Why was Hollywood such a concern for
anti-Communists in Cold War America?
Although the relationship between the
U.S. and the Soviet Union before the war
was dubious, many films that came out of
Hollywood during the war were favouably
liberal. This was due to Russia's
alliance with the U.S. in the war and so
to show recognition of this, minor
tributes of Russia's honour and bravery
etc were included in films which would
later face the scrutiny of HUAC.
Once the Russians became the enemy, the
liberal material in these films were
deemed as communist propaganda by HUAC.
Actors, writers and directors as well as
big-wig studio bosses were placed under
suspicion. The concern was that certain
people in these positions of power in
Hollywood were manipulating the film
industry with their 'red' politics, thus
manipulating the American audience.
. The House Committee on Un-American
Activities (HUAC) was an
investigating committee of the United
States House of Representatives,
which became a standing (permanent)
committee in 1946, a manifestation of
the 'Red Scare' and the widespread fears
of communist influence and
infiltration on the US society and
government. The committee investigated
what it considered un-American
propaganda and subversion that "attacks
the
form of government guaranteed by our
Constitution.", However it was later
condemned by many for persecuting people
and ruining lives and careers on
account of personal political beliefs.
. The United States and the Soviet Union
both used propaganda extensively
during the Cold War. Both sides used
film, television and radio
programming to influence their own
citizens, each other and Third World
nations. Both the HUAC and McCarthy
therefore kept a watchful eye on
Hollywood, and any people who appeared
to have Communist links or
sympathies were called to face the
committee to prevent any 'un-American'
messages being presented to the American
nation.
. The Hollywood Ten was a group of
American screenwriters and directors,
alleged members of the Communist Party,
convicted of contempt of Congress
during the height of the Red Scare. In
October of 1947, they appeared
before, and refused to cooperate with,
the House Un-American Activities
Committee which was investigating
Communist influence in the Hollywood
labor unions. They were convicted in
1948 serving 6-month (in two cases)
or 1-year prison terms in 1950.
. On November 25, 1947 (the day after
the full House approved citations of
contempt) they were "blacklisted" by the
major Hollywood producers, who
declared they would be fired or
suspended and not rehired until they
were
acquitted of contempt and had sworn that
they were not Communists. As a
result they were unable to obtain work
in the American film and television
industry for many years. Although many
managed to continue making films by
using pseudonyms or 'fronts'. Sadly many
other innocent actors,
screenwriters and directors were
blacklisted during the McCarthy era, at
the height of his influence anyone with
links to someone who had already
been blacklisted, was assured of a place
on the list, Communist or not.
. The Hollywood system of the 1950's
became unreceptive and highly
suspicious of any films that appeared to
deal with political issues of the
time. While there were members of the
Hollywood system who were against
McCarthy and his bullying tactics, their
protests were unsuccessful and
often halted by betrayal from other
members of the industry determined to
keep working. It was not until after
McCarthy's censorship and fall from
grace that they were exonerated.