Desilu: The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz |  | Authors: Coyne S. Sanders, Tom Gilbert
Publisher: It Books
Category: Book
List Price: $14.99
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Rating:  41 reviews
Sales Rank: 393998
Media: Paperback
Pages: 384
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 5.6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0688135145
Dewey Decimal Number: 791.45028092273
EAN: 9780688135140
ASIN: 0688135145
Publication Date: May 31, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The true, behind-the-scenes story of television's happiest couple, andHollywood's most tumultuous marriage. Fifty years ago the magical union of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz enthralled American audiences who couldn't got enough of the fiery redhead or her sexy Cuban husband. But off camera the situation couldn't have been less comic, with backstage battles, oversized egos, drinking, philandering, and the demands of phenomenal success undermining what was once a storybook romance. With exclusive access to family members (including daughter Lucie Arnaz) and rare photographs, Desilu is the firstcandid, inside account of a celebrated, complex, passionate, but ultimately tragic relationship -- as well as a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Desilu Studios, the Golden Age of Television's most powerful production empire.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 41
Overall, Pretty Good Book March 8, 2010
Gregory L. Dolce (Illinois)
I read this book more as a fan of 50's tv and the historic aspects than as a big Lucy fan. To be honest, I like the old Lucy show, especially the one-hour concept at the end, but have never been a super big Lucy fan.
From that POV I did enjoy the book. The author gave us considerable insight into the relationship between Desi and Lucy over the years and how that effected their public and private lives. Since Desi ran the business operations knowing a bit about the personal life helped figure out some of the various moves he made over the years. I'm not an expert on Lucy lore, but I would imagine the author covered her life in great detail here, and Desi as well.
What I enjoyed most about the book was how the author filled in the background on various decisions Desi made while running Desilu. Since what he did had a great deal to do with our early TV history it's a kin to being there at the begining. Much of what we now know as network TV has its roots in Desi Arnaz running Desilu.
Desilu went from being a standard issue vehicle production company for Ball and Arnaz to the greatest heights in the business to being sold and merged into Paramont and eventually ending up as something call Desilu Too LLC, which exists to capture proceeds from I Love Lucy residuals, products and projects. For example, the Lucy Museum in Jamestown, NY is a joint venture between Desilu Too LLC thru the children (Lucie and Desi IV)and local businessmen in Jamestown. The operation, for lack of a better word, hasn't been doing well as of late and is rumored to be losing money. Some key managers were fired or replaced and the Gift Shop closed. Some locals are concerned the operation may be closing down soon. The company also does business with the marketing firm that specializes in departed celebs, like Elvis, etc.
On the weak side, I think the book is rather thin on detailing why Arnaz sold his share of Desilu in 1962 to Lucy for $3,000,000. The book provides little detail on the period from March, 1960 until the sale. I was curious why Arnaz wanted to sell and what terms he and Lucy had agreed to. All we get is the standard 'Lucy bought Desi's share of Desilu for xxx'. And, the book doesn't give much detail on where the studio was before Lucy sold it in 1967. For years her show was the only one Desilu produced, with most of its cash flow coming from studio rentals to other shows (like Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle, etc). It totally skips over the logic behind Desilu suddenly getting on board with two shows (Star Trek and Mission: Impossible) and later Mannix. Further research showed that Desilu needed something on the air and turned to the shows at the last minute to improve it's position for potential buyers. Lucy actually knew close to nothing about all three shows and maintained considerable distance from day to day operations. One review at the time said adding the shows increased the value of Desilu by up to $7,000,000.
But, overall a good book. And, I'm sure, not the last on the subject. Finally, I find myself rooting for Arnaz and feeling sad for the way he turned out. It was clear that the pressures of running things and his addiction to the booze nearly took down Desilu, ruined his marriage and eventually led to his early passing. You could almost say he gave his life for show business and building Lucy into a major tv star.
 the no so innocent "ricardos":uncut and uncensored!!! November 2, 2009
Lucy (Florida)
i became a big fan of i love lucy show when i was 10. i love seeing lucy and ricky. they were the perfect tv couple. when i found out that the actors who played them are actually married in real life, i thought that was even more awesome!!!! i decided to get this book to learn more about them. when i started reading this book, i was amazed.............i never knew that desi was actually a womanizing, man whore and that their marriage was in trouble. it's a shame...they made such a cute couple. it was really sad to read all the terrible things that lucy went through. she lost her father at a young age, suffered miscarriages, and had to deal with desi's playboy and drinking ways. the books also uncovers what goes on behind the scenes of the show. i recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of "i love lucy" and would like to know more information about the show itself and the actors. i promised you...it's one book that is filled with surprises!!! this book will make you sad, laugh, cry, smile, and everything else!!
"WONDERFUL" October 22, 2009
Keri J. Colburn
I've been a Lucy and Dezi fan from as far as I can remember.
I ordered this book and now I can't put it down. The pictures are like
so realizom.
I recommend for those who are "REAL" Lucy and Dezi fans, they should get
their book!!!!
I love lucy August 23, 2009
SMPleitez
If you love Lucy, you should read this and know the real her. This book is about how the I Love Lucy show came to be and the adventures the Arnaz's went through to accomplish their goals. Highly recommended
 Desilu is what is was about.....Less Lucy and Desi July 22, 2009
Mark D. Regester (PA)
I was unpleasantly surprised about this book. I love biographies , but this biography was mostly about the business and less about the people.... hence the name. The beginning of the book is sad because you do not get a good feel about how Desi and Lucy meet or their life before Desilu, it was more like a list of every job they had and every person that helped produce whatever they were doing. After the book was over, I didn't feel well informed. They continuously repeat themselves throughout the book. I was pretty disappointed considering how much information is out there about this couple.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 41
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