...Taking on McCarthyism: Hollywood’s Response to the Blacklist Instructors name Date Taking on McCarthyism: Hollywood’s Response to the Blacklist Following the communist scare of the 1950s the House of un-American Activities (HUAC) was established and it made a blacklist of movie actors, screen writers and directors who they considered as allied to the communists party. The most prominent of these was the ‘Hollywood ten’ who refused cooperation. This paper will critically examine the black list and the response of Hollywood to the list and to Senator McCarthy who was a significant figure in the movement. This paper will focus on the response of artists who made films that addressed this imposition, scrutiny, and show that Hollywood did not stand for this opposition. McCarthyism is an act of making ungrounded accusations that touch on issues of treason and disloyalty a term that was derived from the name of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s when there was a communism scare. He chaired several committees that were involved in the accusations against different people who were suspected of being communists. The term was derived from his obsession with communists although he had nothing to do with the Hollywood arrests (Humphries, 3). During this period, movie directors and screenwriters used to get subpoenaed to attend hearings where they would be required to defend their position and involvement in the American communist party. Many of these directors lost their...
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...Journal Assignment 09: Salt of the Earth Word Count: 301 1. While some may view this film as boring due to the topic, I certainly enjoyed watching it because of how well-made and inspirational it was. It was so moving to think that some of these people with no acting experience could create such deep emotions. There wasn’t much I didn’t appreciate about the film; however, I'm not very happy that our government allowed these events leading up to the movie creation to occur, but it made way for the film. This film has had a profound effect on many people, allowing them to see how power in the wrong hands can do more harm than good. 2. One storytelling device that particularly caught my eye throughout the film was the use of hard-focus which gave the movie a realistic picture quality. Additionally, the use of a lady narrator creates real innovativeness due to her being both a protagonist and a narrator. 3a. This film was created during the highpoint of McCarthyism in the 1950s and was made completely by a professional cast and blacklisted crew. The film was banned in the United States by congress until late in the 1960s. 3b. Now that I am aware of the context of the film and the fact that it was banned until the 60s, it makes me wonder about the blacklisted crew. I haven’t heard of any movies banned with a blacklisted cast, so I find that interesting. However, this doesn’t change my impression on the film as a whole. 4. There were a couple themes that I got from...
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... the aura of invulnerability that had surrounded McCarthy for nearly five years began to disappear. First, the Army undermined the senator’s credibility by showing evidence that he had tried to win preferential treatment for his aides when they were drafted. While the House Un-American Activities Committee had been formed in 1938 as an anti-Communist organ, McCarthy’s accusations heightened the political tensions of the times. Known as McCarthyism, the paranoid hunt for infiltrators was notoriously difficult on writers and entertainers, many of whom were labeled communist sympathizers and were unable to continue working. Some had their passports taken away, while others were jailed for refusing to give the names of other communists. The trials, which were well publicized, could often destroy a career with a single unsubstantiated accusation. Among those well-known artists accused of communist sympathies or called before the committee were Dashiell Hammett, Waldo Salt, Lillian Hellman, Lena Horne, Paul Robeson, Elia Kazan, Arthur Miller, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Charlie Chaplin and Group Theatre members Clifford Odets, Elia Kazan, and Stella Adler. In all, three hundred and twenty artists were blacklisted, and for many of them this meant the end of...
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...government. His speech swayed an American populace that was already keenly aware of a Communist China and a Stalin-controlled Eastern Europe. McCarthy was thrust into the spotlight, setting fire to the political landscape, and pushing America to the edge. McCarthy, now in a position of influence, called for the phenomenon known as the Blacklist Years that stifled American freedoms. The Red Scare was a time of uncertainty and distrust. Neighbor turned on neighbor, friend against friend, all afraid the person beside them was a Communist revolutionary. Blacklisting, in this case, is suppressing people,...
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...More than 200 people were accused of being One of the main things that connect The Crucible to The McCarthy Trials is fear. In the McCarthy Trials people were worried that their past would link them to Communism and they would be punished. Celebrities in Hollywood were targeted the most on the Hollywood Blacklist. In The Crucible many men thought it was absurd that a women would possess the power of witchcraft. When they were accused they could either confess and be put in prison or be hung. Since they fear being hung they would confess while innocent, as John Proctor believed.The primary connection in fear in people not wanting to be accused and punished for something they didn’t do. Along with fear connections, in both eras people...
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...McCarthyism and The Second Red Scares impact on Media in the 1950-60s decades (Research and Analysis Paper) In 1950, fewer than 50,000 Americans out of a total US population of 150 million were members of the Communist Party(Gilder Lehrman). However following WWII the the time period of the 1950-1970 was marked as a period of mass fear of Communism. American fears of internal communist infiltration reached Its highest point since the First Red Scare of the 1920-30s. Government organizations investigated millions of americans, “asking what books and magazines they read, what unions and civic organizations they belonged to, and whether they went to church” (Gilder Lehrman). This time period was also marked by the major shift and blacklisting of celebrities primarily in show business. One of the people who took full advantage of the mass hysteria was Senator Joseph McCarthy from Wisconsin. McCarthy began his crusade by giving a speech at the Women’s Republican Club of Wheeling, in West Virginia, where he stated that he had a list of over 220 confirmed communists living in the US. The numbers of this statement dropped over the years as people began to watch him more closely. However this didn’t stop him from rising to more power, after the Republicans regained a majority in the senate, McCarthy took control of a subcommittee, and performed investigations on government agencies. Other Cold War “activists” consisted of Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey, union leader Walter Reuther...
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...Joseph McCarthy was the prime instigator of this conflict between America and the Soviet Union. Anticommunism and McCarthyism Differences Even though anticommunism and McCarthyism are usually placed together, they are not the same. The meanings of both seem similar but are have differences in the meanings. Anticommunism is beliefs, social values and political, opinions where one part of government holds all the power. McCarthyism accuses men and women unfairly of communism, destroying the reputation of these people. They were placed on what is called a “blacklist”. Because President Eisenhower had faith in McCarthy, he supported or backed him in these beliefs. Eisenhower even stated “the government must be one that Communists and their sympathizers would find not only uncongenial but thoroughly hostile" (Frances, 1952 pg 1). The people never crossed or argued with McCarthy for fear of being on the blacklist. Many people called what McCarthy did a “witch...
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...own, and even surpass, the heavy hitters of his day. His career seemed to be on a steady incline for almost a decade; however, did his talent and work hit a plateau? Welles was always seen as an active political figure that was not afraid to voice or project his own viewpoints in the public, but did this have a negative or lasting affect on his later career? Critics argue the best work Welles produced was before he hit thirty years old, so was this a direct result from the negative attention he attracted from media magnates, specifically William Randolph Hearst, Hollywood elite, and most importantly the United States government? Also, Welles left the country at a time when the dreaded “blacklist” was starting to funnel through Hollywood (“Orson” 17). Whether this was coincidence or intentional is debatable, but either way the ramifications may have helped account for the different direction he took with his post-Hollywood career. Did Orson’s fame draw too much attention and lead to his downfall? The Orson Welles we all know was an American writer, director, producer, and actor. He was known for his innovative productions, unique voice and personality, and was acclaimed as one of the most successful artist of the twentieth century (“Orson” 1). Welles expanded many medias, working in radio, television, film, and theatre (which is how Welles got his start). Welles made his stage debut in...
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...the 1600’s A. Puritanism B. Salem Witch Trials III. America in the 1950’s A. Communism B. Joseph McCarthy IV. McCarthyism A. McCarthy Trials (HUAC) B. Blacklisting C. Elia Kazan D. Arthur Miller V. The Crucible A. The Summary B. The theme VI. The Allegory A. Danforth and the HUAC B. Danforth and Joseph McCarthy C. Elia Kazan and Abigail Williams VII. The conclusion The Connection The Crucible written by Arthur Miller has a symbolic meaning. It is an allegory, “a story in which people, things, and events have a symbolic meaning, often instructive.” (Agnes 17). The setting, the Salem witch trials of the 1600’s is similar to the McCarthy trials of the 1950’s. The people, the events, the details relate to one another. Miller purposely wrote his story to instruct the fact that the mentality of the people in the 1950’s was no different than the mentality of people in the 1600’s. In the 1600’s people followed a strict religion known as puritanism. The Puritans believed they were sent by God to purify the world of sin and evil. Because of this they believed they were superior to others. Consequently, when they did sin, they tended to feel guilty and blame others for their faults. This blame and guilt led to one of the most fearful times in America. The Salem witch trials happened during the 1600’s and at a time where everyone was supposed to live a life of pureness. The people from the Salem witch trials whom named names were quickly disliked in the...
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...Einstein. Miller says, in act 3, column 1, Page 49 “How do you call Heaven! Whore! Whore!”... “ trembling, his life collapsing about him: I have known her, sir. I have known her.” John calls abigail a “whore” and admits his adultery to the court. John was trying to save Mary warren's life. Instead of waiting for a solution he blurts out his unspeakable truth. He didn't take the time to find a good solution and his quick solution in the end got himself killed. People have a tendency to rush into situations without thinking of the consequences. In the Informational Focus The Red Scare and McCarthy Trials they say, “Although the initial intention was to save their box office reputation, what eventually resulted was a decade-long blacklist” They had a plan to try and help the people whom pleaded the 5th. In the end they didn’t take the time to find a decent solution and it cost the “Hollywood ten” their lives. If they had taken the time to not only think of their actions, but the consequences they wouldn't have been in the situation to begin with.If people would take their time to solve a problem there would be less conflict in this...
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...The Boogeyman Coming to America Stephen King, a well-known horror novelist, has brought fear into the minds and hearts of many through his gruesome tales and horrific imagery. He makes us look twice before we turn the lights off at night. But what makes a whole society become scared? Well on two occasions, there were situations in which the society of the United States fell victim to fear. This fear brought two separate movements to try and keep the “Boogeyman” from trying to get into the United States. These movements were both commonly known as the Red Scare. This scare was willing to take anyone as it’s victim. Celebrities, politicians, or common Americans were all vulnerable to this phenomena that brought forth a Salem Witch Trial type of environment. The government of the United States of America tried to take many precautions, whether it was a success or failure, to try and prevent the spread of Communism in a country that is considered the greatest country on the Earth. Whenever there is a moment in history that brings on a mass hysteria, it shows what kind of people are really out there lurking around. This moment in history illustrates what happens during hysteria and what it makes people do in a time in which a common fear is shared amongst individuals of a society. “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” - Stephen King (269) This quote illustrates the moment in time just before the second Red Scare. Unlike the first Red Scare, this Red...
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...reference to at least one film, how did Hollywood address the paranoid, hysterical political climate of the 50s? The Cold War began in 1947 between the USSR and the USA. After World War II, both countries began to distrust each other, as they knew the amount of power each country had in terms of nuclear weapons. Not only did they distrust each other, but they lacked a mutual understanding of each other’s culture. The USA believed in capitalism and the USSR believed in communism. This lack of mutual understanding caused mass paranoia within America as they feared that communists would infiltrate their society. This hysteria was known as the Red Scare which lead to “a range of actions that had a profound and enduring effect on U.S. government and society.” (Red Scare, 2013). During World War II “moviegoers learned to appreciate cinema for what it was: a powerful delivery system of ideology” (Doherty, 2003, p. 19) and after World War II “Soviet Communism and American Democracy, found its domestic expression in fierce debates over the subversive influence of the popular media.” (Doherty, 2003, p. 21). Hollywood was scrutinized first for allegedly using the film industry to influence the public about communism. The House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was formed in 1938, and it’s investigations were “frequently focused on exposing communists working inside the federal government or subversive elements working in the Hollywood film industry” (Red Scare, 2013). On September...
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...THE COST OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM: CENSORSHIP vs. LIBERALISM IN HOLLYWOOD, 1940 – 1960 Destiny Adams History 734 – Seminar in American History Dr. Wintz – Texas Southern University Spring 2009 Table of Contents Part One 1.1 – Introduction – p. 3 1.2 – Social and Political Climate pp. 3-11 1.3 – Production Code Resolutions pp.11-15 Part Two 2.1- Production Codes – I, II, III and IV pp.16 2.2 – Production Codes V, VI, VII and VIII pp.17-18 2.3 - Production Codes IX, X, XI and XII pp.18 Part Three 3.1- Hollywood and Film making – 1940-1949 pp.18-21 3.2- Movies – Awarded, Nominated, Not Nominated pp.21 Part Four 4.1- Hollywood and Film making – 1950-1959 pp.22-26 4.2- Movies – Awarded, Nominated, Not Nominated pp.26 Part Five 5.1- Synopsis of Film making in the 1960’s – New Era pp. 27-28 5.2- Conclusion pp.28-29 The Red Scare of 1917-1920, was the primary influence for the emergence of censorship through McCarthyism and Anti- Socialist sentiments in filmmaking during 1940-1960. McCarthyism and three international wars enhanced Anti – Communist resentments within the United States. A brief emergence of Socialist organizations in America heightened the fervor of conservative versus liberal views within cinematography. Motion Movie producers and Distributors, in Hollywood, California were heavily encouraged to influence film directors, screenwriters and actors by incorporating strict codes within their artistic expression...
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... | Ninotchka | In the past propaganda was used rather obviously, especially during the war and battle. Posters, comics and movies showing the ‘opponent’ as being malicious and horrifying were shown, while the antagonists were portrayed as tough and nearly divine. In my paper I will be discussing propaganda and its uses in the film industry, by examining the power of the Communism shown in the movie during the Second Red Scare. The plot is shaped to show that an average Soviet resident, far from being an ideological, given the opportunity, will be tempted by capitalist advantage . Ignoring that, the movie differentiates itself by giving the communist a human face. Ninotchka can be seen as one of the first movies which came out as Hollywood propaganda against Communism, it shows a rough Russian woman sent to Paris, where she meets a French “gigolo” called Leon who appears to characterize everything against her beliefs. The movie illustrates Russia as harsh, unsympathetic and depressed, whilst showing France as magnificent and lovely. By falling for a man who stands against everything Ninotchka is thought to support, the movie also shows how much superior Western civilization is in comparison to the strict, dreadful conditions in Russia at the time. The humor in the movie derives from differences between life in the East and the West. Three incompetent Soviet envoys Buljanoff, Iranoff, and Kopalski arrive to Paris to complete a transaction of selling the confiscated jewelry...
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...Fahrenheit 451 A Cautionary Tale (there may be grammar and or spelling mistakes.) By: Class: English 3 Honors Teacher: Fahrenheit 451 is a novel set in a futuristic America focused on a “fireman” named Montag Montag. In this world firemen like Montag set the blazes rather than extinguish them. Books are banned and if they were found in your house your home was burned with the books in it. As a result of owning a book you would languish for the rest of your days in a government facility. Montag had no problems with his job after all who wouldn’t love getting paid to burn things? Then one day they got a call about a woman who had a whole library of books in her house. When they arrived to do their job only one thing was wrong. The police hadn’t taken the woman away yet. It is here the story begins, with a woman who refuses to leave even as they are dousing her home with kerosene. When they try to remove her she reveals a kitchen match in her hand scaring them out of the house, she then lights the match committing suicide. Shaken by this incident no one talks on the ride back to the station. On his way home Montag runs into his new neighbor, seventeen year old Clarisse McClellan. A chatty, young girl who opens his eyes to the world of nature and not being one of societies stooges. After this meeting Montag returns home to find his wife overdosed on sleeping pills and promptly calls for help. Instead of paramedics he gets two technicians who are nothing more than plumbers...
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