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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1576 COMMUNISM IN MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY TESTIMONY OF MARTIN BERKELEY, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS COUNSEL, EDWARD BENNETT WILLIAMS Mr. Wood. In this connection I would like to state that it has been the policy of this committee Mr. Tavenner. Excuse me, Mr. Chairman. I understand the am- plification system is not operating. The press sitting immediately be- hind me are unable to hear anything. Mr. Wood. Mr. Counsel, you may proceed. Mr. Williams. Mr. Chairman, if I may, sir, before this witness begins his testimony I would like to call one matter to the attention of the chair and counsel, which I think the subcommittee should know about. Mr. Berkeley last night received a phone call at his home in Pacoima, Calif., threatening him and his family if he appeared here today and gave evidence disclosing names of members of the Com- munist Party which had not been known or disclosed prior to this session. This was the third of such phone calls that the witness has received in the course of the past week. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been advised of these. I call this to the attention of the subcommittee at this time to ask and enlist the aid of the subcommittee in bending every effort and influence that it has to protect this witness from any reprisals or sanctions that may be visited upon him. I have called this to the attention of counsel, also, for the committee last night. Mr. Wood. The full forces and power of the American Government will be utilized to protect this or any other witness who appears before this committee to give testimony in connection with its operations. Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Chairman, there has been no subpena issued for this witness, but in light of the situation which has just developed I suggest that a subpena be issued and that this witness be kept under subpena for a period of time. Mr. Wood. It will be so directed. Mr. Tavenner. I suggest that merely as a protection to the witness. Mr. Wood. Yes, I understand. Mr. Tavenner. Will you state your full name, please, sir. Mr. Berkeley. My name is Martin Berkeley, B-e-r-k-e-1-e-v. Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mr. Berkeley? Mr. Berkeley. I was born in Brooklyn, New York, August 21,1904. Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ? Mr. Berkeley. At 13208 Wentworth Street, Pacoima, Calif. Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in California? Mr. Berkeley. Since January 1937. Mr. Tavenner. Will you state for the committee, please, in a general way what your educational background has been ( Mr. Berkeley. I went to the public schools of New York City. I attended Brooklyn Boys' High School and Dickenson High School in Jersey City, from which I graduated. I went to John Hopkins University and Columbia Extension School. Mr. Tavenner. What is your profession? Mr. Berkeley. I am a screen writer. Mr. Tavenner. Will you state to the committee briefly what your experience as a screen writer has been ? Mr. Berkeley. Well, I have been a screen writer since 1937. I have done 18 or 20 pictures. My employment, for the most part,