Lucille Ball was an American comedienne, actress, model, television executive, and registered Communist.

Can it be true?

Was the comical redhead who starred in such historic American television programs as I Love Lucy, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy and Life with Lucy really a “card-carrying commie?”

Ball was one of the most popular and influential stars in America during her lifetime, with one of Hollywood ‘s longest careers. So, when word spread of her new political affiliation, many people took notice.

Many of those people sat on the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA). This committee was an investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives that was active from 1938 through much of 1975. Therefore, in 1953, the HCUA decided to investigate the political affiliations of Lucille Ball.













The 1953 Investigation of Lucille Ball

The HCUA combed Ball’s background and history. The FBI has about 142 pages of notes, reports, and other documents concerning Ball, her family, and her politics. There is even a 27-page transcript included of Lucille Ball’s testimony to a HCUA investigator.

However, the documents do not really point to anything else substantial. Apparently, it did not turn up any large monetary donations to communist groups or proof of participation in any Communist rallies. Between the investigation and the testimony, the committee only found that Ball registered to vote as a communist in 1936 and then in 1938.

However, her testimony cleared that up. She explained that she only registered as a Communist to please her grandfather. It was also discovered that a new member’s class was held at her house; however, the claim could not be substantiated.

So, was Lucille Ball a card-carrying commie? HUAC investigator, William A. Wheeler, stated, “A review of the subject’s file reflects no activity that would warrant her inclusion on the Security Index.”

However, her husband, Desi Arnaz, put it best when he said, “The only thing red about Lucy is her hair, and even that’s not legitimate!”

Originally published on TopSecretWriters.com