I always thought Melcher was creepy. Doris dated not only Willie Mays but also Sly Stone - whatever his name was.
I think Lucille Ball’s husband (not Desi) ripped her off as well.
Melcher WAS a creep——he started off as her agent-—while married to one of the Andrews Sisters. But he saw Doris as a prime money-maker FOR HIM and moved in on her romantically.
She had the worst judgment in men-—he was the worst.
She said in her autobio, he would not allow her to make improvements to their home-—or even buy a painting.
She did catch onto him later-—wanted a divorce—but he managed to stay put by telling her “their finances” were too complicated for a split.
Little did she know.
He actually died quite young-—from a mysterious illness.
Some have conjectured he was stricken when he realized Doris was dead broke and he had caused it.
They both were staunch Christian Scientists—though Marty was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home.
Desi Arnaz made the biggest financial mistake ever made in Hollywood—— all those I Love Lucy reruns that have made billions are not owned by the Arnaz family.
When the series was over in the 50’s Desi stupidly sold all the rights to CBS for about $4 million-—big money in those days—which enabled them to buy Paramount Studios.
Had Arnaz held onto the rights——the money would have been rolling in all these years—without lifting a finger.