Lucille Ball was in her thirties and playing supporting roles in Hollywood films when she was discovered for television in 1951. In Amy Poehler’s documentary “Lucy And Desi” on Amazon Prime, her daughter Lucie, companion and film historian, talks about the fabulous actress who was irresistibly down-to-earth as a good-natured banger. Desi Arnaz, the show’s producer and president of joint venture Desilu Productions, suffered at the alleged lack of credit for his work. In 1960 he left the company – which produced the series “Star Trek” – Lucille ran it until it was sold in 1967. She remained the role model for comedians like Bette Midler and continued to perform into the ’80s.
Aaron Sorkin’s film suggests that Lucille was not only in charge of “I Love Lucy”. In Amy Poehler’s documentary, she has the humor and Arnaz has the responsibility, which made him weary. Lucille and Desi separated in 1960 and remained friends. A day before Desi’s death, she was the last voice on the phone.