The Sinatra Files (23 page)

The above informant, who has some knowledge of CP activities in the State of Utah, advised on March 21, 1955 that he has no information relative to FRANK SINATRA.

AT LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

The above informants, who are in a position to learn of some CP activities in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area, advised on April 20, 1955
that they have no information connecting FRANK SINATRA with the CP or the CP movement.

AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Above informant advised on January 18, 1946 and on reinterview April 25, 1955 that he was present at the above-described “Welcome Home Joe” dinner. He reported that the award for FRANK SINATRA was presented during the affair to a woman who was introduced as Mrs. FRANK SINATRA. The award was given as a result of SINATRA’s performance in the motion picture “The House I Live In,” a racial tolerance production. Informant advised on April 25, 1955 that he had never heard of FRANK SINATRA or Mrs. FRANK SINATRA in connection with the CP or the CP movement.

Hollywood, California

The above individual was a member of the CP in the Los Angeles [area] … [but she] advised … on April 7, 1955 that she never heard of FRANK SINATRA in connection with the CP movement nor had she ever heard of him making any contributions to the CP. She pointed out that individuals connected with the motion picture industry were found to be extremely generous when asked for donations to various causes. Because of this she felt it altogether possible that SINATRA could have, at one time or another, donated to causes sponsored by the Party, although such fact, if true, had never come to her personal attention.

Beverly Hills, California

The above individual joined the CP in New York … [and] was a member of the CP within the film industry… He advised SA [Special Agent] on April 1, 1955 that he does not know FRANK
SINATRA personally and has never heard of him in connection with the CP movement.

Los Angeles, California

The above individual was a member of a Hollywood cultural club of the LACCP…. He advised … on October 28, 1951 that he recalled one of the CP members in his group,
having remarked at Party meetings that she knew NANCY SINATRA, wife of FRANK SINATRA.
indicated that she had received contributions from NANCY SINATRA for one or more Party “causes.”
advised that he never heard any comments in Party circles, however, connecting FRANK SINATRA or his wife with the CP or the CP movement. He stated that FRANK SINATRA had made a recording of the song, “The House I Live In,” and on which a motion picture was subsequently based.
advised that this song was written by EARL ROBINSON.

    
The Los Angeles FBI report included what is probably the most eloquent statement attributed to Sinatra regarding red-baiting
.

“Hollywood on Trial—The Story of the Ten
Who Were Indicted” by GORDON KAHN,
published by Boni and Gaer, Inc.,
New York, Copyright 1948

    The following, attributed to FRANK SINATRA, appeared in the above book:

“Once they get the movies throttled how long will it be before the Committee goes to work on freedom of the air? How long will it be before we’re told what we can and cannot say into a radio microphone? If you make a pitch on a nation-wide
network for a square deal for the underdog, will they call you a Commie? … Are they gonna scare us into silence? I wonder.”