Black's: American Film Of The Blacklist Era

The topic of this thesis is Blacklist of American filmdom from lateforties to early fifties 20th. Through the graphic investigation ofAmerican international politics and interior economy then, we intend toreveal the historical progress how McCarthyism began and became theleading ideology. Within that condition, American movie experienced fromflourish to decline. With the active movements of labor union, conflictsbroke out between the radical Hollywood and the whole atmosphere ofAmerican society, which promoted those politicians to initiate a seriousmovement to clean up Hollywood that is the Blacklist Movement. In October 1947, HUAC held the first hearings, and unfriendly tenwitnesses was declared guilty by the name of contempt of Congress.Although all sides in Hollywood varied from each other at first, theytook the choice of obedience to protect their own interests at last. SWGas the most left wing could not answer for Hollywood Ten, while SAG atconservative position offered some help on the contrary. In April 1951, HUAC took the second hearings. The whole cleanoutinwards all left wings of Hollywood got more and more. Public opinionwas dominated by the right wing. In such heavy press, conscience and humannature was confronted with huge challenge. Those directors who belongedto the left wing like Elia Kazan had to change their standpoint, whichimplied that they would come to some compromise at social criticism filmsthat they were good at before. As the result, the types distributing ofAmerican movies was influenced. With decline and dead of McCarthy himself, the wave of McCarthyismcame to quiet down and the Blacklist went to end; however, its influencewas not over. As for Hollywood, it caused the lose of writers and directorswhich Hollywood always depended on, and the main subject of movies hada great change as well. In conclusion, besides the political instruments, the Blacklist isregarded as some special economic strategy when American filmdom wasfaced with enormous challenge and economic decline. At the same time ithelps American politicians to keep a strong control upon public opinion,yet those who always remain at that list turn into victim of times andpublic only because they keep faith with both feet.