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Skirball Cultural Center

Explore the history and impact of the Hollywood Red Scare and its contemporary implications for civil liberties, propaganda, and shifting definitions of American patriotism.

This is a past exhibition

This exhibition was on view at the Skirball
May 4–September 3, 2023

About the Exhibition

Explore the history and impact of the Hollywood Red Scare and its contemporary implications for civil liberties, propaganda, and shifting definitions of American patriotism.

In October 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee called on Hollywood figures to testify about allegations of Communist propaganda in American films. Although the committee never found evidence of this, the film industry responded by becoming the first mass employer to adopt a blacklist against employees whose political beliefs ran counter to prevailing ideals.

Making its West Coast debut at the Skirball Cultural Center with newly added artifacts, Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare shines a spotlight on the proceedings, investigations, motives, and choices of those caught in the crosshairs—including the many Jewish creatives and executives who suffered under and enforced the blacklist.

The result is an emotionally complex and compelling exhibition that demonstrates how the politics of Hollywood can shape the entire country.

"In this era of political division, and considering the rollbacks of civil liberties in this country, the exhibition has urgent contemporary context."—Los Angeles Times

Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare is an original exhibition created by and on loan from the Jewish Museum Milwaukee.

Blacklist Audio Guide

Our audio guide includes select object highlights by Skirball managing curator Cate Thurston, as well as oral histories, and even a historical radio advertisement.

Access the Audio Guide

More to Explore

Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare—Skirball Curator Talk

In this recorded talk held at the Skirball, Skirball curator Cate Thurston and Ellie Gettinger, the originating curator of Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare, discuss the origins of the exhibition, how it came together at the Skirball, and its importance today.

Donor Support

Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare and its related educational programs at the Skirball Cultural Center are made possible by generous support from the following donors:

The Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation
Stephanie and Harold Bronson
Lori and Scott Cooper/Pegasus Squire
Billie B. and Steven G. Fischer Foundation
The Keston Family
In Memory of George Litto by Andria Litto
TZ Projects & Friends
Peter and Julie Weil

Media sponsor:

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