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Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter is a 1991 television movie from CBS about the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The movie begins when the two actors met in the 1930's and ends with their divorce in 1960. The movie covers how their careers developed, their often rocky marriage, and how they came to develop the I Love Lucy show. It recreates a number of scenes from classic I Love Lucy episodes, including "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her" and "Lucy Does a TV Commercial". The television movie was directed by Charles Jarrott, written by William Luce, with screenplay by William Luce and Cynthia A. Cherbak.
Original Release
02/10/1991
US Release
02/10/1991
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Frances Fisher | Lucille Ball |
| Robin Pearson Rose | Vivian Vance |
| John Wheeler | William Frawley |
| Bette Ford | De-De |
| Edith Diaz | Mother Arnaz |
| Matthew Faison | Harry |
| Liane Langland | Maureen O'Hara |
| Patrick Cronin | Doc Bender |
| Alan Oppenheimer | Arthur Lyons |
| Joyce Blair | Roxana |
Directors
Writers
William Luce, Cynthia A. Cherbak
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Frances Fisher | Lucille Ball |
| Robin Pearson Rose | Vivian Vance |
| John Wheeler | William Frawley |
| Bette Ford | De-De |
| Edith Diaz | Mother Arnaz |
| Matthew Faison | Harry |
| Liane Langland | Maureen O'Hara |
| Patrick Cronin | Doc Bender |
| Alan Oppenheimer | Arthur Lyons |
| Joyce Blair | Roxana |
| Don Keefer | Grandpa Ball |
| Roger Rose | Cousin Larry |
| Jim Brochu | Max |
| Rance Howard | Bernie |
| Tracey Williams | Page |
| Aleisa Shirley | Marguerita |
| George Miserlis | Mario |
| Mauricio Rivera | Ramon |
| Amanda Carlin | Maid |
| Kimberly Oja | Bunny |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Maj Canton | Executive Producer |
| Larry A. Thompson | Executive Producer |
| John Thomas Lenox | Producer |
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 1991 | Emmy | Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1991 | Emmy | Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
