Hooray for Hollywood?!
"You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy"...to quote one of its most popular productions.
I suppose it must be tempting to abuse one's fame and popularity to foist your views upon the public, a large portion of which is only too happy to hang on your every word. But the sad fact of the matter is, most of those Hollywood "celebrities" never graduated from college, and it's their job to pretend for a living. Consequently, they are scarcely in a position to be knowledgeable about much of anything.
Yet somehow, there are those who manage to rise above the decadence. One of them is Bruce Willis. According to Michael Yon (an "independent, informed observer chronicling the monumentally important events in the efforts to stabilize Iraq"...whose blog can be linked from here):
"Mr. Willis has been to Iraq with his band and the USO, and has been following the events in Mosul through my dispatches. He has expressed his desire to support our troops to me on numerous occasions. One need only read his website to see how strongly he feels about this: www.brucewillis.com.
And so, Mr. Willis wanted to personally thank American soldiers for their successes and sacrifices in Iraq, and made plans to fly to the Fort Lewis area and thank soldiers who fought so well. Mr. Willis will attend the Deuce Four Ball near Fort Lewis, on November 5th, 2005."
In one of my other vocations, working on some movies that have been filmed in the general vicinity, I've had the pleasure of working with Mr. Willis on a couple of them: "12 Monkeys" and "Broadway Brawler" (never completed). He wasn't aloof and snobbish like a number of other Hollywood "celebrities" I've had to put up with, in fact, he was actually quite personable and friendly.
Knowing that he supports the troops, especially with more than mere words, has done nothing to diminish my respect for the man...
I suppose it must be tempting to abuse one's fame and popularity to foist your views upon the public, a large portion of which is only too happy to hang on your every word. But the sad fact of the matter is, most of those Hollywood "celebrities" never graduated from college, and it's their job to pretend for a living. Consequently, they are scarcely in a position to be knowledgeable about much of anything.
Yet somehow, there are those who manage to rise above the decadence. One of them is Bruce Willis. According to Michael Yon (an "independent, informed observer chronicling the monumentally important events in the efforts to stabilize Iraq"...whose blog can be linked from here):"Mr. Willis has been to Iraq with his band and the USO, and has been following the events in Mosul through my dispatches. He has expressed his desire to support our troops to me on numerous occasions. One need only read his website to see how strongly he feels about this: www.brucewillis.com.
And so, Mr. Willis wanted to personally thank American soldiers for their successes and sacrifices in Iraq, and made plans to fly to the Fort Lewis area and thank soldiers who fought so well. Mr. Willis will attend the Deuce Four Ball near Fort Lewis, on November 5th, 2005."
In one of my other vocations, working on some movies that have been filmed in the general vicinity, I've had the pleasure of working with Mr. Willis on a couple of them: "12 Monkeys" and "Broadway Brawler" (never completed). He wasn't aloof and snobbish like a number of other Hollywood "celebrities" I've had to put up with, in fact, he was actually quite personable and friendly.
Knowing that he supports the troops, especially with more than mere words, has done nothing to diminish my respect for the man...
posted by camojack | 08:44
23 Comments:
I am sure this is why Demi had to find a "hollywood boy" to marry. Bruce was too much of a "man" for her.
True hollywood libs hate anybody that has any morals or character, and Mr. Willis seems to possess BOTH qualities!
RAM:
Do you suppose that Demi is related to Michael Moore?
She came to visit Bruce where "Broadway Brawler" was being filmed in Delaware one day; this was when her hair had just started to grow back from when she did "G. I. Jane"...when I first spotted her back then, I initially mistook her for a young Latino male. In my defense, it was a cold day, and she was wearing a big, heavy coat...
Hmmm...just remembering the days when people like Cher and Alec Baldwin were going to leave the country if W got elected, because W is just so "stupid." Well they're still here in the US, unfortunately. Cher never even graduated from high school, so who is that imbecile to be calling anyone else "stupid?"
For the record, I will not pay to see a movie starring Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Rosie O'Donnell, Jeanine Garofalo et al... If I do see them in a movie, it's because it's on cable. Hollywood films are losing audiences and money...do ya' think it might be because some of us conservatives are "VOTING" with our feet?
This all reminds me of my hometown paper running some stupid headline about the "debate" on WestWing for Pete's sake! Like it's reality! Then I heard Oprah was gushing about Geena Davis playing the first female president. Actually asked her what it felt like the first time she walked into the Oval Office. It was a #$%* stage set! These people are so stupid it's scary!
'da Bunny and Angus the Scot:
I pretty much "vote with my feet", too...by not attending very many movies, and especially ones with certain "celebrities" in them.
And I do believe there are a lot of us doing likewise.
Rusty:
I know that you're doing more than just saying words; I think we all should.
Bob:
You are correct, of course. Everyone is an individual, with individual strengths and weaknesses.
Book learnin' is one thing, but actual life experience quite another. I have both personally, but what matters most isn't what one knows, it is what one does.
UpNorthLurkin:
Quite right. This "reality" thing seems to be a difficult concept for many people...
boberin:
Made it you have...wilkommen, mein herr!
Bruce is "da bomb"; there's another Die Hard (4.0) in the works, due for release in 2006...
Add me to the list of folks who are voting with their feet. I used to go to the movies all the time. When I worked a 4/10 schedule and had a day off during the week, I would often go to a matinee by myself. It was kinda cool having a whole theater to myself. I can count on one hand the times I've been in a theater in the last 10 years; every time was a birthday outing with mom & sisters.
I still love movies, but find myself watching oldies more and more. Saw a great one the other day with Gregory Peck, The Man in the Flannel Suit.
I used to be a HUGE Streisand fan, grew up on her. Now I can't even listen and enjoy anymore, 'cause her stupidity has overwhelmed her voice. Bummer.
My word is tjtegmid, which is Swedish for actors who spew their political view like they know something more than the folks in charge. :o)
MargeinMI:
My "word" is vrwgjsy, but your comment reminded me of something I had intended to cite in the original post:
"If an actor wants to send a message, he should call Western Union; an actor's job is to act...nothing more."
-Humphrey Bogart
I liked Bruce Willis, but I thought he died in outer space blowing up an asteroid. Is this a clone?
Libby Gone™:
You're silly...I like that in a person.
margeinmi, I'm with you. The old movies are the best. I love the movies from the 30's, 40's, and early 50's. Give me Bogie, Clark Gable, James Stewart, Spencer Tracy, and all the greats from those years, and I'm happy. One of my favorite films is "The Best Years of Our Lives" from 1946. A true classic, and if you haven't seen it, it's a must.
Jack, I loved the Humphrey Bogart quote. What a fine actor he was! I just watched "Key Largo" again a few weeks ago.
The only admitted conservatives in Follywood that I'm aware of are Willis, Kelsey Grammer, Rick Schroeder, and Bo Derek. I'm thinking that Tom Selleck may be one, too, because of his NRA support, but I don't know. Does anyone know of others?
camojack,
Sorry I missed this when posted, just another case of me being a day late and a dollar short!
Thanks for bringing me here with your post on Scrappleface, though.
It doesn't take much book learnin' to see that Willis is the real deal, tho'. I was very impressed with his interview and his actions.
Bunny, Is that the one about the three returning veterens and their adjustment to civilian life? What a great flick. Another I recently saw for the first time that was exceptional whose name escapes me right now starred Greer Garson (LOVE her!) living in England during the Blitz. They take cover in their bomb shelter, she captures a German paratrooper, etc. Now that I think of it, that one may be The Best Years of Our Lives.
Also loved her in the one where she marries the escapee from the insane asylm and he regains his previous life and forgets her.
On Topic: What a contrast from WWII and today. Then, top actors volunteered for service, actively supported the government in the sale of war bonds, produced patriotic movies and were proud to be Americans. It's encouraging to see folks like Bruce Willis showing support. Wish more like him would make their voices heard to counteract the idjits.
'da Bunny:
I agree, too...the old movies were better, more reliant on acting ability, and less on Special FX.
And I've always been partial to that Bogie quote as well.
Beerme:
No worries, mate! Now that I have your @ddress in my files, I'll send you a notice when I update this blog thing.
MargeinMI:
You are SO right about the difference between those gallant actors of bygone days, versus the spoilt dissidents that are pretty much the rule anymore; Bruce Willis being a notable exception...
margeinmi, you're right about "Best Years" being the three soldiers returning to civilian life after the war. The man who played "Homer", the one who'd lost his hands in the war, won an Oscar for his performance in that film. I LOVE that film! The movie you're thinking of with Greer Garson in the bomb shelter is "Mrs. Miniver." Another classic!
Jack, just shows ya' how smart Bogie really was! :-)
'da Bunny:
Mr. Bogart was pretty sharp; I've got some of his movies on tape...Key Largo, which you cited earlier, is one of them. On a related note, the "African Queen" (from the movie by the same name) is actually located there. I was down there (again) last Spring.
Bunny, Thanks for filling in the titles for me (and others who might want to check out these great films).
Fred and Ginger are another pair of classics that I can never get enough of. I remember hearing of his death on the radio while driving. I had to pull over and shed tears. The man was Class, personified.
"The African Queen" is another classic! Great film! And, Jack, I've seen the actual boat, also. It was "touring" awhile back, and was here in Louisville on the Ohio River.
margeinmi, you're welcome. They used to show the classic old movies regularly on AMC, but not lately. We don't get TCM on our cable, so I'm not getting my old movie "fixes" much anymore. Guess I'll have to get a dish or go digital. Fred Astaire was GREAT! He made it look effortless...[sigh]
'da Bunny:
"The African Queen" is a classic; I agree wholeheartedly.
Katherine Hepburn was a class act, too...
Marge and "Bunny": I LOVE the old movies. The thing I still don't understand is, how in the world can I disagree with 99% of everything Ted Turner stands for, yet think his taste in movies is almost immpecable?
TCM is great. I watch it even more now because it is still commercial free, and hasn't "sold out" to the newer movies the way AMC has!
Errol Flynn is one of my favorites, along with Jimmy Stewart.
Camo: As for Hepburn, can you name the movie in which she punched out Charles Bronson?
Pretty funny to watch!
Another trivia question: Name the movie James Cagney slugs "Superman", (the 1950's one).
RAM:
You've got me; without a web search, I do not know the answers to your trivia questions.
Cagney punched George Reeves in "The Strawberry Blond" and Hepburn "Judo-flipped" Bronson in "Pat and Mike" (1952)
Bronson was then Charles Buchinski.
"Pat and Mike" also showcased Hepburn's athletic talents. The movie is a very good one, if you haven't seen it, I believe it is on video and occassionally on TCM or AMC.
Alfalfa of the Little Rascals is a busboy, and also has Chuck Connors, and Jim Backus.
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