The author says that a re-run of the I Love Lucy, which was on television from 1951 to 1957, is on somewhere in the world at any time. Its fame is not limited to those who saw it as it ran; my 12-year-old granddaughter knows the candy-factory episode. I just watched it again on YouTube and it remains funny and appealing.
In the Prologue Purdum spells out Desi and Lucy’s strengths clearly: “If Ball’s brilliant clowning, her beauty, her mimicry, her flexible face and fearless skill at physical comedy was the artistic spark that animated I Love Lucy, Arnaz’s pioneering show business acumen was the essential driving force behind it. He was, as NPR’s “Planet Money” put it, the man who invented television.” To make the show successful he insisted on having three cameras constantly recording and had a studio audience whose laughs were recorded as part of the show. Before their show, sitcoms were recorded in segments without an audience, but Lucy’s comedic moves needed the immediate audience reaction. Because of logistics, he pioneered filming each episode and by that action, made it possible to re-run the show.
He was born in 1917 and was the only son in a prominent family in Santiago, Cuba. In the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution in 1933, his father’s wealth was confiscated and the family fled the country and settled in Miami. Though they were penniless when they arrived, Desi was able to join a band, was noticed by Xavier Cugat, and in New York, had his own band within a few years.
After their show became successful, he and Lucy formed Desilu Productions which produced several successful shows, including December Bride and My Favorite Husband and provided studio space for many successful tv shows. Later Desi oversaw the production of a two-part movie, The Untouchables, shown on CBS in 1959. When a series was proposed, CBS declined and it was picked up by ABC, which produced it from 1959 to 1963, starring Robert Stack. This confirmed my assumption that TV executives are less than perfect about predicting which shows are likely to be successful. What a tough business.
One aspect of Desi’s life that is distressing and unpleasant is his apparent addiction to prostitutes. It was not just an occasional matter, it interfered with his life. Though he truly loved Lucy, he was unable to control that behavior. His drinking became out of control and in 1960 Lucy divorced him. They remained friendly to the end of his life, including when she bought his share of Desilu Productions in 1962. By the time he died in 1986, he had spent that fortune ($30 million in 2024 dollars).
Despite the recounting of his sad demise, this was an appealing book for me. The author had great respect for his subject that shines through his bad times.
Todd Purdum, Desi Arnaz, Simon & Schuster, 2025 (I listened to the audiobook). Available in the public library.