Title
Lucille: The Life of Lucille Ball,New
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
Lucille: The Life of Lucille Ball is an entertaining, informative, scholarly, and fascinating biography of one of the most revered actresses in television history. Moving beyond the typical celebrity bio, author Kathleen Brady separates the actress from Lucy Ricardo, the antic, enduring character she created on I Love Lucy.Brady is the only biographer to have spent extensive time in Jamestown, New York, Lucille Ball's hometown, where she interviewed Ball's childhood friends. Other interviews for the book included family, employees, Bob Hope, Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Milton Berle, Maureen O'Hara, Maxine Andrews of the Andrews Sisters, and the late chairman of CBS Bill Paley. Kathleen Brady's definitive biography presents a human Lucille Ball the fans have never known: the wouldbe showgirl in New York, fired almost as soon as she was hired because she was too flatchested and mousy; her great love for Desi Arnaz, their tempestuous marriage, the day she thought she had killed him with a hammer, and the incident that ended their marriage; Lucille as head of Desilu Studios, overriding the advice of her most trusted executives and agreeing to green light the pilots of Star Trek and Mission Impossible; and her runin with the House on UnAmerican Activities Committee and fears of being blacklisted.Brady reveals that Lucille Ball's life was a roller coaster, going from disaster to victory and triumph to tragedy. As a young woman, Ball believed that she had to work had to make people like and appreciate her. As a star, she felt she had to work hard to maintain her popularity, and was also conscious that what her fans wanted from her was not herself, but Lucy Ricardo.Of the first edition of this book, published by Hyperion in 1994, critic Molly Haskell wrote: 'It's a beautiful portrait of someone with enormous talent as an entertainer and heartbreaking fragility as a woman. In giving Lucille Ball the serious appraisal she deserves, Kathleen Brady has really gotten behind the scenes and the cameras to provide an invaluable chronicle of several areas and eras of show business.'New to this edition of Lucille is an introductory essay focusing on the place of the character of Lucy Ricardo in the history of comedy, going back to the traditions of the Italian commedia dell'arte and forward to the end of the 20th century. In this essay, Lucille Ball is compared to other key female figures in comedy like Mabel Normand, Mae West, Frannie Brice, Gilda Radner, and Fran Drescher. As the author writes, 'Lucille Ball was a revolutionary figure because Lucy Ricardo was the first female character to combine the knockabout physical comedy of vaudeville and music halls (and 15th century carnivals) while being beautiful, feminine, and sweetly appealing.' This edition also includes many new photographs from various sources.
By changing our most important processes and
products, we have already made a big leap forward. This ranges from the
increased use of more sustainable fibers to the use of more
environmentally friendly printing processes to the development of
efficient waste management in our value chain.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Secure Payment
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
We accept payments with :
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Shopify Payments, Shop Pay and more.
Secure Payment
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
We accept payments with :
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Shopify Payments, Shop Pay and more.
Related Products
You may also like
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Lucille: The Life of Lucille Ball'? A: The book provides an in-depth biography of Lucille Ball, separating her personal life from her iconic character Lucy Ricardo, and explores her journey in the entertainment industry.
- Q: Who is the author of this biography? A: The biography is authored by Kathleen Brady, who spent significant time researching and interviewing individuals close to Lucille Ball.
- Q: What unique insights does this book offer about Lucille Ball? A: The book includes personal anecdotes from childhood friends, family, and colleagues, revealing a more human side of Lucille Ball beyond her on-screen persona.
- Q: How many pages are in this book? A: The biography contains a total of 400 pages, providing ample detail on Lucille Ball's life and career.
- Q: Is this book a new edition, and what does it include? A: Yes, this is the first edition published in 1994, which includes a new introductory essay and many new photographs.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is listed as a 'Used Book in Good Condition', indicating it has been previously owned but remains in acceptable shape for reading.
- Q: What type of binding does the book have? A: The book is available in hardcover binding, which is typically more durable and suitable for long-term use.
- Q: When was 'Lucille: The Life of Lucille Ball' published? A: The biography was published on November 9, 1994.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: The book is categorized under 'Actors & Entertainers', focusing on the life and legacy of Lucille Ball.
- Q: Does the book discuss Lucille Ball's impact on comedy? A: Yes, it examines her role as a revolutionary figure in comedy, particularly through her character Lucy Ricardo, and compares her to other notable female comedians.