This is John Lennon's final interview, recorded on the afternoon of December 8, 1980. A few hours later, he would be gone. Still heartbreaking, all these years later.
One of two shootings of famous entertainers, within months of each other, committed by men raised in Texas, born in May 1955, who took inspiration from Catcher and the Rye.
Weird.
The one who was released form prison has a Youtube channel, and says he is looking for a record contract.
On March 30, 1981, former actor Ronald Reagan as shot by the son of wealthy Texas family named John Hinkley jr.. Hinkley was born May 29, 1955. While Taxi Driver is often pointed out as a part of fueling his madnesss, the police found a copy of Catcher in the Rye in his hotel room.
If you check YouTube, you will see that Mr. Hinkley has a channel, mostly singing songs. Some covers, and some his own. In at least one video he opens by saying he is looking for a record deal.
which part? The similarities? The idea that anyone would view Holden Caulfield as a figure worthy of influencing them? That the person was someone other than an annoying teenager? The closeness of the cases? That a man who shot a Presidnet, and then deemed mentally healthy enough to rejoin society thinks he will become a rock star in his 60s? Or….OR…that no record label jumped on the opportunity to get a quick burst of money in shock value sales?
They said that it was because it disparaged bankers. Interestingly, they actually name checked Scrooge in their statement. Complaining that it had made Potter into such a figure, and the most hated man in town. Scrooge, who if memory serves, was also a banker. Which just adds more questions about historical and literary interpretations.
It also used the term "the maligned the upper class."
I am not sure it was paranoia, or at least not about communism, that caused them to be upset. Keep in mind, only a few years later, folks in Hollywood would be accused of being Communist for trying to make movies about racism, antisemitism, and unions (something a march larger number of Americans belonged to at the time).
I think communism was more a clever catchword they used.
However, if I am correct, that would mean that It's A wonderful Life was at least one of the first subversive films to be a part of a culture war.
One of two shootings of famous entertainers, within months of each other, committed by men raised in Texas, born in May 1955, who took inspiration from Catcher and the Rye.
ReplyDeleteWeird.
The one who was released form prison has a Youtube channel, and says he is looking for a record contract.
Weirder.
Jack
Who was the other?
ReplyDeleteOn March 30, 1981, former actor Ronald Reagan as shot by the son of wealthy Texas family named John Hinkley jr.. Hinkley was born May 29, 1955.
ReplyDeleteWhile Taxi Driver is often pointed out as a part of fueling his madnesss, the police found a copy of Catcher in the Rye in his hotel room.
If you check YouTube, you will see that Mr. Hinkley has a channel, mostly singing songs. Some covers, and some his own.
In at least one video he opens by saying he is looking for a record deal.
Jack
Weird and fascinating.
Deletewhich part?
DeleteThe similarities?
The idea that anyone would view Holden Caulfield as a figure worthy of influencing them?
That the person was someone other than an annoying teenager?
The closeness of the cases?
That a man who shot a Presidnet, and then deemed mentally healthy enough to rejoin society thinks he will become a rock star in his 60s?
Or….OR…that no record label jumped on the opportunity to get a quick burst of money in shock value sales?
Jack
The Youtube rock star part. You can't make this stuff up!
DeleteAlso strange....
Deletein 1946, the FBI thought that "It's a Wonderful Life" was communist propaganda.
Jack
Given the paranoia running rampant in the government at the time, I'm not surprised.
DeleteThey said that it was because it disparaged bankers. Interestingly, they actually name checked Scrooge in their statement. Complaining that it had made Potter into such a figure, and the most hated man in town.
DeleteScrooge, who if memory serves, was also a banker. Which just adds more questions about historical and literary interpretations.
It also used the term "the maligned the upper class."
I am not sure it was paranoia, or at least not about communism, that caused them to be upset. Keep in mind, only a few years later, folks in Hollywood would be accused of being Communist for trying to make movies about racism, antisemitism, and unions (something a march larger number of Americans belonged to at the time).
I think communism was more a clever catchword they used.
However, if I am correct, that would mean that It's A wonderful Life was at least one of the first subversive films to be a part of a culture war.
Jack
Fascinating!
Delete