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 1485 of the New Theater School. Is that a correct recital of fact, namely that you were a director of the New Theater School ? Mr. Gordon. I will decline to answer that question, too, on the previously stated grounds. Mr. Tavenner. I show you a photostatic copy of what is entitled "The Original Statement of the Committee for the First Amend- ment," and its original signers. Will you examine it, please. (The document was handed to the witness.) Among the original signers appears the name of Michael Gordon. Are you the Michael Gordon referred to in that statement? Mr. Gordon. May I consult with counsel, please, Mr. Chairman? Mr. Wood. Yes, sir. You have that right at any time you desire, sir. Mr. Gordon (after consulting with counsel). I decline to answer that question, too, sir, on the previously stated grounds. Mr. Tavenner. In this statement the signers say they are disgusted and outraged by the continued attempt of the House Committee on Un-American Activities to smear the motion-picture industry. Do you join in that expression of opinion that the House committee has smeared the motion-picture industry ? Mr. Gordon. Are you asking my personal opinion on this subject? Mr. Tavenner. Yes. Mr. Gordon. I would prefer not to express or discuss my personal opinions under the circumstances of my appearance here today. Mr. Tavenner. Did you sign a statement in which you stated that that was your opinion ? Mr. Gordon. You have asked this question in another form, sir, a moment ago. I have declined to answer that question. Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Committee for the First Amendment ? Mr. Gordon. This is the third time you have asked the same ques- tion, Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Tavenner. No; I have not nskerl that question. Mr. Wood. Let's don't argue. We will get along a lot faster. Mr. Gordon. I decline to answer that question on the grounds pre- viously stated. Mr. Tavenner. Have you at any time been affiliated with the Actors' Laboratory ? Mr. Gordon. I claim the privilege of the fifth amendment on that question as well, Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a letterhead of the Actor's Laboratory Theater—I will withdraw that question. Were you at any time a member of the executive board of the Actors' Laboratory Theater ? Mr. Gordon. I decline to answer that question on the grounds that to do so might tend to incriminate me. Mr. Tavenner. I have no other questions, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Wood. Mr. Walter. Mr. Walter. Mr. Gordon, what criminal charge do you think might be preferred against you if you were to admit that you knew Frank Turtle? Mr. Gordon. Representative Walter, I am in no sense of the word equipped to discuss from a legal point of view the nature of the fifth amendment. I believe I understand its intent, and I feel that to