Hearings regarding the communist infiltration of the motion picture industry. Hearings before the Committee on Un-American Activities, House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress, first session. Public law 601 (section 121, subsection Q (1947)

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80 COMMUNISM IN MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY Mr. Stiupi.tng. 1 would like to direct some questions to you about Song of Kussia. Mr. Maykr. Yes, sir. Mr. Stripling. 1 realize this was a war picture, made during the war, and I want to get this clear : Was this picture made at the request of the Government ? Mr. Mayer. I had thought originally it was. I tried to think it out as to who, and it is just blank to me. I have come to the conclusion, by talking to Mr, Gates, who was the executive in charge of the producer who made it, and talking to the producer — he claimed that, when he started with me, he would like to make a picture with Tchaikowsky's music and it would have to be laid in Russia. That is how it all got started. This story Scorched Earth was dug up as the i)remise on which we would be able to use that music. I recall talking to some of the men that were in the liaison office between the Government and ourselves about the picture when we were going to make it. I know they liked the idea that we were going to make it because they di<l want a pat on Russia's back, to keep them fighting. If you don't mind my saying so, I have got to confess that was the only time in my life that I gave money to Russia, and if I were to be told that t2 years ago. God lielp the one that asked for it. But when they made the plea that we must go out and help Russia. I felt that I woidd rather they kill Russians than kill Americans and I gave them money. I made the picture with the same spirit. I thought Bob Taylor, being a musician, would be convincing as a conductor. Mr. Stkiplini;. What do you mean by making the picture it would keep Russia fighting? Mr. Mayer. It would show our feeling that we appreciate them. It would show that we liked the Russian ])eople and ai)plaud their efforts in a war. It was pretty dark around Stalingrad there at that period. It was for the same reason that the British thought it was great to make INIiniver, to show the American people the courage of the English people in taking the beating that they took. Mr. Striplixc;. AVould you say, however, that the picture Avas made indei)endent of any Government suggestion? Mr. Mayer. Well. I exi)]aine(l to you, to the best of my recollection Mr. Striplinc;. Yes; but Mr. Mayer. They were glad I was making it: I remember that. But I tried to figure out who it was, if anybody, who asked me to make a picture about Russia. They all tried to assure me that it was the other way around : That when I told them I was going to make one, wanted to make one, it was a good idea to pat them on the back. Mr. Striplin(!. Xow, Mr. Mayer, on May 14 the subconnnittee was sitting in Los Angeles, Calif. The witness was Mr. Robert Taylor, who I believe is under contract with your studio. INIr. Mayer. Yes, sir. Mr. Striplino. He testified: For instance, in VM'A we did a pictni'o in the stndio. from which I tried desperately to set out, called Song of Russia. Tliey wanted nie to do it. I didn't want to do it because I thought it was definitely Communist propaganda.. In other v/ords, it happened to paint Russia in a light in which I personally never had conceived Russia. I