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Tracing Hollywood's Cold War

How films shaped American hearts and minds throughout the Cold War

Micayla Moore, Kelsey Anderson, Authors

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Welcome!

Throughout the Cold War, the film industry of Hollywood was a hotbed for social, political, and cultural tension. Through film, Hollywood played a large role in shaping the hearts and the minds of everyday American in their response to the Cold War. Movies not only portrayed the gravity of the communist threat, but also promoted American ideals and the good life of liberal capitalism. 

This site has been created as a digital history project designed to guide visitors through "paths" that highlight numerous films of the era and trace the general narrative of how film was simultaneously shaping and mirroring the attitude of the larger American public.

The first section "Monitoring Hollywood" presents the various outsider and government groups that increased their involvement in Hollywood beginning in the late 1940s. It includes information on HUAC involvement and the famous "Hollywood Ten". 

The next section "Portraying the Communist Threat" analyzes the various ways that films depicted the Communist threat whether in the form of Russian invasion, American Communist traitors, or nuclear war. 

The final section "Promoting the American Ideal" discusses the films that presented an embodiment of American culture, particularly liberal capitalist values. 

We hope you enjoy exploring the complexity that underlies Hollywood's Cold War, feel free to comment and contribute! 


Micayla and Kelsey   

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Discussion of "Welcome!"

Great Read!

What a great read! The Red Scare was no joke in Hollywood...Janet Leigh didn't work in Hollywood for like 20 years because she was wrongfully blacklisted. Thanks for posting!

Regards,

Red Brewer
The Best Scroll Saw

Posted on 19 August 2020, 4:12 pm by Red Brewer  |  Permalink

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