'Being the Ricardos' Shines a Light on the Communist Accusations Against Lucille Ball

Publish date: 2024-06-07

In 1952, Lucille Ball was once accused of being a communist. But was she if truth be told a member of the Communist Party? What to understand ahead of 'Being the Ricardos.'

Source: getty

As children, many of us stuck re-runs of the cherished 1950s comedy I Love Lucy, starring the iconic Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo. What began as a vaudeville-style live efficiency, Lucille and her husband Desi’s act was such a luck among American audiences that CBS grew to become it into the well-known sitcom that changed into one among the greatest presentations on tv.

However, Lucy reached the peak of her fame simply as the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings had been setting out against the backdrop of the Fifties Red Scare. Lucy was once on the end of a large fallout of bad press when information of her meant involvement with the Communist Party broke.

But used to be Lucille Ball actually an undercover communist? What had been her dealings with HUAC and the FBI? And used to be she ever blacklisted? Keep reading for the whole lot you must find out about this legendary entertainer.

Source: Prime Video

Was Lucille Ball a communist?

Amazon Prime’s Being the Ricardos follows Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) over the route of one week as they try to produce an episode of I Love Lucy whilst dealing with the repercussions of dangerous press about Lucille’s alleged involvement with the Communist Party.

Lucille were working in Hollywood since the Thirties, but it surely was thru her collaboration with Desi on I Love Lucy that she became a household identify. Unfortunately, her upward push in Hollywood coincided with the Red Scare, fueled through Senator Joseph McCarthy. Soon, Lucy discovered herself at the middle of a massive scandal.

Source: getty

In 1952 and 1953, Lucille spoke at HUAC hearings to shield herself in their accusations. The proof against her incorporated a voter registration utility from 1936 through which she had registered to vote as a member of the Communist Party and a club meeting having been held at her space, even if Lucille herself had not been at stated assembly.

Lucille explained that she had by no means been an lively member of the Communist Party and that whilst the voter registration was hers, she had most effective registered to vote as a member of the Party to assuage her socialist grandfather. The committee decided they believed her and let her off.

Source: getty

Was Lucille Ball ever blacklisted?

Although Lucille was cleared by way of the HUAC, the FBI continued to keep tabs on her and Desi. Many suspect that J. Edgar Hoover had for my part asked the company stay tabs on the couple as he was infamous for amassing harmful materials against potential enemies.

While the FBI had more than enough to blacklist Lucille, they ultimately didn't as a result of Lucy’s famous person power outmatched the allegations against her and the fearmongering of the HUAC. CBS vice chairman at the time Harry Ackerman said, “People seem to assume this factor is foolish, not severe. They all love Lucy.”

Lucille continued to make her a success show and nowadays, she is stated as having been a pioneer in comedy, as well as a successful businesswoman, breaking obstacles for girls in the leisure trade.

Being the Ricardos is available to movement on Amazon Prime.

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