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cwente2 — 16 years ago(November 20, 2009 12:15 PM)
A few comments about your film history class:
"This guy single-handedly ruined the careers of several Hollywood stars "
Hmmm. . . Can you name them? Also, can you tell me how an independent producer can "ruin" the careers of "several Hollywood stars" "single-handedly"? It may interest you to know that it was DeMille who broke the blacklist established by "Red Channels" by hiring both Edward G. Robinson ('til then badly hurt by his blacklisting) and Vincent Price (both, then, well known leftists) for major roles in "The Ten Commandments" (1956).
" he mispronounced his name, saying "Vilder" just to be all douchey, trying to make his name sound more Communist."
Are you telling us that "Wilder" is a capitalist name and "Vilder" is a communist name? Now, that's an approach to political name-calling I haven't yet heard. Btw, DeMille and Wilder were friends (not close), but they went to each other's houses to preview films together and worked together on Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard" (1950), as I'm sure you know.
"He also criticized several other actors/directors who fought in uniform "
So, if you've "fought in uniform" for your country in one conflict, you're above reproach or criticism in your views of other politically charged matters? Since I wore the uniform during Vietnam, I suppose you'll refrain from criticizing this post?
I'm assuming you're young (since you're in a film class), and considering the current state of our educational institutions, haven't had the benefit of a very good education re American history. So, I'll suggest you educate yourself better re the period you're referencing and read "Blacklisted By History" by M. Stanton Evans. It may open your eyes as to what it was like during the time of the HUAC. Communists, then, weren't just the envious misfits and academic malcontents they are, principally, today but took their marching orders directly from Moscow. Many real and quite dangerous communists of the time were111c exposed, and several genuine espionage attempts were thwarted as a result of the scrutiny of the HUAC and other American patriotic organizations. Most of those who "named names" remained proud of their actions 'til the days of their deaths (Elia Kazan, for one). The fall of the Soviet Union and the subsequent opening of previously classified Kremlin files have shown the suspicions of the time were well considered, and demonstrably led to a safer and more secure public who happily bought tickets to both DeMille's AND Wilder's ("Vilder's" if you prefer) films.