Guilty by Suspicion

Guilty by Suspicion

Year: 1991

Runtime: 105 min

Language: English

Director: Irwin Winkler

Drama

During the McCarthy era, acclaimed Hollywood director David Merrill finds himself under intense scrutiny from the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Refusing to cooperate with the committee initially leads to professional setbacks and increasing pressure from the FBI. As Merrill grapples with the consequences for his career and family, he eventually chooses to testify, believing it’s the right thing to do. His actions inspire those around him to stand up for their beliefs and confront injustice.

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Timeline – Guilty by Suspicion (1991)

Trace every key event in Guilty by Suspicion (1991) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

David's Return to Hollywood

David Merrill, a successful director, returns from a film-location scouting trip abroad in the early 1950s. He arrives back in Hollywood to find the film industry shaken by McCarthyism and the Red Scare, which has begun to threaten his colleagues and friends.

1950s Hollywood
2

Larry Nolan's Naming

Larry Nolan, a close friend of David, is pressured by the FBI to name individuals in Hollywood suspected of communist affiliations. In a moment of desperation, he names several colleagues, including David, as potential collaborators with the Communist Party.

1950s Hollywood
3

Hollywood's Pressure

Hollywood executives, including mogul Darryl Zanuck, face immense pressure to protect their studios. They urge directors and staff to publicly disavow communism and to cooperate with congressional hearings or risk losing their careers entirely.

1950s Hollywood
4

David's Blacklisting

Under duress, David is confronted by Felix Graff, a Hollywood legal consultant, who insists he provide names of supposed communists to the FBI. David's refusal leads to his immediate blacklisting from Hollywood, resulting in financial ruin as he loses his assets.

1950s Hollywood
5

David's Move to New York

Trying to rebuild his life, David moves to New York City in hopes of finding work and support among old colleagues. Despite initial goodwill, he soon realizes that former allies, influenced by the FBI pressure, abandon him once again.

1950s New York City
6

Return to Los Angeles

Struggling to make ends meet and facing isolation, David retreats back to Los Angeles. He rekindles his relationship with his ex-wife Ruth, who has started a new teaching career, and begins to play a more active role in his son's life.

1950s Los Angeles
7

Dorothy's Breakdown

Meanwhile, Dorothy Nolan, Larry's estranged wife, faces severe emotional distress due to her refusal to cooperate with the FBI. Losing custody of her son exacerbates her condition, leading her to a tragic decision to end her life by driving off a cliff.

1950s N/A
8

The B-Movie Opportunity

David gets a glimmer of hope when a B-movie director reaches out, seeking his expertise to save a failing Western film. He begins to make creative improvements until the studio finds an excuse to have him removed from the project.

1950s Hollywood
9

Bunny's Dilemma

Bunny Baxter, a screenwriter and childhood friend of David, faces a perilous situation as his past involvement in communist rallies comes to light. He pleads with David to sacrifice his name to protect himself from perjury charges but is ultimately rejected by Ruth.

1950s N/A
10

Meeting with Zanuck's Lawyer

In a moment of desperation, David contacts Graff again at Zanuck's behest to discuss potentially naming other Hollywood figures involved with communism. Facing mounting pressure, David appears to concede to the congressional demands in hopes of reviving his career.

1950s N/A
11

The Congressional Hearing

During the tense congressional hearing, David shocks the committee by refusing to name anyone but himself, despite intense opposition from the members. This act of defiance leads to a contempt citation against him and legal repercussions for other Hollywood associates.

N/A Washington, D.C.
12

Bunny's Stand at the Hearing

As David leaves the witness stand following his confrontation, Bunny Baxter takes his place at the committee hearing. In a continuation of defiance, Bunny refuses to cooperate and name his colleagues, echoing David's earlier stance.

N/A Washington, D.C.

Last Updated: May 13, 2025 at 20:31

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Guilty by Suspicion Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Guilty by Suspicion

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