During the mid-20th century, particularly in the era of McCarthyism in the United States, numerous individuals in the entertainment industry were accused of communist sympathies or affiliations, leading to blacklisting and significant damage to their careers. These accusations were primarily driven by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).
The Hollywood Ten: A Landmark Case
A pivotal moment in this period was the targeting of a group known as the Hollywood Ten. These ten men were prominent film industry professionals who were subpoenaed by HUAC in late September 1947 to testify about their Communist affiliations and associates. They famously refused to answer questions about their political beliefs or name others, citing their First Amendment rights. This defiance led to contempt of Congress charges, imprisonment, and widespread blacklisting.
Here are the members of the Hollywood Ten:
| Name | Primary Profession | Noteworthy Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Alvah Bessie | Screenwriter | Northern Pursuit, Objective, Burma! |
| Herbert Biberman | Screenwriter, Director | Salt of the Earth |
| Lester Cole | Screenwriter | Blood on the Sun |
| Edward Dmytryk | Director | Crossfire, The Caine Mutiny |
| Ring Lardner Jr. | Screenwriter | Woman of the Year, MASH |
| John Howard Lawson | Screenwriter | Algiers, Sahara |
| Albert Maltz | Screenwriter, Playwright | Pride of the Marines |
| Samuel Ornitz | Screenwriter | China Passage |
| Adrian Scott | Producer, Screenwriter | Crossfire |
| Dalton Trumbo | Screenwriter | Roman Holiday, Spartacus |
Other Prominent Figures Accused or Blacklisted
Beyond the Hollywood Ten, many other actors, writers, directors, musicians, and artists faced similar accusations, scrutiny, and often, professional ostracism. Some were directly accused of party membership, while others were blacklisted simply for refusing to cooperate with HUAC, associating with suspected communists, or holding progressive political views.
Here is a selection of other notable celebrities and figures from the arts who were accused or impacted by the anti-communist hysteria:
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Actors and Actresses:
- Paul Robeson: Singer, actor, and civil rights activist whose passport was revoked.
- Charlie Chaplin: Iconic silent film star and director who was denied re-entry to the U.S. after a trip abroad.
- Lena Horne: Singer and actress, active in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Zero Mostel: Tony Award-winning actor, known for Fiddler on the Roof.
- Lee J. Cobb: Actor, known for On the Waterfront, who eventually named names to HUAC.
- Orson Welles: Director, actor, and writer, known for Citizen Kane, who spent much of the McCarthy era working in Europe.
- Jose Ferrer: Oscar-winning actor.
- Judy Holliday: Oscar-winning actress.
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Writers and Playwrights:
- Arthur Miller: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, known for Death of a Salesman and The Crucible (a play often seen as an allegory for McCarthyism).
- Lillian Hellman: Playwright and screenwriter, known for The Little Foxes, who famously told HUAC, "I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions."
- Dashiell Hammett: Detective novelist, author of The Maltese Falcon.
- Langston Hughes: Prominent poet and social activist of the Harlem Renaissance.
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Musicians and Composers:
- Pete Seeger: Folk singer and activist, a member of The Weavers.
- Leonard Bernstein: Renowned composer and conductor.
- Earl Robinson: Composer, known for "Joe Hill" and "Ballad for Americans."
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Directors and Producers:
- Elia Kazan: Acclaimed director of A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront, who cooperated with HUAC and named former associates.
The impact of these accusations was profound, leading to career destruction, financial ruin, and personal distress for many who were caught in the Red Scare. While some eventually saw their careers revived decades later, the period remains a stark reminder of the dangers of political persecution in the arts.
