Blacklisting is the process of denying employment to actors, directors, screenwriters, and musicians for a variety of factors. The term originated in Hollywood in 1946 when William R. Wilkerson published a column in The Hollywood Reporter listing Communist sympathizers, including Dalton Trumbo
Dalton Trumbo
James Dalton Trumbo was an American screenwriter and novelist who scripted many award-winning films including Roman Holiday, Exodus, Spartacus, and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. One of the Hollywood Ten, he refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities …
What is the Hollywood blacklist?
The Hollywood Blacklist was something different entirely. For the true blacklist definition, we have to go way back in time to the 1940s. What is the Blacklist? Blacklisting is the process of denying employment to actors, directors, screenwriters, and musicians for a variety of factors.
Was Charlie Chaplin on the Hollywood blacklist?
In 1946, the official Hollywood blacklist would begin in earnest with William R. Wilkerson’s article. One of the most famous victims of the Hollywood Blacklist was Charlie Chaplin. While many Hollywood writers, directors and actors found themselves ensnared in the Red Scare by association, Chaplin was a lot more vocal about his political stance.
What caused the Hollywood blacklist of the 1930s?
The Hollywood blacklist was rooted in events of the 1930s and the early 1940s, encompassing the height of the Great Depression and World War II. Two major film industry strikes during the 1930s increased tensions between the Hollywood producers and the unions, particularly the Screen Writers Guild.
Who was blacklisted in the entertainment industry?
The initial cracks in the entertainment industry blacklist were evident on television, specifically at CBS. In 1957, blacklisted actor Norman Lloyd was hired by Alfred Hitchcock as an associate producer for his anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents, then entering its third season on the network.
What does it mean when a celebrity is blacklisted?
The blacklist involved the practice of denying employment to entertainment industry professionals believed to be or to have been Communists or sympathizers. Actors, screenwriters, directors, musicians, and other American entertainment professionals were barred from work by the studios.
How do you get blacklisted in Hollywood?
While there is no official Hollywood “blacklist” per se, there are a number of people whose careers seemed to fall off a cliff, and not because of a lack of talent. A public freak-out, being difficult to work with or being racist and/or homophobic are just some of the many reasons why people can be blacklisted.
What does blacklisted mean in film?
What is the Blacklist? Blacklisting is the process of denying employment to actors, directors, screenwriters, and musicians for a variety of factors. The term originated in Hollywood in 1946 when William R.
Who broke the Hollywood blacklist?
Kirk DouglasKirk Douglas made the decision in 1960 to include Dalton Trumbo's name on the credits of 'Spartacus' — bucking the ban that kept accused communists from working in Hollywood through the 1950s.
Why was Tobey blacklisted Hollywood?
His penchant for gambling got him a lot of bad press Maguire's penchant for gambling is the stuff of Hollywood legend. In 2011, his name was linked to an illegal poker club that allegedly involved Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and DiCaprio.
How long did the Hollywood blacklist last?
The motion picture industry blacklist grew steadily larger as Congress continued its investigations into the 1950s, and numerous careers were damaged as a result. The blacklist ended in the 1960s.
What happens if a person is blacklisted?
What Happens When a Person Is Blacklisted? Blacklisting is intended to deprive a person of the ability to make a living. Professional ties are cut. The person's reputation and status in the community are damaged.
Who is on Hollywood blacklist?
The "infamous" Hollywood Ten The Ten consisted of Alvah Bessie, Herbert Biberman, Lester Cole, Edward Dmytryk, Ring Lardner, Jr., John Howard Lawson, Albert Maltz, Sam Ornitz, Robert Adrian Scott, and Dalton Trumbo.
Could the Hollywood blacklist happen again?
McCarthyism was characterized by a deep fear and suspicion of communism in the United States. Blacklisting in Hollywood happened in the late 1930's but wasn't until 1947 that hearings were held to investigate Communism in Hollywood. Yes McCarthyism and blacklisting in Hollywood could happen again.
How did Hollywood blacklisting end?
The beginning of the end of the Hollywood blacklist took place in 1960 when actor and producer Kirk Douglas gave screenwriting credit to Dalton Trumbo for the movie "Spartacus." Unfortunately, after the blacklist was lifted most of those on it were not able to resume their careers in the entertainment industry.
Is Johnny Depp in blacklist?
Things haven't gone smoothly for Johnny Depp ever since abuse allegations surfaced. The Hollywood star even claimed he was being "blacklisted" in Hollywood. But after nearly two years, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor has landed a major role.
When did the Hollywood blacklist start?
In 1947 the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) began its investigation into Hollywood. Of the individuals subpoenaed by the committee that year, 10 refused to testify. Referred to as the Hollywood Ten, they were indicted for contempt of Congress and sentenced to brief imprisonment.
Could blacklisting in Hollywood happen again?
McCarthyism was characterized by a deep fear and suspicion of communism in the United States. Blacklisting in Hollywood happened in the late 1930's but wasn't until 1947 that hearings were held to investigate Communism in Hollywood. Yes McCarthyism and blacklisting in Hollywood could happen again.
How did Hollywood blacklisting end?
The beginning of the end of the Hollywood blacklist took place in 1960 when actor and producer Kirk Douglas gave screenwriting credit to Dalton Trumbo for the movie "Spartacus." Unfortunately, after the blacklist was lifted most of those on it were not able to resume their careers in the entertainment industry.
What does it mean if you are blacklisted?
The term blacklist refers to a list of people, organizations, or countries that are shunned or excluded by others because they are alleged to have engaged in unacceptable or unethical behavior or activities.
What is the C list in Hollywood?
C-list may refer to: A category of celebrities, originally referring to Hollywood actors; see A-list. C-list (computer security), a list of capabilities that a process or protection domain has direct permission to access.
When did Hollywood blacklist?
The first systematic Hollywood blacklist was instituted on November 25, 1947, the day after ten writers and directors were cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). These personalities were subpoenaed to appear before HUAC in October. The contempt citation included a criminal charge, which led to a highly publicized trial and an eventual conviction with a maximum of one year in jail in addition to a $1,000 fine. The Congressional action prompted a group of studio executives, acting under the aegis of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, to fire the artists – the so-called Hollywood Ten – and made what has become known as the Waldorf Statement. It was announced via a news release after the major producers met at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and it included a condemnation of the personalities involved, effectively ostracizing those named from the industry. These producers instituted compulsory oaths of loyalty from their employees with the threat of a blacklist.
What was the blacklist in the entertainment industry?
The blacklist involved the practice of denying employment to entertainment industry professionals believed to be or to have been Communists or sympathizers. Not just actors, but screenwriters, directors, musicians, and other American entertainment professionals were barred from work by the studios.
What was the blacklist in the 1930s?
The Hollywood blacklist was rooted in events of the 1930s and the early 1940s, encompassing the height of the Great Depression and World War II. Two major film industry strikes during the 1930s increased tensions between the Hollywood producers and the unions, particularly the Screen Writers Guild.
What was the Hollywood Ten protest?
Members of the Hollywood Ten and their families in 1950, protesting the impending incarceration of the ten. The Hollywood blacklist was the colloquial term for what was in actuality a broader entertainment industry blacklist put in effect in the mid-20th century in the United States during the early years of the Cold War.
What was the name of the committee that ruled Hollywood during the communist era?
Under then-chairman Martin Dies, Jr., the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) released a report in 1938 claiming that communism was pervasive in Hollywood.
How long did the Hollywood Ten serve?
After the court denied review, the Hollywood Ten began serving one-year prison sentences in 1950.
When did the Huac investigate Hollywood?
In 1951, with the U.S. Congress now under Democratic control, HUAC launched a second investigation of Hollywood and Communism. As actor Larry Parks said when called before the panel,
Hollywood
For Hollywood, the period of weeks leading up to the announcement is often like a political campaign. Agents and managers push their hottest scripts, hoping to get that coveted selection once The Black List is being finalized. It's not uncommon for representation to actively campaign certain scripts.
The Rest
Be sure to check out the official 2015 Black List, which details the loglines for each, the number of mentions, as well as the writers and their representation, which can be an excellent tool to use, along with IMDBPro, for the marketing of your own scripts.
Overview
Blacklisted
The following ten individuals were cited for contempt of Congress and blacklisted after refusing to answer questions about their alleged involvement with the Communist Party:
• Alvah Bessie, screenwriter
• Herbert Biberman, screenwriter and director
• Lester Cole, screenwriter
Hollywood Ten
The first systematic Hollywood blacklist was instituted on November 25, 1947, the day after ten writers and directors were cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). These personalities were subpoenaed to appear before HUAC in October. The contempt citation included a criminal charge, which led to a highly publicized trial and an eventual conviction with a maximum of one year in jail in addition to a $1,…
Blacklist
On June 22, 1950, a pamphlet entitled Red Channels was published. Focused on the field of broadcasting, it identified 151 entertainment industry professionals in the context of "Red Fascists and their sympathizers". Soon, most of those named, along with a host of other artists, were barred from employment in most of the entertainment field.
The blacklist lasted until 1960, when Dalton Trumbo, a Communist Party member from 1943 to 1…
History
The Hollywood blacklist was rooted in events of the 1930s and the early 1940s, encompassing the height of the Great Depression and World War II. Two major film industry strikes during the 1930s increased tensions between the Hollywood producers and the unions, particularly the Screen Writers Guild.
The Communist Party USA (CPUSA) lost substantial support after the Moscow …
See also
• Joseph McCarthy
External links
• Albert Maltz's HUAC Testimony transcript of the writer's testimony (preceded by excerpts of actor Ronald Reagan's testimony – see below for link to complete Reagan transcript)
• "Congressional Committees and Unfriendly Witnesses" detailed examination of legal issues involved in HUAC proceedings by historian Ellen Schrecker