Prior to his work in Hollywood, he supplemented his income by teaching English and as a writer of short stories. After writing western screenplays for William 'Hopalong Cassidy' Boyd, did wartime military service. Subsequently back in Hollywood under contract with Liberty Films in 1945, then with 20th Century Fox. Following his Oscar win for 'A Place in the Sun', he was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee as an 'unfriendly witness', having refused to answer questions about his alleged Communist Party membership. Moved with his family to France and had their passports revoked until allowed to return in 1964.