Were Lucille and Desi Ever Accused Of Being Communists During The Whole "Red Scare"? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 08-03-2008, 08:47 AM

Through-out the 1940s-1950s, there was a whole anti-Communism paranoia thing going on in the US. When Fidel Castro came into power over-throwing Batista with Che Guevera; the anti-communism in the US boomed.

Many celebrities and politicians at the time were black-listed when accused of being tied with the communists. I was wondering if any of this came to Desi and Lucille since Desi was from Cuba?

tv star collector · 08-03-2008, 08:50 AM

I remember reading somewhere that Lucille Ball was accused of Communist
ties, and Desi jokingly said that the only thing "red" about Lucy was her hair--
and even that wasn't really red!

Larry Surrell · 08-03-2008, 03:12 PM

I remember hearing in a documentary about Lucy that her father or grandfather was a Marxist and Lucy was a member of the Communist party for a time. She said she joined to please him. I also heard that during the McCarthy hearings I Love Lucy was so popular Congress wouldn't dare mess with Lucy even though they knew of her affiliation with the Communist party!

Coffeecup · 08-03-2008, 05:53 PM

During the filming Of LUcy and Ethel buy the same dress episode a hollywood newspaper had a article about Lucy who registered Communist in the 1930's. She wanted to make her grandfather happy. She never voted but to appease her grandfather she registered. It was quite a blow to Lucy to be on a well know tv show and have this story pop out. She and Desi were very upset and were nervous sponsers would no longer sponsor the show. But the audience heard their side and I love Lucy went for more years. This was according to book I read.

dawsongirl · 08-03-2008, 10:12 PM

I think she did go before Congress, but she was totally cleared.

Whatever happened to that idiot McCarthy?

08-03-2008, 08:47 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Were Lucille and Desi Ever Accused Of Being Communists During The Whole "Red Scare"? Through-out the 1940s-1950s, there was a whole anti-Communism paranoia thing going on in the US. When Fidel Castro came into power over-throwing Batista with Che Guevera; the anti-communism in the US boomed. Many celebrities and politicians at the time were black-listed when accused of being tied with the communists. I was wondering if any of this came to Desi and Lucille since Desi was from Cuba?

08-03-2008, 08:50 AM	#2
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	I remember reading somewhere that Lucille Ball was accused of Communist ties, and Desi jokingly said that the only thing "red" about Lucy was her hair-- and even that wasn't really red!

08-03-2008, 03:12 PM	#3
Larry Surrell Ed M. 1918-2006 RIP Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 27, 2003 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 702	I remember hearing in a documentary about Lucy that her father or grandfather was a Marxist and Lucy was a member of the Communist party for a time. She said she joined to please him. I also heard that during the McCarthy hearings I Love Lucy was so popular Congress wouldn't dare mess with Lucy even though they knew of her affiliation with the Communist party!

08-03-2008, 05:53 PM	#4
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	During the filming Of LUcy and Ethel buy the same dress episode a hollywood newspaper had a article about Lucy who registered Communist in the 1930's. She wanted to make her grandfather happy. She never voted but to appease her grandfather she registered. It was quite a blow to Lucy to be on a well know tv show and have this story pop out. She and Desi were very upset and were nervous sponsers would no longer sponsor the show. But the audience heard their side and I love Lucy went for more years. This was according to book I read.

08-03-2008, 10:12 PM	#5
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,134	I think she did go before Congress, but she was totally cleared. Whatever happened to that idiot McCarthy?