Screenwriting : Trumbo - a must-see for writers by Phil Parker

Phil-- I have not seen it. I am waiting for it to come out on Netflix. What I have always heard about the blacklist, and Dalton Trumbo in particular is that he was the one that broke it with taking credit and saying He wrote Sparticus with Kirk Douglas. I commented on something else when I hijacked a comment you made on Lauries thread but sooner or later I knew you would pop up with a lounge topic of your own. I did not know you went to USC. I graduated from UCLA in 1977. (University on the Corner of Lexington Avenue) I's an old Baruch College(CUNY) joke here. Forgive me. Later. Best to brother Peter. Oh, and one more thing. I write at my desk but keep Pandora on softly to Jazz or classical depending on my mood. Constanza!!! Can't stand ya!!

The movie covers his history with Kirk Douglas and Spartacus. It really is an entertaining film, but I wonder if non-writers would be as enthusiastic. It was inspiring, for sure. I came home and sat right down and punched out a few more pages :-)

Very interesting film. I laughed at the bath bit.

I agree, as a writer, this is a wonderful film to watch about something I knew little about. It serves as a great motivator as well.

I think it's an important film - and at the very least, for writers, because the Dalton Trumbo story is about the determination and courage of a very prolific writer. So I think every writer should know that great man's story, and even praise the ground that Dalton Trumbo walked on. I think it's an important story for the rest of the world, too, because of his bravery and convictions, and also as a history lesson for how times were back then with regards to the politics of the era. It's sad that the film didn't do better at the box office. It was nicely promoted and had a lot of name actors in it, but I guess the world just didn't find it - for lack of a better term - worthy enough to go see. But every writer should certainly know the story of Dalton Trumbo; the great works that he put out over five decades; and the sufferings he personally endured while he stood firm on his personal beliefs. At least the Academy corrected a wrong when Mr. Trumbo's family was given his posthumous Academy Award for Roman Holiday almost 20 years after his death, and maybe Bryan Cranston can snag one, too, next Sunday. And kudos to the producers who got Trumbo made and in theaters.

This def was an inspiring story/movie, and as an aspiring screenwriter I learned so much from watching it, as well as doing my research on Trumbo's life.

I agree, David. It has me curious to find out more about the man, his life and his work. I just did a quick search and found this review of the book. Sounds great! https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/trumbo-soon-to-be-a-f...

Watch my short film "Disability" at www.shortsshowcase.com (2014 submissions). See anything familiar?

Trumbo is a fantastic and important movie. I find it ironic that now writers clamor to be placed upon the "black list." What is hugely important is that fear and suspicion, especially of those whose lifestyles are unconventional and innately private - like writers - can raise the ire of so many. In Arizona, we have no tax incentive. A few years ago, politicians dispensed the rumors that if we had a film industry tax credit, Hollywood liberals would invade and corrupt Arizona. We still have no tax credit. Those filmmaker must be terrifying! Writers are particularly scary sorts. Often we write things that lurk below the levels of the collective conscious, and in the murky unconscious of what people may think, but dare not say. When the depths of the psyche receive articulation, elephants and demons argue for presence in the room. Sometimes I wonder when a "pass" comes back on a hot button script where I know the writing is good, if the reader didn't like my writing, its marketability, plot pivots, or if nerves were prodded by the script. Anyway, another movie worth watching is The Front, with Woody Allen and Zero Mostel, who was blacklisted. Both are must watch films for writers. We travel the roads paved by these courageous souls.

@ Phil P: Edward Dymytrk was a prolific and top notch director. My favorites include The Caine Mutiny, The Young Lions and The Left Hand of God. And of course with works like Exodus, Lonely are the Brave and Papillion, Trumbo is one of our greatest American screenwriters. @Philip S: Now that's funny!

Hollywood on Trial is probably the best single piece of filmmaking on the blacklist subject. It includes interviews with many of the blacklisted writers, and footage from the trials. That group of writers were extremely brave people, and their passionate back-and-forth shoutings with HUAC chairman Thomas were pretty moving. And kudos to legendary American journalist pioneer Edward Murrow, for exposing McCarthyism for what is was.