Buster Keaton And Lucille Ball

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Lucille Ball was a hard-working movie starlet. She faced numerous challenges in the world of
“B” movies, where Ball struggled to land significant roles. She chafed, watching younger actresses secure better opportunities. Lucille Ball’s career seemed to be losing momentum, leading the prestigious MGM to release her due to lackluster box office results and a perceived mismatch with their glamorous starlet image.

However, this setback turned into an opportunity when legendary silent film star Buster Keaton stepped in to change the course of her career forever. Buster Keaton, one of the greatest silent movie actors/directors/writers, became the mentor who helped unleashed the comedic genius of Lucille Ball.

A Bumpy Road to Success

Lucille Ball’s journey to comedy stardom was fraught with challenges. Despite her undeniable talent and ambition, she found herself stuck in “B” movies, yearning for more significant opportunities. Although her departure from MGM marked a turning point, Ball’s determination remained unshaken as she joined Columbia Pictures, a studio considered a step-down. Undeterred, she approached this new chapter with tenacity and professionalism.

A Mentor:  Buster Keaton and Lucille Ball

Enter Buster Keaton, a comedic mastermind, and Ed Sedgwick, who became invaluable mentors to Ball. In their shared office space called The Boor’s Nest, There, Lucille Ball received informal yet intensive training in the art of comedy. Buster Keaton and Lucille Ball loved working together. Keaton skillfully taught her the subtle nuances of prop handling and performing physical maneuvers without harm. Embracing Buster Keaton’s famed comic timing mantra – Listen, React, then Act – Ball honed her comedic skills, paving the way for her transformation into a comedic powerhouse.

Unveiling the Comedic Chops

CBS adamantly resisted featuring a mixed-race couple as the stars of a television show during the 1950s.

Despite CBS’s initial hesitation, Lucy and Desi had an unwavering belief in the strength of their comedic abilities and the relatability of their show’s concept. With the support of their creative team, including the invaluable coaching from Buster Keaton, they persevered.

In a bid to prove CBS wrong, Desi Arnaz proposed a bold plan: He and Lucy would embark on a national tour. This was crucial to demonstrating their comedic chemistry and potential appeal to a broader audience.

Preparing for the successful tour, Ball tirelessly rehearsed with Keaton and Pepito Perez (Pepito the Clown). This resulted in an act inspired by Pepito’s routine, featuring a tramp costume and a giant cello. This tour proved to be a turning point, showcasing Lucille’s aptitude for physical comedy, humor, and ingenuity. CBS finally agreed that the results provided tangible evidence of the potential for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz to be popular stars. They asked for a pilot episode.

The Birth of “I Love Lucy”

Keaton’s influence extended beyond the tour when CBS approved a sitcom based on Ball’s radio series. Determined to have her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, as her co-star, Ball, and Arnaz performed a live vaudeville routine for an experimental pilot, carefully coached by Keaton. The sketch, featuring a hilarious cello audition, captured CBS’s heart, leading to the creation of the iconic series, “I Love Lucy.”

Comedy Legacy and Beyond

Although Keaton never appeared as a guest star on “I Love Lucy,” his influence contributed significantly to the show’s comedic legacy. The collaboration with Keaton and Sedgwick profoundly shaped Lucille Ball’s comedic prowess, solidifying her status as a beloved comedian in entertainment history.

Lucille Ball remained ever grateful to Ed Sedgwick, Pepito the Clown, and Buster Keaton for their generosity of spirit. As a mentor, she inspired many young comics, including Carol Burnett.

Most importantly, Lucy became a benchmark of confidence and persistence for generations of female comic actors.

Lydia Cornell, star of “Too Close for Comfort” (1980-1987), widely hailed by critics and fans as one of the funniest women on television, recalls the impact of Ball’s legacy:

“Lucy was so prevalent everywhere in the 1950s that I believed women were allowed to be on television and allowed to be funny. She actually made it possible for me to have my dream. She was the funniest and most original of all the female comics.”