Turns out this is not true!

Most artists and cultural figures around today are not dangerous

They have careers to worry about!

I have been thinking about the McCarthy trials recently - don't know why!!

Been pondering about how it impacted on the friendship and art of Arthur Miller and Elia Kazan.

Kazan named names and Miller did not

They were never the same again.....

Both used their art to justify their political position and legitimise the choices they made.

Everyone knows about The Crucible

But I am fascinated by Kazan's response, which was to make On the Waterfront

A film were it is ok to name names

Both works are masterpieces in my opinion

But I know what one I would rather have made!

Arthur Miller writes about this brilliantly in his great autobiography Timebends

Miller was a true hero to me growing up - I had such respect for the man and his work

Broke my heart when I heard he abandoned his boy ......but that is a sad story for another day

Centrists, the BBC, Guardian journalists and many cultural figures are the Elia Kazans of our time.....

But without the talent!