Lucille Ball (1911-1989) was an American actress on stage, screen and television -- she was also a brilliant comedienne and television executive. Her role in Stage Door (1937), one of her best performances on film, helped her to achieve star status however she was often miscast or put into roles that never tapped into all of her talents. She made pictures for RKO and MGM but the real turn in her career came in 1940 when she married Desi Arnaz. More than a decade later, the couple would find that their marriage would lead them to producing and starring in one of the most successful sitcoms in television history. The show -- appropriately titled I Love Lucy -- focused on the married life of Ricky and Lucy Ricardo -- played by Arnaz and Ball. Ricky Ricardo was a Cuban bandleader and Lucy played the housewife who dreamed of a career in show business. They lived in New York City. The sitcom premiered in 1951 during the early years of television -- when television was beginning to offer more varied programming. The show was a hit for CBS -- staying on the air for six more years. Ball's comedic genius was given full rein. The show also starred Vivian Vance and William Frawley as Ethel and Fred Mertz. There were frequent celebrity guest stars who played themselves on the show. One of the many famous episodes starred Harpo Marx.
Early television was performed before a live audience and generally not recorded. I Love Lucy made television history by shooting the program on film -- using three cameras -- in front of a live audience. The show enjoyed continued success in syndication decades later.
I Love Lucy: the complete series is available on DVD from the Butler Media Collection -- all 34 discs!
Enjoy.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Watch Lucy this Spring Break!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Watch Elvis this Spring Break!
Have some fun this spring break by watching a few films starring Elvis Presley.
Presley rose to fame in the 1950s to become one of the most celebrated performers in America. As a singer, he helped popularize rock 'n' roll music with his unique sound and his famous dance moves which usually created near hysteria from fans. His music topped record charts with such major hits as "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog." He was heard on radio and seen on television with appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. By 1956, already a major star, he turned to film acting and took on roles ranging from somewhat autobiographical story lines to romantic musicals. He received positive reviews for a number of his films including Jailhouse Rock and Viva Las Vegas.
Check out these films from Butler Media!
- Blue Hawaii
- Double Trouble
- G.I. Blues
- Girl Happy
- Harum Scarum
- It Happened at the World's Fair
- Jailhouse Rock
- Kissin' Cousins
- Live a little, love a little
- Speedway
- Spinout
- Stay Away Joe
- Tickle Me
- Trouble With Girls
- Viva Las Vegas
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Featured DVD of the Week
Thanksgiving Dinner in the movies!
Avalon (1990)
Directed by Barry Levinson
The Gold Rush (1925)
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Directed by Woody Allen
The House of Yes (1997)
Directed by Mark Waters
The Ice Storm (1997)
Directed by Ang Lee
Pieces of April (2003)
Directed by Peter Hedges
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Featured DVD of the Week
Thanksgiving Dinner in the movies!
Avalon (1990)
Directed by Barry Levinson
The Gold Rush (1925)
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Directed by Woody Allen
The House of Yes (1997)
Directed by Mark Waters
The Ice Storm (1997)
Directed by Ang Lee
Pieces of April (2003)
Directed by Peter Hedges
