CCHM Speaker Series: The Blacklist Era and Hollywood

“Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”

This chilling question defined an era. At the height of the Cold War, it sent shockwaves through Hollywood and devastated countless careers. During the 1940s Red Scare, the House Committee on Un-American Activities made headlines by compelling actors, writers, and directors to testify about alleged Communist affiliations. The choice was stark: betray friends and colleagues by “naming names,” or risk blacklisting and the end of one’s livelihood.

In this thought-provoking, film-clip-illustrated presentation, film critic and historian Robert Horton explores the stories of those caught in the hysteria—figures like Humphrey Bogart, Elia Kazan, and Charlie Chaplin—and examines how fear, patriotism, and politics collided on the silver screen. The evening will conclude by asking a provocative question: Could it happen again?

Robert Horton (he/him) is a nationally respected film critic and historian. A longtime contributor to Seattle Weekly, the Everett Herald, and KUOW, Horton is a member of the National Society of Film Critics and the author of several books, including a study of Frankenstein. He has served as a Fulbright specialist, Smithsonian Journeys speaker, and educator at Seattle University and London’s Architectural Association. He currently hosts The Music and the Movies radio show and lives in Seattle.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
Presentation: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Venue: Battle Ground Event Center
912 East Main Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Admission: Free
Advance registration required. Space is very limited—reserve your ticket today.

Please note: This event is not being held at the Clark County Historical Museum.

Sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission