The Arnaz Family

I know there are many negative opinions on Desi and especially Lucille that are circulating.In my opinion, given the astounding workload, amounted with the broken childhood, Lucille was the best mother she could ever be. And Desi certainly did spend quality time with his kids even though he was busy with his movie studio and the roles.

I see pictures of Lucille playing with her kids in snow or in the swimming pool, Desi and Lucille having their kids visit the I Love Lucy set, Desi and Lucille holding parties for the kids and taking the kids along on their publicity tours, the Arnaz family touring Hawaii, New York and other states and Europe, celebrating many important occasions together, etc.. And I read interviews where Lucie Arnaz said her mum was always there in the morning to say goodbye when she went to school, and there at the dinner table at night.

Tell me, after reading this, do you still think they were bad parents? Come on, they were the famous Ricky and Lucy Ricardo, how much personal time on their hands do you think they had?

Lucy and Lucie Arnaz

Photo's rumored to be taken by Desi Arnaz!

Desi took countless pictures and videos of Lucille throughout their marriage. He believed that that was what a loving husband should do: take evidences of his beautiful wife. As a result, they had a whole shelf of home videos and dozens of photo albums. After divorce and throughout her life, Lucille would often go down memory lane and view these media products.

Life Magazine, 6 April 1953, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz and Children

For those of you who do not own this Life magazine edition:

I totally understand how it feels when we are not privy to the interview inside a magazine. Sure, we have so many scanned copies of the front covers that features Lucy, but what about the write ups?

Fret not, I've scanned the insides of the write up about the Arnaz family for you guys!

I really apologize for the watermark. I feel bad about it and the pictures look marred but I'm still fuming over the previous incident. From now onwards, I'll just watermark the photos that I a) scan and b) edit heavily. Rest assured that previous pictures, those funny I Love Lucy screenshot collages as well as pictures that are found all over the internet will not be watermarked, feel free to grab them at your pleasure.

Here goes:

Desi always enjoyed taking pictures of Lucille and their children, Lucie and Desi Jr.. How I wish more private pictures of them could be released, but then again, it wouldn't be nice to request so, isn't it? I'm sure Lucie and Desi Jr. have been dealing with the fact that they are the legendary couple's children since they were born and they don't need to be bothered. Sigh!

That's all.

Have a great day ahead!

Lucy and her Children

Lucille Ball often brought her children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. to the I Love Lucy set.

It's no wonder their kids grew up to be such great artistes! Having being exposed to film making proves to be advantageous!

Eternal Love

This is from A Home Movie, by Lucie Arnaz. Marcella Rabwin had been a close family friend. 


"He would sit with me and cry. He would actually cry sometimes. Talking about how much he loved her,and how terrible it was that they were divorced and he loved her to his dying day.” - Marcella Rabwin



It is impossible not to see how much they loved each other.

They look like they had never filed for divorce, that they were still in love and happily married. I guess that the divorce was necessary because it was the only way they could still love each other just as much, before things could turn even uglier and irreconcilable.

I Love Lucy Pilot

Lucie Arnaz, thank you!

Lucie is right, she was the first Desilu production. It sounds wrong and sweet at the same time!

Talent

Don't ever say that Desi and Lucille's kids are untalented. In fact, I think they are more talented than their parents. I mean, even Desi Sr and Lucille admitted that. Look at how talented Desi Jr. is with the percussion and all. And look at the way Lucie sings and dances. Wow! She'd put cabbage on the rice... And the pickled dill. Ha ha!

Lucie Arnaz

There’s something in the kind of man you choose, the strength of man you choose. She knew what she was doing when she chose my father. She knew that he was a man who loved women, a ‘Latin Lover’. She always went for people like that, and kind of liked the challenge. It made her feel very womanly to have a guy that is clearly the ‘lover boy’, and ‘lover boy’ falls in love with you. How fabulous that would make you feel.  
- Lucie Arnaz

Life after Divorce

Desi Arnaz, however, preferred to view the programme [Here’s Lucy first episode] from a highly personal perspective: “I think the wonderful surprise to everyone is my daughter. […] I knew she was loaded with talent. She has a great sense of rhythm and a wonderful sense of humour - which is obviously inherited. She’s got a lot of her mother in her”.

Desi phoned Lucille after the premiere broadcast. “Honey, regardless of whether they’re our children or not, they were just great. I just wanted you to know how proud I am of the kids - and of you”. Lucille interrupted him and emotionally said: “Stop that, you troublemaker - are you trying to get me to ruin my dress with tears?”

Source: http://desilu-playhouse.tumblr.com/

Love, Lucy

Lucille Ball had been reluctant in writing her autobiography; she had always did all she could to protect her family members. She felt that what she would recall about the marriage would hurt Desi.

Her doctor suggested that she write one, "it would be emotionally healing," he had said.

No one knew that Lucille Ball had followed her doctor's advice into writing one. It was only many years after her death that her daughter Lucie Arnaz found the scripts amongst other official papers.

Desi had written an autobiography and it was sad that Lucy didn't. "I should have known," Lucie Arnaz said. "Dad and mum have always insisted on a happy ending."

I'm glad that Lucille Ball did. It really shed lots of light on why she was the way she was, and why she became bitter and hard when she grew old. Beneath that unapproachable demeanor laid a poor soul who had been hurt beyond healing.

Happy Anniversary

30 November marks the special day- the union of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball.

Even after Desi and Lucy had divorced, 10 years later, 15 years later and even at old age, Desi never failed to deliver a huge bouquet of red and white carnations (Lucy's favorite flowers) on their anniversary. He never stopped loving her, neither did she stop loving him.

Desi spoke to no one but Lucy on his death bed. Their daughter, Lucie, held the phone as her father was too ill and weak. On the other end of the phone, Lucy realized that it was now or never-- her protective shell crumbled as she cried while repeating over and over "I love you, Desi. I love you. I love you." "I love you too, honey. Good luck with your show. I'll talk to you later." He died 48 hours later. Lucie Arnaz later realized that the faithful day was on 30 November-- their anniversary.

Owing to the great love that resulted in the greatest comedy production I Love Lucy, the world is still laughing today with their loved ones. I hope they're laughing together too.