</s>104-10106-10713 SECRET APPROVED FOR RELEASE 1993 CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM SUBJECT: MORTON LYON (SAHL SUBJECT: Morton (LYON) SAHL He has been called a comedian, monologist, iconoclast, political satirist and sick comic. His private brand of humor, JFK ACT disparaging of almost anything ranging from women to the JFK ACT so-called "Establishment" with almost nihilistic impartiality. RELEASE is heavily loose-to-establishment with almost militantism in the past RELEASE have caused him many savage movies. Yet, though his routines fifteen years from beatany clubs to the Better Sahil in his pub, radio, television, motion pictures and recordings, with a annual income of over a quarter of U.S. a million dollars. EARLY LIFE Morton Lyon Saul was born 11 May 1927, at Montreal, Canada, the son of the son on the U. S. born tobacco pipe- prior and his Canadian-born wife. The Father, Harry Sahil, was the son an immigrant family. The New York's Lower East Side. After failing to attain success a playwright. Harry Sahl relocated to Montreal. Source materials fail to identify his lower east side. than her origins in Montreal, and she is referred to only in generalties. When Sahil was about seven years of age, his father re- turned to the United States to take a position described variously as a clerk for the Department of Justice which required considerable moving about the United states as an employee of the Federal bureau of Investigation in Los Angeles. (An informal inquiry on this employment is pending.) During his high school years, young Sahil is pictured as highly dedicated to American concepts, young Sahl is picturedas He was an American Legion Americanism Award and was active in Junior ROTC. In August Americanism Award for officer status in the Air Force. He was retired as applied for officer states in the Army Army Force. physical examination which for flight status as a result of a weight, 60 per cent nasal obstruction, while painting imbalance, under- cause in 1941, bedwetting up to age eight and emotional instability (not further explained.) SEOREI

Summary:  
The document details the life and career of Morton Lyon (Sahl), a comedian and political satirist known for his anti-establishment critiques. It outlines his early life, military service in World War II, education, and rise to prominence in comedy and entertainment. Sahl's career included performances at major venues, radio and television appearances, and film roles. His political views leaned left, and he became involved with groups associated with civil rights and anti-war activism. The text describes his alleged ties to Communist organizations, participation in events linked to the civil rights movement, and his role in promoting conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Sahl was associated with James Garrison's investigation into JFK's assassination, which posited a government cover-up. He speculated about parallels between the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Kennedys, though no direct evidence connects him to MLK's case. The document also notes his alleged blacklisting by political entities and conflicts with law enforcement agencies like the FBI and CIA.  

Key People:  
- Morton Lyon (Sahl)  
- James Garrison (New Orleans District Attorney, investigator of JFK assassination)  
- Mark Lane (defense attorney, conspiracy theorist associated with JFK assassination claims)  
- Gerald Patrick Hemming (alleged member of Garrison's investigative team, linked to anti-Castro groups)  
- Lloyd Pullen (leader of "STAFT," a front organization for anti-Castro activities)  

Key Locations:  
- Los Angeles, California  
- New Orleans, Louisiana  
- Montreal, Canada  
- San Francisco, California  
- Beverly Hills, California  
- Santa Barbara, California (Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions)  

Key Events:  
- Sahl's military service in World War II and subsequent career as a comedian.  
- His involvement with the Council of Advisors of KPFK radio station and alleged ties to Communist groups.  
- Participation in events honoring Justice William O. Douglas and the Frontier of Freedom Celebration.  
- Speculation about parallels between MLK Jr.'s assassination and JFK's assassination, though no direct link is established.  
- Sahl's association with Garrison's investigation into JFK's assassination and his promotion of conspiracy theories.  
- Alleged meetings with individuals linked to anti-Castro organizations and Communist fronts.  

Key Organizations:  
- KPFK radio station (affiliated with Pacific Radio)  
- "TRUTH" organization (described as a pacifist group sympathetic to civil rights)  
- "STAFT" (front organization for anti-Castro activities)  
- Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions (alleged Communist-front organization)  
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)  
- Communist Party (alleged ties with Sahl and his associates)

MLK Declassified Files

00509507_information_on_mort_sahl_104-10106-10713.pdf

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