On the June 22nd, 1944 episode of Suspense: radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Lucille Ball guest-starred as a chorus girl who inexplicably finds ten thousand dollars in her purse after it's been temporarily stolen on the subway. She's not sure what to do about it, and it soon leads to trouble. Ball's character has been set up.

In early 1944 between films, Lucy began carving out a second career on the radio. She appeared on Duffy’s Tavern, Abbott & Costello, The Screen Guild Theater, and Suspense.

Simultaneously, with the biggest war effort in full-swing, Desi was put to the task of organizing entertainment shows for the army, using his and Lucy’s influence to snag stars for guest appearances. Word began to circulate about his abilities as a producer. He was soon put in charge of events at the Birmingham Hospital in San Fernando. Lucy threw herself into the fundraising efforts.

For more information on Lucille Ball's radio career and how it led to I Love Lucy, tune into Breaking Walls Episode 100: The Radio Career of Lucille Ball (1938-1952). It's available to stream and download for free anywhere you might get a podcast, and at http://thewallbreakers.com/