Robert Young

We met at night, in private homes, in the basement if there was one. It was a like a Communist cell for those of us who were involved in the formation of the SAG. We had to be very careful back then because the actors unionizing was verboten as far as the studios were concerned. It was risky for us. They had spies all over the place, so we were very secretive. If we were identified with the Guild, it could cost us our contracts. When our options came up for renewal, chances are, they would not renew us. The average person like myself, under contract to the studio with a family, was extremely scared. We were showing great bravery in those early days, but it was one of those things where our belief in the cause overcame our fear of the consequences.