It's all led this: Chapter 10, prepping the first ‘I Love Lucy’ episode. And we begin with another perfect storm, this time of logistics. Where will they shoot in L.A., and HOW with multi-cam on 35mm film, in front of a live audience? Not to mention in front of the camera had its own issues. Remember the Pilot didn’t have the Mertzes; and now they needed to find them. Rehearsals got under way in the same space construction crews were still building sets. And Lucille herself? Coddling her pregnancy (understandably; after all, it was ten years in the making). Then we’ll close-out the season, our story, on Saturday, September 8th, 1951; the first official ‘I Love Lucy’ shoot day. Would it be a hit? Maybe. The conservative estimates in their favor? Rooting FOR them? They had a fifty-fifty shot. Please chime in here with your questions & comments, or just sharing your love of Lucille Ball and her road to ‘I Love Lucy!’ Thanks for listening ...
28 Apr 2026
309 "Give it a whirl!"
Chapter 9 sees Lucille and Desi get married. Yep, again! Lucille will re-sign with Columbia, reuniting her with dear friends Ed Sedgwick and Buster Keaton. And she and Desi will both make more movies (this on top of Desi’s nightclub touring and serving as Bob Hope’s musical director). Well, why not make a movie together? If Hollywood wouldn’t bank on them, they’ll bank on themselves, and form their own company. But what to name it? Seems like using the same as their Chatsworth ranch oughta work! But how to prove Lucille and Desi work as a showbiz team? Why not go straight to audiences? Live! Which is just what they do. And that’s when a lot happens at the same time. CBS is interested in turning her hit radio show ‘My Favorite Husband’ into a TV show. Which leads to making a pilot. Which leads to Lucille and Desi having to decide if they’re willing to give up everything they have -- her film and radio careers, his radio and nightclub careers -- for the thing ALL the studios are adamantly against: television. And the icing on the gamble cake? Lucille Ball was pregnant. Please chime in here and/or on Instagram @fromoutofthepastpodcast with your questions & comments, or just sharing your love of Lucille Ball and her road to ‘I Love Lucy!’ Thanks for listening ...
21 Apr 2026
308 The gal who plays Liz Cooper on radio!
Chapter 8 is live and sees Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz get divorced (kinda). While Desi’s still in the Army, Lucille makes ‘Easy to Wed,’ a hit, and ‘Two Smart People’ which, unknown at the time, will be her last at MGM. Then Desi’s out of the Army to find slipping back into life at MGM isn’t as easy as he’d hoped. Lucille finds success freelancing -- including beginning her run with Bob Hope and one back in live theatre -- while Desi finds success back on the road. And then, in 1948, with Hollywood in a panic over the Supreme Court vertical integration decree and the onslaught of television, Lucille focuses on a medium for which she’d previously only guested but will now make her a bonafide star: Radio. Please chime in here and/or on Instagram @fromoutofthepastpodcast with your questions & comments, or just sharing your love of Lucille Ball and her road to ‘I Love Lucy!’ Thanks for listening ...
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