Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter (1991)
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- PG
- 1h 35min
- Biography, Drama
- 10 Feb 1991 (USA)
- TV Movie
This made-for-TV movie tells the story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, beginning in the 1930s when they met as actors under contract at RKO and ends with their divorce in 1960. In between are how their careers developed, their often-rocky...
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Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
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Frances Fisher | ... |
Lucille Ball
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Maurice Benard | ... |
Desi Arnaz
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Robin Pearson Rose | ... |
Vivian Vance
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John Wheeler | ... |
William Frawley
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Bette Ford | ... |
De-De
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Edith Diaz | ... |
Mother Arnaz
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Matthew Faison | ... |
Harry
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Liane Langland | ... |
Maureen O'Hara
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Patrick Cronin | ... |
Doc Bender
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Alan Oppenheimer | ... |
Arthur Lyons
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Joyce Blair | ... |
Roxana
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Don Keefer | ... |
Grandpa Ball
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Roger Rose | ... |
Cousin Larry
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Jim Brochu | ... |
Max
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Rance Howard | ... |
Bernie
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Tracey Williams | ... |
Page
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Aleisa Shirley | ... |
Marguerita
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George Miserlis | ... |
Mario
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Mauricio Rivera | ... |
Ramon
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Amanda Carlin | ... |
Maid
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Kimberly Oja | ... |
Bunny
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Melissa Young | ... |
Candy
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Larry Anderson | ... |
Percy
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Doug Franklin | ... |
Marc Daniels
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Howard Schechter | ... |
Jess Oppenheimer
(as Howard Schecter)
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Kort Falkenberg | ... |
Pop
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Robert West | ... |
Vocals
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Trella Hart | ... |
Vocals, "Night and Day"
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Benita Arterberry | ... |
Vocals, 'I'm Afraid That I Love You' (voice)
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Joanie Sommers | ... |
Vocals, "Fools Rush In"
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Steven A. Hite | ... |
Beach Partier (uncredited)
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Jim Rhine | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Charles Jarrott | ||
Written by
| William Luce | ... | (story) |
| William Luce | ... | (teleplay) and |
| Cynthia A. Cherbak | ... | (teleplay) |
Produced by
| Maj Canton | ... | co-executive producer |
| John Thomas Lenox | ... | producer |
| Larry A. Thompson | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Paul Loomis | ||
Editorial Department
| Delmarie Fieldhammer | ... | assistant editor (as Delmarie Fieldhammer True) |
Production Design by
| Trevor Williams | ||
Art Direction by
| Rhiley Fuller | ||
Set Decoration by
| Donald Elmblad | ||
Makeup Department
| Loalynda Bird | ... | hair stylist |
| Jeffrey Sacino | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Terence A. Donnelly | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Yudi Bennett | ... | first assistant director |
| Debra Kent | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Thom Shephard | ... | property master |
| Michael Vojvoda | ... | set dresser |
Sound Department
| Craig A. Dellinger | ... | adr editor |
| Randall L. Johnson | ... | boom operator |
| Randy Kelley | ... | sound effects editor |
| Rich Steven | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Robert Wald | ... | sound mixer |
Stunts
| Terry James | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Steve Graves | ... | key grip |
| Dennis L. Peterson | ... | gaffer |
| Martin Schaer | ... | camera operator |
| Bubba Sheffield | ... | best boy grip |
Casting Department
| Judith A. Strow | ... | casting associate |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Stacy Lewis | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
Location Management
| Michael Patrick O'Brien | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| John Elizalde | ... | music editor (as Jon Elizalde) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Diana Valentine | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Fred Apolito | ... | driver |
| Jeri Kelley | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Glenn Midcap | ... | driver |
| Paul Tumber | ... | transportation |
Additional Crew
| Joanne DiVito | ... | choreographer |
| Julene Grant | ... | assistant: Mr. Thompson |
| Kathleen Keller | ... | production coordinator (as Kathleen Herbert Keller) |
| Suzanne Lauren | ... | assistant: Mr. Jarrett |
| Scott Mislan | ... | production assistant |
| Jack E. Herman | ... | extras set coordinator (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- CBS (1991) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- LG Video (1991) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Republic Pictures Home Video (1992) (United States) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
This made-for-TV movie tells the story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, beginning in the 1930s when they met as actors under contract at RKO and ends with their divorce in 1960. In between are how their careers developed, their often-rocky marriage, and how they came to develop the groundbreaking and iconic "I Love Lucy" show. Written by hlahorner |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Could they learn to love each other as much as the world loved them? See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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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. See more » |
| Goofs | The movie credits Desi Arnaz as the one who suggested Vivian Vance for the part of Ethel Mertz, but it was actually "I Love Lucy" director Marc Daniels who suggested Vance for the part; he had worked with her in the New York theater. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Referenced in Episode dated 13 February 1991 (1991). See more » |
| Soundtracks | I'm Afraid That I Love You See more » |