Voices Behind the Curtain

by Gordon Zuckerman

  “One of the things we needed to avoid was creating a money trail that could be traced back to us. Fortunately, Tony presented us with an opportunity to literally bury $425 million in the ground. Tony, how long has it been since we bought the 5,000 acres and planted our first grapes? Five years?”

  The people sitting around the table turned their attention to the tall, handsome, deeply tanned and well-muscled Italian winemaker. Despite being a soft-spoken man of few words, Tony Garibaldi loved the opportunity to talk about grapes, wines, and the Napa Valley. The subject made him come alive.

  Unaccustomed to being impressed with men she met along the way, Natalie couldn’t help but notice Tony’s youthful vigor, his Mediterranean handsomeness, and how excited he seemed to be when he was talking about grapes and wines. Clearly, he is a fellow dreamer who is devoted to chasing challenging goals! She was paying the same kind of attention to Tony giving his report as she would to a writer of a new play as he read aloud from his manuscript.

  Had she not been paying such close attention to Tony, she might have noticed David’s reaction to her interest in Tony. Always threatened by attention Natalie constantly attracted from other men, David had developed the habit of watching for any signs that she might be attracted to some other man. Her rapt interest in Tony was unmistakable.

  Natalie was forced to snap out of her trance just moments after Tony finished giving his report. She heard Jacques asking her if she wished to talk about her new project. “From what we have been hearing, the preliminary reports appear to be indicating your early efforts are starting to shake things up a bit on both sides of the Atlantic. Would you mind sharing?”

  Not willing to risk glancing at David, she began, “Thank you, Jacques.” Flashing her famous smile, Natalie nodded before saying, “You have no idea what is happening to your colleagues in Southern California. Hollywood personalities are being threatened by a modern version of the Spanish Inquisition, only this time, they are calling it Hollywood Black Listing, which required the movie studios to prevent the employment of anyone who is expected to have had some previous affiliation with the Communist Party. Talented people are prevented from seeking employment in the only industry they have known. Natalie’s Bridge is a transatlantic casting company designed to employ out-ofwork Hollywood personalities in London’s moviemaking industry. Interestingly enough, the spark of the new idea was produced by one of my students.

  “The simplicity of her idea is astounding. One afternoon, when over a cup of coffee, she casually asked why I haven’t taken advantage of my experiences on the English stage to find employment for Hollywood’s disenfranchised but commercially proven personalities. Putting one foot in front of the other, we have unquestionably discovered there is a strong base of interest on this side of the Atlantic in seeking employment in the British filmmaking industry. Once we complete our documentation of interested job seekers, their qualifications, and their experience, my next step will require me to visit the London moviemaking industry and assess the depth of their interest.”

  Observing this intelligent and self-assured woman describe her next project was producing a strange effect on Tony. Seldom had he witnessed such a convincing presentation from a man, much less a woman. He had always regarded her as a very beautiful and talented star on the musical stage, somebody whose lifestyle and interests placed her in a world well beyond anything he would be comfortable discussing. Watching her talk about her new life was creating an entirely different impression, however. Something must have changed. Why would such a successful star, in the prime of her career, retire from the stage, teach musical theater at the University of California, move in with someone like David, and put her varied talents to work to helping Southern California movie people find work in England? What have I missed? Maybe I should make more of an effort to become better acquainted.

  * * *

  ONCE THE DINNER DISHES HAD BEEN CLEARED, MIKE DIRECTED THE conversation back to the central matter at hand. “Each of you have already received a copy of the memorandum I sent you describing the detailed information contained in Mary and Marco’s reports. The more I think about this situation, the more I am convinced the problem is much more complicated than just focusing our attention on the prudence of accelerated defense spending. Jacques and I both agree the real problem requiring our attention is that of our opposing the ever-deepening penetration of the military-industrial complex. Controlling government spending will just be the way we keep score!”

  After nodding her assent, Cecelia asked, “What can we do about these congressional hearings? As things stand, without the benefit of any well prepared opposition, Dick Bailey and his pack of jackals are using threats, intimidations, and false accusations to intimidate and scare helpless witnesses. The government, with its unlimited resources and superior knowledge of the law, has taken advantage of the unpreparedness of witnesses, the absence of qualified counsel, and the fear of incarceration to create and enhance concerns over the potential threat of Communism.

  “Why aren’t these bullies susceptible, like any other bullies, to some of their own medicine? How do you think they might react if someone was able to develop effective responses to their unfounded accusations and intimidating tactics? What do you suppose might happen if we found someone who, if properly prepared, could effectively resist their challenges and put up a real fight?”

  “I may have already met the right person,” Natalie said. “Her name is Gloria Adams. Some of you might know her as Mrs. Cyril Adams, the hostess of the cocktail party made famous in the William Weyl hearings. She was an actress before the war, and is still entrenched in the Hollywood community and has several friends who’ve been targeted by Bailey’s committee. She’s angry, and she doesn’t have much to lose at this point. I think she’ll be eager to cooperate. Getting her before the committee could prove to be the more difficult problem.”

  The room grew eerily silent. Everyone was lost in thought. No one was particularly surprised. They were busy trying to think of an appropriate response when the characteristically quiet Tony said, “Cecelia makes an excellent point. In Italy, before the last war, my family and their friends were generally aware of what Mussolini and his fascist colleagues were doing, but they didn’t make the effort to oppose him until it was too late. Look at our own efforts to warn the world of Hitler’s wartime ambitions for worldwide rule. Without a voice capable of reaching our influential friends, we had no way to oppose the German industrialists, who, left unattended, could threaten the world.

  “I may be speaking out of school. Given the fast-changing nature of the American musical stage and its ability to raise the consciousness of its audience regarding current social issues, why shouldn’t we take advantage of Gloria’s and Natalie’s public identification? What could be more important than developing our own means for communicating directly with the public?”

  Before anyone could say anything, the other members around the table were caught by surprise when David suddenly leaped to his feet. “I can see where this is heading! Before anyone says anything, I want to make it perfectly clear, don’t count on me or Natalie to do anything more than what she is already doing with her Natalie’s Bridge project. Our personal life is already in shambles. The last thing we need is another project for Natalie!”

  Embarrassed by his compulsive behavior, and sensing the strained and silent reaction from his fellow Sentinels, David excused himself from the table, made his way to the front door, and left without offering any explanation. Natalie, sitting quietly at the table, did not rise from her seat and/or choose to follow him.

  CHAPTER 13

  Call Gloria

  LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 1948

  One of the first things Natalie did upon her return to Los Angeles was to call Gloria Adams. Curious to learn what had transpired in New York, Gloria eagerly agreed to meet her the next day at their favorite neighborhood bistro.

  As Natalie entered the dimly lit restaurant 15 minutes before the appointed tim
e, she was surprised to see Gloria, wearing a big smile, already sitting in their favorite booth.

  “Thank God you’re finally here!” the older woman teased. “I’ve been so excited to learn what happened in New York, I arrived half an hour early.”

  They were well into their second cup of coffee by the time Natalie finished outlining the three parts of their plan. “My colleagues are convinced, given a thorough examination of the law and the careful preparation of a strong willed witness, we can reverse the effect their pulpit of public opinion is having on the public. We think you might be that strong willed witness.”

  Gloria, showing her delight, clasped both her hands in front of her, before saying, “You can count on me. There is nothing that would give me greater pleasure than preventing those jackals from attacking my friends!”

  * * *

  AFTER MIKE, DON CERRETA, AND THEIR INDEPENDENT LEGAL research consultants interviewed Gloria, they all agreed she possessed the prerequisite intelligence, energy, and tenacity to endure the hearing. The only remaining question concerned her ability to grasp the essence of the legal case they were planning to prepare. When asked, Gloria responded, “All you are asking me to do is to learn how to respond to the committee’s questions in the legal vernacular this role will require.”

  * * *

  SATISFIED WITH HER ANSWER, THE VENUE OF THEIR WORK WAS shifted to New York. Mike and Don went to work organizing a group of highly respected constitutional lawyers to research the problem. Each week, they would meet with the lawyers to ask questions and evaluate their work. Copies were also sent to top constitutional lawyers in New York and Washington. Suggestions were welcomed. Changes were made. By the end of the process, Mike and Don were convinced they had something that, if properly presented, would be convincing, and, more importantly, catch Dick Bailey and the rest of his committee by surprise—and unprepared.

  Mike couldn’t help but speculate, “I wonder how the ‘Hounds’ will react when the unsuspecting ‘Fox’ turns on them and delivers some of their own medicine?”

  * * *

  WITH THEIR PREPARATION COMPLETE, THE GROUP DECIDED TO HOLD a “moot court hearing” as the final test of their work. Highly regarded and recently retired federal judges would be in attendance. Gloria would play the part of the witness, while Mike was selected to be the presiding judge. Don Cerreta was selected to play the role of the committee’s chief interrogator, Dick Bailey.

  * * *

  THE RESULTS OF THE “MOOT COURT” PERFORMANCE WERE interesting. Gloria, the retired actress, was in full possession of the memorization and delivery techniques she had worked so hard to develop in an earlier time. Mike, Natalie, Don, and the other members of the legal team were pleasantly surprised by the energetic intelligence and retentive skills Gloria was able to insert into her new role. Gloria had mastered the ability to answer questions in a brief and confident manner without appearing arrogant or disrespectful.

  * * *

  IN WASHINGTON, PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE THE HALLS OF Congress had become a regular occurrence. Friends and colleagues of the blacklisted Hollywood Ten, activists concerned about the encroachment of American civil liberties, and people who were opposed to the government employing their resources to attack its own citizens were gathering to peacefully express their indignation. Many of the marchers carried signs printed with the slogan “Free the Hollywood Ten.”

  * * *

  WITH ALL THE INTEREST BEING STIRRED UP, IT WAS ONLY NATURAL that Walt’s editor urged him to dig ever-deeper in his reporting. He would say, “Sometimes, I think we’re covering this story exactly the way we’re expected to. Due process of the law is taking a hell of a beating, and I think the public deserves to know why. We are talking about the U.S. Congress, not some religious inquisition. Why don’t we try to understand what is really going on, and report the real story?”

  * * *

  “TRUST ME,” WALT ASSURED HIM, “NOTHING WOULD GIVE ME GREATER satisfaction than to get down to D.C. and help people learn what the real story behind the story really is.”

  * * *

  WALT HAD BEEN COVERING THE DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE THE Capitol for 3 days when he recognized the slim, sweet-countenanced older lady in chalk-white tennis shoes, wearing a well-tailored, somewhat plain smock. She was quietly walking through the crowd holding a sign that read “Hollywood Ten + Me.”

  Smelling a story, he started walking toward her, pulling out his notepad, and retrieving his pen from his breast pocket.

  * * *

  TWO DAYS LATER, WALT MATTHEWS’S ARTICLE DESCRIBING THE former actress’s indignation at the hearings and capturing some of Gloria’s more colorful insults of Richard Bailey and the rest of the committee began to appear in the New York Times and its 32 syndicated newspapers. Each article ended with the reporter challenging the committee to call her as a witness. This little old lady who dared to challenge the authority of the House Un-American Activities Committee was becoming a symbol of the growing concern over the abuse of civil rights.

  * * *

  “CALL GLORIA” WAS BECOMING A CHANT OF THE ASSEMBLED CROWDS. It was printed on signs hoisted above the growing crowds. On a near-daily basis, editorial sections of newspapers featured letters from readers supporting Gloria. Careful observers noted that the public was becoming more interested in the conduct of these hearings than in their content. Reports of alleged subversive activities were giving way to the questioning of the government’s possible violations of civil rights and the badgering of witnesses.

  * * *

  DRAWING UPON HER CAREFUL COACHING, GLORIA GAVE REPORTERS skillfully crafted answers organized to subtly support the legal position they planned on exposing should she appear before the committee. Interviews with the charismatic actress regularly were appearing in the national press. The feisty old lady in chalk-white tennis shoes was fast becoming a symbol, with whom the American public was able to identify.

  * * *

  IN THEIR CLOSED SESSIONS, THE COMMITTEE NERVOUSLY DISCUSSED the wave of controversy rising around Gloria. The chairman was asking, “Do you think we need to pay attention to all the commotion she is creating? Should we request her appearance? After all, how much damage can one washed-up old actress cause?”

  CHAPTER 14

  Going Their Separate Ways

  BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, MAY 1949

  Neither Natalie nor David trusted themselves to discuss what had happened in New York. Hopefully, with the passage of time, the tension between them would die down and their relationship would survive. David returned to San Francisco by plane. Natalie took the train. After returning home, they managed to avoid talking about their feelings. The demands for Natalie’s time in Los Angeles didn’t stop. Claiming conflict in schedules, David stopped accompanying her to Los Angeles. He was also keenly aware that her absences were interfering with their weekend sailing adventures.

  Caught up in the excitement of launching the transatlantic casting bridge, Natalie was not conscious of how far the deterioration of her midweek relationship with David had progressed. One night after a particularly challenging day, when she returned to an empty hotel room, she was reminded of the many lonely nights she had been forced to endure after exhausting performances. Recalling how she used to feel, Here I am, after working so hard to make good things happen, returning to an empty room, without anyone to talk to or share my experiences. Who enjoys going to a movie by themselves? Why is it so difficult to live an active life and have someone to share it with? Somehow,

  I need to find a way to patch things up with David before things really get out of control.

  Starting to experience twinges of guilt from the lack of attention she was paying David, she asked herself, “Have I unconsciously substituted the challenge of making my new venture work with my previous career in the theater? Maybe, if I can find a way to reduce my trips to Southern California to every other weekend and spend more time with David in the middle of the week, he will take notice I really care
about him and I am making an effort to preserve our relationship.”

  * * *

  TONIGHT WOULD BE HER FIRST NIGHT HOME. WANTING TO DEVOTE more attention to David, she had planned something different. As soon as her last class was over, she left school. No more coffee with the girls. Stopping at the neighborhood market, she selected whatever she would need to prepare one of David’s favorite dinners, Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding. Having made her selections, she wandered over to the liquor section looking for a bottle of his favorite red French and white Italian wines.

  Walking the length of a block to her parked car, she was passing their favorite record shop when she spotted the long-playing album of Puccini’s last opera, Turandot, in the new release section. Who knows, in addition to appreciating my gift, he might associate the familiar plot, “iron maiden’s melting under the kiss of the secret prince,” with what I am trying to do.

  Arriving home well before David normally was expected to appear, Natalie set the table, peeled the potatoes, thoroughly washed and chopped the salad vegetables, decanted the red wine and put the white on ice. Next she set about to carefully prepare what she hoped would be the highlight dish of the evening, the Yorkshire pudding. From years of experience gained from cooking the delicate and difficult to prepare old English recipe for her family on the Sussex farm, she carefully measured out each of the ingredients, placed them in small bowls, and arranged them in order she would be using them. From her mother, she had learned the secret of a great “Yorkshire” lay in the preparation of the properly greased pan. Before leaving the kitchen, she placed the roast and the potatoes in the pre-heated oven.