House of Strangers, Film Noir-Banker, Edward G. Robinson: Best Actor, Anti Fascist, HUAC Red Scare

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Last edited Sun Mar 19, 2023, 08:43 PM - Edit history (1)

- Trailer, film promo (1949). - 'House of Strangers' is an American film noir directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring Edward G. Robinson, Susan Hayward, & Richard Conte. The screenplay is by Philip Yordan & Mankiewicz.. Gino Monetti is a rags-to-riches Italian-American banker in New York City whose methods result in a number of criminal charges. Three of his 4 grown sons, the ambitious Joe, playboy Tony, & physically imposing Pietro, unhappy at their domineering father's dismissive treatment of them, refuse to help Gino when he is put on trial for questionable business practices. Max, a lawyer, is the only son who stays loyal to his father, & he serves as Gino's attorney during the trial...https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Strangers

- Family dinner scene. Eldest son Joe, who works at the family bank asks his father Gino for a raise.
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- EDWARD G. ROBINSON (b. Emanuel Goldenberg; Dec. 12, 1893 -Jan. 26, 1973): Romanian-American actor of stage and screen, who was popular during the Hollywood's Golden Age. He appeared in 30 Broadway plays & more than 100 films during a 50-year career. He is best remembered for his tough-guy roles as gangsters in such films as 'Little Caesar' & 'Key Largo.' - During his career, Robinson received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor in 1949 for his performance in 'House of Strangers.' The last scene which Robinson filmed was a euthanasia sequence, with his friend & co-star Charlton Heston, in the science fiction film Soylent Green (1973); he died 84 days later.

In the 1930s & 1940s, Robinson was an outspoken public critic of fascism & Nazism, which were growing in strength in Europe in the years leading up to World War II. His activism included contributing over $250,000 to more than 850 organizations which were involved in war relief, along with contributions to cultural, educational & religious groups. - 1950s: Robinson was called to testify in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the Red Scare, but he was cleared of any deliberate Communist involvement when he claimed that he was "duped" by several people whom he named..('Communist infiltration of the Hollywood motion picture industry').

As a result of being investigated, he found himself on Hollywood's graylist, people who were on the Hollywood blacklist maintained by the major studios, but could find work at minor film studios on what was called Poverty Row. - Robinson received an Academy Honorary Award for his work in the film industry, which was awarded 2 months after he died in 1973. He is ranked number 24 in the American Film Institute's list of the 25 greatest male stars of Classic American cinema. Multiple film critics & media outlets have cited him as one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination...https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_G._Robinson
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-'From Russia with Trepidation: The Rocky Ride of Edward G. Robinson,'
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/03/02/from-russia-with-trepidation-the-rocky-ride-of-edward-g-robinson/