television

Lucille Ball is one of the totems of America in the 1950s, but she has proved to transfer very well into the next century and into other cultures. At every second of every day, people somewhere in the world are watching Lucy stomp grapes, drunkenly pitch a vitamin product, or get woefully behind on a candy assembly line. "I Love Lucy" was the hallmark of her career; she didn't do anything as well before or after, but it wasn't for lack of trying. _Ball of Fire: The Tumultuous Life and Comic Art of Lucille Ball_ (Knopf) by Stefan Kanfer is a big, entertaining biography that spends about a third of its pages on the "Lucy" years, when the star produced a classic program that will, like the films of other clowns such as Chaplin and Keaton, always find an audience. Even during those years, however, Lucy's life was tense and unhappy except for her professional efforts. It is the standard paradox of comedians, and Kanfer rightly evaluates it in full.

Lucy was a beautiful brunette from Jamestown, New York. She worked as a model and then became "Queen of the Bs", a hardworking actress stuck in second-rate pictures. Her eventual success on television stemmed directly from her marriage to Desi Arnaz, but their joint effort was from the beginning an attempt to keep the marriage together. Kanfer is careful to show just how much Desi contributed and how revolutionary the format of the show was; production in front of a live audience with three cameras going had never been tried before, for instance. But he knew she was the core of the show; when she tripped on a cable, he told everyone, "Amigos, anything happens to her, we're all in the shrimp business.") She got opportunities to show off a physical comedy that movie producers had denied her. The television success did not, of course, save the marriage. There are wonderful anecdotes about the production of the show, and surprising facts such as Lucy's summons to appear before HUAC because she had been a registered Communist, and her role in bringing such shows to the air as _Star Trek_.

Lucy was increasingly anxious even during the height of her success. Her marriage failed, and she had fitting worries as her children tried being adults. She had a phobia about birds and about dirt, and she was a prig, fretting over the morals of movies and upbraiding Marlon Brando for _Last Tango in Paris_. Spinoffs after "I Love Lucy" were derivative failures, and her movies, except for _Yours, Mine, and Ours_, were embarrassments. Toward the end of her career as at the beginning, she just did not fit; but it was a glorious second act. Kanfer, who wrote an excellent biography of Groucho (who along with Harpo and Zeppo has a cameo in this book), has loaded it with facts and anecdotes that anyone who likes Lucy reruns will enjoy. He has not been able to explain just where Lucy's amazing gift for an almost universally enjoyed brand of comedy came from. No one could do that. She had more than her share of failures and disappointments, but harnessing that gift was her main aspiration in life. The best part of her energies went to acting happy in a television marriage and acting a manic fool in improbable situations with which everyone could identify. She had a decidedly sad life overall, but increased the world's mirth. _Ball of Fire_ helps fans appreciate how much of a gift that was.

This was the first and so far only biography I read of Lucille Ball; I found it to be good. It covers her life from childhood to death and discusses everything that seems important: her years starting out in modeling and show business in New York, moving to Los Angeles, meeting Desi, starting the show that became so famous, Desilu studios, the breakup with Desi, her later years. I would've liked to read more about her kids and her relationship with them, but it's her biography, not theirs, and maybe that kind of information isn't forthcoming to a biographer. I would've liked more photos, too. But I shut the book feeling that I've gotten a good solid basis for my Lucille Ball education. This seems like a good book from which to go on to others.

Do wealth and distinction necessarily produce happiness?

This book although generally accentuates the negative side of Lucille and Desi's relationship and their struggles with Desilu, can be considered a well-written and informative collection of biographical information.

Why did she marry him?

Apparently Lucille, fascinated by the 22-year-old good-looking drum player, singer and bandleader with a cute Cuban accent, overlooked the Latino macho thing; or worse yet; she did not know.

In the Hispanic American cultures, especially during the 50s and 60s and 70s total submission in marriage was expected from the female side. It was considered a macho thing to lie, cheat on your wife, drink and stay late on weekends while expecting her to be submissive and passive.

The day he asked for a divorce Lucy angrily called him: a bum, a drunk, a cheat, a spick, and a wetback, showing there was more hate than "I love Lucy" attitude in those days.

Desiderio Arnaz although charming at times, and incredibly clever for show business management was evidently not the kind of man suitable for a committed relationship. Even though financially successful, they were not pleased with each other; unhappiness that was reflected in their careers resulting in the eventual failure of their joint venture.

Beyond and above human shortcomings and appearances we know we all Love Lucy, and we love Desi as well. All in all this biography is well organized, absorbing, and a good read.