Communist infiltration of Hollywood motion-picture industry : hearing before the Committee on Un-American activities, House of Representatives, Eighty-second Congress, first session (1951)

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84 COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY Mr. Tavenner. Now, we are not making here a distinction be- tween the Communist Party and the Communist Political Associa- tion, but, as a result of investigation that the committee has done and information that it has, you apparently were registered for the year 1944 and 1945 as a member of the party. Is that in accordance with your recollection ? Mr. Parks. Well, as I say, I am trying to recall it for you to the best of my ability, and I must say again that at that particular time it was not quite as important as it is today, and to the best of my recollection I became a member in 1941, and to the best of my recollection it was either in the latter part of 1944 or the early part of 1945—— Mr. Tavenner. Let me see if this information in the committee files would be of any value in refreshing your recollections: That your Communist registration card for the year 1944 bore the number 46954 and for the year 1945 the number 47344. Does that happen to refresh your recollection? Mr. Parks. No, sir; it doesn't, because to the best of my recollection I never had a Communist Party card. Mr. Tavenner. Now, do I infer properly from your statement that shortly after 1945 or, say, in 1946 you became disillusioned about the Communist Party and withdrew as a member ? Mr. Parks. Well, let's go back. As I said before, to the best of my recollection it was in 1944 or 1945. This is to the best of my recollec tion. Mr. Tavenner. But by 1946 at least you had definitely broken with the party ? Mr. Parks. I'm quite sure that that is correct. Mr. Tavenner. Have you participated in any Communist Party activities since that date, 1946? Mr. Parks. Not to my knowledge. I don't recall ever having par- ticipated in a Communist Party activity since that time. Mr. Tavenner. Now, will you state to the committee where you first became a member of the party ? Mr. Parks. In Hollywood, Calif. Mr. Tavenner. Who recruited you into the party ? Mr. Parks. Well, a man by the name of Davidson, I believe. Mr. Tavenner. What was Davidson's first name and what was his position ? Mr. Parks. I can't tell you this because I really don't know. I don't remember his first name. I haven't seen him for 10 years, and I do not know what his position was. Mr. Tavenner. Where did he live ? Do you know ? Mr. Parks. This I have no idea. Mr. Tavenner. What was his occupation ? Mr. Parks. This I do not know either. Mr. Tavenner. Can you give us some descriptive data of the individual ? Mr. Parks. Average-looking man, young, dark hair. Mr. Tavenner. How did you become acquainted with him and in whose presence did you see him ? Mr. Parks. It's pretty hard for me to recall 10 years ago—some- thing that at the time was not particularly important. I'm doing the best I can to recall what happened for you. I don't remember his first name, and I don't believe I ever knew what he did.