Re: A question on director Kazan...this is going to drive me insane if no one knows

Posted by Michaelson from em12-686.utsi.edu on March 22, 1999 at 16:24:13:

In Reply to: Re: A question on director Kazan...this is going to drive me insane if no one knows posted by LFM on March 22, 1999 at 15:59:58:

: : : : : Why was there so much controversy over him winning that on oscar. Some people were giving him a standing ovation and some were just sitting there and doing nothing at all(Ed Harris, Nick Nolte, Steven Speilberg) If someone knows why, I will be waiting with open ears. That really intrigued me last night. I felt sorry for the guy.
: : : : : LFM

: : : : He testified before McCarthy's anti-communism board of inquiry back in the 1950's. He was an avowed Communist, but instead of getting put on a black list, he testified against other actors and studio workers and they were black listed from ever working in Hollywood again, or at least many of them never worked again. He, on the other hand, went right on working because he had testified. A black time in American history. Regards. Michaelson

: : : Wow, that's pretty interesting. I never knew that. I'll have to get a book on it or something. But one other question is, what do people that are about 30 years younger doing not clapping for the guy. Did it have that big of an impact on them when they found out about it, or did they have fathers that were blacklisted?
: : : LFM

: : They, too, are members of the entertainment industry, regardless of their age. This individual, who was being "honored" by this industry also was instrumental in completely destroying a lot of peoples lives to save his own tail. As in all things, age has no bearing here, right is right, and wrong is wrong. Those who stood and applauded, reportedly only 20 percent of the audience, were only looking at his directorial accomplishments. This award was a lifetime achievement award, and that life in total must be appraised. Regards. Michaelson

: Good point Michaelson. I get the drift. That's so weird. I went down and told my sister about what you guys told me and my mom said the same thing that you just did in this last post. I'm really going to have to get a book on it now. I feel like reading about it.
: LFM

Absolutely read about this. It was a very strange and scary time in this country. There were several movies made during this activity that definately echoed that theme and you can catch them on American Movie Classics. One that comes to mind was the John Wayne "Big Jim McClain", the anti-Red movie about an investigator for the Anti-American task force (that was real too) that was investigating these activities in Hawaii in the early 1950's. Very scary when you think about it. No, I'm not pro communist in any form, but it once again reminds you of the Salem Witch trial...one person starts to point a finger, then innocent people get burned at the stake because individuals start to see opportunities and ways to eliminate their "competition". That is what McCarthy and his group did to a lot of people. Read and learn. This should never be allowed to happen again. Regards. Michaelson

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Re: A question on director Kazan...this is going to drive me insane if no one knows LFM 16:35:04 3/22/99 (0)

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: : : : : : Why was there so much controversy over him winning that on oscar.  Some people were giving him a standing ovation and some were just sitting there and doing nothing at all(Ed Harris, Nick Nolte, Steven Speilberg) If someone knows why, I will be waiting with open ears.  That really intrigued me last night.  I felt sorry for the guy.  
: : : : : : LFM

: : : : : He testified before McCarthy's anti-communism board of inquiry back in the 1950's. He was an avowed Communist, but instead of getting put on a black list, he testified against other actors and studio workers and they were black listed from ever working in Hollywood again, or at least many of them never worked again. He, on the other hand, went right on working because he had testified. A black time in American history. Regards. Michaelson

: : : : Wow, that's pretty interesting.  I never knew that.  I'll have to get a book on it or something.  But one other question is, what do people that are about 30 years younger doing not clapping for the guy.  Did it have that big of an impact on them when they found out about it, or did they have fathers that were blacklisted?
: : : : LFM

: : : They, too, are members of the entertainment industry, regardless of their age. This individual, who was being "honored" by this industry also was instrumental in completely destroying a lot of peoples lives to save his own tail. As in all things, age has no bearing here, right is right, and wrong is wrong. Those who stood and applauded, reportedly only 20 percent of the audience, were only looking at his directorial accomplishments. This award was a lifetime achievement award, and that life in total must be appraised. Regards. Michaelson

: : Good point Michaelson.  I get the drift.  That's so weird.  I went down and told my sister about what you guys told me and my mom said the same thing that you just did in this last post.  I'm really going to have to get a book on it now.  I feel like reading about it.
: : LFM

: Absolutely read about this. It was a very strange and scary time in this country. There were several movies made during this activity that definately echoed that theme and you can catch them on American Movie Classics. One that comes to mind was the John Wayne "Big Jim McClain", the anti-Red movie about an investigator for the Anti-American task force (that was real too) that was investigating these activities in Hawaii in the early 1950's. Very scary when you think about it. No, I'm not pro communist in any form, but it once again reminds you of the Salem Witch trial...one person starts to point a finger, then innocent people get burned at the stake because individuals start to see opportunities and ways to eliminate their "competition". That is what McCarthy and his group did to a lot of people. Read and learn. This should never be allowed to happen again. Regards. Michaelson

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