If you only know Lucille Ball through her zany "I Love Lucy" show, you've missed quite a bit. It's easy to just assume that big star that she was as Lucy, she was always a sparkling, funny star. Not so. Like others who have attained that realm of stardom and influence, she worked hard for years to get there.
This book takes the time to share those early days, days when she wasn't even listed in the credits of some films. It was actually rather fascinating to get a glimpse of the pre-star Lucille, just another aspiring small-town girl wanting to be an actress. She put in the hours and hard work needed to ultimately be not just a success but a "mover-and-shaker" in the film industry. For that, I'm grateful, as are Star Trek fans.
The photos shared are a delight in themselves. Yes, I went though the book first simply to take in the pictures which, in themselves, rather chronicle her early days and rise. Although I've certainly read other books on her, there were many that I'd never seen. While the book doesn't go into great detail about these early day works, they do share enough to give us a feel for why they were important steps in her career and personal path. I'm not sure one can put into words whatever it is that separates a Lucille Ball from the assorted other starlets who came up with her but whatever it was, it worked. It was interesting to note how many of the performers she worked with in the early days were showcased on "I Love Lucy", I might note. There are several but the one that immediately popped into my head was the silent routine she did with Harpo Marx, each managing to perfectly mimic the other's movements. A classic. Perfection and nostalgia rolled into one.
There's much more but I'll simply add that whether you're intrigued by Ball herself or the show biz angle, there is a great deal to enjoy in this book. It would make a lovely gift. Thanks #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #ChartwellBooks for this early peek at the book.
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