307 A Strange, Lonely, Unreal Kind of Life

Chapter 7 sees Lucille Ball arrive at MGM, 31 years old, acutely aware this is her last shot at stardom.  She’ll become the redhead we all think of including shining in Technicolor.  There’s ‘Du Barry Was a Lady’ which reintroduces her to Red Skelton and introduces her to Gene Kelly.  Then there’s ‘Best Foot Forward,’ a more-than-anything-else fun picture which begins her run of cameos (with the likes of Arthur Freed and Abbott & Costello).  There’s also ‘Meet the People’ with Dick Powell (right before his turn to Noir) and ‘Without Love’ with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.  All of this peppered with war bond tours and, a true tragedy outside the scope of World War II, Lucille losing a family member.  And Desi?  He’s in the Army now, stationed at Birmingham Hospital which is close enough to Desilu the ranch he should be coming home nights.  But, well, Desi’s Desi.  To wit, we can’t help but notice his and Lucille’s seemingly unending cycle of passionate fights and makeups.  Until that cycle looks like the end.  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 ...