(right) lionel stander attends 1000 words the huac hearings (1953) moments that changed cinema forever

To a generation of TV viewers put to them by HUAC he was instantly recognizable members). Propelled by as Max, craggy chauffeur rampant and hysterical fears to Jonathan and Jennifer about communism’s increasing The in the super-cheesy 1980s’ influence in Hollywood, over series Hart to Hart. When 300 industry personnel were not grooming the family denied employment because of dog, Freeway, Max was to their suspected political beliefs horror be heard declaring of his and/or social associations. employers: ‘When they met Stander was certainly active – it was moider!’ But over 30 in leftist politics, but never years earlier Lionel Stander’s officially a member of the of the career had taken a sudden communist party. Among his left turn, and this resulted in many extra-curricular activities, a fateful appointment before he was an organizer of the the members of the House Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Hollywood of Un-American Activities a member of the Hollywood Committee (HUAC). Anti-Fascist League and The HUAC was a a supporter of the activist congressional committee that Conference of Studio Unions Blacklist held hearings on the film and (CSU) in its fight against the entertainment industries on Mafia-controlled International numerous occasions between Alliance of Stage Employees. 1938 and 1958. One product Stander had felt the heat changed of this McCarthy-era ministry from the HUAC as early as was the now infamous 1940, when he began to have Hollywood Blacklist (born difficulty finding work because on 25 November 1947 when of his outspoken views. Prior to not only ten writers and directors, this he had enjoyed a successful soon to become known as ‘the early career, working with Hollywood Ten’, were cited the likes of Frank Capra and for contempt of Congress for Preston Sturges. American refusing to answer questions ➜ The HUAC’s struggle to present concrete examples of subversion was illustrated by their citing of Stander film, whistling the ‘Internationale’ while waiting for an elevator in No Time to Marry (Harry Lachman, 1938). After three but also years without work he took At a further hearing in the opportunity to make ten April 1951, actor and known films between 1943 and 1946, communist sympathizer Marc when the HUAC was inactive Lawrence named Stander as American because of the war, but its a member of his Hollywood resurgence, and establishment 'Here was a man prepared communist cell, testifying that of the blacklist, brought Stander ‘was the guy who Stander back into radar range to display courage and no introduced me to the party line’. society, of the committee. In a hearing Upon hearing of this, Stander dated 21 March 1951, the small measure of theatrical sued Lawrence for slander, and actor Larry Parks, one of the contacted HUAC chairman committee’s so-called ‘friendly ability in his disparaging of John S. Wood to request an forever. witnesses’, gave Stander’s name opportunity to appear before the under questioning. Although no the committee.' committee and swear under oath Jez Conolly takes a look at one actor who further accusation was made that he was not a communist. against him during the hearing, Over two years later, on 6 made a stand against it; Lionel Stander. Stander, who had worked May 1953, Stander finally had Photographs kindly supplied by Bella Stander consistently on television shows his moment in front of the in the months before Parks’ committee. His appearance testimony, again fell from marked a turning point in favour within the industry. the hearings: here was a man ➜

30 www.thebigpicturemagazine.com march/april 2010 31 1000 words lionel stander

celebrates 45 years of cinema coverage

Published bi-monthly by the internationally renowned film society of lincoln center, prepared to display courage After the hearing, Stander and no small measure of was mobbed by reporters and theatrical ability to disparage the next day he was on the film comment provides global coverage

the committee. He began by front page of every major US pledging his full support in the newspaper. He was a hero to in cinema including exclusive interviews, fight against ‘subversive’ activities many people for his courageous

and went on to tell his inquisitors: stand, but anti-communists in-depth reviews, discussions on new releases 'I know of a group of fanatics hated him all the more. He may

who are desperately trying to have made an impact that day, undermine the Constitution of but to say he ‘got away with it’ ’’ and classic films, authoritative profiles on the United States by depriving is far from the case. His screen-

artists and others of life, liberty, acting career went into free luminaries in the industry, and developments and pursuit of happiness fall. For the rest of the decade without process of law … and he worked as a stockbroker on

these people are engaged in the Wall Street, a journeyman stage ! in the’’ art of filmmaking. conspiracy, outside all the legal actor, a corporate spokesman, processes, to undermine our even a New Orleans Mardi very fundamental American Gras king. He didn't return

concepts upon which our entire to Broadway until 1961 and system of jurisprudence exists.' to film until 1963, in Larry I love every aspect of motion pictures, and I’m committed to it for life. 'For the rest of the Stander was, of course, Moyer’s low-budget beatnik film comment has that same commitment when it comes to referring to the HUAC itself. picture The Moving Finger. ’’ decade Stander worked In an interview (for Tender Around this time he struck writing about motion pictures. Comrades: A Backstory of the up a working relationship with — Clint Eastwood as a stockbroker on Wall Hollywood Blacklist, by Patrick Tony Richardson, for whom film comment connects me to a time when films and filmmakers McGilligan and Paul Buhle) he provided numerous stage actually mattered and were treated as being worthy of serious discussion. Street, a journeyman conducted just before his death performances. In 1966 Roman in 1994, Stander explained why Polanski cast Stander in his There’s no other cinema magazine remotely like it. stage actor, a corporate he took the brave decision to only starring role, as the thug — stEvEn sodErbErgh come out fighting: Dickie in Cul-de-sac, opposite spokesman, even a New 'I decided that when I Françoise Dorléac and Donald appeared before the Committee Pleasence. Stander stayed in ’’ Orleans Mardi Gras king.' film comment regularly publishes some of the best film writers in the I would expose them as being Europe and eventually settled the un-Americans … I defied in Rome, where he appeared in world, and they probe and parse cinema in a way that deepen our experience of it. the Committee, using every many spaghetti westerns, most constitutional amendment there notably playing a bartender — utnE indEpEndEnt prEss award bEst arts CovEragE was to keep them from shutting named Max in Sergio Leone's ’’ me up … I attacked them as Once Upon a Time in the West being part of a conspiracy to (1968). While in Rome Stander impose censorship on American befriended Robert Wagner, theater and film, because as and it was this acquaintance FilmCommEnt.Com subsCribE: soon as you tell people who that led to the TV role with 1.888.313.6085 US they can’t and won’t hire, you which Stander became most 1 yr (6 issues) save 10% of our standard’’ rate also tell them what they can and associated: a role that marked 1.973.627.5162 International us $27/canada&mexico $36/international can’t present. That was my line, his return to the American Film Comment PO Box 3000, and I got away with it.' mainstream. [tbp] $63 use code 2bKFr9 when ordering. Denville NJ 07834 USA

also see... [book] Tender Comrades, A Backstory of the Hollywood Blacklist [tv show] Hart to Hart

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