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COMMUNISM IN HOLLYWOOD MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY 3503 tinguished citizens—this was certainly at a time when we were all-out in our aid to the Soviet Union during the war. Mr. Tavenner. Yes; you are acquainted with the fact, however, that the National Council of American-Soviet Friendship was a well- recognized Communist-front organization as cited by the Attorney General. Of course, the citation had not been made at that time. But you are acquainted with the fact that it was subsequently cited as a front organization; are you not ? Mr. Odets. I hear you say so, and I take your word for it. I don't know about it. I simply assume that you are telling me the truth; that is all. Mr. Tavenner. Hadn't you known that before my mentioning it to you today ? Mr. Odets. No, sir, because I hadn't closely followed these things, and much that you tell me is news and information to me. Mr. Tavenner. I show you the Daily Worker for April 22, 1946. On page 4 there is a list of names of persons who supported the May Day parade. Your name appears on the list. Mr. Odets. This came up before, and I told you that I had no memory of this, and I was extremely doubtful about it because this is in New York, and those were the days when I was in Hollywood for 4 or 4^ years. Mr. Tavenner. How do you account for the fact that your name is used in that connection? Mr. Odets. I have no idea. I am certain that I was not in New York, that I was in California. What I would have to do with the May Day parade in New York City, I have no way of knowing. It sounds just a little impossible to me. Mr. Tavenner. Were you acquainted with Hanns Eisler ? Mr. Odets. Yes; I knew him. Mr. Tavenner. I show you the Daily Worker for September 26, 1947. On page 12 there is an article regarding Hanns Eisler, and lists a number of persons who expressed strong interest in the case. Your name appears on the list. What was your interest in Hanns Eisler's case ? Mr. Odets. I met Hanns Eisler first in New York City in 1939 or 1940, as a—I met him as a very gifted composer, and later had the pleasure of employing him to write music for a play of mine, Night Music, for which he wrote a very gifted score. We developed a friend- ship. Then, when I later went out to California and began to not only write but to direct movies, I was interested naturally in getting the best musical score that I could, and I asked the studio RKO to hire Hanns Eisler for a picture I directed called None But the Lonely Heart, and we remained friends. When he was in trouble, as a friend I tried to help him. I knew him as a totally nonpolitical figure. I saw him a number of times in Hollywood. I knew he had indulged in no political activity of any sort, that he lived very quietly, that he was essentially an artist, and I saw him and recognized him as a friend. Mr. Tavenner. Then it was purely on a personal basis that you were interested in that case ? Mr. Odets. Absolutely, sir. Mr. Tavenner. The Civil Rights Congress held a national conven- tion in Chicago during November 1947. The cover program reflects