We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
COMMUNISM IN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 53
into an association, in this organization, with other ex(^cutives of the industry.
Now, we have touched ni)on the writers that were dismissed. But we all liave knowledge of a large numher of actors who are generally known to have connnunistic sympathies and are contributors to the Connnunist war chest. It would seem to me that your organization would recognize the fact that the American people are not interested in viewing the pictures in wdiich actors appear who have communistic leanings. It would seem to me that this organization should concern itself with cleaning house in its own industry.
You pointed out what the organization was not organized for, but you didn't touch upon the reason, the actual reason or reasons, for its existence. I take it for granted that the reason is the betterment and the improvement of the industry. I don't think that you can improve the industry to any greater degree and in any better direction than through the elimination of the writers and the actors to wdiom definite communistic leanings can be traced.
Don't you agree to that, Mr. Warner?
Mr. Warnp^r. I agree to it personally, Mr. Congressman, but I cannot agree as far as the association is concerned. I can't, for the life of me, figure where men could get together and try in any form, shape, or manner to deprive a man of a livelihood because of his political beliefs.
It would be a conspiracy, the attorney tells me, and I know that myself.
Mr. Vail, At this stage w^e have no law. There is a question as to whether we shall have a law to illegalize (sic) communism. But we have to recognize that the motion-picture industry is one of the channels through which is established the groundwork for the eventual destruction by force, that you spoke of a little while ago.
Don't you think it is a job of the industry, then, to prevent the insertion of the tentacles of the communistic ideology through your industry?
Mr. Warner, Speaking as an individual American, with each man in the industry having a responsibility, I feel like you do, I feel, likewise, in the free press, the radio, and the theater to a degree more or less, that everybody is very, very cognizant of the duty that they are entrusted with, in the dissemination of the American way of life.
Speaking for myself, as I have testified many times here, I am more than aware of it, and I do everything that is humanly possible to eradicate it in every form, shape, or manner. That could be my only answer. The producers' association has nothing to do with a man's ability to earn a living, and so forth. We meet in common purpose for the betterment of moral standards of our business — sort of good public relations, I would call it.
Mr. Vail. Well, you recognize the fact that conmuniism is a very definite threat to our Govennnent today?
Mr. Warner. I certainly do recognize it — a threat not only to the United States but to many of the European and the far-eastern countries.
Mr. Vail. Well, you recognize the fact, also, that the motion-picture industry, ])aying high salaries to actors professing connnunism and