Suppression Although Salt of the Earth received limited distribution in Western and Eastern Europe in the 1950s and won awards there, it was nearly impossible to see it in the United States. After its opening night in New York City, it languished for a decade because only thirteen theaters in the country were willing to show it. Roy Brewer of the IATSE leveraged his ties with the projectionists' union to cancel numerous bookings. The American Legion threatened to picket any theater that exhibited the movie. Salt of the Earth was denounced by the U.S. House of Representatives for its communist sympathies, and the FBI investigated the film's financing, looking for evidence of foreign funds that could justify prosecution under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
suppression although salt of the earth received limited distribution in western and eastern europe in the 1950s and won awards there it was nearly impossible to see it in the united states after its opening night in new york city it languished for a decade because only thirteen theaters in the country were willing to show it roy brewer of the iatse leveraged his ties with the projectionists' union to cancel numerous bookings the american legion threatened to picket any theater that exhibited the movie salt of the earth was denounced by the us house of representatives for its communist sympathies and the fbi investigated the film's financing looking for evidence of foreign funds that could justify prosecution under the foreign agents registration act