HOLLYWOOD HISTORY

Lucy the Red?

By Allan R. Ellenberger

Lucille Ball bought this house (below) at 1344 N. Ogden Drive for her family shortly after arriving in Hollywood in the 1930s. Lucy lived here with her family for a couple of years before moving out on her own. The family remained and it was here that her grandfather held Communist Party meetings and where he talked her, and her mother and brother into registering as Communists. This information surfaced in 1953 during the Red Scare and Lucy was forced to testify before HUAAC, who believed her explanation.

 1344 N. Ogden Drive, Hollywood

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Lucille Ball’s voter registration card (UCLA Libary Digital Collection)

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