Dalton Trumbo: The Life And Legacy Of A Hollywood Rebel

(1905-1976)

Who Was Dalton Trumbo?

Dalton Trumbo was an award-winning author and screenwriter, renowned for his profound impact on Hollywood and literature. After starting a successful career with Warner Bros., he became embroiled in a tumultuous political climate in 1947. That year, Trumbo, along with nine other prominent writers and directors, refused to testify before Congress about their Communist affiliations, a decision that led to their blacklisting, famously known as the "Hollywood Ten." Tragically, Trumbo passed away from a heart attack on September 10, 1976, in Los Angeles, California.

Heading West

Born on December 9, 1905, in Montrose, Colorado, James Dalton Trumbo was the first son of shoe-store clerk Orus and his wife, Maud. When Trumbo was just three years old, his family relocated to Grand Junction, where he spent his formative years. A budding writer, he began his journey as a cub reporter for a local paper while still in high school, nurturing his passion for storytelling.

After completing high school, Trumbo attended the University of Colorado, where he continued to pursue journalism. However, in 1925, he left to join his family in Los Angeles. Following the death of his father, Trumbo took on a job in a bakery to support his mother and younger siblings. Despite the challenges, he spent nearly a decade crafting numerous short stories and novels, all while juggling various odd jobs and furthering his education at the University of California.

A Prized Writer

Trumbo's professional writing career began in the early 1930s, during which he published articles and stories in well-known magazines like the Saturday Evening Post, Vanity Fair, and the Hollywood Spectator. By 1934, he became the managing editor of the Spectator, a pivotal year that saw the publication of his first novel, Eclipse, and his entry into the Warner Bros. story department as a script reader. In 1935, he signed a contract with Warner Bros. as a junior writer, marking the start of a complex and illustrious career.

In 1936, Trumbo received his inaugural screenwriting credit for the crime drama Road Gang. Over the next decade, he emerged as one of Hollywood's most sought-after writers, with notable works including A Man to Remember (1938), the romantic drama Kitty Foyle (1940), and the acclaimed World War II film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944). Each of these projects solidified his status as a leading figure in the film industry, showcasing his remarkable talent.

Blacklisted

Although Johnny Got His Gun catapulted Trumbo to fame, it also attracted unwanted scrutiny. As a member of the Communist Party, Trumbo's political views often clashed with mainstream sentiment. His receipt of fan letters from Nazi sympathizers, who misinterpreted his antiwar message, prompted him to report them to the FBI. Unfortunately, this action backfired, leading to an investigation into his own activities.

In October 1947, amid rising fears of Communism, Trumbo was called to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC). Alongside nine other Hollywood figures, he refused to answer questions about his political beliefs, resulting in their contempt of Congress convictions. This led to a blacklist that would shadow Trumbo's career, forcing him into a form of exile and ultimately leading to nearly a year in prison in 1950.

Robert Rich and Pseudonyms

After serving his sentence, Trumbo found himself unable to work in California and decided to move his family to Mexico City. There, he continued to write screenplays but used pseudonyms to sell his work, avoiding the blacklist that had been imposed upon him. During this time, he penned at least ten screenplays that were turned into films, including the 1953 classic Roman Holiday, featuring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.

In 1957, Trumbo began to return to Hollywood when his screenplay for The Brave One, written under the pseudonym Robert Rich, won an Academy Award. When journalists could not locate Rich for an interview, it was quickly speculated that Trumbo was the true author. This revelation contributed to a growing movement against the practice of blacklisting writers, leading to a gradual re-evaluation of the industry’s stance on such practices.

Back in the Fold

With the tide turning, Trumbo resumed his writing career with renewed vigor. Throughout the remainder of his life, he produced numerous successful screenplays. Highlights from this era include the 1962 Western Lonely Are the Brave, the Golden Globe-nominated crime drama The Fixer (1968), and the 1973 prison film Papillon, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. Additionally, he revisited Johnny Got His Gun, writing and directing a film adaptation that earned him accolades at the Cannes Film Festival.

Sadly, Trumbo’s health declined when he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1973. He passed away several years later on September 10, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, and chose to donate his body to science. In a posthumous recognition of his talent, he was awarded an Oscar for his screenplay of Roman Holiday in 1993, 40 years after its release.

Trumbo's Legacy in Film

Since Trumbo's passing, his life and work have inspired various adaptations, including a Broadway play, Trumbo: Red, White and Blacklisted, and a documentary. In September 2015, the biographical drama Trumbo, starring Bryan Cranston, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film, which garnered Cranston an Oscar nomination, highlights Trumbo's resilience and the impact of his contributions to cinema.

Quick Facts

• Name: Dalton Trumbo
• Birth Year: 1905
• Birth Date: December 9, 1905
• Death Year: 1976
• Death Date: September 10, 1976
• Best Known For: Blacklisted screenwriter and author

Final Thoughts on Dalton Trumbo

Dalton Trumbo's story is one of creativity, resilience, and defiance in the face of adversity. His journey from an acclaimed writer to a blacklisted figure in Hollywood showcases the challenges faced by artists during politically charged times. Trumbo's legacy continues to inspire writers and filmmakers, reminding us of the importance of artistic freedom and the power of storytelling.