he finished his last independent production, "high noon" (1952), a western drama directed by fred zinnemann. the movie was well received, winning four oscars, as well as three other nominations. unfortunately, "high noon"'s production and release intersected with the red scare. writer, producer and partner carl foreman was called before the house un-american activities committee while he was writing the film. foreman had been a member of the communist party ten years earlier, but declined to "name names" and was branded an "un-cooperative witness" by huac, and then blacklisted by the hollywood companies, after which he sold his interest in the company.