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Joseph McCarthy and the Bad Movie Club
In 1951, the Bad Movie Club officially founded its second chapter, at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The UF Chapter was founded by seven Barnardians who moved South with their family business: Walliburton wool. The Walliburton Seven, as they were known at Barnard, were die-hard Bad Movie Clubbers; they started the UF chapter as soon as they arrived.
The Walliburton Seven
By 1953, the UF Bad Movie Club had surpassed the Columbia/Barnard chapters in membership. Local historians attribute this high membership to the Walliburton Seven's enthusiasm, but it is perhaps more accurate to acknowledge that Columbia and Barnard enjoy a more cosmopolitan environment that may compete for attention from entertainment afficionados.
The UF Chapter had its first taste of controversy when the Walliburton Seven were called before Joseph McCarthy as part of the HUAC hearings in early 1954. Below is an excerpt from the hearing:
| JOSEPH MCCARTHY: Your group intentionally seeks out "bad" movies. Don't you worry that this aversion from quality might be un-American? MELODY WALLIBURTON: No, senator. We believe it is every American's right to seek out and ridicule Hollywood's dreck. JM: But what if I were to tell you that the reason those movies are "bad" is that they have been written by Communists, and thus do not fit with American values? MW: As a fan of bad movies, I would suggest that these "Communists" be given more scriptwriting opportunities. [A MURMUR ARISES FROM THE GALLERY. JM CALLS FOR ORDER. ] JM: Ms. Walliburton, aren't you concerned about the Communist infiltration of our country? MW: No, I'm not. [UPROAR ENSUES. JM CLEARS THE GALLERY.] |
While not charged by the HUAC, the Walliburtons were censured by the University of Florida and the Bad Movie Club was placed on probation for the 1954-1955 academic year.