“I'm a lifelong agitator, a radical. A rebel is just against
things for rebellion's sake. By radical, I mean someone who goes to the roots.”
Will Geer.
Will Geer was also commie; he just wouldn’t admit it out loud
or in public.
According to Wikipedia;
Geer became involved with Harry
Hay, a homosexual activist. In 1934, Hay met Geer at the Tony Pastor Theatre,
where Geer worked as an actor. They became lovers, and Hay credited Geer as his
political mentor.
Hay and Geer participated in a milk strike in Los Angeles.
There Hay was first exposed to radical gay activism in the person of
"Clarabelle", a drag queen who held court in the Bunker Hill
neighborhood and who hid Hay from police. Later that year, Hay and Geer
performed in support of the San Francisco General Strike, where they witnessed
police firing on strikers, killing two.
Geer became a member of the
Communist Party of the United States in 1934. Geer was also influential in
introducing Harry Hay to organizing in the Communist Party. In 1934, Geer and
Hay gave support to a labor strike of the port of San Francisco; the 1934 West
Coast waterfront strike which lasted 83 days.
Though marred by violence, it was
an organizing triumph, one that became a model for future union strikes. Geer
became a reader of the West Coast Communist newspaper People's World.
Geer became a dedicated activist,
touring government work camps of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s
with folk singers such as Burl Ives and Woody Guthrie (whom he introduced to
the People's World and the Daily Worker. Guthrie later wrote a column for the
latter paper).
In 1956, the duo released an album together on
Folkways Records, titled Bound for Glory: Songs and Stories of Woody Guthrie.
In his biography, Harry Hay described Geer's activism and described their
activities while organizing for the strike.
Geer is credited with introducing
Guthrie to Pete Seeger at the 'Grapes of Wrath' benefit which Geer organized in
1940 for migrant farm workers.
Geer acted with the Group Theatre
(New York) studying under Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford and Lee Strasberg.
Before 1951, Geer had 16 acting
roles to his credit, 10 in films (of which 3 were uncredited, 8 others were as extra roles) and one television
role. (His career total was 108 roles)
He was called before the HUAC in 1951. That year he landed six film
roles and one TV credit. He had no film
or Tv roles in 1952 or 1953 largely because he had willfully left Hollywood to
start and manage The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga, California.
Between that, he appeared in one film role and two off-Broadway productions in 1954. However, he was fully booked on
Broadway throughout 1955 and 1957. He also did two films in 1956. He also worked
in several professional productions of Shakespeare’s plays in Stamford
Connecticut.
SWORN
TESTIMONY OF WILL GEER
( ACCOMPANIED BY ROBERT W. KENNY AND BEN MARGOLIS, AS COUNSEL)
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Geer, when and where were you born ?
Mr. Geer. I was born in Frankfort, Ind., Clinton County, March
9, 1902.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your present place of residence ?
Mr. Geer. My present place of residence is 1015 Fourth Street,
Santa Monica, Calif., for the past 3 years.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your present occupation ?
Mr. Geer. I am an entertainer, actor, in the theater and
screen and in television.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state for the committee briefly your
educational background ?
Mr. Geer. High school ; University of Chicago, Ph. B. ;
graduate work at Columbia University and, of course, at Oxford, England.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you complete that course of educational
training?
Mr. Geer. I finished about 1926, but I am still a student.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, we all are. But what is the subject of
which you are a student?
Mr. Geer. Philosophy, but my main hobby is agriculture and horticulture.
Mr. Tavenner. How have you been employed since 1926 ?
Mr. Geer. Since 1926 mainly in the in theater in stock, small
shows in stock, and all around the country on tour with people like Otis Skinner,
Minnie Maddern Fiske, Ethel Barrymore; radio when it came along; and television
when it came along, and the last 2 years I have been doing some motion pictures
on the side, and I teach agriculture and victory gardening.
Mr. Tavenner. How are you now employed ?
Mr. Geer. I am unemployed at the present moment. I would have been
employed. This interferes with spring planting.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your last employment?
Mr. Geer. My last employment — I just finished a picture
called the Tall Target or the Man on the Train, written about Lincoln's coming
to Baltimore and the attempt of his assassination in 1861.
Mr. Tavenner. For whom did you do that work ?
Mr. Geer. M-G-M.
Mr. Tavenner. When was that ?
Mr. Geer. Just about during the month of March — February and March,
I would say.
Mr. Tavenner. Who employed you to engage in that work ?
Mr. Geer. My agent got me the job.
Mr. Tavenner. Who is your agent ?
Mr. Geer. Paul Wilkins, 9006 Sunset Boulevard.
Mr. Tavenner. With whom did you contract?
Mr. Geer. Contracted with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you negotiate yourself with any of the
officials ?
Mr. Geer. We have agents in the business. They do all the negotiating.
We are just entertainers, and they sell us and get 10 percent of us. Our ashes
we will them.
Mr. Tavenner. You did not participate in the negotiations for that
transaction ?
Mr. Geer. No ; not at all.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your employment prior to that picture to
which you referred ?
Mr. Geer. A picture called Lights Out, at Universal Studio,
which is about a blind war veteran. I played the father — the boy's adjustment
to coming back to life after being blinded in the war.
Mr. Tavenner. What studio was that?
Mr. Geer. Universal Studio at Universal City, Calif.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the date of that employment ?
Mr. Geer. The date of that employment was — let's see, would
be roughly, well, that would be about October, I guess. After that I did a
picture at Columbia.
Mr. Tavenner. October of what year?
Mr. Geer. Of last year. After that I did a picture. I am mistaken.
I did a picture called Barefoot Mailman at Columbia Studios along about
Christmastime, I think.
Mr. Tavenner. With whom did you contract in the performance of
those two pieces of work ?
Mr. Geer. Columbia Pictures and Universal Pictures.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you deal directly with them ?
Mr. Geer. Not at all.
Mr. Tavenner. Through your agent?
Mr. Geer. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. Was it the same agent?
Mr. Geer. The same agent.
Mr. Tavenner. You did not personally take part in the negotiations
with those studios ?
Mr. Geer. Just to make an appearance and see whether they
thought I was a fit subject for the particular role they had in mind.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you furnish any references of any character to
those studios in connection with your employment ?
Mr. Geer. References?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Geer. I don't understand that question, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. I said did you furnish any references to those
studios in connection with your employment in those two contracts?
Mr. Geer. I have been in the theater for about 25 years, sir.
I think I am well enough known to all of them from the roles I have played.
Mr. Tavenner. You felt that was not necessary ?
Mr. Geer. I don't believe so; no.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you ever furnished references to the
studios with which you sought to make contracts ?
Mr. Geer. No. I think a person's work is usually the judge of whether
you get a part or not.
Mr. Tavenner. Yes ; after 25 years ; but you have to have a
beginning place, some place along the line. So I am asking you if at any time
you did that.
Mr. Geer. Well, I don't believe so. It is always a question of
which comes first, the hen or the egg y about an actor getting a job. You get
the job or the egg or the hen which hatches first.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you answer my question as to whether or not
you furnished references to any studio in connection with your employment?
Mr. Geer. No ; I never felt it necessary, sir.
Air. Tavenner. Did you do it?
Mr. Geer. No.
Mr. Tavenner. Whether you felt it necessary or not, did you ?
Mr. Geer. No. We just make an appearance and we are sold like
-
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived in California?
Mr. Geer. The last 21 ears, in Santa Monica.
Mr. Tavenner. And prior to that time where did you live ?
Mr. Geer. I have a farm in Rockland County, in the Hudson
Valley, New York State.
Mr. Tavenner. And how long did you live in New York State ?
Mr. Geer. Ten years. Long enough to get the farm, the home. It
is a blueberry farm.
Mr. Tavenner. How long were you in the State of New York in the
theatrical profession ?
Mr. Geer. Well, I would say off and on. Of course, New York is
a center of show business, so we naturally gravitate there for jobs. I imagine
since the year 1924 I have gone to New York off and on. Sometimes you would go
on tour all over the country, and again we would be in New York.
Mr. Tavenner. First I will ask you whether you were living in
the State of New York in 1942?
Mr. Geer. 1942. I imagine so: Let's see. I was campaigning for
Wendell Willkie along about that time. I don't know whether it was 1942 or not.
No. Wendell Willkie died.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you also interested at that time in the Communist
Party, as indicated by your signing of a Communist Party independent nominating
petition July 23, 1942?
Mr. Geer. 1942?
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a photostatic copy of what purports
to be such a petition.
Mr. Geer. Well, that, gentlemen, is an emotional, hysterical
question based on the date. I stand on my rights, the fifth amendment, on the
grounds it might incriminate or degrade me.
Mr. Tavenner. I ask you again to look at the Communist Party nominating
petition which I hand you and state whether or not the name Will Geer appears
on that petition, and if so whether or not it is your signature.
Mr. Geer. I stand on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to file the document in evidence and
ask that.it be marked "Geer Exhibit No. 1."
Mr. Geer. 1942? This is 1951. Actors are so gabby I beg your pardon.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party in 1942?
Mr. Geer. I stand on the grounds of the fifth- amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. What do you mean you stand on the grounds of the
fifth amendment?
Mr. Geer. Well, it might incriminate or degrade me. The word "Communist"
is an emotional, hysterical word of the day, like the word "witch" in
Salem.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you refusing to answer the question because
you consider it an emotional and hysterical matter? Is that the grounds of your
refusal, or is it some other ground ?
Mr. Geer. On the grounds of tending to incriminate.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, you are refusing to answer the question
because to do so might tend to incriminate you?
Mr. Geer. Incriminate.
Mr. Tavenner. And you place your refusal to answer squarely
upon that ground ?
Mr. Geer. Upon that ground.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you state to the committee the basis for
your refusal to answer that question or give the committee some information
upon which it may judge whether or not to answer that question might tend to
incriminate you?
Mr. Geer. I answered that question on the advice of counsel
and refused it.
Mr. Tavenner. So you refuse to furnish any information to the committee
upon which it may act or judge
Mr. Geer. That's correct.
Mr. Tavenner (continuing). The requirement of your answering that
question? I have before me an issue of October 20, 1936, of the Daily Worker, in
which there is an article under the title "Miner Talks in the Bronx Tomorrow."
In the body of- this article appears this language : All the members and
friends of the Jewish Bureau of the Communist Party and the Furriers Union
which have endorsed Gold's candidacy have been asked to attend this meeting,
the Bronx County Committee of the Communist Party announced. Chairman of the
meeting will be Harry Yerris, county secretary, who will open the gathering
with brief introductory remarks. In addition to the speaking, an elaborate program has been
arranged, featuring Will Geer. Do you recall that meeting ?
Mr. Geer. I refuse to answer the question on the same grounds
of the fifth amendment, because it is an emotional question, out of date.
Mr. Tavenner. Is your answer based upon the date of the document
? Is that the basis of your refusal ?
Mr. Geer. On the grounds of the fifth amendment, as I have already
stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Then place your refusal on the grounds that you actually
rely upon. I have before me the September 25, 1945, issue of the Daily Worker, in
which there appears an article entitled "Thousand Artists, Writers Back
Davis," and I read as follows : Formation of an artists, writers, and
professionals group for the election of Benjamin J. Davis was announced
yesterday by Paul Robeson, chairman of the new group. More than 1,000 citizens,
including some of the most outstanding in the theater, radio, and motion
pictures, fine arts, dance, publishing, literature, educational and allied
fields have already joined the division which will actively campaign for the
reelection of Davis. And then further in the article appears the statement of
those who were connected with the formation of that group, in which this language
is used, "also Howard De Silva r ; and then naming numerous others. And
finally in the list the name of Will Geer appears —
Mr. Geer. Among a thousand.
Mr. Tavenner (continuing). As a signer. Did you participate in
the formation of that organization ?
Mr. Geer. I claim the privilege.
Mr. Tavenner. What privilege?
Mr. Geer. On the grounds of incrimination. Fifth Amendment. Incrimination,
fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you entertain at any meetings of the Communist
Party or branches of the Communist Party other than the matters I have already
referred to?
Mr. Geer. Ancient history. I stand on the grounds of the fifth
amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. On the grounds of the fifth amendment or ancient
history ?
Mr. Geer. Well, on the amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. To answer the question might tend to incriminate
you ? Is that what you mean ?
Mr. Geer. Correct, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Since so much emphasis has been placed by you on
the question of ancient history, are you a member of the Communist Party now ?
Mr. Geer. I refuse to answer on the same grounds.
Mr. Tavenner. Ancient history ?
Mr. Geer. No; same grounds.
Mr. Wood. Mr. Geer, we can get along a lot faster if you will
make your answers responsive to the questions that are asked you.
Mr. Geer. I will try to, sir.
Mr. Wood. It will help the committee a lot and save a lot of
time.
Mr. Geer. I will do my best.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Geer, I have before me an April 27, 1948,
issue of the Daily Worker, in which under the column "Broadway Beat" there
is an article relating to you entitled "Actor's Reply to Columnist."
I will read the first paragraph and then go down into the body about a matter
which I want to ask you about. Will Geer sounds off in a letter to the editor
of a theater publication. We see that a certain columnist has attempted to
slough off unemployment in our theater by attacking what he calls the
censorship of the artist in the Soviet Union. He tells a discouraged actor to
beware of casting envious glances at the good employment of the Soviet actor
because some Soviet composers have just been criticized by the Soviet state. Then
in the body of the article appears this statement attributed to you :
The clucking that has gone on about control of the Soviet
composer has been largely hearsay. He is unaware apparently of the Soviet
cultural program. As an American who has worked in the Soviet theater and
cinema, I am all for government participation in show business. Over a period
of 25 years the Soviet theater has given infinitely more variety than has been
evidenced in the London or New York stages. It has given year-round work for
the artist, vacations with pay, free day's salaries to young students of the
theater. Whenever I write to the young would-be artists of the theater that
have given up probably or have been unable to afford study, I am reminded of
the young actor I talked to in Moscow before the war. He was to enroll as a
student at the Trade Union Theater, a theater of repertory that was largely
supported by trade-unionists of a ball bearing factory. I asked him if he was
just starting out. "'Oh, no. I have spent one season already in the Realistic
Theater and one in the Molle Theater"— and so forth. Were you correctly
quoted in that article?
Mr. Geer. I stand on the grounds of the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Did that article correctly reflect your views
about government participation in the show business
Mr. Geer. Thanks for reading it, but I stand on the grounds of
the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner (continuing) . At the time it was alleged to have
been made by you?
Mr. Geer. I stand on the same privilege.
Mr. Tavenner. That you refuse to answer ?
Mr. Wood. The reporter can't get your indication.
Mr. Geer. I am sorry.
Mr. Tavenner. When were you in Russia ?
Mr. Geer. I went on a theatrical tour to see the Moscow Art
Festival in 1935.
Mr. Tavenner. Was that the first time that you had been to Moscow?
Mr. Geer. It was.
Mr. Tavenner. The first time you had been in the Soviet Union?
Mr. Geer. It was, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it the only time you have been there ?
Mr. Geer. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the purpose of your trip?
Mr. Geer. To see the theaters. Our theater was in a pretty bad
state at this time. It was a repertory theater.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you go alone?
Mr. Geer. I went alone.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you go in a representative capacity of any character
Mr. Geer. no ; just the theater festival tour.
Mr. Tavenner. And did you pay all of your own expenses, or
were part of your expenses contributed
Mr. Geer. Paid my own expenses.
Mr. Tavenner. Was Harold Ware in Russia at that time?
Mr. Geer. Not that I know of, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Was Harold Ware your brother-in-law?
Mr. Geer. No, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you related in any manner to him?
Mr. Geer. No, sir; not related.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your wife's name ?
Mr. Geer. Herta Ware.
Mr. Tavenner. Was she related to Harold Ware ?
Mr. Geer. I imagine she was. He has been dead for a number of years.
Mr. Tavenner. What was her relationship?
Mr. Geer. I hadn't met the lady at that time.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, the relationship would be just the same, wouldn't
it, then?
Mr. Geer. It would be an in-law relationship. I don't call an
in-law a relative.
Mr. Tavenner. I asked you whether he was your brother-in-law.
Mr. Geer. Brother-in-law?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Geer. No; he is not
my brother-in-law.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the relationship of Harold Ware to your
wife
Mr. Geer. I would call him an uncle-in-law.
Mr. Tavenner. An uncle-in-law?
Mr. Geer. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the relationship of your wife to Mother
Bloor?
Mr. Geer. My wife is the granddaughter of an 88-year-old lady known
as Mother Bloor to many people who have no truck with communism.
Mr. Tavenner. And did Harold Ware have any connection of any kind
with your trip to Russia.
Mr. Geer. I have never met Harold Ware. I hadn't met my wife at
the time either. I had not met my wife.
(Representative Francis E. Walter left the hearing room at
this point.)
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a photostatic copy of a passport
application which was obtained by the State Department by a person by the name of Thomas Gilbert, where
you appear or the name Will Geer appears as the identifying witness. Will you examine
it, please?
Mr. Geer (after examining document). What was the question you
wanted to ask of me, sir?
Mr. Tavenner. I don't recall how the question was worded, but
I will now ask you whether or not you were a witness to that application.
Mr. Geer. I recognize the picture. I don't remember the name,
but I certainly signed the application.
Mr. Tavenner. And it is your signature ?
Mr. Geer. Yes. People frequently ask for favors of that sort, recommendations.
Mr. Tavenner. The man's name appears as Thomas Gilbert in the
application. You say you recognize the photograph?
Mr. Geer. I recognize the photograph but not the name.
Mr. Tavenner. You do not know him by the name of Thomas Gilbert?
Mr. Geer. I do not.
Mr. Tavenner. Whose photograph is that if that is not Thomas Gilbert?
Mr. Geer. I wouldn't remember the — oh, well, I might. It has been
a number of years ago. What date was that? I might have remembered the name,
but we meet so many people that it is impossible for me to connect the name
with the picture.
Mr. Tavenner. You have just told us that you did not remember him
by that name. I want to know by what name you did know the individual whose
picture appears there.
Mr. Geer. I just don't recognize that name.
Mr. Tavenner. But who is the man ?
Mr. Geer. I don't know.
Mr. Tavenner. You know the man ?
Mr. Geer. I know the man's face, but I do not know his name.
Mr. Tavenner. Never heard the name Whitey Roland?
Mr. Geer. I never heard that name.
Mr. Tavenner. Never heard the name Whitey Roland?
Mr. Geer. Never heard the name — 1037 is the date ?
Mr. Tavenner. You stated in your affidavit that you had known this
individual, Thomas Gilbert, for a period of 4 years.
Mr. Geer. At that time. That's 1937. At that time I probably
did.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to introduce this photostatic copy into
evidence and request that it be marked "Geer Exhibit No. 2."
(The document referred to above was marked "Geer Exhibit No.
2.") x
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you another application for passport, purporting
to be under the name of Thomas Gilbert, a photograph attached, in which Isabel
S. C. Wright appears as the identifying witness. Will you examine that
application and look at the photograph of Thomas Gilbert ?
Mr. Geer. I have never seen that man before.
Mr. Tavenner. It is an entirely different photograph from the one
in the application which you signed as a witness, is it not ?
Mr. Geer. I would say so, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know the person whose photograph appears
on the application?
Mr. Geer. I have never seen
Mr. Tavenner. On the application just handed you?
Mr. Geer. I have never seen this face before to my knowledge.
I have never seen his face before.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you ever confer with the party whose photograph
appears in exhibit No. 2, which was the first copy I handed you
Mr. Geer. To my knowledge -
Mr. Tavenner. Just a moment. About his acting as a witness to
an application for passport by you ?
Mr. Geer. As far as I can recollect, never, to the best of my
memory. I don't believe I really understood that, Mr. Tavenner.
Mr. Tavenner. To simplify the question, did you ever talk to
the person whose photograph appears on the exhibit 2 and ask him to act as the
identifying witness in an application to be filed by you ?
Mr. Geer. To the best of my knowledge, I have never seen the
man.
Mr. Tavenner. Let me hand you again exhibit No. 2, which contains
the photograph of the individual whose photograph you recognize.
Mr. Geer. This is No. 1 ? Is this exhibit No. 1 ?
Mr. Tavenner. Well, it's exhibit No. 2, but it is the first of
the photo-
stats which I handed you.
Mr. Geer. You've got me all mixed up on 2"s and l's. I'm
sorry.
Mr. Tavenner. That's easily understandable. So I am handing you
now the application which is marked "Geer Exhibit No. 2" and contains
the photograph of the person known the application as Thomas Gilbert, and I ask
you whether you at any time made an arrangement with the individual whose
photograph appears there by which he was to act as the identifying witness for
you if you acted as the identifying witness for him.
(At this point Kepresentative Charles E. Potter left the
hearing and Representative Clyde Doyle entered the hearing.)
Mr. Geer. I believe, to the best of my recollection, sir, when
I applied for a passport in 1935 my witness was a woman and had nothing to do
with this person at all.
Mr. Tavenner. I know, but will you answer my question as to whether
or not you ever had conversation with the individual whose photograph appears
there of the character that I mentioned to you ?
Mr. Geer. To the best of my recollection, never.
Mr. Tavenner. How many passports have you obtained ?
Mr. Geer. In 1935, the year I went to the festival, and in
1920 1 went over in a cattle boat, one of Harold Swift's cattle boats, after I
got out of school, but I don't think I had to have a passport then as I remember.
Maybe I did. That's about 1920. It's when I was just a kid. I remember I worked
over on a cattle boat. And I have forgotten if we had to have passports or not.
Mr. Tavenner. What were the circumstances under which you signed
this application which is exhibit No. 2 as an identifying witness ?
Mr. Geer. It's entirely vague in my mind. Someone just asked
me they wanted to get a passport. People frequently come b}?
Mr. Tavenner. Had you known the individual for 4 years ?
Mr. Geer. Yes. I think he was something to do with the
merchant marine or something or other.
Mr. Wood. Counsel, we are going to have to suspend here for
about 20 minutes so the members may answer this call, and we will resume at 11
: 30.
(Thereupon, at 11: 10 a. m., a recess was taken until 11:45 a.
m., at which time the following proceedings were had :)
Mr. Wood. Come to order, please.
By virtue of the authority vested in me as chairman of the
House Committee on Un-American Activities, I have designated Mr. Doyle, Mr.
Kearney, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Wood as a subcommittee to continue this hearing. Proceed,
Mr. Tavenner.
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir.
Mr. Geer, do you know the purpose for which Thomas Gilbert sought
permission to travel abroad?
Mr. Geer. To the best of my recollection, no. Just he wanted
to go. He's a merchant seaman. I think I should add, if you would permit me,
that I worked as a merchant seaman in between jobs on shore and naturally I met
a great many seamen at that time, and there would be dozens and dozens—
hundreds of people, in fact —that I couldn't recall the name of and still at
the same time I'd be perfectly willing to help them out on getting a reference
for a job or anything of that sort.
(At this point, Representative Harold H. Velde entered the
hearing-) . . . .
Mr. Geer. (continuing) . At the same time, you wouldn t
remember their name but you'd know their face.
Mr. Tavenner. You don't mean that you would sign an identifying
affidavit that you had known a person for 4 years if you hadn't known him,
would you ?
Mr. Geer. I certainly wouldn't.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, can you state whether or not the person
whose photograph appears on exhibit No. 2, which I will hand to you again, is a
person who was known to you by the name of Roland ?
Mr. Geer. No, I have no recollection about the name whatever. The
face does look familiar. Just as the face of a lady in the back court there I
hadn't seen for 20 years.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to offer in evidence the second
passport application and ask that it be marked "Exhibit Geer 3.''
Mr. Wood. It will be admitted. I thought it was admitted already.
(The document referred to was marked "Exhibit Geer 3.'')
1
Mr. Tavenner. And also the other excerpts from the papers
which I read in evidence, namely, the issue of the Daily Worker of October 20,
1936, [p. 4], which I ask be marked "Exhibit Geer 4," and of the Daily
Worker of April 27, 1948, [p. 16], which I asked be marked "Exhibit Geer
5."
Mr. Wood. They may be marked.
(The documents referred to were marked "Exhibits Geer 4
and Geer 5," respectively.) 2
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Geer, were you a member of or affiliated in any
way with the American Peace Mobilization?
Mr. Geer. Well, there are about four or five hundred organizations
listed as being here, and I'd have to really consult this book to find out.
Mr. Tavenner. To find out whether you were a member?
Mr. Geer. No. To find out whether it's — what it's listed.
There are several hundred organizations. It is difficult to remember the names
of them, as it is difficult to remember the names of people. So I ask the
privilege of looking at this book to find out whether that is one so listed.
Mr. Tavenner. What difference does it make, in answer to the
question of whether or not you were a member, as to whether it's listed in a
book?
Mr. Geer. I simply list all things like this as an — emotional
words used in a time that is altogether — it is like — —
Mr. Tavenner. That doesn't change the fact of your membership or
nonmembership, does it?
Mr. Geer. No. I just simply stand on the grounds of the amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, you refuse to answer on the
grounds that to do so
Mr. Geer. Might incriminate me.
Mr. Tavenner (continuing). Might tend to incriminate you?
Mr. Geer. Those things are years ago.
Mr. Kearney. That is again a period of ancient history, Mr.
Chairman.
Mr. Geer. Yes. At the present time, hospital benefits. I play
veterans' hospitals. A little group goes around and plays veterans' hospitals.
For all I know they might be listed in another 6 months as something altogether
out of order. Things change very rapidly nowadays.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you at any time a sponsor of the Cultural
and Scientific Conference for World Peace?
Mr. Geer. The name doesn't sound familiar, but I'd like — I
really don't recall the name of that one, sir. I am sorry.
Mr. Tavenner. All right. It was held on March 25, 26, and 27
of 1949 in New York City under the sponsorship of the National Council of the
Arts, Sciences, and Professions.
Mr. Wood. What is your answer?
Mr. Geer. The name sounds unfamiliar to me, but I would stand on
the grounds of the same privilege.
Mr. Wood. You mean you decline to answer the question ?
Mr. Geer. On the ground of the same privilege, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you at any time been a member of or affiliated
with the International Workers Order ?
Mr. Geer. I would stand on the same privilege.
Mr. Wood. That isn't an answer, Mr. Geer. Do you answer the question?
Mr. Geer. I refuse to answer on the grounds of the same
privilege. That is the correct wording? Thank you, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you at any time a member of or affiliated with
the International Labor Defense?
Mr. Geer. I refuse to answer the question on the same grounds,
sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you at any time affiliated with the
Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade ?
Mr. Geer. I would decline to answer that on the same grounds,
sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you at any time affiliated with the Theater
Arts Committee?
Mr. Geer. I would decline to answer that question on the same grounds,
sir, on advice of counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you at any time affiliated with the Workers
Alliance of Greater New York either as a sponsor of any of its programs or
policies or activities ?
Mr. Geer. I would decline that answer tending to incriminate
me. I couldn't be responsible for the use of my name.
Mr. Wood. Well, now, which?
Mr. Geer. May I link them together, sir? I'd appreciate it.
Mr. Tavenner. You are a member of the Screen Actors' Guild ?
Mr. Geer. I am, sir. I pay dues. I am a life member of the
Actors' Equity Association and AFKA, radio organization. Those are the only
organizations I can think of I paid dues to in my life.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you ever paid dues to the Communist Party?
Mr. Geer. Decline on the grounds it might tend to incriminate
me.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you ever questioned by officials of the moving-picture
industry regarding your alleged activity in Communist front organizations —
that is, organizations which have been cited as Communist fronts by the
Attorney General of the United States and this committee or other committees ?
Mr. Geer. No. They simply told me they didn't believe everything
they read.
Mr. Tavenner. Then, they discussed the matter with you prior
to your employment?
Mr. Geer. Just casually. People around the studio. I wouldn't remember
the names.
Mr. Tavenner. Who was it said to you they didn't believe everything
they read or heard ?
Mr. Geer. That's an old saying of mine too. I don't know which
one.
Mr. Tavenner. You quoted some official of the moving-picture
industry as having made that statement.
Mr. Geer. I wouldn't recall who it was, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, whom did you talk to on the subject of Communist-front
organizations within the industry?
Mr. Geer. I can't remember. There are many people that discuss
the subject, but they would probably be in the hundreds. I couldn't possibly
remember their names.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you discuss it with them at the time of your
employment on any of the projects that you undertook?
Mr. Geer. To my recollection, no, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you employed by any of the people with whom
you had discussed that subject?
Mr. Geer. I imagine so.
M r. Tavenner. Who were they ?
Mr. Geer. I wouldn't recollect offhand, sir, but I would
presume so because I have done 15 pictures with 4 major studios.
Mr. Tavenner. And did any of those producers talk to you about
your activities either within — alleged activities within the Communist Party
or in Communist-front organizations? That is, organizations cited as being
Communist-front organizations?
Mr. Geer. I discussed it with one director perhaps, and he
asked me just what I was anyway, and I told him I was a conservationist.
Mr. Tavenner. Conservationist?
Mr. Geer. Conservationist, sir. That is my philosophy. I
believe in returning the land to the same shape we found it in. I believe also in
conserving the things that one-world Wendell Willkie talked about and F. D. R.
got for us. That's my philosophy.
Mr. Tavenner. Now, did he ask you about communism?
Mr. Geer. No, not to my recollection. He asked me what I was anyway.
That was my answer.
Mr. Kearney. Who was .that director? What was his name?
Mr. Geer. I can't recollect the name of it, the particular
occasion, but I do remember making that statement, because the man happened to
be opposed to F. D. R., and he didn't think much of it, whoever it
was.
Mr. Tavenner. But you did not tell him that you had been connected
with Communist-front organizations?
Mr. Geer. I stand on the grounds of the fifth amendment in answering
that question, sir, because I already said that that's a hysterical word.
Mr. Tavenner. I do not see how it could tend to incriminate
you to state whether or not you discussed the subject with an employer, or an
employer with you.
Mr. Geer! Well, I'm — I really — that's just something casual
that happens in everyday life. I have really — that's all the conversation I happen
to recall on it. I say that would happen, oh, an average of once a day during
the past few years, discussions with people about philosophy.
Mr. Tavenner. I'm speaking of your employers. Did your employers
discuss your activities with you daily ?
Mr. Geer. Never in connection with employment to the best of
my knowledge. I would be quite willing to discuss it with them any time.
Mr. Tavenner. More willing than you have been with this committee?
Mr. Geer. I should say so, sir, because this is a peculiar
atmosphere we are living in today. And the citizen has to see clearly all the
time how important it is to preserve individual rights.
Mr. Tavenner. You would answer then questions propounded to you
by your employer as to whether or not you had been or are at the present a
member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Geer. I should think I would, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Geer. Thank you very much.
Mr. Wood. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. No questions.
Mr. Wood. Mr. Velde?
Mr. Velde. Do you consider yourself to be a patriotic citizen
?
Mr. Geer. I do indeed, sir. I love America. I love it enough
to want to make it better.
Mr. Velde. In the event of an armed conflict in which the
United States would find itself opposed to Soviet Russia, would you be willing to
fight on the side of the United States ?
Mr. Geer. Factually, I would grow vegetables for victory for
the Farm Bureau as I did before and play hospitals. It would be a wonderful
idea, in fact, if they put every man my age in the front lines and in
Washington fellows on the other side. I think wars would be negotiated
immediately. I approve of that.
Mr. Velde. You say you would be willing to join the Army?
Mr. Geer. Indeed I would, sir, if they could take me.
Mr. Velde. That's all.
Mr. Geer. My function is growing vegetables and entertaining, however.
Mr. Kearney. Mr. Geer, there is one thought running through my
mind on your various answers here, and I wish you would explain to me because I
just can't get your reasoning. Will you tell this committee as to membership in
these various organizations that have been asked you by counsel, and that you
have declined to answer on the ground it might incriminate you : How would such
an answer incriminate you ?
Mr. Geer. Well, in my opinion it is something set up outside.
It is the committee set-up. And you yourself or this committee has made these
stipulations. It is something that has been set up and to my mind created
artificially.
Mr. Kearney. You mean to say that this committee has set up
the fact that if you said that you belonged to any one of these particular organizations
asked by the counsel that we would have you in the position where you have
incriminated yourself ?
Mr. Geer. I don't quite undertsand that, but so far as this
committee is concerned I believe so, sir. That's my feeling today in 1951.
Mr. Kearney. In other words, you think that this committee is
a persecuting committee ?
Mr. Geer. To my mind there's great similarities between the
Inquisition and people like in our country that have been persecuted, like Mormons.
Mr. Kearney. Is that your's or your counsel's ?
Mr. Geer. That's my own opinion.
Mr. Kearney. I see counsel advising you on your answers there.
Mr. Margolis (attorney for the witness) . I will be glad to
give you my opinion, Mr. Kearney.
Mr. Kearney. You're not testifying.
Mr. Margolis. No, but I'd be glad
Mr. Geer. I'd be glad to answer that question.
Mr. Kearney. Do you believe, Mr. Geer, that the Congress of
the United States has the right to set up a committee such as this is to search
out subversive activities in this country?
Mr. Geer. I'm an entertainer and not a lawyer. I wouldn't know
whether it would be right or not.
Mr. Kearney. Well, you seem to have enough answers on all
other subjects here, questions. Can't you answer that question "Yes"
or "No"?
Mi-. Geer. As an entertainer simply and not a lawyer, I really
couldn't answer that question, sir. In my opinion, I think it would be more
important right now to investigate inflation and the high cost of living.
That's my own opinion.
Mr. Kearney. Well, I think you've got something there too.
Mr. Geer. We all of us have to appear in a turkey once in a
while. I don't think the public is seriously interested in the fact
Mr. Kearney. That's all, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Wood. Mr. Jackson
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Geer, von say you appeared in a picture
called The Tall Target in February or March
Mr. Geer. February or March of this year, sir.
Mr. Jackson. I should preface this for the record that the
introduction of names I shall mention has no particular connotation. Who was
the producer of Tall Target ?
Mr. Geer. The producer of the picture was I believe Mr.
Richard Goldstone.
Mr. Jackson. Who did the script ?
Mr. Geer. I wouldn't know about that, sir. I met a man named on
the set — but I couldn't recollect his name.
Mr. Jackson. Who was the director of the picture ?
Mr. Geer. The director of the picture was Anthony Mann.
Mr. Jackson. And on Lights Out who was the producer ?
Mr. Geer. The producer on that picture was a man named
Buckner, a very brilliant producer, and the director was an exceptionally remarkable
director named Marc Robeson, who has had several successes.
Mr. Jackson. Who did the script on Lights Out
Mr. Geer. I imagine the producer did. He usually does his.
Mr. Jackson. On The Barefoot Mailman, who was the producer?
Mr. Geer. The producer on that, Mr. Cohn I think. He's the son
in-law of Harry Colin. I believe that's the name. Robert Cohn.
Mr. Jackson. Do you know who wrote the script on that ?
Mr. Geer. No. It was a western laid in Florida. That's about
all I recollect about it.
Mi-. Jackson. And the director?
Mr. Geer. The director of that was quite a brilliant young
director named Earl McAvoy from Boston.
Mr. Jackson. What is your agency, Mr. Geer?
Mr. Geer. My agency is Paul Wilkins, 9006 Sunset Boulevard.
Mr. Jackson. On the "strip," is it
Mr. Geer. Yes. On the "strip," sir.
Mr. Jackson. I stress again that the names given by the
witness in answer to my questions are not necessarily connected with the subject
of the committee's investigation.
That's all, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Geer. Thank you very much.
Mr. Wood. Mr. Geer, did I understand you to say in response to
counsel's question a while ago concerning the conversations that you had had
with the employers that some one of them had told you that he didn't believe
all he read about your connection with
Mr. Geer. Yes. And I added I don't believe all I hear either.
Mr. Wood. Well, in connection with the organizations about
which you have been interrogated by counsel, particularly concerning your affiliation
or membership with them,' don't you think that it would be enlightening to the
party, whoever it was in connection with your employment that made that
expression that he didn't believe all he read in the paper, to set him
completely right about it now by answering the questions frankly here?
Mr. Geer. I think there is too decided an atmosphere of fear
nowadays and hysteria to answer that, sir.
Mr. Wood. Don't you feel now that your declination to answer
questions here leaves you in the position of either giving false testimony or
of tacitly admitting membership therein?
Mr. Geer. I don't feel so, sir.
Mr. Wood. You don't ?
Mr. Geer. No ; I don't really.
Mr. Wood. If you're not a member of such organizations, to say
so wouldn't incriminate you, would it ?
Mr. Geer. I'd appreciate it so much, Mr. Wood, if you'd ask me
questions about the thousands of other benefits I played.
Mr. Wood. I'm asking you about the questions I'm concerned
about and that this committee is concerned about.
Mr. Geer. That's why
Mr. Wood. And I would very much appreciate a frank answer. I ask
you the question : If you are not a member of a single one of these organizations
about which you have been interrogated, do you admit that it wouldn't
incriminate you to say you are not a member of them ? Don't you admit that?
Mr. Geer. Mr. Wood
Mr. Wood. I'd like an answer to that question if I may.
Mr. Geer. I frankly don't know how to answer that question.
Mr. Wood. You don't know how to answer it?
Mr. Geer. I don't know how in this day, 1951.
Mr. Wood. I will try to make it a little more explicit. You
are asked particularly about membership — well, in the Communist Party. Now, if
you are not a member of the Communist Party and have never been, do you think
it would incriminate you to say so?
Mr. Geer. At this particular time, although the Communist
Party is a perfectly legal one, I think they should
Mr. Wood. I'm asking if you're not a member would it
incriminate you to say you're not a member ?
Mr. Geer. I'm standing on the Constitution. I believe that
they're being persecuted now like the Mormons, the Jews, the Quakers, the Masons
Mr. Wood. That isn't responsive.
Mr. Geer (continuing). Even radical Republicans in Lincoln's
day.
Mr. Wood. That's not responsive to my question.
Mr. Geer. I'm trying to answer directly, sir.
Mr. Wood. I want to know what your conception is about what incriminates
you to tell the truth before this committee, if it is the truth, that you are
not a member of the Communist Party. That wouldn't in any sense incriminate
you, would it?
Mr. Geer. I really believe, sir, that the best answer to that,
that I'm just allergic to meetings and things of that sort, and I stand on the
advice of my counsel that
Mr. Wood. And decline to answer that question ?
Mr. Geer. In this particular day, April 11, 1951, I do, sir,
with the situation of the world as it is. It's a hysterical situation.
Mr. Wood. That's all.
Mr. Geer. Thank you, sir.
Mr. Velde. I have one more question. Did I understand you to say
that you felt the Communist Party was a legal party?
Mr. Geer. I understand so. I believe that.
Mr. Velde. You understand it is ?
M r. Geer. To my understanding.
Mr. Velde. Would it be any crime to admit your membership in a
legal party, then ?
Mr. Geer. In this clay of hysteria it is, sir.
Mr. Velde. That's all.
Mr. Geer. Because they're like
Mr. Wood. Then you want to leave it before this committee then
that in your opinion it would subject you to the danger of self-incrimination
to either admit it or deny it?
Mr. Geer. I think so, sir.
Mr. Wood. Even if your denial was true? If you should deny it and
it should be true, that would still incriminate you ? Is that the way you want
to leave it ?
Mr. Geer. Well, I'm just simply an entertainer, and I'm not a lawyer,
sir, and I can't testify.
Mr. Wood. Is that all the answer you desire to give the
committee ?
Mr. Geer. That is, sir. We don't get the training in law that
you do down in Athens, Ga.
Mr. Wood. You have a couple of very astute counsels. You can confer
with them.
Mr. Geer. I trust lawyers even when they back shows I'm in. I have
had some bad experiences in one called Tobacco Road.
Mr. Wood. I didn't ask your opinion about lawyers. I'm just
commenting on the fact you have one on each side of you.
Mr. Geer. I trust the lawyers, sir.
Mr. Wood. Did the lawyers advise you to say that it would tend
to incriminate you to deny your membership in an organization to which .you
have never belonged
Mr. Geer. Well, I take a lawyer's backing if he backed a play,
but in this situation —
Mr. Wood. I asked if they advised you —
Mr. Geer. Mr. Wood
Mr. Wood. You said you answered on the advice of counsel. I want
to know if the counsel have advised you that that is a correct answer and bona
fide, straightforward
Mr. Geer. I think we're getting out of bounds, Mr. Wood, about
the lawyers and things. I'm just simply an entertainer and like to entertain
for the public.
Mr. Wood. Then do you want to decline to answer that question
as to whether or not the attorneys advised you ?
Mr. Geer. I think it would be advisable, sir. I'm sorry.
Mr. Wood. All right, if you want to leave that cloud on them.
Mr. Geer. Oh, there are lots of clouds, war clouds, all sorts
of clouds.
Mr. Wood. That's all.
Mr. Geer. Thank you, Mr. Wood and committee.