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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website “Committee On Un-American Activities” (1962) is a black-and-white political commentary and the first film ever made by a private citizen that criticized a government committee. Made by Robert Carl Cohen, this film calls into question the ethics and democratic nature of the House Committee on Un American Activities (HUAC). The film combines archival footage from the 1930s of founding member Martin Dies as well as other footage from the Hollywood Witch Hunts, Hollywood Blacklist, 1958 Atlanta and 1960 San Francisco Hearings. Lastly, the film touches on the film “Operation Abolition” (1960), a propaganda film produced by the House Committee on Un-American Activities vilifying demonstrators. (You can see Operation Abolition here: ) Title page (0:15). Man in suit, black thick-framed glasses with pensive expression (0:28). Cars driving along highway at night, headlights flash while audio plays from HUAC hearing (0:39). Camera slowly zooms into pensive face of man from first scene as he recounts history of the HUAC (0:54). Footage from 1930s May Day (International Workers’ Day) protests in the United States, pro-Communist movement as a response economic conditions from Depression (1:05). Ku Klux Klan parade, klan members stand around burning cross in white robes (1:28). German American Bund's Pro American Rally (1939); Enormous portrait of George Washington hangs alongside swastika banners and American flags at New York's Madison Square Garden (1:37). United States Capitol Building, interior House of Representatives (2:23). Televised speech by Texas politician Martin Dies Jr., first chairman of the Special Committee to Investigate Un-American Activities (2:34). Audio and footage from HUAC hearing, Smith Act 1940, attacking “subversives“ in labor unions (3:00). White House (4:34). President Franklin D. Roosevelt condemns Dies Committee (4:38). Dies televised speech continues (5:00). The Hollywood Witch Hunts (5:20). Packed House Caucus Room lined with broadcast cameras; J. Parnell Thomas leading Hollywood Hearings on employment of Communists in Hollywood (1947); Jack Warner testifies (5:57). Marching bands, veterans march through Pittsburgh to Stanley Theater for premier of “I Was a Communist for the FBI” (1951) (7:23). President Harry S. Truman Address at the Dedication of the New Washington Headquarters of the American Legion (8:04). Professor of International Relations at San Francisco State College Urban Whitaker (9:20). United States Constitution, Alien and Sedition Act 1798 (9:45). Hollywood Hearing of screenwriter John Howard Lawson; The Hollywood Ten and the 5th Amendment (10:40). Member of California State Assembly Phil Burton (14:09). Corruption in the Protestant Church: J.B. Matthews quotes warning against protestant clergymen being Communists; “Social Gospel;” Dr. Henry J. Cadbury “Fellowship of Reconciliation” (14:30). Reverend Edward L. Pete (16:45). Golden Gate Bridge; 1957 hearings in San Francisco area; William K. Sherwood (17:53). Burton Wolfe editor of California Magazine (18:40). California State Rep. Bernard Selber condemns HUAC (19:12). 1960 HUAC San Francisco Hearings: San Francisco City Hall, Protesters rally in Union Square during HUAC Hearings; silent picket line (19:38). Hostilities rising as students continued to be denied entry to hearings, demonstrate loudly outside hearing room (21:40). Fire hoses unleashed on protestors, 1960 San Francisco Riot (23:06). William Mandel addresses HUAC (24:22). Propaganda film “Operation Abolition:” Congressman Francis E. Walter, protest organizer Harry Bridges escorted out of City Hall by police, Congressman Joe Hansen, Congressman Gordon E. Scherer (26:54). J. Edgar Hoover FBI report (29:45). Congressman James Roosevelt calls into question the truths portrayed in “Operation Abolition” (30:36). Burton White, PHD student and “agitator” at hearings; BASCAHUAC leader (31:21). Political cartoons criticizing the propaganda film (32:36). Robert A. Meisenbach accused of inciting riot offering his testimony, LIFE magazine photo (33:11). HUAC “Rules of Procedure” (36:00). Los Angeles City Hall (36:18). San Francisco State Professor Marshall Windmiller (36:54). Wilkinson v. United States 1958 hearing Atlanta; Carl Braden (38:09). Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker (40:05). Closing sequence (41:32). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
