Sinatra’s Choice for Liberty Song

I would like to correct an oversight in the script of the extravaganza honoring our refurbished Statue of Liberty.

Elizabeth Taylor’s introduction of Frank Sinatra gave credit to the great feeling of patriotism a special short film aroused in World War II. What the script did not mention was that this prize short, “The House I Live In,” which featured Sinatra’s song, was written by Albert Maltz, whose honors at the time were later ignored when he was blacklisted and sent to jail as one of the Hollywood Ten.

This information was not considered a pertinent program note.

“The right to speak one’s mind out,” so eloquently sung by Sinatra, was denied to many during those days of the witch hunt.

It is necessary to reemphasize how narrow is the line between “superpatriotism” and “McCarthyism.” If history’s lesson be disregarded and those dark days ever return, our Lady of the Lamp will be forced to send her tarnished robes to the cleaners once again.

ROBERT LEES

Los Angeles