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Posts Tagged ‘1950s television programs’

I Love Lucy: Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Part 3

Posted in PEOPLE, tagged 1950s television programs, Bill Holden, biographies of actresses, biographies of women, classic television comedy, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, L.A. at Last, Lucille Ball, Lucy Barbie dolls, Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Lucy Ricardo, Lucy's fashion, Lucy's putty nose, William Holden on October 15, 2009| 3 Comments »

i-love-lucy-fourth-season Readers: Read the two previous posts before continuing:

“I Love Lucy: Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Part 1”

“I Love Lucy: Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Part 2”

Doll maker Mattel has immortalized some of Lucy’s most famous roles by creating a line of collector Barbies. Mattel no longer makes the dolls but they are widely available for sale. One of the most popular dolls is the one shown below.

Lucy "L.A. at Last" Barbie doll by Mattel.

"I Love Lucy Barbie doll by Mattel: "L.A. at Last"

“Hooray for Hollywood! At least that’s what Lucy thinks in the episode L.A. at Last™. But after a disastrous encounter with William Holden at the famed Brown Derby Restaurant, she’s not so sure. Especially when Ricky invites Holden up to their hotel room to meet his biggest fan, Lucy. Mortified by her previous encounter, Lucy runs to the bedroom and disguises herself with glasses, scarf, and an oversized putty nose, which she manages to catch on fire, and then comically extinguishes in a cup of coffee! Lucy wears an authentic re-creation of the episode’s costume, which includes a black chiffon coatdress with black dots over a tan jumpsuit. Silvery dots adorn her waistband and a large bow at the collar to coordinate with her dangling earrings. She has rooted eyelashes underneath tortoiseshell glasses that rest on an over-sized, protruding nose. Curls of her signature-red hair peek out from the tan kerchief that completes her disguise.” (Mattel)

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I Love Lucy: Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Part 2

Posted in Lucille Ball, PEOPLE, William Holden, tagged 1950s television programs, Bill Holden, biographies of actresses, biographies of women, classic television comedy, Desi Arnaz, Ethel and Fred, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Lucy Ricardo, Ricky Ricardo, the Brown Derby, the golden age of Hollywood, the Mertzes, William Holden on October 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Lucy Ricardo eyes Bill Holden at the Brown Derby in the "I Love Lucy" episode, "L.A. at Last!"

*Readers: If you haven’t already done so, read “I Love Lucy: Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Part 1” before continuing.

In my last post, I revealed that my absolute favorite “I Love Lucy” episode is

“L.A. at Last!”

and showed you a video of the first half, the famous scene when Lucy and the Mertzes spy actor Bill Holden in the Brown Derby.

The second half of the show takes place in Lucy and Ricky‘s Hollywood hotel room.

Click here to continue with “I Love Lucy: Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Part 3”

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I Love Lucy: Lucy Meets Bill Holden, Part 1

Posted in PEOPLE, tagged 1950s television programs, Audrey Hepburn, Bill Holden, biographies of actresses, biographies of women, classic television comedy, Desi Arnaz, Ethel Mertz, Fred Mertz, Grace Kelly, I Love Lucy, L.A., Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Ricky Ricardo, the Brown Derby, the Cobb Salad, The Country Girl, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, William Holden on October 13, 2009| 5 Comments »

Lucy Ricardo from the popular, long-running, 1950s television comedy "I Love Lucy"

Zany Lucy Ricardo (played by Lucille Ball) from the immensely popular, long-running, classic 1950s television comedy "I Love Lucy"

Everybody has a favorite “I Love Lucy” episode and this is mine:

“L.A. at Last!”*

Lucy’s husband Ricky Ricardo is filming a picture out in L.A. and has taken Lucy and the Mertzes out to California with him. This scene opens with Lucy, Fred, and Ethel out star hunting. They are having lunch at the Brown Derby, a popular haunt for Hollywood movie stars.

As the three await their meal, Ethel mouth drops open. She is astonished to discover heartthrob William Holden being seated at the next booth. A video excerpt from “L.A. at Last!” is posted at the bottom of this post. When you view it, notice that Bill Holden asks the waiter to bring him a Cobb Salad. The Cobb Salad – now famous – was invented by the owner of the Brown Derby.

The original Brown Derby at 9537 Wilshire Boulevard. It was a landmark restaurant in Los Angeles, which was frequented by celebrities during the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was an example of novelty architecture, known for being physically shaped like a brown derby hat, for being the birthplace of the Cobb salad (which was named for the Cobbs, the owners of the Derby), and the home of hundreds of caricatures of celebrities.

The original Brown Derby at 9537 Wilshire Boulevard was a landmark restaurant in Los Angeles, which was frequented by celebrities during the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was an example of novelty architecture, known for being physically shaped like a brown derby hat and for being the birthplace of the Cobb salad (which was named for the Cobbs, the owners of the Derby), and the home of hundreds of caricatures of celebrities.

Audrey Hepburn and William Holden from "Sabrina," 1954. The next year, "Bill" Holden makes a guest appearance on the "I Love Lucy" show. This episode, "L.A. at Last!" still in reruns, is one of the all-time favorites. At the time of the filming, Bill Holden was filming "The Country Girl" with Grace Kelly.

Now enjoy 6 minutes of Lucille Ball’s comic genius.