October 20, 1947: Congress Investigates Communists in Hollywood On this day in 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee of the U.S. Congress began investigating Communist presence and influence in Hollywood, one of the world’s most affluent and influential populations. This investigation marked the beginning of height of the Red Scare. As the Cold War progressed and created increased tensions between the United States and the communist-controlled Soviet Union, conservative U.S. officials worked to oust communists in the government as well as in the movie industry, which was known to be exceptionally liberal. In addition to hearings and investigations, Congress also pressured Hollywood establishments to create a blacklist policy, which banned the work of screenwriters, actors and directors who were not cleared by HUAC. Check out this PBS NewsHour “Seeing Red” analysis of the investigation of suspected communists in Hollywood, which both damaged and ruined hundreds of film careers. Photo: Investigators viewing communist evidence from Hollywood (Library of Congress)
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October 20, 1947: Congress Investigates Communists in Hollywood

On this day in 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee of the U.S. Congress began investigating Communist presence and influence in Hollywood, one of the world’s most affluent and influential populations. This investigation marked the beginning of height of the Red Scare.

As the Cold War progressed and created increased tensions between the United States and the communist-controlled Soviet Union, conservative U.S. officials worked to oust communists in the government as well as in the movie industry, which was known to be exceptionally liberal.

In addition to hearings and investigations, Congress also pressured Hollywood establishments to create a blacklist policy, which banned the work of screenwriters, actors and directors who were not cleared by HUAC.

Check out this PBS NewsHour “Seeing Red” analysis of the investigation of suspected communists in Hollywood, which both damaged and ruined hundreds of film careers.

Photo: Investigators viewing communist evidence from Hollywood (Library of Congress)

Source: to.pbs.org

August 15, 1939: The Wizard of Oz Premieres in Hollywood On this day in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was shown in Hollywood for the first time at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The popular American musical fantasy film stars Judy Garland, who was 17 at the time of the film’s release, as Dorothy Gale. After her role in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland went on to become one of the greatest entertainers of her time. Follow the American icon’s life and career with this timeline from American Masters.
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August 15, 1939: The Wizard of Oz Premieres in Hollywood

On this day in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was shown in Hollywood for the first time at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The popular American musical fantasy film stars Judy Garland, who was 17 at the time of the film’s release, as Dorothy Gale.

After her role in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland went on to become one of the greatest entertainers of her time. Follow the American icon’s life and career with this timeline from American Masters.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 9, 1969:  Manson Family Murders Five in Hollywood On this day in 1969, ex-con Charles Manson instructed four members of his cult (known as the Manson Family) to break into filmmaker Roman Polanski’s Hollywood home.  Manson’s crew murdered five individuals inside the house, including Polanski’s pregnant wife, actress Sharon Tate.  The Manson Family murders go down as some of the most notorious crimes of the 20th Century.  Secrets of the Dead examines other crimes of the century — from the Black Dahlia to the Zodiac Killer — that still inspire public curiosity and fascination decades later.
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August 9, 1969:  Manson Family Murders Five in Hollywood

On this day in 1969, ex-con Charles Manson instructed four members of his cult (known as the Manson Family) to break into filmmaker Roman Polanski’s Hollywood home.  Manson’s crew murdered five individuals inside the house, including Polanski’s pregnant wife, actress Sharon Tate. 

The Manson Family murders go down as some of the most notorious crimes of the 20th Century. 

Secrets of the Dead examines other crimes of the century — from the Black Dahlia to the Zodiac Killer — that still inspire public curiosity and fascination decades later.

Source: to.pbs.org

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