Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press, by Greg Braxton
Monday, April 9, 1990
“I Love Lucy” Pilot Discovered. The original pilot for “I Love Lucy,” which has been missing for 40 years, has been found under a bed where it had been forgotten for 39 years.
Joanne Perez, the widow of vaudeville performer Pepito the Spanish Clown, discovered a copy of the pilot — a gift to her husband from Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Pepito had coached Ball in some of her stage routines, and guest-starred on the pilot.
Although Perez knew she had one of the show’s episodes in her possession, she didn’t realize which one or the value of it until a recent conversation with B. Donald (Bud) Grant, who will coordinate an hour-long special to air in May on CBS which will include the 34-minute pilot as well as tributes to the show and cast.
The 34-minute print is apparently the only one in existence.
Source:
Los Angeles Times, Morning Report, April 09, 1990.
http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-09/entertainment/ca-693_1_love-lucy
Pepito & Joanne 