He may not be a familiar name these days, but forty years ago Edward Dymtryk was the focus of the McCarthy witch-hunts, hounded out of his livelihood because he had briefly been a member of the communist party. Jailed for a year in a federal prison. Dymtryk was unable to work in Hollywood. Until, that is, he bowed to pressure from the House Committee on Un-American Activities and named other people working in the entertainment industry. Like Elia Kazan, who received an honorary Oscar this year, his contemporaries for his choice never forgave Dmytryk. Before this twist in his career, he was celebrated for directing The Carpetbaggers, The Caine Mutiny and The Young Lions, among others.
Director Dmytryk Dies
The Hollywood Ten member passes away
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