That Time the FBI Scrutinized “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Communist Messaging That Time the FBI Scrutinized “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Communist Messaging
The film “deliberately maligned the upper class,” according to a report that didn’t like the portrayal of Mr. Potter as a bad guy.
Dec 24, 2021 / John Nichols
Ed Asner, American Socialist Ed Asner, American Socialist
The actor, who died Sunday, championed democratic socialism long before Bernie Sanders ran for president.
Aug 31, 2021 / John Nichols
Red Carpet at the Picket Line Red Carpet at the Picket Line
As Hollywood’s aristocracy convened for the Oscars, laid-off hotel workers were protesting to get their jobs back.
Apr 30, 2021 / Left Coast / Sasha Abramsky
The Coronavirus Reveals That the Stars Are Not Like Us The Coronavirus Reveals That the Stars Are Not Like Us
If there was ever a fourth wall dividing celebrities and the rest of us on social media, the quarantine has broken it.
Apr 3, 2020 / Column / Kali Holloway
How Films Were Made in Cold War Hollywood How Films Were Made in Cold War Hollywood
Lillian Ross’s Picture traces the ways in which the Red Scare shaped a generation’s creative and professional compromises.
Mar 24, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Max Nelson
What Does Hollywood Lose When It Works With China? What Does Hollywood Lose When It Works With China?
They may fight over censorship and trade, but the biggest players all want the same thing: movies that make as much money as possible.
Mar 3, 2020 / Phoebe Chen
In California Before the Democratic Primary, ‘Nobody Knows Anything’ In California Before the Democratic Primary, ‘Nobody Knows Anything’
Early voting has already begun, but, without a clear industry favorite, the film colony is all over the place.
Feb 28, 2020 / Danny Goldberg
A Letter to Marlon Brando About Putting an Indian on the Oscar Stage A Letter to Marlon Brando About Putting an Indian on the Oscar Stage
A character from Tommy Orange’s There There writes to the actor about what it meant to see Sacheen Littlefeather at the Academy Awards.
Oct 28, 2019 / Tommy Orange
‘Joker’ Brings Class Warfare to the Big Screen ‘Joker’ Brings Class Warfare to the Big Screen
Hollywood is uneasy with superheroes, yet the genre is a mirror for troubled times.
Oct 11, 2019 / Jeet Heer
‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Is a Science Fiction Film ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Is a Science Fiction Film
Far from wallowing in nostalgia, Tarantino is using alternative history to critique conventional Hollywood endings.
Aug 23, 2019 / Jeet Heer