McCarthy had nothing to do with Communism in Hollywood, per se. His Senate subcommittee dealt with communists in government agencies including “information” agencies. Hollywood was peripheral by them as the House COMMITTEE on Un-American Activities (its’ correct name) held numerous and very revealing hearings on Communism In Hollywood, in Los Angeles, in California and “Communism in the Entertainment Industry” (a very revealing hearing by itself), among other hearings and reports/studies.
Communists and sympathizers remained embedded like red ticks in the entertainment industry for decades (John Randolph and his wife, Jack Gifford, Will Geer, etc.) often protected by former reds like actress Lee Grant and leftists such as Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan and Rip Torn.
The early penetration of Hollywood by the SOviets, in an attempt to influence and partially control the image of the Soviet Union (and coverup its’ communism), was very successful.
The shame is that so many truly talented writers and producers/directors were long-time CPUSA members, dedicated members, and remained so until the day they died.
The greater shame is so many Americans fell for this communist penetration and refused to believe it even when highly regarded actors and actresses testified that it was so.
Even today in academia there is a hardcore leftist contingent who simply refuses to admit that the CPUSA and the SOviet NKVD (John Howard Lawson, etc) literally ran much of Hollywood’s choice of productions and who was hired, during the 1930’s-mid-50s.
Alan Ryskind, and his brave father Morrie, not only have fought “the good fight” both inside and outside of Hollywood, but have provided their readers with names, facts, and dates as to what really happened in this covert battle/battleground, aimed at the American mind.
I’m proud to say that I worked with Alan for years at Human Events newspaper. He was a very good, honest, and professional editor/journalist, and his father was very proud of him, and vice-versa.