On the Waterfront Background

Communism An economic and social system envisioned by the nineteenth-century German scholar Karl Marx. In theory, under communism, all means of production are owned in common, rather than by individuals. In practice, a single authoritarian party controls both the political and economic systems

America in the 50’s Communism – impact on the world Post WWII implications A great fear of communists (Russians in particular – Cold War)

McCarthyism Joe McCarthy, initially, was an unimportant and dormant Senator from Wisconsin In 1950 he came into the spotlight dramatically – “I can name names” A great fear People were brought before the HUAC (House of Congress Un-American Activities Committee) Black Listed, Shunned, Shamed.

Elia Kazan Born in Turkey in Died in 2003 aged 94 Moved to America when he was four Famous director (Plays - Death of a Salesman, A Streetcar Named Desire. Films – Gentleman’s Agreement, On the Waterfront) Won 2 Academy Awards Received Honorary Oscar for Lifetime achievement

Impact on Kazan Kazan had connections with the Communist Party (1934) Kazan was brought up before the committee and testified. He named names – Hollywood identities Kazan was applauded by some and shunned by others didn’t speak for over 10 years

On the Waterfront A personal statement?

The New York Waterfront Waterfront corruption was a real issue in America Budd Schulberg, who wrote On the Waterfront, based the story on a series of investigative articles written by Malcolm Johnson in 1949 The movie was almost entirely filmed on site on the docks of Hoboken