Faye Dunaway in The BlackList

Posted by: Michael

Faye Dunaway is preparing to sar in a new movie called the BlackList, set in 1947 Hollywood. Kevin Shea, a progressive writer/director, and his wife throw a fund raising party for refugees at their spacious mansion and invite virtually all the leftist actors, writers, and directors they know. A few months later and HUAC descends on Hollywood. A few communists, fearing that they’ll be blacklisted, start to name names. And so HUAC subpoenas 19 Hollywood writers and directors who are thought to be communists for hearings in Washington, DC.

Kevin is called to testify but takes the First Amendment, along with nine of his colleagues. They become known as the Hollywood Ten and are sentenced to jail. Kevin and his friend, Henry, a screenwriter, must serve 12 months at Texarkana Prison. In prison, they are befriended by a Mafioso leader who admires the guts of the Hollywood Ten. He offers to have his men in LA scare the stoolie who gave HUAC the names of the reds. One day while on a chain gang in a stone quarry, some of the prisoners escape. Kevin and Henry, who are confused, allow themselves to be recaptured.

Once Kevin and Henry have served their time, they return to their Hollywood homes. But now they are blacklisted Their agent finds a small film company which specializes in low budget quickies. Both Kevin and Henry are hired, but they must use pseudonyms and wear disguises. They make the film noir picture “Double Cross” which becomes a sleeper hit. Kevin and the stars are invited to the Cannes Film Festival.

Afterwards they go to Rome for the Italian premiere. In Rome they meet some of their blacklisted friends who are making spaghetti westerns at Cinecitta. They also meet some high ranking Mafia leaders who propose that they work together. Later “ Double Cross” is nominated for Oscars. Alex Cramer wrote and directed The Last Cause, a three hour documentary film on the International Brigades.

Tweet Share