Lucy, Ella, Marilyn, and Steven: Interesting things I learned about Famous People

 #55 September 18:  I didn’t know that Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe were friends.  They bonded over their mutually poor pasts. After Marilyn became famous, she helped her friend out.  Ella was denied a gig at the famous LA nightclub, Mocambo, because of her less-than-svelte figure.  Marilyn, who’s figure was renowned, thought that was unfair.  She contacted the owner and booking agent and said they would not be sorry if they booked her and she would personally attend opening night and sit in the front row to bring in a crowd.  They relented and Marilyn attended every performance, which was a big success, and helped launch Ella Fitzgerald’s career into major clubs. 9/18

#56 September 19:  Lucille Ball personally financed 2 pilot episodes of Star Trek and believed so much in the show, she produced it for Desilu Productions despite the board’s skepticism about its viability.  9/18

#58 September 21:  As a early childhood educator, I learned early on to “get down at the child’s level” to get their attention.  Steven Spielberg must know something about early childhood, for he shot the entirety of ET at child’s eye level.  The only grown up face shown in the whole movie is the mom, who is portrayed as very child-like. 9/18