◆ SpookStack

LA 2100-18112 clad ° £ mee . SOURCE cee This source advised that the picture, "Hangmen Also Die,” dealt primarily with the workings of the underground in Crechoslovakia, which was instrumontal in effecting the assassination of HEYDRICH, Gestapo chief. The effect of the picture was that it emphasized the importance of underground work, the sacrifice necessary thereto, and the methods used by the underground. When viewed in the light of previous writings of BERT BRECHT, “Hanguen Also Die" takes on something of the complexion of BRECHT's educational plays in that it emphasizes the conduct required of persona working in an underground movement and tends to instruct those who are or may be involved in such @ movement. Specific examples of the type of thing taught are seen in the fact . that heroic characters never tell the police anything; that they establish alibis so as to fool the police; that they work Yery secretly and are on their guard against informers; and that they lay aside personal interest for the sake of the interest of the central group. Although the term, “Communist Party,” is never used, the underground organisation nevertheless on one occasion refers to the central committee. In general, the individuals in the story are mde to see that their position and even their safety and the safety of their families is completely subordinate to the work of the underground movenent. This principle ie that which BRECHT in his pley, “The Disciplinary Measure," mentioned previ- ously, emphasized. It might be noted here that FRITZ LANG, with whom BRECHT worked on this picture, is reportedly unfriendly with BRECHT at the present time because of some personal dispute. It has been stated that because of this ¢cifference between BRECHT and LANG, LAG has not been active in the Free German movenent. ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1945 SOURCE f | Thie source reported surveillance information to the effest that on January 9, 1943, automobiles registered to LILLIZ-LATIE, 11007 Strathmore, Bestwod, Los Angeles, and RUTH BERLAU, 844 26th Street, Santa Monica, Cali- fornia, were observed. It will be recalled that this individual was mentioned above as having received a message from GEORG BSRANTING, Stockholm, Sweden, i concerning ths.i WQULEJOKI' of Finland. Furthermore, BERLAU is knom to this / office as o Danish writer using the pen name of MARIA/STEN. She is aliege2 | to have been active as a member of the Communist Party and as a writer for « Communist paper while living in Copenhagen, Denmark. She has also been said . to be critical of the United States’ policy and to advocate communism in this; nner 3 we