The 1934 California gubernatorial primary, sparked by Upton Sinclair's grassroots movement, prompted Hollywood's first major political intervention. Sinclair's End Poverty in California campaign was thwarted by powerful business and political forces, with most Hollywood moguls involved.
The First Attack Ads: Hollywood vs. Upton Sinclair
The 1936 film "Libeled Lady" was a pioneering exploration of politics in Hollywood, inspired by Upton Sinclair's upset victory in California's 1934 Democratic primary for governor, which sparked a grassroots movement.
