Norma Barzman Obituary

Norma Barzman, a distinguished screenwriter whose career was marred by blacklisting due to her affiliation with the American Communist Party, passed away at her Beverly Hills residence on Sunday, as announced in a social media post by her daughter Suzo Barzman. She was 103.

Barzman’s contributions to the film industry include writing the original story for “Never Say Goodbye” (1947), starring Errol Flynn, alongside her husband Ben Barzman. Although uncredited, she played a role in crafting the narrative for “The Locket” (1946), featuring Laraine Day and Robert Mitchum. Her repertoire extended to “Finishing School” (1952) and the television series “Il triangolo rosso” (1967). Beyond her writing endeavors, Barzman showcased her versatility as an actress in “Theatre 70” (1970) and “Pajama Party” (2000), where she portrayed the “Groovy Grandma.”

Barzman remained unapologetic about her involvement with the Communist Party from 1943 to 1949. In a 2014 interview with the L.A. Times, she asserted her pride in being a member during a crucial historical period, stating, “one should be proud to have been a member of the American Communist Party during those years. Hitler was invading the Soviet Union, so there was no reason to be anti-Russian; they were our allies.”

Recalling an intriguing episode in 2008, Barzman revealed how she discovered she was under surveillance, courtesy of Marilyn Monroe. Monroe, en route to Judy Garland’s house, halted to warn Barzman about law enforcement monitoring activities around her residence. Sheriff’s deputies had questioned Monroe about her visit to Barzman’s address, shedding light on the heightened scrutiny faced by those associated with Barzman.

Following this incident, Barzman and her husband relocated to England to contribute to Edward Dmytryk’s “Give Us This Day” (1949). While abroad, they received warnings against returning to the U.S. due to the looming threat from the House Un-American Activities Committee, ultimately leading to the blacklisting of the Barzmans.