LETTER TO MR. ARNOLD JOERNS FROM STANLEY J. GROGAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000200130004-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 14, 2003
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: December 1, 1959
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2003/04/22 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000200130004-6
U-9462/--'
Arnold Joerns
ber'# try
Onto-M, Wisconsin
T bank you for your letter of 25November
to Mr. Dulles.
We appreciate your letting us kow your
thoUghts on the subject, regarding which Cr'
wrote. You realize, of curse, it is on
which CIA v d malw no cent.
Agin, thank you for your letter.
Sincerely
Stanley J. Grogan.
Assistant to the Director
Distribution:
ig --Add
1 - ER (v/basic )
2 - SJG
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ARNOED JOERNS COMPANY
Executive Registry
ASA
-
I
SERVING THE ENTIRE GENEVA LAKE AREA
Arnold Joerns
Thelma LaMar
GI NEVA LAKI REAL E STATE
Office
Walworth
Telephone
4551 and
6551
Licensed Brokers
Residence
Telephones:
Gladys Welge
FONTANA, WISCONSIN
Mr.
Joerns ................................
7216
Willa McFarlane
Mrs.
LaMar ............................
6005
Licensed Associates
Miss
Welge ............... ...........
5651
Mrs.
McFarlane ...................
7045
November 25, 1959
Mr. Allan Dulles, Chief
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C.
I had the privilege of seeing last evening a private show-
ing of a Paramount film called "On the Beach" which will be pre-
viewed in 18 countries in December.
It seems to me that it should be considered carefully by
your department before being permitted to be shown anywhere.
This "horror" picture portrays the extinction of all
humans on earth in the year 1964.
The "theory" is that radio-active fallout will kill all
human and animal life on earth soon after an atomic war. I doubt
if this is scientifically true. In the picture all life has been
wiped out except Australia, and the picture gives it to Australia.
If this is scientifically untrue the picture, in my opinion, should
not be allowed to be shown.
Twenty-five of us of the Illinois Committee of the Chicago
Association of Commerce & Industry, and our wives, were privileged
to pre-preview the picture in a small room on the 7th floor of the
Chicago Theatre by courtesy of Balaban & Katz. We had a jolly
dinner together at the Swedish Club before the show. After the
show we literally slunk out the most depressed and subdued group
I have ever seen.
The staging, photography and acting were superb. Gregory
Peck and Fred Astaire were wonderful. It was most convincing.
I have been told that efforts will be mace to show the
picture in Communist countries. I doubt if this will be allowed.
The destruction of morale in the free world would be beyond cal-
culation, in my humble opinion.
Member Walworth County B and of Realt r Wis ns'n As3oci tar o rokers of the National
Approved i-or Weiease 1`~~ ~F~'o
Association of Real Estate Board
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Picking the picture apart, of course the first question
is, as stated above, is it scientifically a fact that all humans
on earth will die of fallout as a result of an atomic war? If
not, the picture should not be allowed because most people will
believe the picture regardless of what their ;overnments tell
them afterwards. It will create fear, confusion, hysteria and
distrust throughout the free world, a million times more so than
Orson Welles' broadcast some years ago about an invasion by men
from Mars.
Another point: There is a beautiful scene of a great
crowd in Melbourne (after they have learned their doom), in a
public square listening to the eloquent prayers of a Salvation
Army General, all believing in their God. Then, later on a similar
scene with only about 10% of the people present. `.'hen, toward the
end the same scene with nobody present, just old newspapers float-
ing about. The obvious lesson is that God is the bunk. It makes
a mockery of all ministries.
Then, another theme, the government gives away sure acting
sleeping pills to encourage suicide. A touching part, a young
lieutenant and his wife, who are both adorable, have dramatic scenes
about whether or not they should murder their baby with the sleeping
pills.
There is a midget automobile race where most of them commit
suicide by unheard of reckless driving with any number of thrilling
demolitions and cars and drivers burning up. Then the winner,-
marvelously played by Fred Astaire, locks himself in his own garage,
turns on the motor and takes the carbon-monoxide route.
All through there is much drinking and drunkedness,
apparently because they know they are doomed. Now I have live.a
through catastrophes and my experience has been that 99`O/ of People
in such a case would look to their God, and not the bottle, `and
would meet their end, which is inevitable for all of us anyway,
with courage and goodness in their hearts.
Lest I be mistaken for a "dry" or a fanatic.. I enjoy two
cocktails before my evening dinner every day of the year and only
},,,et around to going to church about six or eight times a year.
I think the effect of the showing of this picture will
,greatly handicap the governments of the free world in their current
and future negotiations with Russia. It will destroy public con-
fidence in our free-world governments and create a demand for peace
at any price.
Respectfully submitted,
Arnold iJoerns
Secretary Nat'l. Security League,
Chicago, 1916 - 1917
e A rmy, < 1917-1918
HDP
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pence ssociation,
Chicago, 1918 - 1959
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ARIA OLD JOERN S COMPANY
FONTANA, WISCONSIN
Mr. Allan Dulles, Chief
Central Intelligence Agency
1,'ashington, D. C.
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