Description:

Important McCarthy-era Ronald Reagan document -- he had testified before Congress in 1947 about Communists in the film industry, now favors going on the offensive by refuting statements made by the Motion Picture Alliance against the Writers Guild "because of an anti-communist resolution that had been voted down"

RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004) Typed Document Signed "Ronald Reagan" in dark pencil as Secretary and "Lou Greenspan" as Executive Secretary, [Hollywood, California], January 19, 1955, 8 pages, 8.5" x 11", separate sheets. Three rectangular binder holes at blank left margins. Fine condition.

Headed "Minutes of the Annual Membership Meeting of the Motion Picture Industry Council, held in the Board Room of the Association of Motion Pictures Producers on January 19, 1955" In part, "Ronald Reagan was re-elected as secretary … Allen Rivkin brought up the fact that…the MPA [Motion Picture Alliance] had attacked the [Writer's] Guild in the trade papers because of an anti-communist resolution that had been voted down by the Guild's membership by three votes short of the necessary two-thirds majority … He stated that nine of suspected communist members have left the guild and one will soon be leaving … He read a resolution that he wished the MPIC to pass and to release to the press.

"Art Arthur … personally opposed Mr. Rivkin's resolution … He felt sure that the next time the resolution came before the Writers’ Guild, it would pass. He said he was sure there are still some unknown communists in the Guild --- writers who have eluded both the Guild and Management. He was afraid that just about the same time the MPIC released a statement to the press about their faith in the Writers, possibly next week something would be uncovered regarding the communists. If this should happen, all the prestige the MPIC has gained would be lost … It was Arthur Freed's opinion that the MPIC should pass Mr. Rivkin's resolution to show that we believe in our brother members. Ronald Reagan was not in favor of Mr. Rivkin’s resolution as it was worded, but reminded the members that the MPIC was organized, in the first place, for this very reason.. He preferred that the resolution refute statements made by the MPA…" At this MPIC meeting, Ronald Reagan represented the Screen Actors Guild, Arthur Freed represented the Screen Producers Guild, and Allen Rivkin and Art Arthur, as past MPIC presidents, were permanent delegates to the MPIC.

In 1947, Ronald Reagan, as president of the Screen Actors Guild, testified in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) which had targeted the Hollywood film industry. Actors, writers, and producers alike were summoned to appear before the committee and provide names of colleagues who may have been members of the Communist Party.

In the early 1950s, Wisconsin Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy investigated suspected communists in the U.S. government, military, and civilian society as chairman of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. On December 2, 1954,the U.S. Senate voted 65 to 22 to condemn Senator Joseph R. McCarthy for conduct unbecoming of a senator. The condemnation, was related to McCarthy’s controversial investigation of suspected communists in the U.S. government, military, and civilian society. A month later, in early January 1955, the Writers Guild was attacked by the Motion Picture Alliance "because of an anti-communist resolution that had been voted down…"

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