Suspense - The Red-Headed Woman

In "The Red-Headed Woman," Lucille Ball plays a dangerous woman on the run, and Desi Arnaz plays the man... who gets in her way.

Linda is a secretary for the Jenson Company in Kansas City. One day, she gets a call from her fiance, Frank, telling her that he has met someone else. For two years, her life had revolved around him, but now, she decides to live for herself. Linda wants to get away, and for that she needs money, so she steals a gun from her boss and the payroll money from the company safe.

LInda hits the road and drives west towards Texas. On the car radio, there is a news report about a Texas bank robbery and the two dangerous criminals that are now on the loose. Not long afterwards, she meets a man stranded on the side of the road. He asks her for a ride, but she hesitates because he matches the description of one of the robbers. Is he the man the police are looking for? If so, where is his red-headed accomplice?

"The Red-Headed Woman" was written by Nancy J. Cleveland, produced by William Spier, and directed by Norman MacDonnell. Paul Frees was the announcer. This was the first of two appearances that Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz made together on Suspense. (Lucille Ball made four other appearances on Suspense on her own.) At the time this episode aired on November 17, 1949, Lucille Ball was still appearing on the CBS radio show My Favorite Husband. The television show I Love Lucy began in October of 1951.

.  Download Suspense_1949.11.17_The Red-Headed Woman.MP3

(Image of Lucille Ball in Best Foot Forward (1943) from Wikimedia Commons)

Comments

[Michael Hoskin]

The first time I heard this episode was shortly after I had seen Psycho; sensing similarities what with the theft, driving to Mexico and stopping at a remote hotel, it made this episode feel more dangerous than it actually was.

[cmillinsf]

I hadn't even thought of Psycho, but you are right. This episode is odd because the beginning seems very intense, very noir. At the end, the whole thing turns into a frolic. Still, even if it isn't quite what is expected, Lucy and Desi are entertaining. - Christine

[Daryl]

I agree completely.
This won't be one of my all time favorite Suspense episodes but seeing Lucy and Ricky...I mean, Desi...in something like this was pretty fun, even if the ending was a little weak.

And the Psycho beginning is a little off throwing. I was glad when the story went in another direction. If she'd landed at one of those typical California motels, I would have probably turned it off.