10. Red Channels alleged over forty women in Hollywood promoted communism
While the HUAC hearings which led to the Hollywood Ten focused largely on male communists, Red Channels identified women on a large scale. Out of the 151 they accused of promoting communism, 41 were women. Many almost immediately found themselves unemployable in their chosen profession. Lena Horne appeared on the list, largely due to her long dedication to improving civil rights. Writer Dorothy Parker, founder of the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League, appeared on the list. Immediately blacklisted, Parker’s lucrative screenwriting career came to a sudden end. Judy Holliday, singer, actor, and comedienne, also found her name on the list. It attracted notice in Washington.
Not to be outdone by their Congressional colleagues in the House, in 1951 the Senate established the Senate Internal Security Committee. Having given themselves the authority to issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents, the committee, often referred to as the McCarran Committee, also went after communists in Hollywood. In 1952 they subpoenaed Judy Holliday to answer questions regarding her communist sympathies. Judy channeled her stereotypical role as a less-than-sharp blonde during her testimony, to the amusement of the audiences and reporters, as well as many of the Senators. She refused to name others, and in the end, was cleared of any involvement with communist activities or propaganda. Her Hollywood career continued unscathed until her unfortunate early death in 1965, from recurring breast cancer.
