Incredible printed anti-communist statement, signed on the final page by Price, five pages, 8.5 x 11, March 6, 1954. In part: “I wish to state that I am not now and never have been a member of the Communist Party. I am not in sympathy with Communist ideologies and I believe that Totalitarianism in any form is against the ideals of the American way of life. I will work and think to preserve the Constitution of the United States against encroachment of any Communist or other than American ideology.…I have never joined or worked for any organization that I knew was a Communist organization or Communist dominated or in any other way subversive. The following organizations I worked for as an artist without knowledge of their subversive nature and prior to their inclusion as Communist Front organizations by the House Un-American Activities Committee.…The Thought Control Conference of the Hollywood Independent Citizens Committee of the Art Sciences and Professions…In 1947 I was one of many entertainers at the Shrine Auditorium in a benefit for the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee. Not knowing this organization’s Communist background, I thought I was doing exactly what it purported i.e., helping refugees from Fascist destroyed Hollywood…
I did more than thirty radio shows called the Treasury Star Parade for the Treasury Department. I was one of the head speakers for the Red Cross in behalf of blood donations. I was a ‘Minute Man’ for the American theater Wing in New York appearing in behalf of the Treasury Dept. on almost every broadcast in New York. I did innumerable benefits for every organization engaged in War work and feel that I made a maximum contribution to our War effort. To sum up…
I realize now that many organizations were using actors and artists through their natural desire to help a cause, to help spread the subtle ideologies of Communism, but I can honestly state that I never spread any Communistic doctrine and that I belonged to or worked for the above listed organizations with no knowledge of their Communist front activities. I would further like to add that I believe people who stand on the Fifth Amendment to cover up treasonable activities should be considered subversive and dealt with accordingly.” Neatly signed on the last page in blue ballpoint. In fine condition, with some blue ink stains to top of first page, with some light transfer of the stain to top of second page, and a staple to top left.
In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee held hearings on communist infiltration in Hollywood, beginning a Red Scare in the entertainment industry that resulted in the blacklisting of over 300 artists and the ruination of as many careers. Price was understandably terrified when he learned that he had fallen victim to anti-communist furor, having been named on Senator Joseph McCarthy’s list of Premature Anti-Nazi Sympathizers. “I’ll never get over finding out who was on that list,” Price said, recalling that it included Eleanor Roosevelt. “The entire world was on it, except for McCarthy. If you were against the Nazis before we went to war with them, that made you a Communist. Unbelievable. And terrible. Just terrible. It hurt some of my friends very badly. A lot of people just disappeared off the face of the earth.”
Price himself nearly disappeared off the face of the earth. He had been greylisted: his name was circulated in Hollywood and studios were advised not to employ him. Price could not get work for nearly a year and was forced to rely on his family and friends for support. His agent suggested he seek advice a former assistant United States Attorney General and Republican, who suggested that the Prices contact the FBI and submit to an interview. “Two straight-arrow, buzz-cut, young FBI agents came to the house,” recalled his wife, Mary Price. “They interviewed us, and shortly thereafter we were exonerated.”
That was the end of the story until the actor’s death, when this anti-communist FBI statement was discovered. In 1955, Price sent a copy of this document to the head of CBS to clear himself for television work. Publicly, he had chastised those who had named “communist sympathizers” and praised the few who had stood up to McCarthy. Privately, however, Price had done what was necessary to preserve his own career, accusing those who he admired of “treasonable activities” and advocating that they be “dealt with accordingly.” An outstanding document from the darkest days of Hollywood and a unique piece of American history. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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