Hollywood against Franco

Anti-embargo protest

A US protest against the arms embargo during the Spanish Civil War

'Stars for Spain' ambulance

When the Spanish Civil War broke out, Hollywood responded in different ways to show its support for the Republican side. Pictured is an ambulance heading to Spain that was paid for with money raised by various LA stars

'Blockade' (1938)

A more obvious way for Hollywood actors, directors and writers to show which side they supported in the war was to make films about it. 'Blockade' stars Henry Fonda and Madeleine Carroll (an English actress who became enamoured with the Costa Brava and lived there later in her life)—it tells the story of a Spanish peasant who fights in the war and falls in love with a Russian woman, and together they battle against an 'enemy blockade'. It was nominated for two Oscars

Alvah Bessie in Darmós

Other members of the US film industry took a more proactive role in the Civil War. Screenwriter Alvah Bessie travelled to Spain to fight with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Bessie was one of the so-called Hollywood Ten, a group of writers, directors and producers who refused to testify at the MacCarthy-led House Committee on Un-American Activities Commission. He was found in contempt and imprisoned for 10 months; on his release he was blacklisted from working in the film industry. Bessie later co-wrote a film about his experiences fighting in Spain

Madison Square Gardens meeting against embargo

European governments responded to the Spanish Civil War with a non-intervention pact and an arms embargo, to prevent weapons and material reaching the two sides. However, the agreement between the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Russia was undermined by the fact that the last three supplied weaponry, soldiers and other resources of varying quality to the two sides (Germany and Italy to the Fascists, Russia to Communist elements on the Republican side). The French and British governments publicly remained neutral but many members were concerned about a potential left-wing victory. As a result of such a confused and ineffective strategy, different groups organised gatherings to call for an end to the arms embargo, such as this one at Madison Square Gardens in NYC

'For Whom the Bell Tolls'

This 1943 film was based on Ernest Hemingway's 1940 novel of the same name. The story describes the experiences of a fictional character called Robert Jordan who joins the International Brigades to fight against Franco's forces. It is based on Hemingway's own experiences of the war, including reporting for a US newspaper and witnessing the Battle of the Ebro, the last stand of the Republicans in the south of Catalunya

Susan Sarandon

The documentary includes interviews with various figures from the US film industry, including actress Susan Sarandon