[dread78645]

Nothing happened to them, other than that they were "outed" and their fellow artists (using term loosely) didn't want to work with them? That's it? That's IT, that's the whole dreaded, dark, chilling McCarthy era??

Hiss served 3 1/2 years for perjury. Several who invoked their fith amendment rights were held "in contempt of Congress" and served up to 1 year in prison.
Having ACP reading material could mean arrest for subversion and plotting to overthrow the goverment.
Being called a Communist would get you deported if you were a foreign citizen.

Yes, there were arrests made and prison time served.
The left media needs to exaggerate the period for the image of "Reds under the bed" right-wingers. Gotta keep the us against them ...

[A_perfect_lady]

They weren't imprisoned merely for being Communist, however, if I read you correctly. They were imprisoned for things like perjury, contempt of court, etc.