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

410 COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY Mr. Tavenner. So you had been a member of the party for a com- paratively short period of time ? Mr. Dmytryk. Yes. Mr. Tavenner. While you were a member of the so-called "Holly- wood Ten," did you have opportunity to further observe the work- ings of the Communist Party ? Mr. Dmytryk. I think I can truthfully say that I had much more opportunity to observe the workings of the Communist Party while I was a member of the "Hollywood Ten" than I did while I was a mem- ber of the Communist Party. Mr. Tavenner. This committee is endeavoring very strenuously to investigate Communist Party activities and the extent of Communist Party infiltration into the entertainment field, with special reference to the motion picture industry at the present time. Are you willing to cooperate with the committee in giving it the benefit of what knowl- edge you have from your own experiences, both while a member of the Communist Party and later? Mr. Dmytryk. I certainly am. Mr. Tavenner. And that is true notwithstanding you refused to testify before this committee in 1947 ? Mr. Dmytryk. Yes; it is true. The situation has somewhat changed. Mr. Tavenner. What do you mean by that ? Mr. Dmytryk. Well, very simply, this. In 1947—and I think this question is apt to get a little complicated. May I take some time in answering it, please? Mr. Tavenner. Just treat it as you like. Mr. Dmytryk. There is a great deal of difference between 1947 and 1951 as far as the Communist Party is concerned, or at least as far as my awareness of what is going on is concerned. In 1947 the cold war had not yet gone beyond the freezing point. I wanted to believe that Eussia was very sincere in wanting peace, and I didn't feel the Communist Party in this country was any partic- ular menace as far as I knew, and I felt the committee before which I appeared was invading a field they could not properly invade, that is, freedom of speech and freedom of thought; and I also sincerely believed the procedures used by the committee were not completely in keeping with an honest investigation. On those grounds I refused to testify at the time. Since that time a number of very important developments have taken place. In the first place, I had never heard before 1947 anybody say they would refuse to fight for this country in a war against Soviet Russia. I think I was in England when I first saw an article about an Australian party member who said he would not fight against Soviet Russia. Then I saw articles about American party members taking the same position; I believe Paul Robeson was one. Since then other party members in this country have stated they would not fight for their country. I think in a democracy each person takes upon himself the duty to defend his country in time of war. Along with other people, I signed the Stockholm Peace Petition. I believe in peace, as everybody does. I hoped they were sincere. However, the Korean War made me realize that they were not. I think any intelligent person must realize that the North Koreans would not have attacked the South Koreans unless they had the backing of very strong forces. I can't prove it, but I believe those forces