tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post5467244388067654832..comments2023-11-19T04:43:33.827+11:00Comments on Matt vs. the Academy: 1981 - RedsMatt Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-77648176456175972582010-02-16T08:38:27.923+11:002010-02-16T08:38:27.923+11:00OK, while we are waiting for Matt to post the next...OK, while we are waiting for Matt to post the next nominee, I'll tell my George Jessel story.<br /><br />Back around 1980, I was a Lieutenant for The Miami Police Department. I worked off-duty as the head of police security for Gusman Cultural Center. One of the shows was a variety type modeled after The Ed Sullivan Show. The host was Donald "Singin' in the Rain" O'Conner. I was advised that George Jessel was scheduled to go on shortly, but hadn't arrived and there was some concern. I went outside the theater to look around.<br /><br />Now, downtown Miami at night is no Times Square. It is mostly deserted with some ne'er-do-wells scattered about. I waited a few minutes and saw a old rust-bucket pull up to the curb and out comes Mr. Jessel dressed in a white suit. As I was escorting him inside, he appeared old, frail and somewhat disoriented. He attempted to go behind the rear curtain which was against the ancient back wall, and would have made him look like a chimney sweep. I turned him over to Mr. O'Conner and left for the rear of the auditorium.<br /><br />As I got there, I could hear laughter coming from the audience. I went inside and there was Georgie Jessel on stage, telling off-color jokes and hoofing it up like a twenty year-old. Soon, he was shuffling back outside. I chatted with him for a few minutes, telling him I thought he did a great job. Then his ride returned, and I helped him back into the clunker, and off he went.<br /><br />Thinking about it later, I realized how performing was like opium for these entertainers, and not every celebrity arrives in a stretch limo. Mr. Jessel must have shot his 'witness' scene for Reds soon afterwards. He passed away in May 1981 at age 83.Mike Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953461679716236054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-64652362926596997272010-02-15T00:10:54.365+11:002010-02-15T00:10:54.365+11:00Warren Beatty's crowning achievement. It'...Warren Beatty's crowning achievement. It's funny how the topic of revolutions, anarchists and dissidence conjures up negative connotations for me, even though my own country was founded on revolution. Beatty film presents both the passion and futility of these movements in a compelling way. The idealism of Marxism needs an idealist to tell its story and John Reed is a great mouthpiece. His frustrations and failures are summed up by his in many ways better half, Louise Bryant when she tells him, "Jack your a writer not a politician." I don't know if Beatty's halting style of speaking is true to Reed or not, but it does make him less effective. Keaton has never been better. Her expressive eyes and face tell the story without words (she would have made an great silent screen actress as well). I think her character was strong enough without the lengthy montage of her trekking through the snow near the end. It seemed almost parody. <br /><br />On the other hand, Beatty's use of the witnesses was inspired, if again slightly overused. Seeing Georgie Jessel brings to mind a story that's too lengthy to go into here, when I met him around the time of this film.<br /><br />Beatty cast the film wonderfully with both Maureen Stapleton and especially Jack Nicholson in supporting roles. <br /><br />Watching it again after many years, nudged it up. This will be a difficult year to choose a winner.Mike Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953461679716236054noreply@blogger.com