Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter (TV 1991)

Director:

Charles Jarrott

Writers:

William Luce (story), William Luce (teleplay),

Stars:

Frances Fisher, Maurice Benard, Robin Pearson Rose

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frances Fisher	...	Lucille Ball
Maurice Benard	...	Desi Arnaz
Robin Pearson Rose	...	Vivian Vance
John Wheeler	...	William Frawley
Bette Ford	...	De-De
Edith Diaz	...	Mother Arnaz
Matthew Faison	...	Harry
Liane Langland	...	Maureen O'Hara
Patrick Cronin	...	Doc Bender
Alan Oppenheimer	...	Arthur Lyons
Joyce Blair	...	Roxana
Don Keefer	...	Grandpa Ball
Roger Rose	...	Cousin Larry
Jim Brochu	...	Max
Rance Howard	...	Bernie

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

actor | fame | family relationships | star | actress | 

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Taglines:

Before the Fans, the Fame, the Fortune...

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lucy & Desi - Blick hinter die Kulissen

Company Credits

Production Co:

Larry Thompson Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (PFL)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Larry A. Thompson planned to expand the movie into a three-part trilogy that delved further into the lives of Lucy and Desi, but the ratings weren't what the network hoped for so plans for subsequent films were scrapped.

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Connections

References The Big Street (1942)

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Soundtracks

"I'm Afraid That I Love You"
by Paul Loomis & Stan Radliff

User Reviews

Lucy and Desi would spin in their graves

I looked forward to this film in advance of its presentation, and suspected Lucie Arnaz's negative comments were un-founded. Ms Arnaz, I do apologize.

The story line made for a "C" average Television movie at best. Unfortunately, the subject matter was one the most viewed and known in the 20th century. When the presentation of re-created scenes and actors from "I LOVE LUCY", the grade fell to a D-. The portrayals of "Lucy", "Ricky", "Fred" and "Ethel" were an insult to "Ball", "Arnaz", "Frawley", and "Vance". Fisher's attempt to re-create the "Lucy Ricardo" bits were sloppy. Immediately after its initial TV Presentation, the local TV station did a news segment on it. They cut back and forth between Fisher's Lucy and Ball's Lucy.... it was night and day.

Let me close by saying that the performers in this piece are "quality" professionals, and should be commended for many of their past performances....just not this one.