The brave and conscientious 'Hollywood Ten' were the heroes of the hour. Only by 'taking the Fifth' could they escape turning informant against their innocent friends and colleagues. There's a myth about the Hollywood blacklist- and perhaps even you have fallen for it.Īccording to the legend, noble Hollywood figures-creative screenwriters, brilliant directors, and beloved actors-were dragged before the dreaded House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and grilled on their personal beliefs and associations, in flagrant violation of the First Amendment. Ryskind, who grew up in the heart of the Hollywood scene and personally knew many of the key players in this real-life Hollywood drama, has penned a definitive, myth-busting account of the Hollywood Ten and Hollywood Blacklist that will forever change the way you think about the ideological battle waged in the movie capital of the world. The truth is shocking: Not only did these supposed liberal paragons adore Josef Stalin and take their orders directly from the Communist Party, but they also sympathized with Adolf Hitler. Too often, the 'Hollywood Ten' brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee are memorialized as victims of an unjust witch-hunt and heroes who stood up for free speech. the truth is shocking: not only did these supposed liberal paragons adore Josef Stalin and take their orders directly from the Communist Party, but they also sympathized with Adolf Hitler'.Īllan Ryskind, son of Marx Brothers screenwriter Morrie Ryskind ('Animal Crackers, A Night at the Opera, Room Service'), exposes the ugly truth about the Communists blacklisted from the film industry.

Too often, the 'Hollywood Ten' brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee are memorialized as victims of an unjust witch-hunt and heroes who stood up for free speech. 'Exposes the ugly truth about the Communists blacklisted from the film industry.

Allan h ryskind