![]() ![]() I decided to be both opportunistic and idealistic here was a pool of talented writers available at reasonable rates. Mayer, who coined the expression “Hedda Hell.” Blacklist supporters like John Wayne and James Arness even co-starred in a film titled “Big Jim McLain,” playing investigators tracking down communist sympathizers.īy the mid-1960s when I left the New York Times to join Paramount, blacklisted writers were still struggling to get studio assignments, even though credit was no longer an issue. In the film, Mirren as Hopper threatens to ruin the careers of stars like Edward G. The decision to credit Trumbo spurred threats of boycotts and demonstrations from self-styled patriotic groups, and Hopper kept hammering at the studios in her columns and on radio and TV. It was not until 1960, thanks to the advocacy of Otto Preminger, Kirk Douglas and producer Edward Lewis, that he was aptly credited on “Spartacus” and “Exodus.” After serving jail time, he spent years grinding out B-picture scripts and, later, writing studio films under fake names. In the film, Trumbo (played by Bryan Cranston) comes across as a brilliant but obstinate figure who led fellow writers in defying the witch hunters. There were a few avowed communists around, there were even communist cells, but at no time did an effective conspiracy take shape to contaminate Hollywood films with communist ideology. Now, decades later, it is clear that it was all about nothing. Last week I was vividly reminded of Hopper’s dark rhetoric when I saw the compelling new film titled “Trumbo,’ in which she is portrayed in all her bristling nastiness by Helen Mirren.ĭirected by Jay Roach, “Trumbo” superbly re-creates the political paranoia that gave rise to the congressional witch hunts, a dark era that ruined the lives of scores of artists, and revealed the hypocrisy of Hollywood’s studio hierarchy. ![]() I met Hopper in the 1960s, when she scolded me for writing admiringly about Dalton Trumbo, the blacklisted screenwriter. Among her victims were Charlie Chaplin, Dalton Trumbo and numerous writers and artists caught up in the notorious blacklist era. Hedda was a journalist (of sorts), who famously wore exotic hats and devoted herself to destroying the careers of anyone she identified as being communist, gay or otherwise reprehensible. This is a highly enjoyable episode and one that should really appeal to silent movie lovers.The best news about Hedda Hopper is that few remember her. "Now Clara Bow, she's a little rascal, that I could see but not sweet little Mary!" The final gag is a riot and kudos to Hedda Hopper for joining in the hijinks with gusto. Jed is particularly upset that little Mary Pickford went alone with this mischief. When Jed sees the footprints and signatures at Grauman's Chinese Theatre however he is aghast that such heroes as Douglas Fairbanks, Tom Mix, and Valentino defaced the cement with their names and prints! Jethro chimes in that "this girl Betty Grable put her whole leg in it!". The silent movie spoof is hilarious (a few years later, The Beverly Hillbillies did another one featuring no less than Gloria Swanson herself!) but I also enjoyed the bits where Hedda holds on for dear life on the back of the Clampett truck as she leads Jed and Jethro around town to show them some Hollywood landmarks. Hart (Jed), Rudolph Valentino (Jethro), Nita Naldi (Miss Jane), and stock silent movie characters of the villain (Drysdale) and little old lady (Granny). The Clampetts initially think Hedda's interest in Jed is romantic (Granny pipes in "You're wearing your best courtin' hat - don't tell me you wear something like that ever' day!") but eventually she successfully persuades Jed to save studios and make films in the tradition of old - and becomes special guest at a screening in the rushes of the Clampetts' first masterpiece, a silent travesty called "Little Orphan Elly" which has the regular cast lampooning Mary Pickford (Elly May), William S. Leading the fight to save the studio is legendary Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper. Through Banker Drysdale's management, Jed Clampett has purchased historic Mammoth Pictures Studio, yet Drysdale's plans are to tear it down and put up a condominium.
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