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The Blacklist Era Won't Fade to Black and 1960'S by Blacklisted Writers

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The Blacklist Era Won't Fade to Black and 1960'S by Blacklisted Writers THE Ideas &Trends The Blacklist Era Won't Fade to Black and 1960's by blacklisted writers. By BERARD WEINRAUB As the announcements were made, the unions here representing, among others, HOLLYWOOD directors and actors as well as writers, were HE blacklist still torments Holly- preparing for a 50th-anniversary observ- wood. ance of the blacklist era this month at the Even now, 50 years after many of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sci- the victims and accusers of the Hol- ences — to commemorate what the organ- T izers called "this aberrant chapter of Amer- lywood blacklist have died, the movie indus- try is struggling to make amends for the ican history." McCarthy era, when studios, unions, stars, In that chapter Hollywood studios de- manded that writers, actors and others co- film makers and, it seems, almost everyone crumbled before the House Committee on operate with the House panel and reveal names of Communists and Communist sym- Un-American Activities and its investiga- pathizers. Those who refused were fired. tions of Communist influence. Victims included those who may have flirt- Last week the Writers Guild of America, ed with Communism in their youth, or one of several Hollywood unions that 'failed signed petitions considered too left-wing. to support members blacklisted in the Careers — and lives — were destroyed. "They scattered all over," said Bernard Gordon, a 78-year-old screenwriter, who has now been given credit for several films he Hollywood condemns wrote using pseudonyms or fronts, including "Chicago Confidential" "They went to Lon- a time of scoundrels, don or Paris or Mexico to find work. Some succeeded, some didn't. Some starred to sell 50 years too late. insurance and became salesmen. It was not a happy time?' What's surprising about all this renewed activity is that Hollywood disregards — and 1950's, announced that it was restoring the forgives — some of the most appalling be- credits on 23 films written by blacklisted havior, on the part of stars and moguls screenwriters. The screenplays were done alike. At the same time, Hollywood likes to under pseudonyms or by "fronts," relatives congratulate itself on its liberalism. Con- or friends whose names were used as covers demning the blacklist today is a safe cause, for those accused of Communist sympathies like boycotting grapes two decades ago, that in a country riven by witch hunts and cold- producers, studio executives and agents can war hysteria. easily support. Six months ago, the guild restored the Yet the blacklist, in which friend betrayed credits on 24 other films. A spokeswoman friend, remains one of the darkest episodes said the process of restoring credits would in Hollywood's history and simply won't go continue — and focus now on television away. "It's an unfinished piece of business comedies and dramas written in the 1950's — and every time the issue comes up, it just ' NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1997 WK 5 The ume York Times Blacklisted Hollywood writers and their attorneys in Washing- Trumbo, John Lawson, Alva Bessie and Samuel Ornitz; bottom ton, January 1948: Top row, from left, Ring Lardner Jr., row, Herbert Biberman, Martin Popper (lawyer), Robert W. Edward Dmytryk and Adrian Scott; middle row, Dalton Kenny (lawyer), Albert Maltz and Lester Cole. hangs in the air and needs resolution," said formed on eight friends who had been fellow unpardonable sins in Hollywood, precious Judy Chaikin, who produced an Emmy- members of the Communist Party. few awards would ever be given out," Mr. nominated documentary, "Legacy of the Early this year the Los Angeles Film McCarthy said. Hollywood Blacklist," about the families of Critics Association, in an angrily divided In some way Mr. Kazan's behavior was those blacklisted. Ms. Chaikin is also pro- vote, refused to give Mr. Kazan an honorary not the issue. Hollywood's behavior was. ducing the 50th-anniversary observance. award. The American Film Institute has "People are embarrassed and ashamed be- "I think people are trying to put some also declined to present its prestigious annu- cause it was a blacklist in which Hollywood Closure to all of this," she said, "It's a very al award to him. Mr. Kazan's supporters caved," said Irwin Winkler, who directed a painful and complex legacy. Now you have argued that the director's dazzling artistic 1991 film, "Guilty by Suspicion," about black- credits being restored to writers. Apologies achievement merited the awards. Oppo- listing. "Most everyone stood shoulder to are being given. Maybe there's some for- nents said he was an opportunist who named shoulder and cowered before the blacklist." giveness in the air." names to save his career; forgiveness was But Mr. Winkler, like others, conceded that Not quite. One of the most enduring sym- out of the question. it was perhaps too easy now to pass judg- bols of that time was that of Elia Kazan, one ment an people in Hollywood 50 years ago. of the most acclaimed postwar theater and He cited a comment by a character in a John film directors. Mr. Kazan, who Is now 87 and An Industry That Caved Le Carr& novel, "The Russia House," who in frail health, is a two-time Academy But Todd McCarthy, chief film critic for said that everyone changes their tune when Award winner who made such movies as "A Variety, who supported an award for Mr. handcuffed to a radiator. Streetcar Named Desire," "On the Water- Kazan, argued that the director's personal "What would each of us have done when front" and "East of Eden." In April 1952, he choices were not the issue. "If adultery, lack handcuffed to a radiates'?" Mr. Winkler said. appeared before a House panel and in- of ethics and professional ruthlessness were "Who knows?" .
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