the list grows
Throughout the 1950s, the HUAC continued to scrutinize more members of the film industry. In addition to asking questions about these workers themselves, the HUAC also asked about other individuals in the movie industry. These alleged artists had to accuse their fellow workers, or else they would risk being blacklisted or even going to jail. One third of them cooperated, leading to more and more people being blacklisted.
Around 500 people were blacklisted or graylisted. The graylist is a list of people who were only suspected to have Communist ties. A person could be put on the graylist for very insignificant things.
The impact of the american legion
The American Legion was a powerful private group that influenced the blacklist. It spread information about certain workers in the movie industry, saying that they were associated with Communists. It also encouraged its 2.8 million members to protest movies worked on by people who refused to comply with the HUAC and the government.
