How Hollywood Went to Washington (and Got Lost)A dangerous silence envelopes the dark and drab courtroom. It is only punctuated by the hiss of an indecisive fluorescent lamp which seems to flirt with the idea of ​​going out completely. The faint spectrum of the lamp illuminates the plaintiff's pale face. His bespectacled eyes gaze upward from horn-rimmed glasses. Suddenly, a gruff voice pierces the calm. It's a voice that wears impressive but bland costumes. It's a voice that drinks black coffee and smokes generic cigarettes. When he speaks, he asks: "Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?" » The little man in the chair, the pale complainer with glasses, remains stoic and even the flickering fluorescent seems paralyzed by impatience. . Slowly, almost imperceptibly, his mouth opens and his throat makes a sound similar to coughing. The promise of whispered words falls from his lips. Then the moment is over. The mouth closes, the throat clears and there is silence again, and with the last flicker of the uncertain lamp, it is also darkness. The scene described above is a depiction of a typical day in court for one of the nineteen men on trial. during the Hollywood blacklist. The years following World War II are often referred to as the "golden years" of the 20th century. However, it was a time full of fear and suspicion. Weary of the threat the communist Soviet Union posed to democracy, the U.S. government was eager to uncover any trace of Soviet subterfuge. Communists therefore became pariahs, leading to active persecution of anyone suspected of communist affiliation. This was illustrated in both the MccArthy hearings and the...... middle of paper......rony" hearing, such as the "untimely deaths and suicides" she caused and the "boring, preachy films" it spawned It may seem hard to believe that Americans would allow such an undemocratic practice in this country. Fortunately, today, filmmakers are allowed to make films on the subject of. their choice without being tried for treason. However, the memory of this dark time will remain forever The sound echoes in the bowels of a courtroom and reverberates in the hearts of the American people. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the only judge who decides whether the film industry is "good" or "bad" is "the man or woman who goes to the cinema. It is the duty of the individual to evaluate a film." and to interpret art. The verdict is not rendered in a courtroom it is decided when the end credits appear on the screen;.