Evening star., 1947-10-20
Un-Americun
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+. Un-Americun
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Russia, and author Of the book on
which the film was based.
MY brother contacted Mr.. Davies
after reading Mission to Moscow" +"
Mr.. Warner declared.
He explained the picture was pro-
duced ito aid the war effort"
Asked by Mr.. Stripping whether
he considered the film "factually
correct" Mr.. Warner replied he
never was in Russia and could not
say, but had considered it accurate
at the time, insofar as Mr.. Davies
book was correct.
Mr.. STRIPPING then read excerpts
from "The Curtain Rises" book
by Quentin Reynolds, describing the
picture as having portrayed "a Rus
sia that none of us had ever seen"
Quizzed on Trade Body.
Mr.. Thomas asked whether Mr..
Warner though any sponsors of an
obviously subversive film would be
foolish" enough to. try to get 1t
produced.
1T would not only be foolish, 1t
would be impossible in the motion
picture industry in Hollywood or
any place else," the witness replied.
Representative Vail, Republican,
of Illinois then took up the ulles-
tioning to suggest that the pro-
ducers' association could be an lex
cellent medium for the exchange of
information" concerning persons
known to be subversive who were
seeking employment in the industry.
THAT sounds rather logical, but it
doesn't hold water" Mr.. Warner
commented, adding that legislation
would be necessary before the trade
organization would dare engage in
such activity.
After explaining resolutions out
lawing communism being considered
by the committee, Mr.. Thomas in
quired whether Mr.. Warner would
be IN favor Of their enactment. Mr..
Warner said he would, providing it
did not take away the rights of a
free citizen and good American to
make livelihood"
Fav0rs Communist Ban.
Pressed for his views on legally
banning the Communist Party, Mr.
Warner said he would be in favor of
making 1t an illegal organization. I"
The testimony then turned to
Mission to Moscow" with Mr.. Strip
ling beginning to read the Los
Angeles transcript. Mr.. Warner
made his correction when Mr.. Strip
ling read this exchange:
@. Were you asked to make Mis-
sion to Moscow"
A. would say we were, to a de-
gree. You can put 1t in one form
or another.
Mr.. Warner called attention to a
later portion of that testimony in
which he stated he was not sure
whether the first overture was made
to or by Mr.. Davies. Then he testi-
fed to having checked on the situa-
ton and finding it was his brother,
Harry Warner, who had approached
MIR. Davies after reading the book.
I'm rather surprised said what
I said, but I want to correct it."
he declared.
Reynolds at Press Table.
Mr.. Reynolds was sitting at a
nearby press table when Mr.. Strip
ling began reading the excerpts from
his book. "The Curtain Rises"
written in 1914.
TITS the first time I've ever known
that Mr. Reynolds had been in Rus
STA or had written a book" Mr..
Warner said when Mr.. Stripping
asked what he had to say Of its
disparagement of the film.
After Mr.. Warner had pointed out
he was not qualified to appraise the
pictures accuracy, because he had
not been in Russia, Mr.. Stripping
asked If he did not feel he was on
"'factually dangerous ground" In
making the production. ~ - e..
Mr.. Warner replied he did not con-
slider that to be the case, considering
the war situation and added:
When you're in fight, you don t
ask who the fellow is who's helping
you" Mr.. STRIPPING persisted, asking
II Mr.. Warner could defend q pic
ture which Is a fraud in fact"
The witness answered there could
be inaccuracies" in anything, but
reiterated his company regarded the
film as a national service.
Writer'S Pictures Praised.
At one point, Mr.. McNutt leaned
toward Mr.. Warner as If to whisper
something, and Mr.. Thomas raped
the handle of his gavel gently on
the desk.
The hearing recessed for luncheon
at the end Of Mr.. Warmers testi-
mony, and Mr.. Thomas announced
1t would take the break from 1890
to 2 pm. each day and would halt
testimony at pm. each afternoon.
Mr.. Kenny, who made another
unsuccessful effort to address the
chair after the morning session,
then turned his attention to news
papermen.
He said he could prove that Mr..
Koch had to pay $4,000 for release
from his contract with Warner
Bros. Mr.. Kenny also stressed that
MIR. Rossen, so strongly condemned
by Warner is the only writer in
Hollywood who has three pictures
re-issued by Warner Bros. in 1947.
He said he referred to Marked
Woman" Sea wolf" and Dust Be
My Destiny"
Another lawyer for the 10 men,
Charles Katz, said the pictures Mr..
Warner praised most and the writ
ers he condemned most were Pride
Of the Marines" written by Mr..
Maltz; Action in the North Allan
TIC" written by Mr.. Lawson. and
Confessions of a Nazi Spy," written
by Mr.. Wexley.
Mr.. Katz said Mr.. Trumbo was
asked by Warner Bros, in 1885 to
quit the Screen Writers Guild.
Rather than quit the union, Mr..
Katz said, Mr.. Trumbo tore up his
contract.
Within the last two years, Mr..
Katz added, Mr.. Trumbo was asked
by Warmers to write Treasure of