One-night-only event celebrates Lucille Ball in full-color presentation for star’s birthday.

Legendary comedienne Lucille Ball is coming to the big screen for one night only in celebration of the red-headed star’s birthday.

One of America’s most iconic television sitcoms, I Love Lucy, starring Lucille Ball, brought laughter to generations of Americans and there's no better way to honor her than with laughter. A four-time Emmy winner and member of the Television Hall of Fame, Lucille Ball brought us Lucy, the fame-chasing, trouble-making housewife who captivated audiences with her off-the-wall behavior and trademark facial expressions as she worked her way through marriage and friendship.

I Love Lucy: A Colorized Celebration is a five-episode presentation of some of the show’s most beloved episodes featuring the capers and escapades of Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel. The episodes have been colorized and meticulously put together to preserve the comedic magic of the original material.

Fathom Events and CBS have partnered to bring this event to over 600 U.S. movie theaters on August 6, which is also Lucy’s birthday. The show will start at 7 p.m. local time through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network and runs for two hours and 20 minutes.

Tickets are on sale now through the Fathom events website and participating theater’s box offices. While supplies last, event attendees will receive an exclusive I Love Lucy mini poster. The feature also includes a featurette on how the episodes were colorized, Redhead Tales, Colorizing I Love Lucy.

Ken Ross, EVP and general manager of CBS Home Entertainment, offered this statement in an event press release:

"We are excited to be exhibiting this timeless franchise in a new manner and hope to bring a new generation of fans to one of the greatest comedies in television history." 

The five episodes included in the event are some of the show’s all-time favorites: “The Million Dollar Idea” (1954), “Lucy Does a Commercial” (1952), “Pioneer Women” (1952), “Job Switching” (1952), and “L.A. at Last!" (1955). 

In addition to the classic episodes presented at the screening, on August 13, CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment will release the DVD of I Love Lucy: Colorized Collection featuring 16 full-length colorized episodes.

“Almost everyone has seen and been captivated by ‘I Love Lucy’ – but even the biggest Lucy fan has rarely had an experience like this: Seeing Lucy on the big screen and laughing alongside fellow fans in a movie theater,” explains Fathom events CEO Ray Nutt.

This is sure to be a family-friendly event and one that all generations can enjoy. Lucy herself said it best, “I’m happy that I have brought laughter because I have been shown by many the value of it in so many lies, in so many ways”.

She also said, of her profession and her love of making others laugh, “I am a real ham. I love an audience. I am dead, in fact, without one.“ Well, Lucy, we are all still laughing with you in celebration of your life, your mischief, and your ever-famous red hair.

Check the event website for locations and tickets to this one-night-only celebration of life and laughter.

What is your favorite I Love Lucy episode or quote? Share with us your favorite Lucy moments in the comments section.