There was an episode of 'TLS' (c.1966)in which she was going through her huge collection of movie magazines in her apartment (with Mr. Mooney's disapproval) and Lucy poignantly held up a magazine cover with Carole Lombard's life-sized face next to her own and exclaimed 'Wasn't she beautiful!' [True that]!
I saw the episode and remembered that they'd been Real Life friends before Carole's death (and Lucy claimed Carole's spirit had visited her in a dream and encouraged her to do 'I Love Lucy'-with the words' Go ahead, give it a whirl!;). .and thought to myself, if Carole hadn't been so tragically killed in that plane crash in 1942(at age 33).. what have become of her in 1966 (at age 57)? Would she have been a character actress having to do spots on 'Lucy' shows trading in on her earlier popularity and friendship with Lucy or would she have become a TV star in her own right? Would she (like Lucy) have presented herself from middle age onwards as an unintended caricature of her past natural beauty or would she have accepted aging gracefully? What would that gorgeous 30-year-old have thought in 1938 of Lucy's appearance, attitude,etc. in 1966? I'd like to think that she and Lucy would have stayed friends (and, for that matter, that she and Gable would have stayed married) but it's all conjecture.

I know Clark was devestated by her death, but in a way, her death could be viewed as a good thing. People like Lombard and Monroe who died BEFORE their time, are forever remembered as young beautiful talented individuals who made a HUGE impact, and you're absolutely right, if she had lived, she would have aged and faded in popularity struggling to find roles and then having to retire for lack of roles, due to their fading looks and advancing age.

Carole Lombard would have stayed married to Clark Gable until his death. She would have won an Oscar in the 50's and then she would have been a TV star in the 60's.

What particular episode was that from? It must have been from the 4th season since I don't remember that...

Lucy Goes To A Hollywood Premiere, I think. The one where Lucy takes over Reta Shaw's "Maps To The Movie Stars Homes" business.

It's possible she would have done guest spot on Lucy if they were good friends. Ann Sothern actually worked for her and Desi on a t.v show they created for her didn't she? I know she did several appearance on The Lucy Show as the Countess.

Yes, all through her career Lucy always helped out her old friends.

Originally posted by SPLAIN
Yes, all through her career Lucy always helped out her old friends.


VERY true- and something that needs to be kept in mind when folks try to bring down Lucy's memory by rehashing two-bit flaws!
Lucy even originally considered fellow Goldwyn Girl Barbara Pepper (later the 1st Doris Ziffel on 'Green Acres') as Ethel but by this time Miss Pepper had become a serious alcoholic so she had to forgo that idea. Still, Lucy DID have her make quite a few character roles on her shows (most notably the hysterical maternity ward nurse in 'I Love Lucy')!

When they complain about her behavior, it sells books and makes better stories, see any Herbert Kenwith story! LOL! But she got to where she was by doing what all the other superstars of her era did and still do, Hepburn and Davis did the same things. You don't get to the top by being a pushover. There are just as many stories of her good deeds, but they don't sell books. As for Barbara, i preferred her on the sightseing bus, THIS SEAT IS TAKEN, IT SURE IS HONEY!