September 15, 2011

McCarthyism Comes to HollywoodNational paranoia ensued when the Soviets

expanded their influence into E. Europe after WW2 and Nationalists were defeated in China in 1949.

In 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy began his campaign against Communists inside the U.S. government.

The House established an Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC for short).

The Theme of BetrayalMcCarthy and

HUAC would first ask about individual’s participation in Communist Party.

Then they would grant clemency for naming others.

Named individuals were blacklisted.

Gary Cooper testifying before HUAC inHollywood

From left,—front row: Herbert Biberman, attorneys Martin Popper and Robert W. Kenny, Albert Maltz, Lester Cole,—second row: Dalton Trumbo, John Howard Lawson, Alvah Bessie, Samuel Ornitz—back row: Ring Lardner Jr., Edward Dmytryk, Adrian Scott.

Other Hollywood Victims of McCarthyismEdward G. RobinsonHoward da SilvaJudy HollidayLee J. CobbElia KazanClifford OdetsLillian HellmanLucille BallMarsha Hunt

Source: Gene Brown, Movie Time, p. 209.

The End of McCarthyismEisenhower finally decided to fight when

McCarthy went after the U.S. Army.McCarthy committed suicide.J. Edgar Hoover continued the campaign

against Communist subversives.Subsequently, U.S. politicians were afraid of

reigniting the “Red Scare.” Almost all became committed anti-communists.