Dalton Trumbo
Dalton Trumbo
Full Name and Common Aliases
Dalton Trumbo was a renowned American screenwriter, novelist, and playwright who went by several aliases during his life. He is perhaps most famously known as one of the Hollywood Ten, a group of writers blacklisted in 1947 for their alleged ties to communism.
Birth and Death Dates
Trumbo was born on September 9, 1905, in Montrose, Colorado. He passed away on September 9, 1976, marking his 71st birthday, in Los Angeles, California.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Dalton Trumbo held dual nationality: American by birth and later, through naturalization, Swedish (though it is unclear if this was ever officially recognized). His profession spanned multiple creative fields, including novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and social activist. As a key figure in the development of Hollywood's Golden Age, his work continues to captivate audiences today.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Montrose, Colorado, Trumbo developed an early interest in writing, encouraged by his mother, Mabel Louise Karch. He moved with his family to Redondo Beach, California, where he attended the University of Southern California (USC), but later dropped out without graduating. Instead, he turned his focus towards becoming a writer.
Major Accomplishments
Trumbo's most notable achievements include:
Screenwriting credits: His work can be seen in iconic films such as _Roman Holiday_ (1953), _Spartacus_ (1960), and _The Brave One_ (1956).
Novels and plays: Notable literary works include _Johnny Got His Gun_ (1939) and _Hawaii_ (1959).
Social activism: Trumbo was a vocal advocate for workers' rights, civil liberties, and opposition to the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).Notable Works or Actions
Some of his most notable works include:
Johnny Got His Gun (1939): A novel that explores themes of war, identity, and humanity.
Hawaii (1959): A screenplay that won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1960.
The Brave One (1956): A film noir directed by Hugo Fregonese.
Impact and Legacy
Dalton Trumbo's impact on the entertainment industry extends far beyond his individual works. He played a pivotal role in shaping Hollywood's Golden Age, influencing generations of writers and filmmakers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Trumbo is widely remembered for several reasons:
His dedication to social justice: Through his activism and writing, he drew attention to the plight of marginalized groups.
The courage in standing up against HUAC: Trumbo refused to cooperate with the committee's investigations, paving the way for future generations of artists to assert their rights.
* Innovative storytelling techniques: His work frequently pushed boundaries, experimenting with non-linear narratives and exploring themes that challenged societal norms.
Quotes by Dalton Trumbo
Dalton Trumbo's insights on:
One of the disadvantages of being a patrician is that occasionally you're obliged to act like one.
Dishonesty in government is the business of every citizen. It is not enough to do your own job. There's no particular virtue in that. Democracy isn't a gift. It's a responsibility.
What the hell does liberty mean anyhow? It’s just a word like house or table or any other word. Only it’s a special kind of word. A guy says house and he can point to a house to prove it. But a guy says come on let’s fight for liberty and he can’t show you liberty. He can’t prove the thing he is talking about so how in the hell can he be telling you to fight for it?
When armies begin to move and flags wave and slogans pop up watch out little guy because it’s somebody else’s chestnuts in the fire not yours. It’s words you’re fighting for and you’re not making an honest deal your life for something better. You’re being noble and after you’re killed the thing you traded your life for won’t do you any good and chances are it won’t do anybody else any good either.
These bullies must keep up the assault, the slander, the character assassinations, stirring up the emotions of the public to a fever pitch, acting like saviors when in actuality they are frauds, phony patriots and very evil men in disguise, wrapping themselves in the flag.