History Creator / LillianHellman

During an interview on ''Series/TheDickCavettShow'' in 1979, novelist Mary [=McCarthy=] (no relation to the [[UsefulNotes/JosephMcCarthy red-baiting Senator]]) accused Hellman of being a ConsummateLiar. After Hellman sued her for libel, [=McCarthy=]'s lawyers responded by unearthing evidence of Hellman's dishonesty, including the assertion that the "Julia" chapter in ''Pentimento'' was BasedOnAGreatBigLie. Hellman died before the issue could be settled in court.

By the 1970s, Hellman was widely regarded as a hero for having taken a stand against the blacklist. During this time, she published her memoirs. One chapter of her 1973 memoir ''Pentimento'' formed the basis for the 1977 film ''{{Film/Julia}}'', starring Creator/JaneFonda as a young Lillian Hellman.

->''"I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions."''
-->-- '''Lillian Hellman''', before the House Un-American Activities Committee

During an interview on ''Series/TheDickCavettShow'' in 1979, novelist Mary [=McCarthy=] (no relation to the [[UsefulNotes/JosephMcCarthy red-baiting Senator]]) accused Hellman of being a ConsummateLiar, and when Hellman sued her for libel, [=McCarthy=] responded by producing evidence of Hellman's dishonesty, including the assertion that the "Julia" chapter in ''Pentimento'' was BasedOnAGreatBigLie. Hellman died before the issue could be settled in court.

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Lillian Florence "Lilly" Hellman (June 20, 1905 – June 30, 1984) was an American playwright and screenwriter. She achieved her greatest success writing dramatic plays for Broadway in the 1930s and 1940s.

Hellman was known for her strong left-wing views and activism. She was briefly a member of the Communist Party. During the RedScare era, Hellman was targeted by UsefulNotes/TheHollywoodBlacklist and refused to name names.

In 1979, Mary [=McCarthy=] (no relation to the Senator) accused Hellman of being a ConsummateLiar and Hellman sued for defamation. [=McCarthy=] produced evidence of Hellman's dishonesty. Most notably, evidence mounted that the "Julia" chapter in ''Pentimento'' was BasedOnAGreatBigLie. Hellman died before the issue could be settled in court.

In 1979, Mary [=McCarthy=] (no relation to the Senator, but she was the sister of Creator/KevinMcCarthy) accused Hellman of being a ConsummateLiar and Hellman sued for defamation. [=McCarthy=] produced evidence of Hellman's dishonesty. Most notably, evidence mounted that the "Julia" chapter in ''Pentimento'' was BasedOnAGreatBigLie. Hellman died before the issue could be settled in court.

In 1979, Mary [=McCarthy=] (no relation to the Senator) accused Hellman of being a ConsummateLiar and Hellman sued for defamation. [=McCarthy=] produced evidence of Hellman's dishonesty. Most notably, evidence mounted that the "Julia" chapter in ''Pentimento'' was BasedOnAGreatBigLie. Hellman died before the issue could be settled in court.

In 1979, Mary [=McCarthy=] accused Hellman of being a ConsummateLiar and Hellman sued for defamation. [=McCarthy=] produced evidence of Hellman's dishonesty. Most notably, evidence mounted that the "Julia" chapter in ''Pentimento'' was BasedOnAGreatBigLie. Hellman died before the issue could be settled in court.

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Lillian Florence "Lilly" Hellman (1905 – 1984) was an American playwright and screenwriter. She achieved her greatest success writing dramatic plays for Broadway in the 1930s and 1940s.

* ''{{Film/Julia}}'' (from a chapter of ''Pentimento'')

Lillian Florence "Lilly" Hellman (1905 – 1984) was an American playwright and screenwriter.

The controversy over Hellman's dishonesty went a long way to overshadowing and tarnishing her prior reputation as an [=anti-McCarthyite=] heroine, leaving her with a mixed legacy.

By the 1970s, Hellman was widely regarded as a hero for having taken a stand during against the blacklist. During this time, she published her memoirs. One chapter of her 1973 memoir ''Pentimento'' formed the basis for the 1977 film ''{{Film/Julia}}'', starring Creator/JaneFonda as a young Lillian Hellman.

By the 1970s, Hellman was widely regarded as a hero for having taken a stand during the blacklist era. During this time, she published her memoirs. One chapter of her 1973 memoir ''Pentimento'' formed the basis for the 1977 film ''{{Film/Julia}}'', starring Creator/JaneFonda as a young Lillian Hellman.

By the 1970s, Hellman was widely regarded as a hero for her stand during the blacklist era. During this time, she published her memoirs. One chapter of her 1973 memoir ''Pentimento'' formed the basis for the 1977 film ''{{Film/Julia}}'', starring Creator/JaneFonda as a young Lillian Hellman.

->''"Every word she writes is a lie, including 'and' and 'the.'"

* ''Film/Julia'' (from a chapter of ''Pentimento'')

The controversy over Hellman's dishonesty went a long way to overshadowing and tarnishing her prior reputation as an anti-McCarthyite heroine, leaving her with a mixed legacy.