A group of Hollywood stars has reestablished (gift link) the Committee for the First Amendment. The committee originally launched in 1947 in response to the House Committee on Un-American Activities’ investigation into Communist infiltration in the movie industry. When actors were called to testify about alleged Communists in their midst, a group including Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Judy Garland went along (video) to show their support for free speech.
This time, the leaders include Jane Fonda and Spike Lee.
It’s a hopeful comparison, especially given how quickly ABC restored Jimmy Kimmel to his late-night perch. I have a hard time believing that people cancelling their Disney+ subscriptions really spooked the network, but maybe I am wrong.
On the other hand, it’s worth remembering how Bogart, Bacall, et al ended up. The movie business quickly crumbled under pressure from the government and outside groups, naming names and censoring content even before Joseph McCarthy really got going in 1950. In 1948, Bogart published a contrite article attributing his actions to a form of youthful indiscretion.
As the political scientist Corey Robin pointed out, it was dispiriting to see the hero of Casablanca, who stood up to the Nazis, roll over so quickly after his popularity took a hit for supporting free speech. Which moment are we in right now?
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