Lucy (film)

Infobox_Film
name = Lucy


caption =
writer = Katie Ford
T.S. Cook
starring = Rachel York
Danny Pino
director = Glenn Jordan
producer = Dave Mace
distributor = CBS Television
released = May 4, 2003
runtime = 90 min.
language = English
budget =
imdb_id = 0361856

"Lucy" is a 2003 television film directed by Glenn Jordan. It is based on the life and career of actress and comedian Lucille Ball.

Plot

"Lucy" opens in 1960, at the filming of the final Lucille Ball - Desi Arnaz Show (The Lucy Desi Comedy Hour). It is evident that all is not well between television's most famous couple, who send scathing messages to each other through a nervous pageboy. Co-stars Vivian Vance and William Frawley (Rebecca Hobbs and Russell Newman) comment on the tense situation backstage. However, all performers put on their best front as Desi introduces the cast for the last time, with Lucille (Rachel York) gratefully accepting the audience's welcome.

The story then flashes back to 1925, when young Lucy (Madeline Zima) was living in Celeron, New York. Her desire to perform leads her to an acting school in New York, where she encounters an icy and condescending pupil named Bette Davis (Priscilla Bonnett) and an unreceptive instructor, who deems her no good and sends her home. Even after her grandfather is sued for all he's worth after a tragic B-B gun incident involving a child, Lucy does not give up, and spends the 1930's working as a model and cigarette girl in NYC before landing a job as a Goldwyn Girl and beginning her Hollywood career.

After going through a few studios without achieving star recognition, she befriends the saucy and glamorous Carole Lombard (Vanessa Grey) and brings her family out west to live with her. After hiring a maid called Harriet (La Chanze), she meets a fellow contract player Desi Arnaz (Daniel Pino), who is co-starring with her in her latest film. Sparks fly at once, and their tumultuous romance begins. After recovering from Lombard's tragic death in 1943, she moves to MGM and becomes a red-head for her new picture "Du Barry Was A Lady", with fellow comedian Red Skelton (Mark Claire). All is not well on the home-front, however, what with Desi away in the service and persistent rumours of his infidelity. The death of her beloved grandfather, Fred Hunt, and a devastating miscarriage only makes matters worse.

After being released from MGM, silent movie legend Buster Keaton takes Lucy under his wing, convinced of her talent as a clown. Her comedic skills further gestate on her new radio program, "My Favorite Husband". Lucy not only becomes more convinced of her comedic abilities, but of her desire to work with Desi to keep them together.

Gathering the radio team together, the idea for "I Love Lucy" is formed and pitched to CBS. Although skeptical of the public's readiness to buy Arnaz as Ball's husband, the couple set out to prove them wrong by performing musical and comedy routines on the road, and the network gives way, convinced the show will flop.

It proves a huge success, however, and remains a favorite for the next six years, overcoming a communist scare and even incorporating Lucille's real-life second pregnancy into the show, forever changing the shape of television.

By 1958, their company, Desilu, had bought the former RKO studio where Lucille had once worked, and continued to expand as a television empire. Things gradually grew worse between Lucy and Desi, however, with Desi's drinking worsening and Lucille's fierce commitment to her craft making her more and more difficult to work with.

By 1960, it was obvious they could not go on, and prepared to end their show along with their marriage. The film concludes after the taping has concluded, with Lucy and Desi walking out of the studio, hand in hand, no longer a couple but still friends, bonded for life by what they had accomplished.

Cast

*Rachel York - Lucille Ball
*Danny Pino - Desi Arnaz
*Ann Dowd - Dede
*La Chanze - Harriett
*Madeline Zima - Teen Lucy
*Rebecca Hobbs - Vivian Vance

External links

* [http://www.cbs.com/specials/lucy/ Official website]
*imdb title|id=0361856|title=The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel