I went
along to the Watershed this afternoon to see Jay Roach’s film “Trumbo” – about
the Hollywood screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo (played by the excellent Bryan
Cranston), who was blacklisted in 1947 after refusing to testify in the House Committee
on Un-American Activities.
The
‘Hollywood Ten’ (all screenwriters, directors or producers) were cited for
contempt of Congress and blacklisted after refusing to answer questions about
their alleged involvement with the Communist Party. Yes, Trumbo was ridiculously
naïve (in my view), but one forgets how frightening the McCarthy era of the 1940s/50s
was – heightened political repression against communists and a campaign
spreading fear of their influence on American institutions. Trumbo was
subsequently sent to prison… and, when released, found it virtually impossible
to get work.
The era
brings to mind the Nazi persecution of the Jews… and the power of the State to hoodwink
an entire population (virtually). It’s sickening to think about the number of
lives (individuals and families) that were blighted, or even lost, by such
policies. Ironically, this morning, my friend Jennie posted this photograph of
political prisoners being rounded up political
prisoners being rounded up in the 1930s to be taken into Dachau concentration
camp: “the gentlemen shown are socialists, communists and Trade Unionists”.
Anyway,
back to the film…
Trumbo
ends up “ghost writing” screenplays in order to avoid recognition (and to earn
some money) and Kirk Douglas persuades him to do this on his “Spartacus” film –
for which he ultimately DOES receive recognition (and an Oscar)… I was just a
little disappointed that they didn’t get to use the line: “I’m a communist”… “no,
I’m a communist” in the Trumbo film!!
A powerful, very impressive film… and a
reminder of just how difficult it is to stand up against a government or an
institution.
PS: Somewhat frighteningly, the House
Committee on Un-American Activities wasn’t disbanded until 1975.
PPS: There are an awful lot of
cigarettes smoked in the film!
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