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COMMUNISM IN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 11
Good American common sense is the determining factor in judging motion-picture scripts before they are put in production and motionpicture scenes after they are photographed. We rely upon a deeprooted, pervading respect for our country's principles.
One of those American principles is the right to gripe and criticize in an effort to improve. That right to gripe is not enjoyed under communistic dictatorships. To surrender that privilege under pressure would betray our American standards.
Freedom! of expression, however, does not, under our Constitution and laws, include a license to destroy.
We believe positive methods offer the best defense against possible subversive activities. In my previous testimony before a subcomniittee of this committee, I stated certain people whom we let go were subsequently hired by other studios.
By no stretch of the imagination can that be construed as questioning the loyalty of other employers. The producers who hired the men we discharged are good Americans. There is no positive guide to determine whether or not a person is a Communist ; and the laws of our land, which are in the hands of you gentlemen, offer no clean-cut definition on that point.
We can't fight dictatorships by borrowing dictatorial methods. Nor can we defend freedom by curtailing liberties, but we can attack with a free press and a free screen.
Subversive germs breed in dark corners. Let's get light into those corners. That, I believe, is the purpose of this hearing and I am happy to have had the opportunity to testify.
Thank you.
Mr. Stripling. Mr. Warner, getting back to my original question
Mr. Warner. Do you want this statement for the record?
Mr. Stripling. That will be made a part of the record, Mr. Chairman ?
The Chairman. So ordered.^
Mr. Stripling. Mr. Warner, since you have been in Hollywood, has there ever been a period during which you considered that the Communists or the Fascists had infiltrated into the studios ?
Mr. Warner. As I said in Los Angeles on May 16, I believe — 15, rather — I have never seen a Communist, and I wouldn't know one if I saw one.
With reference to Fascists. I have seen them. Not in America. I mean in Europe. Therefore, I don't know if Fascists have worked in the studios — or Communists, rather — or both.
Mr. Stripling. I have here before me, Mr. Warner, y.our testimony, wherein the following question was asked : ^
Mr. Stripling, air. Warner, since you have been in Hollywood has there ever been a period during which you considered that the Communists had infiltrated into your studio?
Air. Warner. Yes. Do you mean by huge numbers, or what?
Mr. Stripling. In any degree.
Mr. Warner. Yes ; there has been a period.
Mr. Stripling. When was that?
^ See appendix, p. 52.'?, for statement exhibit l.»
2 See appeuflix, p. 523. for testimony of Jack L. Warner before the Subcommittee on Un-American Activities, May 15, 1947, in Hollywood, Calif.