LUCILLE BALL'S HOMETOWN
"We are honored to be welcoming Barbara Eden to Jamestown," said Lucy-Desi Museum Executive Director Ric Wyman. "And we're grateful that she's willing to lend her time and talent to raise money to support our cause," Wyman said.
Wyman noted that it is Ms. Eden's guest appearance in a 1957 episode of "I Love Lucy", the Country Club Dance," that prompted her invitation to Lucille Ball's hometown. In the show, the then 22-year-old Ms. Eden plays a sultry blonde who turns all the men's heads at a club dance, only to create jealousy among their wives. A screening of this episode will open the evening, followed by Ms. Eden's sharing her memories of working with The First Couple of Comedy and answering audience questions.
In 1956 Barbara Eden made her film debut in Back from Eternity. She worked steadily in television, attaining leading-lady status on the 1958 sitcom How to Marry a Millionaire which she played a myopic "Marilyn Monroe"-type gold digger. Good film and TV roles followed for the lovely actress, and full stardom arrived with the NBC comedy series I Dream of Jeannie. Eden played the loveable genie from 1965-70, reviving the character in several TV movies, the last one produced in 1991. Eden's post-Jeannie career has included several films, TV guest star appearances, theatrical and nightclub engagements, and the 1980's sitcom Harper Valley P.T.A.
"I Remember Lucy: An Evening with Barbara Eden" will be 8 p.m. Sunday, May 29 in downtown Jamestown's Reg Lenna Civic Center, the same theater where a young Lucille Ball watched vaudeville with her grandfather. Only 100 tickets will be sold for the special gala reception that will follow.
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