Review (PDF) I Love Lucy: The Official 50th Anniversary Tribute
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of television nostalgia in general, this lavishly illustrated 50th anniversary tribute is nothing short of an essential historical document.
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Running Press (October 9, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0762410582
ISBN-13: 978-0762410583
Product Dimensions: 12 x 10.8 x 1.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,365,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #606 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television > Guides & Reviews #1173 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television > Shows #1245 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television > History & Criticism
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.
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!"
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!!
There have been many books written about Lucille Ball and I Love Lucy. While this book was enjoyable in some aspects, it does not top my list as a favorite. As noted in other reviews, the quality of the pictures is atrocious. Not really sure what they were thinking in that respect. There is a nice rundown of each I Love Lucy episode, but I think that they could have added a little more info to these snippets and gotten rid of the trivia questions on each episode instead (most people wouldn't know the answers to even 20% of these, unless you have seen each episode at least 10 times). I also found a lot of repetition throughout the book, as far as Lucy, Desi, Vivian Vance and William Frawley's back stories were concerned. It was still interesting to read, and definitely a nice coffee table book. Do like I did and check it out from the library, and see if you think it is worth adding to your Lucy collection.Overall, I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended for I Love Lucy fans.
Based on the book's description, reviews and price I expected much more. For some reason the pictures for each episode are printed in a fuzzy, cloudy way. I'm sure it is intentional, but don't understand the logic -- clear pictures would be more enjoyable. The comments on each episode are rather bland and unenlightening. Nothing new here at all!!!One noted error -- Mrs Trumble's last appearance was not in the Bon Voyage episode to Europe. She did appear in the 6th season - Little Ricky Plays the Drums.
While personally not a Lucy fanatic I bought this as a Christmas gift for my aunt who absolutely loves Lucy. The gift was an absolute smash. After the gifts were opened, she was found sitting in the corner glued to this book. The book is well done with beautiful pictures. I gave it 5 stars because she has not stopped thanking me for this book.
My 13-year old daughter is hooked on Lucy! She received this book for her birthday and is slowly working her way through it. She has enjoyed the pictures quite a bit. For the price it was a great gift!
As a young girl I can remember sitting before our old black and white television and waiting with eager anticipation for the "I Love Lucy" show. Part of the interest was spurred on by the crazy schemes of Lucy and Ethel, the remainder by the fact Lucy did, in appearance, greatly resemble my own mother who passed away over twenty years ago.Whatever captured your attention with the show and made it a hit for you, readers who are of an age where they can actually remember the episodes as they ran for the first time will find a lot of fond memories coming to light through the pages of this book. It is a trip down memory lane to a time when laughter was clean, a family show was truly a family show, the cost of living was a lot less and a colour television was still in the planning. Many modern day comedy shows have come and gone, but the good ones, like "I Love Lucy," will remain in our hearts forever. As the saying goes, "You don't know what you miss 'til it's gone.!
I Love Lucy: The Official 50th Anniversary Tribute Laughs, Luck...and Lucy: How I Came to Create the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time (with "I LOVE LUCY's Lost Scenes" and rare Lucille Ball audio) The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History A Treasury of Great Recipes, 50th Anniversary Edition: Famous Specialties of the World's Foremost Restaurants Adapted for the American Kitchen (Calla Editions) Weight Watchers 50th Anniversary Cookbook: 280 Delicious Recipes for Every Meal A Mathematical Theory of Communication. 50th Anniversary Edition. Kaddish and Other Poems: 50th Anniversary Edition (Pocket Poets) The Feminine Mystique (50th Anniversary Edition) Animal Farm, 50th Anniversary Edition Catch-22: 50th Anniversary Edition The Master and Margarita: 50th-Anniversary Edition (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) How Should We Then Live? (L'Abri 50th Anniversary Edition): The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture A Choice Not an Echo: Updated and Expanded 50th Anniversary Edition Geology Of Carolinas: Carolina Geological Society 50Th Anniversary Volume Beyond a Boundary: 50th Anniversary Edition (The C. L. R. James Archives) For the Love of Lucy: The Complete Guide for Collectors and Fans Lucy & Desi: The Legendary Love Story of Television's Most Famous Couple Will You Love Me?: The story of my adopted daughter Lucy Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver: The Official Pokemon Johto Guide & Johto Pokedex: Official Strategy Guide (Prima Official Game Guides: Pokémon) Lucy Libido Says.....There's an Oil for THAT: A Girlfriend's Guide to Using Essential Oils Between the Sheets (1) (Volume 1)
