As
we did in 2021, we're attempting to again increase book coverage in the
community. After a review posts, we try to do a discussion with the
reviewer. This go round, we're talking to Marcia about her book review "Stefan Kanfer's Ball of Fire: The Tumultuous Life and Comic Art of Lucille Ball." So you're a fan of Lucille Ball. Did the book present any problems for you with that?
Marcia:
Not really. By today's standards, Lucille Ball wasn't the best mother.
By today's standards. Back in the 50s, she saw the kids were fed and
clothed and had shelter. Desi had rages around the children after the
divorce. Lucy wasn't known for that at least but she had a TV show, she
ran DESILU, there wasn't a lot of time. Working with her kids on
HERE'S LUCY was probably more of a bonding moment than many in their
early childhood. But, no, there was nothing that made me say, "Bad,
Lucy!" Some people didn't like the way she handled her power on the set
of her sitcoms. Too bad. Was she physically abusing people? No. Was
she likely to demand what she wanted? Yes. Don't like it, don't work
with her. Red Skeleton was a friend. He worked with her on THE LUCY
AND DESI COMEDY HOUR and never again on one of her TV shows. I've heard
Milton Berle wanted things his way on his show as well. She had an
image as Lucy on TV and she didn't match that image as the boss? Too
bad, she's the boss. I think some of the criticism would never have
been made if she hadn't been a woman.
You noted that the book made clear a number of lies in various projects about Lucy.
Marcia:
Amy Poehler made a documentary about Lucy that was nothing but lies.
Desi cheated on her throughout the marriage. He humiliated her and he
destroyed her. At her lowest after the divorce -- when she was
struggling in a hit play on Broadway -- she did consider getting back
with him but then a couple came backstage after a performance. Years
ago, in Hawaii, Desi had been in the ocean and lost his necklace -- a
St. Christopher -- and he'd put his wedding ring on the chain to keep it
safe so he lost that too. The couple had found it and knew who it
belonged to due to the inscription on the ring from Lucy to Desi. She
thanked them for it but, holding it later, she realized the marriage was
over. She went on to marry Gary Morton who made her happy. It didn't
appear to have the passion of her first marriage but Lucy didn't want
the lows again and didn't want a roller coaster again. If there's a
love story to tell, I'd argue it would be Lucy and Gary. Then there's
that awful Aaron Sorkin film. He really did a number on the truth and
on Lucille Ball.
Do you think most fans of Lucy will enjoy the book?
Marcia:
I do. She had to endure a lot throughout her life -- starting long
before she met Desi. She was a survivor and she loved her family.
That's her children, her mother, her cousins, her uncle, you name it.
She had to endure a lot and it shaped the way she saw life. Success was
scary for her because she felt a shoe was always about to drop -- based
on the way her life had always gone. She started out as a chorus girl
and extra at RKO in the 30s. She went on to become the biggest actress
on TV and to own RKO. That's an inspiring story.
You note that your favorite Lucy sitcom is HERE'S LUCY.
Marcia:
Right. When it started in syndication in the 80s,
Stan and I would
watch it with our grandfather. I loved I LOVE LUCY and can watch it and
enjoy it but HERE'S LUCY was always my favorite. I loved the opening
with the little Lucy. I loved the chemistry with Lucie and Desi Jr.
And Lucie Arnaz was and is a hugely under-rated comedian. Desi Jr. was
nice and didn't embarrass himself but Lucie was a solid comedian. I
mean, she had real talent. Not copying her mother or her father, she
was an original and I agree with my cousin who's written before about
how great Lucie is on the program as Kim. She's up there in Vivian
Vance territory, she's that good.
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Previous book discussions this year.
"Books (Isaiah, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Trina, Isaiah, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Marcia, Rebecca, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Ann, Mike, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Stan, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Mike, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Ann, Elaine, Kat, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Isaiah, Stan, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Trina, Kat, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Marcia, Ann and C.I.)," "Books (Ruth, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Isaiah, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Mike, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Kat, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Marcia, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Trina, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Rebecca, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Isaiah, Kat, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Stan, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Kat, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Marcia, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Ann, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Trina, Ava and C.I.)," "Books (Marcia, Ava and C.I.)" and "Books (Ava and C.I.)."
