Desc: Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter: Directed by Charles Jarrott. With Frances Fisher, Maurice Benard, Robin Pearson Rose, John Wheeler. This made-for-TV movie tells the story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, beginning in the 1930s when they met as actors under contract at RKO and ends with their divorce in 1960. In between are how their careers developed, their often-rocky marriage, and how they came to develop the groundbreaking and iconic "I Love Lucy" show.