New york In 1947, Central Question, House Un-American Activity Committee, investigated the alleged communist effect HollywoodWas: “Are you a member of the Communist Party?”
Republican rape. Under the chairmanship of John Parnell Thomas of New Jersey, the committee eventually led a Hollywood blacklist, now focusing one new releases In the New York Historical Society.
“The exhibition actually tells the story of Hollywood Ten,” Louis Mirror, president of the New York Historical Society, told a group of 10 Hollywood writers and directors. “And the charge was for Hollywood Ten, that he was making films that spied the communist’s approach.”
Hollywood Ten refused to answer the committee’s questions. He was placed in contempt of Congress, each was sentenced to six months to one year jail, and blacklisted by the studio officials.
Annie Lacey, assistant curator of history exhibitions for historical society, Annie Lacey told CBS News of Blacklist’s influence, “I think it had a huge impact.” “If you wanted to be a part of the film industry, you essentially confiscated your privacy and your own political views and the right to affiliation.”
Screen writer Dalton Trimbo, one of Hollywood ten, spent 10 months in jail. His daughter, Mitzi was 5 years old at that time. Her portraits and letters are in performance in performance, as well as testimony to those who have named suspected communists.
“In an attempt to save themselves, his career and his reputation, many, you know, Creative felt forced to name the name, which the committee wanted,” said Lacey.
Even Walt Disney testified before the committee.
Lacey said, “Walt Disney raised a lot of objections to the labor organizing in his studio and blamed it on the communist infiltration.” “And then you also have Ronald Reagan, who, at the time, was the president of the screen actors guild. While he did not publicly named it, he did for the investigator of the committee. And he strongly supported the anti -communist crusade.”
Blacklist Later extended To include classically trained pianist Hazel Scott, the first black entertainer for the national level syndicated TV show. But the show was canceled when it was nominated in the anti -communist prescription.
Once out of jail, Trombo used the word pseudo -winning films “The Brave One” and “Roman Holiday” to write the word pseudo -winning films.
“So it took almost four decades … to recognize Dalton Trimbo for the Academy Awards,” Lacey said. “And … which was seen as the beginning of erosion of the committee’s power.”
The impact of the red scare also increased beyond Hollywood.
“Many regular Americans were trapped in this anti -communist excitement, members of the labor unions, members of high school teachers,” said Lacey. “The professor of the college also came under the scrutiny. There was a famous publication called Red Channel that would provide very detailed information on a wide range of creatives. And hence one of these appears in publication was enough to blacklist you.”
By the 1960s, As a red scare Had faded, so there was also the power of the blacklist. And in 1975, the House Un-Amarankan Activity Committee was abolished.
“I think this [the Hollywood blacklist] A strong question raises important questions about a strong democracy, “Lacey said.” How do we protect our rights and freedom, especially freedom of speech … If you have unpopular thoughts, should you be punished? Should you lose your job? These are all questions with which we should wrestle. ,
