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.
72 COMMUNISM IN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY
iit the time, it is my opinion that it could not be construed as anything other than for the entertainment purpose intended and a pat on the back for our then ally, Russia.
I am proud of tlie motion-picture industry; proud of its record in war and peace. With press and radio, it shares today a solemn trust — to preserve our sacred freedom of speech and fight with our every energy any attempt to use that freedom as a cloak for subversive assassins of liberty.
Mr. Smith. Mr. Mayer, since you have been in Hollywood, have you observed whether or not there are any efforts on behalf of Communists to infiltrate themselves into the motion-picture industry ?
Mr. M.wER. I have been told many times about Communists. I have never feared them. They can't get a single thing into our pictures or our studio under our set-up.
Mr. Smith. AVhy is that ?
Mr. Mayer. Because the only ones that I wouhl have to worry about are the producers, the editors, the execctives, because our scripts are read and re-read by so many of the executive force, producers and editors, that if you looked carefully at 1,200 or 1,500 pictures I produced with my people out at the studio you would be surprised how little you could possibly point to, even now, when we are on the lookout for it, particularly at this time.
Mr. Smith. It is necessary to employ certain personnel to keep the Communists from trying to get information into the pictures?
Mr. Mayer. No ; we don't engage anybody. These men are supposed to figure out what will make a good picture. If they should find anything detrimental to the American Government or the Congress I would never allow anything against anybody in our Government or in our Congress. I would never allow them to have a laugh at such a serious price,
Mr. Smith. Are there any Communists, to 3'our knowledge, in MetroGoldwyn-Mayer ?
Mr. Mayer. They have mentioned two or three writers to me several times. There is no proof about it, except they mark them as Communists, and when I look at the pictures they have written for us I can't find once where they have written something like that. Whether they think they can't get away with it in our place, or what, I can't tell yoii, but there' are the pictures and they will speak for themselves. I have as much contempt for them as much as anybody living in this world.
Mr. Smith. WHio are these people they have named?
Mr. Mayer. Truinbo and Lester Cole'^ they said. I think there was one other fellow, a third one.
Mr. Smith. Is that Dalton Trumbo you are speaking of?
Mr. Mayer. Yes, sir.
Mr. Smith. And his position, please?
Mr. Mayer. He is a writer.
Mr. Smith. And Lester Cole?
Mr. Mayer. A writer.
Mr. Smith. Have you observed any efforts on their part to get Communist propaganda into their pictures?
Mr. Mayer. I have never heard of any.
Mr. Smith. Do you personally read the scripts?