This essay explores the 1947 House Committee on Un-American Activities persecution of a number of Hollywood figures—those suspected of Communist affiliations. The essay outlines the process through which the HUAC “hearings” produced a blacklist and ultimately gave rise to the imprisonment of the ‘Hollywood Ten,’ among whom was Herbert J. Biberman. The essay, however, casts a critical light on many of the members of the Hollywood Ten, arguing that many of them were, indeed, ultimately willing to compromise their political beliefs. He gives an un-traditional account of the HUAC hearings and those alleged Communists it pursued. Indeed, Eckstein ultimately writes this of the Hollywood Ten, “Martyrs, they are—but they are not innocent martyrs.” (433)By I. Cowles

This article, which begins by outlining Biberman’s persecution by HUAC and the Hollywood historical context which inspired the making of the film, criticizes “Salt of the Earth” for not referencing the industry more—it avoids popular culture references, which, Klawans believes weakens the argument of the film. By I. Cowles