Thursday, December 15, 1960: Dalton Trumbo

The movie "Exodus" premieres, with Dalton Trumbo listed as screenwriter. Director Otto Preminger's decision to hire and credit Trumbo helped end the era of the Hollywood Blacklist, when film professionals were denied work because of their suspected ties to Communism. Trumbo was among the "Hollywood Ten," who refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee; he served 10 months in federal prison as a result. (Photo is of Trumbo, left, and screenwriter John Howard Lawson heading to prison.)

* "Hollywood Blacklist" (from "Encyclopedia of the American Left"): @

* "The Inquisition in Hollywood: Politics in the Film Community 1930-1960" (book): @

* "Congressional Committees and Unfriendly Witnesses": @

* "The Hollywood Ten" (short film): @

* More about "Exodus" (from Turner Classic Movies): @

* New York Times review of "Exodus" (December 16): @

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