Holden and The Derby

In the above photo, actor William Holden and then-wife Brenda Marshall are dining at the Brown Derby restaurant with Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Bracken. Bracken’s wife was actress Connie Nickerson. They were one of those rare Hollywood couples who said, “Til death do us part” and meant it! The Brackens were married for 63 years; Connie preceded Eddie by about three months. The photo was not dated, but Holden and Marshall were married in 1941; they lasted until 1971. What was the occasion of this group dinner? From what I can tell, Holden and Bracken made two films together: “The Fleet’s In” (1942):



…and “Young and Willing” (1943):



Holden’s hair and sideburns don’t match either still, so who knows. What I would deduce is that Holden and Marshall dropped by, since the place settings are only for two. Want to see Bracken’s dinner? I’m wondering what the gadget is in his left hand. Anyone?



Holden became forever associated with the Brown Derby restaurant thanks to one of the most famous “I Love Lucy” episodes, “L.A. at Last!”, which first aired February 7, 1955.



Below is a behind-the-scenes still of Holden, Lucy, and Eve Arden, who were all part of the Brown Derby restaurant scene, which was actually filmed on a soundstage at Desilu.



Below, director Bill Asher gets a kiss from Lucy while Holden flashes his million dollar smile. Asher is probably best known as producer and director for “Bewitched,” which starred his then wife, Elizabeth Montgomery.



See more vintage and contemporary Hollywood photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Seein' Stars!

Frederic “Feg” Seymour Murray (May 15, 1894 – July 16, 1973) was best known as a cartoonist, but as I learned when digging around for this post, he was so much more! Edited from the Lambiek Comiclopedia website:

Frederic Seymour Murray was born in San Francisco. He signed many of his early drawings with “Feggo,”which inspired his nickname “Feg.” Murray trained as an athlete during his youth and became the U.S. National Champion in the 120 yard high hurdles and the 1915 and 1916 U.S. National Champion in the 220 yard low hurdles. He studied graphic arts at Stanford University, where he graduated in 1916. The same year he also became captain of the track team of his university. In 1917, the United States got involved in the First World War and Murray served his country. He did the same thing in peace time when he was selected for the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium. There he won an Olympic bronze medal in the 110 meter hurdles.



After his sports career, Murray became a sports cartoonist and columnist for The Los Angeles Times. On October 30, 1933, Murray's signature series ‘Seein’ Stars’ (1933-1951) made its debut. It was basically the equivalent of an illustrated news column with radio, movies and sports as the main focus. The cartoonist told the latest facts about certain celebrities of the day and illustrated this with realistically drawn portraits of these people. As a running gag, Murray often drew a tiny cartoon bear in each drawing, who commented on the information with use of a speech balloon. ‘Seein’ Stars’ was distributed by King Features Syndicate and ran for nearly two decades. The black-and-white version already ended in 1941, but the Sunday pages lasted another decade until 1951. Hollywood child star Shirley Temple owned a personal copy of a 1935 ‘Seein’ Stars’ episode featuring her, Otto Kruger and Maureen O'Sullivan.



By 1938, Murray became a star himself. For one season, he was the host of the popular radio variety show “The Baker’s Broadcast” (1933-1938) on NBC Radio, which starred comedians Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard, better known as ‘Ozzie & Harriet.’ Up until Murray's arrival, the radio show had been broadcast in New York City, but now it relocated to Hollywood. As a tribute, the show was sometimes referred to as “Seein’ Stars in Hollywood,” to tie in with his cartoon feature. On March 13, 1938, his guests were Boris Karloff and Béla Lugosi. As a huge horror fan, this was a highlight in Murray’s life. Unfortunately ratings were low and the show was canceled within the same year. In 1939, Murray appeared in a Hollywood movie: the musical comedy “That's Right, You’re Wrong” (1939), built around the popularity of the big band leader Kay Kyser. The picture also stars Adolphe Menjou, columnist Hedda Hopper and a still-unknown Lucille Ball. Murray's role however is nothing more than a small cameo. Feg Murray passed away in 1973 at the age of 79. A posthumous book, Holly-Would (1974) by John Milton Hagen with illustrations by Murray was published by Arlington House a year later.

The first photo in this post came with the following caption:


SHIRLEY TEMPLE PALS WITH CARTOONIST

Little Shirley Temple pauses to chat with her cartoonist friend, Feg Murray, creator of the “Seein' Stars” feature, during the making of her latest picture - “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.” Shirley, whose hobby is drawing pictures with pencil and crayon, is shown her admiring one of Feg’s cartoons.

Below is a closeup of the art that Feg and Shirley are looking at:



Below is a caricature that Murray did of Shirley that came up for auction after Shirley’s passing:



From the auction catalog:

31" x 22" Shirley image. Thick ink drawing on paper is a caricature of young Shirley Temple in tap dancing pose, her dimples and curls well expressed. Pencil signed at the bottom is “To Shirley Love From Feg Murray (see you in the funny papers).” Murray (1907-1962) studied art at Stanford University and became known as an artist, writer, and syndicated columnist. This sketch was a personal tribute to the young star who appeared in his columns over and over again. Early 1930s.

Below is a shot of Fred Stone (the scarecrow in the stage version of “The Wizard of Oz”), Jane Withers, and Feg Murray;



From the caption:

Jane Withers, juvenile actress, and Fred Stone, actor (left), were two enthusiastic admirers at Feg Murray’s exhibit of some of his original cartoons at the Assistance League. Murray (right) displays cartoon to his ardent “fans.” 11-3-1937

Below is family-man Murray reading to his sons, circa 1937:



A few samples of Murray’s Seein’ Stars column featuring Shirley and other top stars of the day:



Shirley wearing her title production number outfit from “Little Miss Broadway”:



Even as a teen, Shirley was featured by Murray:



Below is a clip from the above mentioned Feg Murray cameo from “That's Right, You’re Wrong” (1939), with Hedda Hopper, Lucille Ball, and Adolphe Menjou.



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley at the Emmys

The 6th Emmy Awards, later referred to as the 6th Primetime Emmy Awards, were held on February 11, 1954. Shirley Temple, wearing a stylish maternity top (she was pregnant with daughter Lori), and husband Charles Black, were in attendance (photo above). The ceremony was hosted by Don DeFore at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard. DeFore was president of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and sold this first national broadcast of the Emmy Awards to NBC.

“I Love Lucy” had four nominations: Best Situation Comedy (winner), Best Female Star (Lucille Ball), Best Supporting Actor (William Frawley), and Best Supporting Actress (Vivian Vance, winner).



“Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress,” October 19, 1953 with Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance was one of the many episodes during the season that helped the show garner so much acclaim. Back to Shirley…




The dinner looks like your typical banquet fair. Perhaps a veal cutlet, potatoes, beans, and a gelatin salad on a lettuce leaf accompanied by rolls and butter. Note the card that states, “There will be no cocktail service at tables from 8:45 P.M. until after the telecast.” If I am reading that time correctly, that sounds like a very late evening!



See the matchbook in the upper right hand corner? I was able to match it to one on ebay:



I love when that happens. 



Below is a 1950’s shot of the exterior of the Palladium:





…and how the building looked in 2016:



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Tuesday in Turo

Having acquired a few more negatives from the "Lucy's Italian Movie" episode of "I Love Lucy," I thought it was time to put them together in storyline order and present them as a set. Debuting on April 16, 1956, it is one of the most famous episodes of the series. Ricky, Lucy, Ethel, and Fred are on a train to Rome where Ricky's band will be playing. Cramped into one area because Fred was too cheap to buy sleeping berths, the gang feel like sardines...without the oil. While on the train, a famous Italian movie producer discovers Lucy and wants to give her a bit part in his next movie titled "Grappolo Pungente." When Lucy learns later that the title translates to "Bitter Grapes," she assumes it is about the wine making industry and decides to do some background research before making her debut on set.



The hotel bellman tells her that there is a winery in Turo where they stomp grapes and make wine the old-fashioned way. Lucy dresses appropriately to blend in and heads to Turo, despite Ricky forbidding her from "soaking up local color." When she arrives, Lucy falls in line with the rest of the ladies who have shown up for a day's work. Ernesto Molinari played the vineyard boss at far right who chooses Lucy because of her feet being as big as pizzas.



Lucille Ball didn't practice with real grapes until the day of filming. What you see in the episode is her genuine reaction, which she later said felt like "stepping on eyeballs." Teresa Tirelli played the other grape-stomper who ends up wrestling Lucy in one of the funniest fights ever captured on film.



See more "I Love Lucy" photos at my main website.

Disneyland Opening Day: Eve Arden

A vintage shot showing actress Eve Arden (TV star best known for "Our Miss Brooks" and "The Mothers-In-Law") on Disneyland's Opening Day. I am sure a number Disney collectors would love to have some of those toys! Eve's kids just look a little spooked.

From the vintage publicity blurb:

EVE ARDEN, her actor-husband, Brooks West, and their two daughters Liza, left, and Connie, examine souvenir dolls at Disneyland which opened recently at Anaheim, Calif.

Arden was married to West from 1952 until his death in 1984 from a heart ailment at 67.

Fans of "I Love Lucy" might remember Arden's cameo in the famous "Hollywood at Last" episode, where the veteran actress is seated at a table next to Ethel, Fred, and Lucy.



See more Disneyland Opening Day photos at my main website.

Lucy's Italian Movie

Originally airing April 16, 1956, "Lucy's Italian Movie" is an "I Love Lucy" fan favorite. Having been asked to play a part in an Italian movie called "Bitter Grapes," Lucy mistakenly thinks the film is about a vineyard. Wanting to be her best, Lucy wanders off against Ricky's orders to research her part by working in a vineyard. Teresa Tirelli was the actress who played Lucy's coworker during the infamous grape-stomping sequence. Teresa also had a part in "Godfather II" as a midwife.



This episode also played in the background of "Pretty Woman" as Julia Roberts gets down to business with Richard Gere.

More shenanigans from Lucy at my main website.

Behind the scenes Lucy

One of my very favorite "I Love Lucy" episodes is "Hollywood At Last," first shown on February 7, 1955. The Ricardos and Mertz's arrive in Hollywood, and Lucy can't wait to see some celebrities. Lunch at the famed Brown Derby seems like the perfect place until the eager Lucy causes a ruckus with William Holden.



Here's a shot from between takes of the Brown Derby scene, showing Holden, Lucille Ball, and Eve Arden, who has a very funny cameo as herself. Based on the background, I would have to say that my question of whether this scene was actually shot at the Derby itself or on a soundstage is finally settled.

Love more Lucy at my main website.

The Movieland Wax Museum: The Classics

Today's January 1972 Movieland Wax Museum photos feature some of the classic stars of old Hollywood, starting off with John Wayne. I'd say thumbs up for this one.

Lucille Ball gets a "meh" from me; this statue just doesn't quite capture the comedienne's trademark zaniness.



So-so for both Fred & Ginger.



This "Sunset Boulevard" diorama must have been a favorite of the photographer, as he captured two shots of it.



Must have been a Gloria Swanson fan.



The Shirley Temple statue is spot-on.



Still more to share…

See more Daveland Movieland Wax Museum photos at my main website.

Screen Gem Saturdays: Happy 100th Birthday, Lucy!

In honor of what would have been Lucille Ball's 100th Birthday, I am sharing a few photos of the zany redhead from my collection.

First up are two from the classic "I Love Lucy" episode “Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress” which first aired October 19,1953. It would be hard to imagine a better duo of comediennes than Lucille Ball & Vivian Vance. Besides having amazing chemistry, the two were 100% believable.



In the February 21, 1955 episode "Lucy Gets Into Pictures," (first aired on February 21, 1955) Lucy gets a bit part in a movie as a glamorous showgirl who gets shot and tumbles down the staircase.



Unable to walk down the stairs and balance her outrageously huge headdress, Lucy gets removed from her role. Lucy pleads with the director (expertly played by Lou Krugman) to reinstate her; as you can see in the photo, he just doesn't stand a chance with a desperately persistent Lucy.

One of the most touching episodes was “Lucy is Enceinte” from December 8, 1952. The word “pregnant” was still taboo, thus the title. Lucy announces to Ricky that she is pregnant with their first baby. The genuine emotion between the two is guaranteed to make a tear or two fall.



This last photo is from one of my very favorite episodes, "LA at Last," which first aired February 7, 1955.



Lucy smooches Director Bill Asher between takes as costar William Holden looks on.

Happy Birthday, Lucy - thanks for your legacy of laughter. To see more I Love Lucy photos, visit my main website.

Screen Gem Saturdays: I (still) Love Lucy!

“I Love Lucy” is still one of my favorites shows. You can trace just about any present-day situation comedy setup to an episode of this 50+-year old gem. Much of the show’s success rested on the shoulders of its star, Lucille Ball, who had previously enjoyed a moderately successful career in the movies. Her facial expressions alone were enough to make audiences roar with laughter; she needed no dialogue. Everything going on in her scheming flaming-red-haired noggin’ was visible in her expressive eyes. Lucy was an amazing talent. Much credit is also owed to the rest of the ensemble cast; Vivian Vance and William Frawley were not the best of pals in real life, which helped to give them great on-screen chemistry as the ever-bickering Ethel & Fred Mertz. When it came to Desi Arnaz, you never doubted that he loved Lucy with all his heart. Why else would he put up with her crazy antics? And when it came to Lucy & Viv, you knew that these two were the best of friends, despite any kind of underlying rivalry that might have been going on.



“I Love Lucy” was groundbreaking by being one of the first TV shows to use multiple cameras for filming, making it ideal for reruns & syndication. Desi knew that the show had financial potential outside of its initial airing. Here are a few behind-the-scenes shots:







This set was used when the gang invaded Hollywood:





Even fifty years after the show wrapped up, you can find Lucy’s face on books, dolls, wax dummies, and even on the side of buildings. She is a comic icon who is hard to forget.









See more “I Love Lucy” photos at my main website.