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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Blacklisted screenwriter Collins dies at 98

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 02/16/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

LOS ANGELES -- A blacklisted screenwriter who later named names to Communist hunters during the McCarthy era has died in California. Richard Collins was 98.

His son, Michael Collins, tells the Los Angeles Times that Collins died Thursday of pneumonia in Ventura.

Collins was one of 19 writers and directors called by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947 in a probe of supposed Communist subversion in Hollywood. He wasn't asked to testify but 10 who refused to answer questions about their beliefs were jailed in what has widely been called a witch hunt.

Collins was subpoenaed again in 1951 and identified more than 20 colleagues as Communist sympathizers. He later expressed regrets.

He went on to have a three-decade career as a TV writer and producer on shows including Bonanza and Matlock.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 16, 2013 G2

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