I’m not funny. What I am is brave. – Lucille Ball
Today is Lucille Ball’s 100th birthday. The internet is in heath with a Lucy lovefest right now. The Loving Lucy blogathon going on over at True Classics is definitely worth checking out. I don’t have time to participate; instead here are really brief thoughts on what everyone’s favorite red head.
I was introduced to Lucille Ball at a young age the way I imagine many people discover her: through “I Love Lucy” marathons. I remember loving this show as a child and being thrilled any time it was on television, just wishing I could be more like Lucy.
What I love more than anything now is discovering early Lucille Ball performances, before she became Lucy and the icon we know her as today. Films like Stage Door. Ball is overshadowed by Katharine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers but her character’s (I think her name is Judy) story line is so critical in an ensemble film very much about the place of women in 1930s American society. Judy gives up her acting career in favor of marriage and children.
My absolute favorite clip of Lucy of late though is this one, when she and Ginger Rogers dance the Charleston. It’s an absolute gem.
Those are just some of my favorite Lucille Ball memories. What are yours? Sound off below.
@Cinefille 
i love this show so much. SUCH a brass, effortlessly hilarious woman. i actually read Desi Arnaz’s autobiography where he talked a lot about his ex-wife and it was extremely insightful. she was a man’s gal and made no apologies for it. i think my all-time favorite episode will always be the vitamegavegamin commercial. that gets me VERY SINGLE TIME.