Grandpa Walton was a gay communist? Oh honey, we need to talk.
Blacklisted gay communist 1940’s character actor Will Geer became Grandpa Walton in the hit series “The Waltons”. How so?
Direction
Rappaport's essay-film style makes archival footage sing
Production
Incredible access to Geer's FBI file and personal papers
Director
Mark Rappaport
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Geer founded the Topanga Canyon Theatre in 1951 with blacklisted artists; it became a hub for folk music where young Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie performed.
The Waltons premiered in 1972, just as Geer was coming out publicly—making his role as the kindly grandfather a fascinating mask for a man finally living openly.
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