Maurice Rapf, the Hollywood screenwriter who became one of the pioneers of cinema studies, was born on May 19, 1914, in New York City to producer 'Harry Rapf' . WGA West president 'Daniel Petrie Jr., at the announcement of the new credits, said, "It is with pride and sadness that we announce these changes." In a speech at the University of Oklahoma, Rapf said that Walt Disney & Co. had contacted him about a re-release of "Song of the South" on DVD. The studio wanted to create disclaimers about the film's "racial insensitivity" and asked Rapf to write them. Ever the committed progressive, he declined, thus able to expiate a sin from the past, as he had come to believe that the film was inherently racist and should never have been made. No one ever claimed that Maurice Rapf was not a man of his word, or a man of courage who stood up for what he believed in. In his belief in himself and his ideals, this idealistic man who was accused of being "anti-American" elucidated the best of the American character. Maurice Rapf died on April 15, 2003, at the age of 88. He had been married to his wife, the former movie actress Louise Siedel, for 56 years before her death. His daughter, Joanna E. Rapf, is a Professor of English and Film & Video Studies at the University of Oklahoma, but regularly teaches as a Visiting Professor of Film & Television Studies at her father's alma mater. Upon his death, Dartmouth President James Wright eulogized the man responsible for the success for the college's film department. "Because of Maurice Rapf's commitment, love and encouragement, the Dartmouth Film Society is a highly-regarded Dartmouth institution and Film Studies is a strong and thriving department on campus. Dartmouth is forever enriched by his commitment. We will greatly miss our friend and colleague." The college bestows the Maurice Rapf Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film at Dartmouth in his honor.
Son of producer Harry Rapf , brother of Matthew Rapf.
Along with Budd Schulberg , Rapf was the inspiration for the character of Cecelia Brady in F. Scott Fitzgerald s "The Last Tycoon".
Blacklisted by Hollywood during the McArthy era, and never worked there again.
Lectured at Dartmouth during the sixties, and eventually founded the colleges film studies program.
Returned to Dartmouth in 1967 where he began a long career as a teacher of film.
Became an advocate for the rights of screenwriters and helped found the Screen Writers Guild, later renamed the Writers Guild of America.
Blacklisted in 1947 because of his support for the Communist Party and his union work, Rapf later moved east with his family, settled in Norwich, Vermont, and helped establish the Dartmouth Film Society, the countrys first college film society.
I never knew anyone in the Party - in all the years I was associated,with it, which was a long, long time - who was seeking anything but,humanistic goals. Certainly, there was never any attempt on the part of,the people I knew to overthrow the government of the United States. . . .
We did believe in class struggle. I still believe in class struggle.
