I Love Lucy: The Official 50th Anniversary Edition, Celebrating 50 Years of Love and Laughter [Hardcover]

Elisabeth Edwards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2001

One of the greatest gifts to laughter is Lucille Ball. God has her now, but thanks to television, we'll have her forever, observed her colleague Bob Hope. This very special tribute to a television show that's still being shown in reruns half a century after its creation captures the comic magic of I Love Lucy. The only official 50th anniversary book licensed by Desilu, it's an affectionate look at the landmark sitcom that has Lucy getting into all sorts of sticky situations. In episode after hilarious, heartwarming episode, captured in the pages of this handsome coffee-table volume, the gifted comedienne Lucille Ball, the dashing Desi Arnaz, and their stalwart costars come to life once more. For fans of the show or of television nostalgia in general, this lavishly illustrated 50th anniversary tribute is nothing short of an essential historical document.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

roviding behind-the-scenes information about the show's origins, brief bios of the stars and highlights from every episode of the show (which aired from 1951 to 1957), I Love Lucy: Celebrating Fifty Years of Love and Laughter by Elisabeth Edwards (The I Love Lucy Guide to Life) pays full tribute to a television phenomenon and shares little-known trivia. Vivian Vance (Ethel) wasn't initially interested in being on the show because she suspected that this newfangled thing called TV didn't have much hope. Desiderio Arnaz fled Cuba at age 16 after his family's estate was burned down during the Batista revolt in 1933. Orson Wells graced the show for an episode and recruited Lucy to participate in his magic act. Questions about each episode (with answers at the back) will be the icing on the cake for Lucy devotees. Color and b&w photos.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

Anyone who loves Lucy will love "I Love Lucy: Celebrating Fifty Years of Love and Laughter." -- Associated Press

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Running Press (October 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762410582
• ISBN-13: 978-0762410583
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for content... minus 2 for quality, December 29, 2001

By 

Jenni Grubb "Jenni" (Virginia Beach) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: I Love Lucy: The Official 50th Anniversary Edition, Celebrating 50 Years of Love and Laughter (Hardcover)

I was truly excited when I heard that this book was being published. The detail and outlines to each and every episode is a treat. Every I Love Lucy fan would be thrilled!

However, as mentioned in other reviews, the quality of the photos are a joke! The photos are clouded and hazed, purposely I'm sure, so they can't be scanned and posted on fan websites, Unfortunately, it completely cheapens the book. There is no clarity to the photos whatsoever so you need to read this book in GOOD light. It is truly a disappointment for such a nicely compiled book. Its a special part of my library, but I admit I cringe when I open it up. Such a shame. You may want to scan through this book at the bookstore before actually buying this!!

But, if you want some nice pictures from the I Love Lucy series, check out "I Love Lucy: The Complete Picture History of the Most Popular TV Show Ever" by Michael McClay, Deanna Gaffner-McClay. While the content is similar to the 50th anniversary book, it does not include pictorials on every episode, but the photo quality is excellent! Also, check out the new "I Love Lucy Book of Trivia" by Ric B. Wyman. While the pictures are hazed and tinted, the clarity and quality of the photos are pretty good (a lot better than the 50th anniversary book!) and compliment the text nicely.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full Of Interesting Stuff For All Lucy Fans!!!, October 10, 2001

By 

A Positive Guy "Jay" (San Antonio, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love Lucy: The Official 50th Anniversary Edition, Celebrating 50 Years of Love and Laughter (Hardcover)

Ok I admit it, I am a die-hard fan of "I Love Lucy". Over the years I have read just about every book written about the actors and the show and this one is the best. There are interesting biographies and "behind the scenes" stuff and then a page devoted to EVERY episode of the show.

Many pictures, trivia questions, and all kinds of fun stuff await the reader that makes this a must-have for any loyal Lucy fan. What makes this book different is the meticulous research into every episode both in front of and behind the camera. You'll feel almost as good after reading this as if you had seen an actual episode of the show-almost. Because nothing beats hearing the Ricardos and the Mertzes planning their schemes and having their fun at 323 E. 68th Street.

If you don't like this book, well....."You've definetly got some splainin' to do!"

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Lucy Book On Earth, March 3, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: I Love Lucy: The Official 50th Anniversary Edition, Celebrating 50 Years of Love and Laughter (Hardcover)

I was DELIGHTED with this book. It featured biographies, the compleye episode guide with interesting coincidences and facts. I really liked the episode guide. It featured rare seen pictures, script lines, and a summary of every one. Plus, it also tests your lucy knowledge, with over 500 trivia questions and answers. It also features facts many books or episodes don't. For example: When Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz eloped in 1940, where did Desi buy the last-to-minute brass wedding ring he gave to Lucy? Read the book to find out!!