Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?

This was a question posed to more than 40 actors, directors, writers, and movie

studio executives called and to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee in October of 1947.

Why that question?

Because in the 1940s and 50s, Americans had grown fearful about the perceived dangers of communism as the Cold War intensified

between the United States and the Soviet Union.

After World War II, members of the House Un-American Activities Committee turned their attention

to what they thought were communist threats in Hollywood.

Dozens of people from the film industry were called in to testify, and many of those subpoenaed

cooperated fully.

One of these friendly witnesses was Walt Disney, who claimed that communists had been

responsible for a strike at his studio.

Another friendly witness was the president of the Screen Actors Guild,

who testified that there was a small click of communists

who have attempted to be a disruptive influence.

His name was Ronald Reagan. But a small group of screenwriters, producers, and

directors banded together and were refused to testify at all.

They argued that being forced to answer whether they had ever been members of the Communist

Party violated their First Amendment rights to free speech and association.

The House Committee was unimpressed, and on November 24th, 1947,

the full House of Representatives in a 346 to 17 vote decided to approve contempt

citations against the group of 10 men who had refused to testify. They would become known as the Hollywood 10.

...