Lucille Ball is absolutely the greatest female comedian of all time. When it came to being a leading lady in her pre TV days, they never knew quite what to do with her. MGM gave her the lead in 'DuBarry was a Lady', but Red Skelton stole the show. Of course her best dramatic role was with Fonda in 'The Big Street'. Obviously her one sided dedication to Desi throughout the 40s hurt her film career. She is one of the best wise crackin dames ever, in the ranks of Eve Arden and Rosiland Russell.