High Noon

The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic

By: Glenn Frankel

Narrated by: Allan Robertson

It's one of the most revered movies of Hollywood's golden era. Starring screen legend Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly in her first significant film role, High Noon was shot on a lean budget over just 32 days but achieved instant box-office and critical success. It won four Academy Awards in 1953, including a best actor win for Cooper. And it became a cultural touchstone, often cited by politicians as a favourite film, celebrating moral fortitude.

Yet what has been often overlooked is that High Noon was made during the height of the Hollywood blacklist, a time of political inquisition and personal betrayal. In the middle of the film shoot, screenwriter Carl Foreman was forced to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities about his former membership in the Communist Party. Refusing to name names, he was eventually blacklisted and fled the United States. (His coauthored screenplay for another classic, The Bridge on the River Kwai, went uncredited in 1957.) Examined in light of Foreman's testimony, High Noon's emphasis on courage and loyalty takes on deeper meaning and importance.

In this book, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Frankel tells the story of the making of a great American Western, exploring how Carl Foreman's concept of High Noon evolved from idea to first draft to final script, taking on allegorical weight. Both the classic film and its turbulent political times emerge newly illuminated.

©2017 Bloomsbury US (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

American history

An interesting story about a time the red scare ran rampant. Seems incredibly relevant today as far as where we are as a nation. Blacklisting is now done by social media. Would definitely recommend this Audible book. The movie still holds up but this book really adds to the narrative.

Outstanding!

The book was well-paced, interweaving the primary stories of Carl Foreman and Gary Cooper as well as many others involved in and subjecting to the blacklisting. My interest was kept from beginning to end. Much has been written about this period in our history but setting it against the back drop of "High Noon" made the subject more engaging. Franker does an excellent job in delving into Cooper and Foreman's backgrounds, careers and personalities so that the reader can better understand their actions and motivation. Excellent narration. Normally I only listen while driving but I couldn't wait to finish the book and listened to it constantly for a couple of days.

Not a simpler time.

What did you love best about High Noon?

Unfolding of what the entertainment world was. As complicated, and strange as it is today, with strange rules and clear winners and losers, a great story well told.

What did you like best about this story?

Pulling the narrative of High Noon in with the Blacklist was brilliant.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of the details, but big fan of Michael Wilson, he makes an odd footnote.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How to say help while being entertained.

Any additional comments?

Could have been a clunker, man it shined.

great book about classic movie and more

loved seeing how this classic movie was made, and learning more about the infamous blacklist.

Great listen

I was very surprised what an easy listen this turned out to be. I knew some about the blacklist but this really showed me a lot more. Unfortunately this book mirrors a lot of what this country is going through right now. Another book that covers the same topic is Spartacus by Kirk Douglas another great listen.