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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COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY 375 Mr. Lawrence. If I have sir, I will communicate this information to you, if I recall any. Mr. Wood. Thank you very much, sir. Mr. Velde. I have just one more question, Mr. Chairman. When did you first become aware of the fact that there was a Com- munist movement in Hollywood ? Mr. Lawrence. Around 1938. This was when I went to these 'cause parties," when there was a great deal of talk about Spam. And this piano-player girl who brought me to the place, she was interested at the time, so I went with her. Mr. Velde. Who was that piano player? Mr. Lawrence. A piano player. A brunette who played the piano. Mr. Velde. I didn't get that. Mr. Lawrence. A brunette who played the piano. Mr. Wood. Mr. Jackson, do you have a further question? Mr. Jackson. One. Mr. Lawrence, do you believe, out of your ex- perience in Hollywood, that it would be possible to be around that community for a period of 8 or 10 years, before, during, and after the war, and not know that there was a Communist organization going on or a Communist organization within the industry at that time? Mr. Lawrence. No ; I am very apolitical. Mr. Jackson. You could be apolitical and still could know about this cell organization. Is it likely that the average person would know about such organization ? Mr. Lawrence. It is very likely they would, sir. It is very likely they would, but at the time I wasn't particularly interested. Mr. Jackson. Just in a general way, it would be extremely diffi- cult not to know that there was a Communist-cell organization ? Mr. Lawrence. That is absolutely correct. Mr. Jackson. By the same token, it would be extremely farfetched to be around Hollywood for 10 years and not know a Communist, wouldn't it? Mr. Lawrence. It might be possible. Mr. Jackson. It might be possible to be around Hollywood for 10 years Mr. Lawrence. I have never considered myself a Communist. Mr. Jackson. This is general. I am not trying to make any points so far as you are concerned. I am merely asking whether or not it would be extremely difficult to be in Hollywood during that period for 10 years and not know a Communist, wouldn't it ? Mr. Lawrence. That might be so. That's correct, sir. That's ab- solutely correct. Mr. Jackson. It might be so ? You would not know ? Mr. Lawrence. That's correct. Mr. Jackson. Or it might be so, you would know? Perhaps if you consult with your counsel. Mr. Lawrence (after consulting counsel). I still don't understand the question. Mr. Jackson. We have had some witnesses who have been wide- eyed with astonishment after 10 or 12 years in Hollywood, at the dis- closure that there were Communists in Hollywood. Mr. Lawrence. Well, that's silly. Of course that's silly. Mr. Wood. Is there any reason, Mr. Counsel, why this witness should not be excused from further attendance on this subpena ?