| Los Angeles Times file photo I’m calling this series of mystery photos “Lucille Ball and Friends.” In going through The Times’ files of Ball photos, I was struck by the number of unfamiliar images. We’ve all seen the stills of Lucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory. These photos were different – the unknown Lucy.
I especially like this photo because it shows Ball with a group of aspiring actors and actresses she had under contract in her project to provide the kind of training she received early in her career. Here they were in 1959, having achieved some measure of success, and yet I didn’t recognize a single one of them. And aren't the outfits great? So 1950s! The Times’ clips provide the names of the Desilu Workshop Theater members, but the people aren’t identified on the back of the photo. See if you can match the names with the faces: Jerry Antes, Bob Barran, Majel Barrett, Janice Carroll, Carole Cook, Georgine Darcy, Dick Kalman, Marilyn Lovell, Fran Martin, Gary Menteer, Johnny O'Neill, Bob Osborne, Roger Perry, Howie Storm, Mark Tobin and Bob Trevis. And yes, there are 14 unidentified people and 16 names. Welcome to the world of unlabeled photos.
Los Angeles Times file photo
Los Angeles Times file photo
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| Los Angeles Times file photo I went into the photo archives last night to see if we had any comparison pictures. Here’s Majel Barrett in a 1957 publicity shot. My friends at TCM tell me Robert Osborne has a copy of the photo – with everyone identified – but it will be a while before he can weigh in on the picture.
Update: March 16, 1958 — Lucille Ball accepts the Genii award of Radio and Television Women of Southern California from Art Linkletter and Miss Dorothy Winters, president of the organization, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
For Tuesday, we have Lucy with two mystery companions, one easy and the other more challenging. Update: April 26, 1961 — Lucille Ball autographs cast on broken wrist of Edith King, her dance routine partner in the Broadway musical "Wildcat." Miss King was hurt trying to catch Miss Ball when latter fainted on the stage.
Here’s Lucy and a smiling mystery companion…. Please congratulate Dewey Webb and Anne Papineau for identifying her.
Update: Sept. 2, 1962 — Linda Hope, left, accepts award for her father, Bob Hope, from Dorothy Lamour and Lucille Ball accepts award from Vincent Price at "Oscar to Wardrobers" dinner honoring Hollywood personalities and costumers.
For Thursday, we have Lucy with three (somewhat) mysterious companions. Please congratulate Carmen for identifying them.
Update: Please tell me we fixed that for a later edition. Nope, we didn’t.
Here’s the last one in the “Lucy and Friends” series…. It should be a snap. I’ll be busy at a dental appointment this morning so tune in tomorrow for the answers! There may even be a mini-mystery photo. |
ladailymirror.com 
Presumably “Bob Osborne” would be the columnist and TCM host Robert Osborne. Is that him leaning against the ladder?
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I believe Roger Perry is the fourth man in the back row, standing and squinting, and I believe Majel Barrett is the blond on the ground, in a white sweater, with her arms around her knees.
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top photo, first person standing in white sweater is bob “robert” osborne the host of turner classic movies. the fifth person standing with closed eyes is roger perry
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roger perry is the gent on the left, leaning against the sign
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Well, of course, Georgine Darcy had, by this time, enjoyed a little success having played ‘Miss Torso’ (across the coutyard) in Hitchcock’s Rear Window (1954) but I’ll be darned if I can pick her out from this angle.
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Top photo: Bob Osborne (far left), Dick Kalman ( wearing sweater), Roger Perry (squinting)
If Carole Cook is in there somewhere, she must have spent her first residual check on plastic surgery.
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Here it goes!
Robert Osborne of TCM fame next to ladder
Janice Carroll – standing 2nd from left
Dick Kalman – standing 3rd from left
Bob Barran – standing 4th from left
Roger Perry – standing 5th from the left
Majel Barrett – standing next to Roger
Janice Carroll – standing next to Majel
Jerry Antes – sitting between Georgine and Carole
Georgine Darcy – sitting next to Jerry
Carole Cook – 3rd sitting from the left
Marilyn Lovell – her arm on Howie Storm
Howie Storm – Lucille Ball’s arm on Howie
Fran Martin with purse
Mark Tobin leaning on wall
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Roger Perry is not in this picture.
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Majel Barrett was Nurse Chapel on the Star Trek series — and later married to ST creator Gene Roddenberry. My bet is she is 3rd from the right.
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Janice Carroll is the short first lady standing on the left next to the first fellow with his arm on the sign.
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A footnote assumption: The assumption is that the workshop was held at the Desilu main lot, and not the Cahuenga Avenue stages where ‘I Love Lucy’ was shot.
The footnote is that the main lot was, of course, the old RKO lot. It was on that very lot that Lucille Ball was trained and schooled as a young contract player for Radio-Keefe-Orphium. Not only was she re-creating history, but on the very spot where it happened (I assume).
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I only know two of the men in the top photo, the man with his hands on the shoulders of the lady is Dick Kalman and the fourth man is Roger Perry.
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Yes Robert “Bob” Osborne, now host of Turner Classic Movies, is at left leaning against the sign in the white sweatshirt. Majel Barrett, later Star Trek actress and wife of show creator Gene Roddenberry, is I’m pretty sure the brunette with hear arms crossed wearing a pendant just below the music staff on the wall, more or less dead center.
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Bob Osborne is leaning against the ladder (look at the profile) and Majel Barrett is the woman in the dress wearing the bkack gloves.
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One of unidentified men is probably Bob Barran, who was a member of this workshop. Perhaps third guy from left, playing it up for camera.
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No, Majel’s the one is the dress, I’m sure of it. Dang, but she had a tiny waist!
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Okay. Gotta be Carole Cooke in fishing boots.
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Bob was easy, he’s instantly recognizable even in the pilot for “The Beverly Hillbillies” where he had a small role.
Majel must be the girl with the long hair and black gloves, but it’s hard to tell.
Georgine Darcy is the lady sitting at Bob Osborne’s feet, I think.
Howie Storm is the guy on Lucy’s arm, although I’m going completely by an old memory of seeing him in “American Hot Wax.”
Carole Cook – are we sure she isn’t the lady with her arms crossed?
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Jerry Antes (guy sitting next to blonde on left); Mark Tobin (dark tie and jacket, leaning on wall)
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That’s Art Linkletter with Lucy, maybe Mrs. Pat Weaver?
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Madelyn Davis & Art Linkletter
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Art Linkletter and Terry Thomas in drag.
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Art Linkletter and his wife.
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Art Linkletter & Wife
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From looking at our photos, Janice Carroll stands next to Osborne, Carole Cook sits on the ground, with Jerry Antes beside her. Roger Perry squints in the back, I think Georgine Darcy wears the gloves, and Barrett is beside her. No photos for the others.
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Tuesday’s pic is Lucy with Art Linkletter at what I assume are the 1956 Emmy Awards. No idea who the lady on the left is, but it’s not Art’s wife Lois.
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Let’s take a shot in the dark: the lady is Babe Didrikson, the fella is (obviously) Art Linkletter.
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Whatever it is, backstage at Wildcat.
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Edith King!
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Lucy and Sophie Tucker.
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Edith King?
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Tuesday guests are Art Linkletter and Jinx Falkenberg. Wednesday guest is Yvonne de Carlo.
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Today’s photo: Lucy with Ethel Merman???
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Thursday photo folks with Ms Ball: Linda Hope (Bob’s daughter), Dorothy Lamour and Vincent Price
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Lucy with vincent price and Dorothy Lamour.
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No guesses today, but all the pictures of Lucille Ball in various activities brings to mind two realizations: 1., How many eras her career spanned; and 2., That she held a strong sense of giving back to the industry that embraced her.
Am left with a greater appreciation for Ms. Ball than I had when she was alive and active.
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Dorothy Lamour, Lucy, and Vincent Price. Is that Candy Moore on the left? It’s odd, because I assume that’s the 1968 Emmys, but can’t figure out why Dorothy is holding an Emmy.
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It’s Lionel STander. Let’s please move on to something better.
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That is bruce gordon with Lucy in the latest photo.
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Bruce Gordon
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Last picture with Lucy – actor Bruce Gordon. He was Frank Nitti in the “The Untouchables” with Robert Stack.
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If mystery blonde at awards show isn’t Barbara Anderson, is she Rosemary Forsyth?
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Bottom photo is Bruce Gordon, aka Frank Nitti the Enforcer in The Untouchables TV series. Next photo up: Vincent Price and Dorothy Lamour. The young blonde is tough to ID. Next photo up: Hedda Hopper or Louella Parsons. Whoever it is, is frightful. PS Nice shot of Majel Barrett.
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I have to agree with Mary on this…I miss your old crime beat stories. I wish you’d do more – you write them so well.
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Bruce Gordon (Frank Nitti from the Untouchables), “Lucy The Gun Moll” The Lucy Show 1966
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Friday’s mystery guest is Bruce Gordon (Frank Nitti on TV’s The Untouchables).
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