THE HOLLYWOOD TEN

In 1947 the HUAC begin there infamous probe into Hollywood, a probe made possible by J Edgar Hoover and the FBI. “Hoover was more than willing to assist with the committee’s investigations, which was fortunate, since no congressional committee had the resources available to the FBI… The committee investigated the film industry three times, in 1947, 1951–52, and 1953–55. The first hearing produced the so-called Hollywood Ten, a group of screen- writers and professionals. Despite invoking their First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech, they were subsequently charged with contempt of Congress, tried, convicted, and jailed for between six months and one year. Some [testified] in order to keep working, but lived to regret it: the actor Sterling Hayden later described himself as a worm… The HUAC-inspired blacklist caused a measurable disruption to employment as well as more than a dozen suicides.” FROM AN AMERICAN STORY