George Tyne

Martin Yarus (February 6, 1917 – March 7, 2008), better known by the stage name George Tyne, was an American stage and film actor and television director. He was blacklisted in the 1950s, and was indicted for contempt of Congress but subsequently acquitted.

George Tyne
Born
Martin Yarus

(1917-02-06)February 6, 1917
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 7, 2008(2008-03-07) (aged 91)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesBuddy Yarus
OccupationActor, director
Years active1967-1981
Known forA Walk in the Sun
Spouse(s)Ethel Tyne (?-2003) (her death)

Early life and career

Tyne, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began his acting career under the name Buddy Yarus. He used that name when appearing in the 1945 war film Objective Burma!, and in the Laurel and Hardy film The Dancing Masters (1943). As "George Tyne" he appeared in A Walk in the Sun, Sands of Iwo Jima and Thieves Highway.

Tyne also appeared on Broadway in a number of roles, including the hit 1954 play Lunatics and Lovers.

Congressional testimony and prosecution

Tyne was blacklisted from the movies in 1951 and from television in 1952, after his name was publicized in congressional committee hearings into alleged Communist infiltration of the entertainment industry.[1]

In August 1955, the House Un-American Activities Committee held hearings in New York City to probe alleged Communist infiltration of Broadway, radio and television. Tyne was one of seven witnesses who refused to answer questions about whether they had been members of the Communist Party. Six cited their right to avoid self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but Tyne simply refused to answer.[1]

In his testimony, Tyne called actor Lee J. Cobb a "stool pigeon" for naming him as part of a "Communist group" in Hollywood in 1943. Tyne refused to say whether he knew Cobb, and said, "I think the privilege offered by the fifth amendment is wonderful for those who wish to take advantage of it, but I'm not standing on it." Tyne refused to identify a Communist Party card, shown to him by the committee counsel, which was made out to "Buddy" Yarus. Tyne said, "All these questions are an invasion of any personal and private ideas and associations."

In July 1956, Tyne was one of seven witnesses, including playwright Arthur Miller, who were cited for contempt of Congress of Congress by the House of Representatives. The other six included stage actress Sarah Cunninghan, her husband John Randolph, and actors Lou Polan and Stanley Prager.[2]

In March 1957, Tyne was one of three entertainers who were indicted by a federal grand jury in New York for refusing to answer HUAC questions during its August 1955 hearings. The others were Pete Seeger and Elliot Sullivan. All were charged with contempt of Congress.[3] Tyne was acquitted in 1961 on technical grounds.[4]

Later life and career

Prior to his blacklisting, Tyne's last movie role was in the 1951 war film Decision Before Dawn. During the period of his blacklisting he worked mainly as a stage actor. He appeared in supporting roles in the 1954 off-Broadway revival of Threepenny Opera, the 1954 comedy Lunatics and Lovers, and Romanoff and Juliet (1957).

In the 1960s, Tyne began appearing in small roles on television and in the movies. He also began work as a television director.

Tyne directed episodes of The Love Boat, The Paul Lynde Show, M*A*S*H* and the 1979 TV series Friends. He returned to acting, in small roles, in TV shows and movies in the 1960s. His last film role was a bit part in the 1984 film, The Lonely Guy. In the early 1990s, he taught directing courses at the California Institute of the Arts.

Selected acting and directing credits

As film actor

As television director
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See also

References
  1. "Six Entertainers Defy Un-American Probers in Red Theater Quiz". Schenectady Gazette (United Press). Aug 16, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  2. "House Cites Arthur Miller For Contempt". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Associated Press). July 26, 1956. p. 2. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  3. "U.S. Jury Cited 3 Entertainers". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. May 27, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  4. "United States v. Yarus, 198 F. Supp. 425 - CourtListener.com". October 28, 1961. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
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