Title supplied by cataloger.; Photograph was edited for publication purposes. In February 1945, Herbert Sorrell lead a six-month strike that originated with a dispute between two unions, the CSU (Conference of Studio Unions) and the IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada) over which one of them had union authority over seventy-seven set decorators. An independent arbitrator appointed by the War Labor Board found that the CSU had jurisdiction over the set decorators. When Hollywood producers refused to acknowledge that decision, the strike began. Around 10,000 CSU workers went on strike, picketing all of the studios. Many members of IATSE refused to cross the picket lines or do work normally filled by members of the CSU. The studios, however, had films already completed and were able to handle the strike better than the workers. By October, resources were running low and on October 5, 1945, picketers and replacement workers were involved in a bloody battle that became known as Hollywood Black Friday. Police and sheriffs from several departments were called in to handle the melee. Over 40 people were injured and property was destroyed. The strike was settled for a time. Another strike was called in September, 1946, after the studios replaced CSU workers and locked them out. After more fighting, the Screen Actors Guild voted to cross picket lines, a blow to the strikers. The CSU finally voted to permit impoverished members and supporters to cross the picket lines and return to work. These events led to the enactment of the Taft-Hartley Act, a federal bill that restricts the activities and power of labor unions. First photograph caption dated October 24, 1945 reads "Picket capt. Al Orenbach and two policeman posted at the studio look on as Police Sergeant Cecil E. Dewey (not pictured) and picket capt. Gregg Proser (not pictured) smile as they tear up a picket sign in front of Paramount studio after receiving word of the strike's settlement. In picture, at left, only one lone picket sign and scraps of paper remain in front of Paramount as reminders of the 33-week-long strike." The three men are standing in front of the ornate wrought-iron gate at the arched entrance to the studio. The sign reads "All squad leaders check in here." Graffiti on the wall, to the left of the men just under two ornate columns, reads "Old finks home." A telephone booth is to the right of the men. Paramount Studios is located in Hollywood.; Second photograph caption dated April 24, 1988 reads "The year's 1945, there's a dead man and Raymond Chandler's on the trail in Gaylord Larsen's book 'A Paramount kill.'"
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Conference of Studio Unions Paramount Pictures Corporation Strikes and lockouts--Motion picture industry--California--Los Angeles Motion picture studios--California--Los Angeles--Employees Motion picture studios--California--Hollywood (Los Angeles) Motion picture industry--California--Los Angeles--Employees Labor unions--United States Police--California--Los Angeles Signs and signboards--California--Los Angeles Telephone booths--California--Los Angeles Gates--California--Los Angeles Graffiti--California--Los Angeles Men--California--Los Angeles Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.) Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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