Screenplay of “Salt of the Earth” written by Michael Wilson; Comments by Debora Silverton Rosenfelt comparing Hollywood and New Mexico; two final chapters outlining the making and distributing of the film. This is a direct account of the screenplay of the film. Wilson’s work is then followed by several academic and historical treatments of the film and filmmaking process. By I. Cowles

A historical look at the Mexican-American struggle for equality in the workforce. The film has feminist undertones as it deals with the influence of women on strengthening the workers’ community. A response to the HUAC hearings and the social inequalities subtly proclaimed by the McCarthy administration in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Herbert J. Biberman was a native to Philadelphia, born in 1900. Although he moved to New York to pursue his career and was educated outside of the city, he did spend significant time at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, Biberman was raised a Jew and adopted Communism as his political ideology. These elements of his persona were largely responsible for the suspicions he inspired in the HUAC hearings and were ultimately the reason for his six month imprisonment on the charge of “Contempt of Congress.” Biberman’s upbringing, a key element in defining him as a marginalized figure in 1950s America, occurred primarily in Philadelphia.

Because I am examining only one film, the relevance of which pertains primarily to a national context, my focus on Philadelphia History throughout this project has been scarce. The city, as the birthplace of Herbert J. Biberman pertains to the project for that reason more than any other. In fact, coverage of the Philadelphia native was extremely limited—especially in response to his film “Salt of the Earth.” Thus, my project focuses primarily on Herbert Bieberman’s national influence, consequences of which affected America far beyond Philadelphia alone.  By I. Cowles