The Reprint of Eclipse:

How It All Got Started

   A committee of dedicated and passionate community notables, representing various academic and cultural agencies, have teamed up to bring Grand Junction a special series of events focused on Dalton Trumbo's 100th Birthday. The impetus for this fundraising project was the October 2004 author presentation by Chris Trumbo, son of Dalton, who talked about his play: Red, White and Black Listed at the Mesa County Public Library.

   Two members of the audience sought out library staff to suggest a community effort to reprint Trumbo's book Eclipse as a fundraiser for the library. Current plans involve several community events that most directly benefit Mesa County Public Library Foundation, though Mesa State College, Cinema at the Avalon, and the Museum of Western Colorado will also receive proceeds from the planned activities.

   Dalton Trumbo was born in Montrose, Colorado and lived for a time in Grand Junction, long enough to have graduated from Grand Junction High School. He wrote his first book, Eclipse, about Shale City, Colorado. Dalton Trumbo became a famous screenwriter in Hollywood in the 1940's-50's, but was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, along with many others. He became known as one of the "Hollywood Ten" when he refused to reveal information to the House Un-American Activities Committee for being accused of being a member of the Communist Party. He wrote many famous screenplays under different names for many years, until Kirk Douglas revealed him when he was nominated for an Oscar in Trumbo's 1967 movie, "Spartacus".

   For those less familiar with the book Eclipse, it takes place in Shale City (Grand Junction) during the 1920's and 1930's, with characters who resembled notable community residents at that time. Trumbo's written words were viewed as critical and personal. During that time, those who suspected they were being depicted within the storyline each developed their own list of which people that lived in Grand Junction were being portrayed by the book's characters.

   The response to the book, when it was first published, was very negative and provoked destruction of copies of the book. As a result, even the Mesa County Public Library could not keep a copy on-hand for patrons to read. As it was checked out, it was never returned. Eventually, the library limited use to inside the library and ultimately had to make a photocopy of the book for patrons to read.