I don't remember him ever speaking about "The Duke" and fishing in the same sentence.

 

 



5.

Q.  Dear Lucie Arnaz,
Shalom! I truly hope this email reaches you.   I am writing to you on behalf of myself, my 11 year old son Nadav and my 8 year old daughter, Adi.  I was born in Paterson, NJ USA and moved to Israel in 1972 with my parents who survived the Holocaust.  I have always loved "I Love Lucy" since I was a child. Upon arriving in Israel, I never had the chance of seeing "I Love Lucy" unless I was able to visit the States from time to time. Now that we have the   internet, I have ordered the "I Love Lucy" collections 1,2, & 3. Let me first thank you and your brother Desi Arnaz Jr. for having had such wonderful and loving parents. My children now have the greatest privilege and honor of seeing for the first time those precious episodes over and over again. Laughter is truly the best medicine! I had an only sister who passed away from Melanoma Skin Cancer leaving behind 4 children for both my parents and my family to raise. It has been very hard during these years (my Dad passed away from  Pancreatic Cancer) and my Mom now is in an old aged home and very senile. Thanks to your wonderful mother Lucy of blessed memory, we can have laughs and see "I Love Lucy to our hearts content. My daughter Adi, asked me to print a picture with Desi, Lucy, Ethel and Fred to hang on her bedroom wall. She even asked me if we ever go to the States, can we please visit Lucy and Desi's grave sights! Can you belive this coming from an 8 year old???

Once again, thanks to your beloved parents for giving millions of people worldwide hours of non stop laughter.

Thank you from my children.  Thank you from myself.  G-d bless and all the very best to you and yours.

Sincerely with much love,

Louis Kanon
Israel

 

 

Lucie:    Dear Louis:  Thanks for your nice letter, although I don't know what part I played in having the parents I did!  I entirely agree with you about laughter being the best medicine.  In fact, The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center's mission statement is "to preserve and celebrate the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter."  We are about to launch a new program about laughter and it's importance to all people, which will feature seminars about comedy, hosted by those in the business and those whom laughter has helped in their lives (cancer survivors, etc.).  And by the way, you can tell your daughter that my mother's ashes are buried in the Ball family plot in Jamestown, NY and my father's ashes were scattered at sea.

 



6.

Q.  Hi Lucie:

I had the pleasure of meeting you and your husband Larry after one of your performances in "Once Removed" in Coconut Grove last year.  (May I just say again what a WONDERFUL show it was!)

When we met you were wearing a really cute sleeveless shirt that read, "Made In America With Cuban Parts".  A number of my friends have seen the picture I took with you and they are all crazy about that shirt (it applies to their heritage as well).  I was wondering if you could give me a lead as to where you found it?  I've looked online and found some with the saying, but they are just plain t-shirts and not as tasteful as yours.

Any help you could give would be most appreciated.

BTW, sure hope to see you in another great play in the near future!

All the best,
Cindy Tingley

LucieDear Cindy:  so glad you enjoyed the show!  I look forward to being back at the Coconut Grove next spring where I will be in the play "Sonia Flew," alongside my daughter, Kate Luckinbill!  As for the shirt, I bought it at a place called Cuban Nostalgia at the Coconut Grove Convention Center last spring.

 


7.

Q.  Hello Lucie!! It's really an honor to be writing to you.  I'm 14 years old and just adore all the "Lucy" shows.  They are really special to me and anyone who knows me knows I'm a HUGE fan.(like you don't hear enough of that, right?) :-) Anyways, for my question...When were you most "star-struck" if ever?  And another question... Have you ever modeled before?  Thanks for taking the time to read over my questions!!--Brooke

 

LucieDear Brooke:  I was star-struck the first time I saw Paul Newman up close and in person.  So handsome!  I have modeled in the past for charity fashion shows and in photo layouts for a specific purpose, but I've never done it professionally.

 


8.

Q.  Would you consider appearing in a sequel to "The Jazz Singer" with Neil Diamond and reprising your roles if the script and the storyline were right? I think that now is the perfect time for just such a sequel. I actually have the storyline in mind. I have put this idea out there to others and they think it's a great idea.
Sherri Jameson Faulk

 

Lucie:   Dear Sherri:  Thanks, in fact the Jazz Singer is just being released on DVD for the first time!  I would consider doing a sequel, but Neil probably wouldn't.  It was too hard on him the first time and we were a lot younger then!

 


9.

Q.  Good Morning Lucie.  I would like some information if you have the time.  I am a dedicated Lucy and Desi fan, and belong to the Desi Lucy fan club in California, and Desi and Lucy (Star Member) in Jamestown NY.  Now the hard question.  Hope you know the answer.   I wanted to know how many songs and titles of music Desi had composed, and help compose for television, specifically the I Love Lucy show I believe there were quite a few, but, I don't know the exact answer.
Any assistance you can provide is appreciated.  I was looking for the sheet music too, but don't know if they're available at all.  Thanks in advance for any help.
P.S. Thanks for signing my autograph book in California at the 50th Anniversary
celebration at Burbank Ca.

Demeris K. Anderson

 

Lucie:   Dear Demeris:  Thanks so much for supporting the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center.  As far as my father's music goes, he didn't actually write many songs.  The only ones I know about are Holiday in Havana and There's a Brand New Baby (which he sang on I Love Lucy).  There was also an all-Spanish number that he recorded in the 1930s, but other than that I don't know of anything else.  He was very talented at singing other people's music though!  As far as sheet music goes, I don't know of any.  All my father's charts were donated to the Library of Congress.  Maybe you can check with them.

 


10.

Q.  Going to Jamestown, N.Y. for Lucy-Desi Days in May last year was enough for me, but seeing Lucie walking around downtown Jamestown and being only 4 feet away from me was the cherry on top!  I'm 14 years old and I, of course, love Lucy, but I love Lucie too.  So seeing her perform with Jim Bailey at Lucy-Desi Days was just awesome.  As they showed the clip from "Here's Lucy", I laughed so hard, but the song, "Fever" just captivated me.  I thought both Jim and Lucie did an outstanding job performing this on the show.  Little did I know that I'd be seeing them perform it RIGHT in front of me live!!  I was amazed when Jim Bailey brought out Lucie on stage.  She was SO beautiful and lively.  I wanted to tell her how much I love her songs but of course I couldn't just walk up on stage.  Hopefully, Lucie sees this somehow because I wanted to tell her that. :)  Anyways,  as they performed "Fever", I sat in amazement at Lucie's talented voice.  (And of course, Jim's too)  One of the funniest parts of the show was the whole "When I did Judy Garland" bit. (Of course I had to contain my laughter because my parents were on both sides of me)  You'd have to be there to understand I guess.  Well I went back to my hotel room humming the song joyfully knowing that I had been that close to *LUCIE ARNAZ*!!  The next day, I attended the Gregg Oppenheimer session thingamajig.  I looked back and saw Lucie sitting back there.  I kept looking, pretending to be looking for my parents.  It was definitely awesome.  Then, after the whole Mr. Oppenheimer session, I was eating some popcorn and I look up and Lucie was only 4 feet in front of me!  I was in shock.  I think my mouth just dropped in amazement.  About 10 people flooded her with "Can I have your autograph"'s and "Can I get a picture with you?"'s.  I felt bad because so many people wanted these things from her, so I, reluctantly, didn't ask for an autograph or a picture.  I wish I would have, but I felt like people were bombarding her with pens and cameras.  Even if I didn't get a picture, I'll still remember how graceful and beautiful she was, walking through Jamestown and while trying to go in a cafe/resturaunt, never being left alone by people.  However, I did get a picture with Doris Singleton, who played Carolyn Appleby on "I Love Lucy"
and I got an autograph from Gregg Oppenheimer.  Overall, I had a great trip and great memories to reflect on!!  Thanks Lucie...you made my trip SO worthwhile!! :)--Brooke H.

 

Lucie:   Dear Brooke:  I'm glad you had such a nice time in Jamestown.  If you see me there again, stop by and introduce yourself!

 


11.

Q.  Lucie,

I have said on numerous occasions that you were the best celebrity player on The $10,000 Pyramid.  Do you have any memories that you can share of your visits there from 1973 to 1975 and in 1977?  Rumor has it, that you were the first celebrity to get all 8 points in the first part of the game.  Also, during a $10,000 Pyramid marathon, you and Tony Randall were mentioned as next week's celebrity guests when the show returned to New York.  I remember vividly your last visit to The $20,000 Pyramid when you and your partner hit the show for $20,000 on the Friday before Christmas.

                                          Best regards always,

                                                                Mark Guerra

 

Lucie:   Dear Mark:  You already remember more than I do!  I do remember that I loved that game and I was pretty darn at playing it!  I believe that Tony Randall and I held the record for the most money won for our contestants.  Pretty cool, huh?

 


12.

Q.  Hi Lucie!  I had a question, I wanted to know if  you have any favorite quotes, popular or not, that you think highly of?

Vanessa

 

Lucie:   Dear Vanessa:   One of my favorite (and most useful) quotes is:  "If you don't know what to do, DON'T DO ANYTHING!"  (Desi Arnaz).  Remembering my father's words has made a huge difference in my life quite a few times!



13.

Q.  Dear Ms. Arnaz,

  I recently saw your husband's performance in "Columbo: Make Me a Perfect Murder" on television.   He was wonderful!!   And of course, I am a big fan of yours, too.   I am wondering if you and he are planning to work together in the future.  I would love to see you in a joint venture with your  husband.

Thank you,
Jennifer

 

Lucie:   Dear Jennifer:  Thanks for the nice words about Larry.  He really is a gifted actor, writer and director.  We worked together quite a few times (in movies and on stage) years ago, but stopped so that one of us would always be home for our children while they were growing up.  Now that they're all in their 20s, we're planning some producing/writing/acting ventures together.  Stay tuned!

 


14.

Q.  Hi Lucie,
I live in Pittsburgh, PA, and we have a radio station that has a show every Saturday and Sunday morning called "The Best of Broadway" and last weekend they featured "TPOS" and I just want to tell you what memories that brought back! Wow! What good songs and what a great voice you are! I cannot stop humming all those songs now at work during the day! I did have the good fortune to see it on Broadway and I have the old album, but I immediately ordered the CD from Amazon. I had forgotten about it over the years and I'm so glad to have it back in my life. I can't stop playing it!  You are such a wonderful, funny, nice talent and I am glad to see from your website all your performances. I hope you come to Pittsburgh sometime which is really a very very nice city!
Well I just wanted to thank you for all the enjoyment your songs have given
me!

Sincerely,
Jim Jeromson

 

Lucie:   Dear Jim:  By now you must know that I was just there with the Pittsburgh Symphony with Marvin Hamlisch and Bob Klein doing a whole mini musical of They're Playing Our Song.  We had such a great time that we plan to do it again in February in Little Rock, Arkansas!

 

Love,
Lucie Arnaz



 

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