Un-American American

Sam Wanamaker as Iago

This totally rocks. I had no idea Sam Wanamaker played Iago to Paul Robeson's Othello.

In 1957 the MI5 were observing Mr. Wanamaker for being "one of those 'un-American Americans'" and for "disseminating extreme leftwing propaganda under the guise of culture." These bits of info were turned up earlier this year by Warwick U. professor Dr. Tony Howard, who has been investigating harassment of Mr. Robeson.

The performance in question was in 1959 for the RSC in Stratford. Wanamaker and Robeson had met in the 40s at anti-fascist meetings.

Sources:
The Guardian
Shakespeare's Globe