the politics of the post-HUAC films
Elia Kazan first made a name for himself on the Broadway stage, directing productions of such classics as The Skin of Our Teeth, Death of Salesman, and A Streetcar Named Desire. His venture to Hollywood was no less successful. He won an Oscar for only his second film, Gentleman?s Agreement, and his screen version of Streetcar has been hailed as one of the great film adaptations of a staged work. But in 1952, Kazan?s stature was compromised when he was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Kazan?s decision to name names allowed him to continue his filmmaking career, but at what price to him and the Hollywood community?.
