Artist: James Jones, author, and Fred Zinnemann, film producer
Confronting Bodies: The 1950s film censors, the U.S. Un-American Activities Commission, McCarthyists
Date of Action: 1950s
Specific Location: United States
Description of Artwork: James Jones's novel, turned film by Fred Zinnemann, "From Here to Eternity," portray's the U.S. Army in Hawaii on the eve of World War II. The film is best known for it's scene including Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster embracing on a Hawaiian beach.
Description of Incident: Several scenes were removed from Jones's narrative and Zinnemann's production. One which included a brothel, that was turned into a club where soldiers merely drank and danced with women. In another more significant alteration, the 8-year-old son of Kerr's character was removed and replaced by presentiment about her chastity taken on because of her husband's past infidelities. The filmmakers were reluctant to suggest that Kerr's maternal character would have a love affair.
Results of Incident: The story and subsidiary scenes were altered for the film's production.
Source: The New York Times
Submitted By: NCAC
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