Documentary on Marsha Hunt, SFV's Blacklisted Star and Human Rights Champion, to Screen at Sherman Oaks Film Festival

This Sunday, November 20th at 2 p.m. a feature documentary on blacklisted actress/human rights activist Marsha Hunt will be screening as part of the inaugural Sherman Oaks Film Festival at the Whitefire Theater at 13500 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. Here is link for ticket information to screening. https://squareup.com/store/she... ( When purchasing ticket, put word HALF in gift /promo code box for discount).

Marsha recently turned 99 on October 17th. She has been a resident of Sherman Oaks since 1940. Many people remember Marsha Hunt as an actress at Paramount and MGM in the '30s and '40s. Fewer people remember her tireless activist and humanitarian efforts beginning during World War II. Not many people know that Marsha was one of Hollywood's first celebrity activists. She helped organize this country's first walk a thon in Fargo for "Freedom from Hunger." She was a host of of one of the very first telethons in this country, for United Cerebral Palsy in 1953. At the time, the telethon that she and Jack Webb hosted ran 36 hours, a broadcast record in 1953.

Following the war, Marsha worked steadily in radio, films, TV and Broadway, and it was there that her luck ran out in 1950. She went from being the “toast of the town” to “persona non grata” when her name appeared in the right-wing publication “Red Channels.”

It was a trip she took around the world in 1955 that opened her eyes to her true calling in life. Dismayed by the poverty she saw on this trip, she realized that she'd been on a soundstage for so much of her life and that there was so much to learn about the world. She vowed in that moment to become a “planet patriot.”
Marsha worked with the United Nations Association when it wasn't popular to do so. Even after her local United Nations gift shop was firebombed, she didn't relent, but went out on the lecture circuit, fighting ignorance and raising awareness. She had limited funds but unlimited passion.

In 1983, the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce named Marsha as their “honorary mayor”, a position she held for 18 years. As honorary mayor, she was one of the first to recognize a growing homeless community in her neighborhood, so she spearheaded fundraising and opened the first two homeless shelters in the San Fernando Valley, one specifically for women and children. Thirty years later, one of the shelters, run by L.A. Family Housing is thriving and still serving the community.

As “honorary mayor,” she could have rested on her laurels as a “celebrity” but chose to do what she had always done when faced with challenges: she acted on her conscience. Having been a resident of Sherman Oaks since 1940. there was no way she could sit back and allow people to suffer needlessly. Not in this town she cared so deeply about.

It is my fervent desire this documentary will serve as a “document of social activism” to inspire a new generation of activists who may be feeling “helpless” in these uncertain times and to let them know that there can be a positive result of their dedication. In telling Marsha's story, we get to show the audience how one act of generosity can have a “ripple effect” from generation to generation.

I am so proud of what Marsha stands for. She is the epitome of overcoming adversity with elegance, grace and civility. She put her country and the town she loves before her own needs and is a role model for what it means to be a human rights activist. In light of what is happening in our country at the moment, so many want to step up and support causes that they feel need added support. Come see this uplifting, inspirational film and discover the true joy of helping others. Let's fill the theater for Marsha. Her story MUST be seen by anyone who wants to affect change in this country. It is a very timely story.