Abstract

Courage in Action: I Philadelphia Theatre

Gale Sondergaard, an actress, was engaged to play the role of the Dowager Empress in the play "Anastasia" at the Playhouse in the Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. American Legion, an organization, and members of Aware Inc, protested her forthcoming appearance and were demanding the abrogation of her contract. The article presents an account of subsequent developments told entirely through extracts of newspaper stories published in Philadelphia press. According to news story published in the June 26, 1956 issue of the newspaper "The Enquirer," American Legion asked the Fairmount Park Commission to cancel Gale Sondergaard's appearance at the city-owned Playhouse in the Park on the ground that she is a Communist.