This whole country's just like my flock of sheep
March 2, 2016 8:26 AM Subscribe
"Those morons out there? Shucks, I could take chicken fertilizer and sell it to them as caviar. I could make them eat dog food and think it was steak. Sure, I got 'em like this... You know what the public's like? A cage of guinea pigs. Good night you stupid idiots. Good night, you miserable slobs. They're a lot of trained seals. I toss them a dead fish and they'll flap their flippers." That may sound like Donald Trump talking, but it's actually Andy Griffith, as huckster demagogue Lonesome Rhodes in Elia Kazan's A Face in the Crowd. WaPo examines the movie that foretold the rise of Trump.
Sasha Abramsky at The Nation noticed similar parallels. So did Candace Drimmer at ChicagoNow. And Lewis Beale at CNN. And many others, probably.
The critically acclaimed 1957 film by director Elia Kazan (On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire) chronicles the rise (and subsequent fall) of an itinerant drunk who rides a wave of popularity from a chance introduction on radio to become a manipulative, cynical media personality with destructive influence on national politics, feeding his adoring listeners to the wolves, even as they praise him for "telling it like it is."
The full film can be rented digitally, but this famous clip, in which his enabler/producer/paramour gets a shockingly clear look at the monster she has created, will give you a taste.
Side note: if you're wondering why this movie isn't better known, the answer could be as simple as it being a classic forgotten by the years. Or it might be because Kazan seriously tarnished his reputation and standing in Hollywood by naming names before HUAC.
Sasha Abramsky at The Nation noticed similar parallels. So did Candace Drimmer at ChicagoNow. And Lewis Beale at CNN. And many others, probably.
The critically acclaimed 1957 film by director Elia Kazan (On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire) chronicles the rise (and subsequent fall) of an itinerant drunk who rides a wave of popularity from a chance introduction on radio to become a manipulative, cynical media personality with destructive influence on national politics, feeding his adoring listeners to the wolves, even as they praise him for "telling it like it is."
The full film can be rented digitally, but this famous clip, in which his enabler/producer/paramour gets a shockingly clear look at the monster she has created, will give you a taste.
Side note: if you're wondering why this movie isn't better known, the answer could be as simple as it being a classic forgotten by the years. Or it might be because Kazan seriously tarnished his reputation and standing in Hollywood by naming names before HUAC.
Adding: I don't think the film's "not better known" (at least among cinephiles), but then I'm one who prefers movies from that period anyway, so what the hell do I know (not much).
posted by blucevalo at 8:33 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by blucevalo at 8:33 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
I wouldn't say it's obscure. But it sure isn't part of the contemporary zeitgeist in the way it seems to merit either.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:40 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:40 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
Andy Griffith's later persona also sort of crowded out his earlier career.
posted by briank at 8:45 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by briank at 8:45 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
The fact that it pisses Liberals off that this is happening only makes them want Trump more.
posted by Talez at 8:48 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Talez at 8:48 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
Nothing could have foretold Donald Trump being the GOP frontrunner, not even
the nomination and then election (and re-election) of Ronald Reagan, a has-been actor (who was never that good in the first place), told me that any damned thing can happen in American politics.
the nomination (and then re-election) George Bush Jr, a smarmy, malevolent half-wit, reinforced this.
So-called progressive Americans need to realize that the flipside of the American dream is the American nightmare. If the timing is right/wrong, if the weird wind is up -- anything can and will happen.
posted by philip-random at 9:04 AM on March 2, 2016 [23 favorites]
the nomination and then election (and re-election) of Ronald Reagan, a has-been actor (who was never that good in the first place), told me that any damned thing can happen in American politics.
the nomination (and then re-election) George Bush Jr, a smarmy, malevolent half-wit, reinforced this.
So-called progressive Americans need to realize that the flipside of the American dream is the American nightmare. If the timing is right/wrong, if the weird wind is up -- anything can and will happen.
posted by philip-random at 9:04 AM on March 2, 2016 [23 favorites]
That oughta hold the little S.O.B.s. . - Gabbo, The Simpsons , "Krusty Gets Kancelled"
Remember back when a live mic catching you calling your supporters idiots could actually derail your popularity? Good times. Simpler times.
I've been wanting to make a Face in the Crowd (or lets face it, probably Gabbo) joke on Twitter about Trump for months, but as the article ends with, the reference doesn't work when you say everything in front of the mic to everybody's faces.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:08 AM on March 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
Remember back when a live mic catching you calling your supporters idiots could actually derail your popularity? Good times. Simpler times.
I've been wanting to make a Face in the Crowd (or lets face it, probably Gabbo) joke on Twitter about Trump for months, but as the article ends with, the reference doesn't work when you say everything in front of the mic to everybody's faces.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:08 AM on March 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
♫ There is a man, a certain man
posted by adept256 at 9:12 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by adept256 at 9:12 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Personally I can't stop thinking of Stephen King's The Dead Zone regarding this election.
posted by Occula at 9:13 AM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Occula at 9:13 AM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
oh, see I was thinking we were living in Stephen King's The Dead Zone
on preview, jinx
posted by runt at 9:16 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
on preview, jinx
posted by runt at 9:16 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Rule of thumb about old movies: The more up-to-date and bleeding-edge they are when they come out, the more dated they appear years later. So how is it that this movie only becomes more relevant with time? Even Network looks like a period piece by comparison.
posted by Flexagon at 9:26 AM on March 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Flexagon at 9:26 AM on March 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
Dunno. When I think of Drumpf, I think more of Harry Powell in Night of the Hunter.
(In other news, the award for best use of a Harlan Ellison title in a national news story goes to Alexandra Petri and 'Chris Christie’s wordless screaming.')
posted by octobersurprise at 9:32 AM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
(In other news, the award for best use of a Harlan Ellison title in a national news story goes to Alexandra Petri and 'Chris Christie’s wordless screaming.')
posted by octobersurprise at 9:32 AM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
Guitar story! The filmmakers needed two guitars for the film, one a beater for Lonesome's down-and-out period, and a much fancier one to signal his celebrity and wealth later.
The propmaster went out and bought a Martin D-18 for the second guitar, but apparently didn't think it read fancy and different enough, so he painted it black, added gemstones, etc. etc. Andy took a liking to the D-18 and bought his own, which is mostly what he's playing later in the Andy Griffith Show, but he did steal the black D-18 on his way out. He had the paint sanded off, etc. but never put the pickguard back on.
If you're watching the Andy Griffith Show and he's playing guitar, if it's got a pickguard, it's the guitar Andy bought after the FITC wrapped. But in a few episodes he's playing the formerly fancy, un-bedazzled pickguardless D-18 from Face In The Crowd.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:35 AM on March 2, 2016 [30 favorites]
The propmaster went out and bought a Martin D-18 for the second guitar, but apparently didn't think it read fancy and different enough, so he painted it black, added gemstones, etc. etc. Andy took a liking to the D-18 and bought his own, which is mostly what he's playing later in the Andy Griffith Show, but he did steal the black D-18 on his way out. He had the paint sanded off, etc. but never put the pickguard back on.
If you're watching the Andy Griffith Show and he's playing guitar, if it's got a pickguard, it's the guitar Andy bought after the FITC wrapped. But in a few episodes he's playing the formerly fancy, un-bedazzled pickguardless D-18 from Face In The Crowd.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:35 AM on March 2, 2016 [30 favorites]
Is there a "rise of Trump" though? I mean, maybe most of the people in the Republican primaries aren't voting for him but are instead voting against the other candidates and they see Trump, who seems to be the most centrist of the Republican candidates, as the lesser evil?
posted by I-baLL at 9:36 AM on March 2, 2016
posted by I-baLL at 9:36 AM on March 2, 2016
the award for best use of a Harlan Ellison title in a national news story goes to Alexandra Petri
That piece, along with #FreeChrisChristie on Twitter, was the best part of Super Tuesday.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:37 AM on March 2, 2016
That piece, along with #FreeChrisChristie on Twitter, was the best part of Super Tuesday.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:37 AM on March 2, 2016
We seem now to have entered a new game: find a film, a historical figure, a historical precedent that explains the rise and popularity of Donald Trump. It may be that a number of things are needed to understand this situation, and I could offer a few, but I suggest one start by asking why since the beginning of the Trump phenomenon, just about all the pundits, Republicans leaders, papers, tv shows ask How Can Trump Be Stopped rather than "Great, we have a potential candidate that seems to appeal to our voters." Is it simply because there is a belief that Hillary can beat Trump?
posted by Postroad at 9:37 AM on March 2, 2016
posted by Postroad at 9:37 AM on March 2, 2016
How the 2008 Crash Fueled a Political Rebellion
posted by robbyrobs at 9:39 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by robbyrobs at 9:39 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
why since the beginning of the Trump phenomenon, just about all the pundits, Republicans leaders, papers, tv shows ask How Can Trump Be Stopped rather than "Great, we have a potential candidate that seems to appeal to our voters."
Watch me, Posty, ima blow your mind with this explanation: they don't like him. Mind blown, now, eh?
posted by octobersurprise at 9:45 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Watch me, Posty, ima blow your mind with this explanation: they don't like him. Mind blown, now, eh?
posted by octobersurprise at 9:45 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
I mean, maybe most of the people in the Republican primaries aren't voting for him but are instead voting against the other candidates
No, they're voting for the know-nothing demagogue who is saying the racist shit out loud. There's very little space between his stated policies and those of the others. Stating that he will bring back internment camps is actually more evil, along one axis.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:46 AM on March 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
No, they're voting for the know-nothing demagogue who is saying the racist shit out loud. There's very little space between his stated policies and those of the others. Stating that he will bring back internment camps is actually more evil, along one axis.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:46 AM on March 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
They Live, maybe.
To really be like They Live, the poster should include the true text along with the true face of Drumpf (source). I like the suggestion from Last Week Tonight: "TRUMP 2016 -- I don't know if it brings stability or viability, but I imagine certain people feel that way"
posted by filthy light thief at 9:50 AM on March 2, 2016
To really be like They Live, the poster should include the true text along with the true face of Drumpf (source). I like the suggestion from Last Week Tonight: "TRUMP 2016 -- I don't know if it brings stability or viability, but I imagine certain people feel that way"
posted by filthy light thief at 9:50 AM on March 2, 2016
"Great, we have a potential candidate that seems to appeal to our voters."
Voters (the white, economically disadvantaged ones) are beside the point, they've shown they're malleable. It's the donor class that needs to be assured that they'll get a malleable nominee as well. That's why the GOP is shitting bricks.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:53 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
Voters (the white, economically disadvantaged ones) are beside the point, they've shown they're malleable. It's the donor class that needs to be assured that they'll get a malleable nominee as well. That's why the GOP is shitting bricks.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:53 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
Nothing could have foretold Donald Trump being the GOP frontrunner...
Human nature guarantees that this isn't the first time this happened and nor will it be last.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:11 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Human nature guarantees that this isn't the first time this happened and nor will it be last.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:11 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
If anyone wanted the 2016 election to be about anything other than racism, it's too late. I'm sorry. The Republicans already blew it.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:14 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:14 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Talking about Trump as though he's the root cause here, rather than talking about the fear, pain, desperation and despair he's exploiting, seems like missing the point.
It's no mistake that the two big surprise stories of this election are an outsider Democrat and an outsider Republican. There are always people like Trump who show up when the system is well along in its failure, and in this case the fact that establishment candidates on both sides have been thoroughly co-opted by the real root cause of those failures is lost on nobody. Stories about the rise of some brand or other of hucksterism aren't predictive, they're just repetitive.
posted by mhoye at 10:24 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
It's no mistake that the two big surprise stories of this election are an outsider Democrat and an outsider Republican. There are always people like Trump who show up when the system is well along in its failure, and in this case the fact that establishment candidates on both sides have been thoroughly co-opted by the real root cause of those failures is lost on nobody. Stories about the rise of some brand or other of hucksterism aren't predictive, they're just repetitive.
posted by mhoye at 10:24 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
Rule of thumb about old movies: The more up-to-date and bleeding-edge they are when they come out, the more dated they appear years later. So how is it that this movie only becomes more relevant with time? Even Network looks like a period piece by comparison.
I liked this comment because I *absolutely* get and agree with what you're saying.
But FWIW, if Network seems any less relevant today, it's only because nearly every goddamned thing it predicted has now gone and happened.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:51 AM on March 2, 2016 [13 favorites]
I liked this comment because I *absolutely* get and agree with what you're saying.
But FWIW, if Network seems any less relevant today, it's only because nearly every goddamned thing it predicted has now gone and happened.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:51 AM on March 2, 2016 [13 favorites]
Proposal for an OMG, They Tried to Warn Us club for Fanfare: A Face in the Crowd, 1984, Network, Idiocracy, The Conversation, Bob Roberts...
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
Talking about Trump as though he's the root cause here, rather than talking about the fear, pain, desperation and despair he's exploiting, seems like missing the point.
The unscrupulous have always taken advantage of the fearful, the desperate, and the desolate. Trump has succeeded by exploiting that fear and desperation, tho he isn't be the cause of it (yet). Talking about that isn't missing the point; it just isn't the point you wish to see.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
The unscrupulous have always taken advantage of the fearful, the desperate, and the desolate. Trump has succeeded by exploiting that fear and desperation, tho he isn't be the cause of it (yet). Talking about that isn't missing the point; it just isn't the point you wish to see.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Absolutely. Between the first time I saw Network (probably at 16 or so, 14 years after it came out) and the 20+ years since, it's actually become more realistic than it was when I first saw it. It's (almost) hilarious.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
"if social change and physical threats coincided at the same time, it could awaken a potentially enormous population of American authoritarians, who would demand a strongman leader and the extreme policies necessary, in their view, to meet the rising threats."
The rise of American authoritarianism:
A niche group of political scientists may have uncovered what's driving Donald Trump's ascent. What they found has implications that go well beyond 2016.
posted by Ostara at 11:18 AM on March 2, 2016 [9 favorites]
The rise of American authoritarianism:
A niche group of political scientists may have uncovered what's driving Donald Trump's ascent. What they found has implications that go well beyond 2016.
posted by Ostara at 11:18 AM on March 2, 2016 [9 favorites]
The scariest line in that article,
posted by Talez at 11:26 AM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
And that means Donald Trump could be just the first of many Trumps in American politics, with potentially profound implications for the country.It's not wrong and it's fucking terrifying.
posted by Talez at 11:26 AM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
We all here are smart and so we know how Trump got support among those feeling left out, disgusted, angry, but my point is that the establishment does not like him. True, as OctSurpirse has said, they do not care for him. But why? If he can get an electorate to support him they can or should grin and bear it, right? Well, a problem is that the people in charge, those who seem to run the party, simply did not even know Trump was a star gaining momentum. They were blindsided by their ignoring Trump.
posted by Postroad at 11:26 AM on March 2, 2016
posted by Postroad at 11:26 AM on March 2, 2016
I think tonight, I'm going to re-watch A Face in the Crowd, re-read It Can't Happen Here, and then drink myself to sleep, sobbing uncontrollably into my pillow.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:29 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:29 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
Voters (the white, economically disadvantaged ones) are beside the point,
Hey, careful with that paint brush, buddy! I've recently entered the brave new world of economically disadvantaged white people (broke, out of work, negative wealth, no family support, etc.), and I would never even for one fleeting second consider voting for an obviously narcissistic and amoral populist huckster like Trump. Just be more careful when you're waving that big brush around, okay?
posted by saulgoodman at 11:56 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
Hey, careful with that paint brush, buddy! I've recently entered the brave new world of economically disadvantaged white people (broke, out of work, negative wealth, no family support, etc.), and I would never even for one fleeting second consider voting for an obviously narcissistic and amoral populist huckster like Trump. Just be more careful when you're waving that big brush around, okay?
posted by saulgoodman at 11:56 AM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
True, as OctSurpirse has said, they do not care for him. But why?
If the question is "Why didn't the GOP run Trump from the git-go?" or "Why have the GOP elites been so hostile to Trump?", then the answer is, IMO, A) they haven't believed—and many, if not most still don't—that he's a winning candidate and B) Trump has no use for them. He's a grifter whose campaign (and chances are, loss) will splinter the party, maybe irreparably. And despite Trump's victories and what he thinks of himself, the chances are still good that they're right.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:58 AM on March 2, 2016
If the question is "Why didn't the GOP run Trump from the git-go?" or "Why have the GOP elites been so hostile to Trump?", then the answer is, IMO, A) they haven't believed—and many, if not most still don't—that he's a winning candidate and B) Trump has no use for them. He's a grifter whose campaign (and chances are, loss) will splinter the party, maybe irreparably. And despite Trump's victories and what he thinks of himself, the chances are still good that they're right.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:58 AM on March 2, 2016
Despair not, ye mortals. Koch Bros putting up zillions to support Rubio. But should Rube not win Florida, oh, well...MITTENS IS BACK
posted by Postroad at 12:01 PM on March 2, 2016
posted by Postroad at 12:01 PM on March 2, 2016
I think the GOP ignoring had to do with Trump being a loose canon. Who would want to put the banking industry, energy industries, pharmaceutical industries behind this guy?
He is going to do something irreparable. Like cursing gods atop an oil spill while killing seals.
It isn't going to be pretty and the money doesn't want to be involved.
posted by AlexiaSky at 12:08 PM on March 2, 2016
He is going to do something irreparable. Like cursing gods atop an oil spill while killing seals.
It isn't going to be pretty and the money doesn't want to be involved.
posted by AlexiaSky at 12:08 PM on March 2, 2016
But why? If he can get an electorate to support him they can or should grin and bear it, right?
Postroad
Well, no. Almost any article written about Trump and the GOP explains this. There are 3 reasons they don't like him:
1. He represents nothing the establishment supports. He's not a social conservative, he's anti-free trade in many ways, and his foreign policy ideas, what little there are, are mixed but certainly not in line with neocon warhawk thinking.
2. He doesn't need them. He's drawing support from outside of the establishment, undercutting their power.
3. He explodes the narative the party wants to push about Republicans not being racists and just for old white people.
His rise proves that the Republican three-part coalition that was erected in the late 70s of social cons, financial cons, and war cons is over. The base has morphed into something new and the old power structures don't work any more.
They don't want him to win because a win by him means it's over for them. The Trump Republican Party will look nothing like the existing one. What good is winning the Presidency if you lose everything else?
posted by Sangermaine at 12:36 PM on March 2, 2016 [5 favorites]
Postroad
Well, no. Almost any article written about Trump and the GOP explains this. There are 3 reasons they don't like him:
1. He represents nothing the establishment supports. He's not a social conservative, he's anti-free trade in many ways, and his foreign policy ideas, what little there are, are mixed but certainly not in line with neocon warhawk thinking.
2. He doesn't need them. He's drawing support from outside of the establishment, undercutting their power.
3. He explodes the narative the party wants to push about Republicans not being racists and just for old white people.
His rise proves that the Republican three-part coalition that was erected in the late 70s of social cons, financial cons, and war cons is over. The base has morphed into something new and the old power structures don't work any more.
They don't want him to win because a win by him means it's over for them. The Trump Republican Party will look nothing like the existing one. What good is winning the Presidency if you lose everything else?
posted by Sangermaine at 12:36 PM on March 2, 2016 [5 favorites]
I think one reason the establishment GOP does not like Drumpf, that he has uncoded all their code words, and laid bare the xenophobic, racist, authoritarianism that lies at the heart of the GOP's appeal, yet had heretofore been cloaked in at least a little nuance and code. Dude is telling it like it is, and they trying hard to pull the curtain back closed. But some things can't be unseen.
posted by jetsetsc at 12:37 PM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by jetsetsc at 12:37 PM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
I wish we lived in a timeline where one-time Cincinnati mayor Jerry Springer had run for Senate in 2000.
posted by Apocryphon at 1:03 PM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Apocryphon at 1:03 PM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
Proposal for an OMG, They Tried to Warn Us club for Fanfare: A Face in the Crowd, 1984, Network, Idiocracy, The Conversation, Bob Roberts...
Don't forget "Wag the Dog" ...
posted by milnews.ca at 1:06 PM on March 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
Don't forget "Wag the Dog" ...
posted by milnews.ca at 1:06 PM on March 2, 2016 [4 favorites]
I read an interview with Andy Griffith who said the reason he didn't do more acting in movies like "A Face in the Crowd" was that he didn't like where it took him and he didn't like knowing that was in him at all. So he spent the rest of his life trying to live up to his "nice" side. I thought "A Face in the Crowd" was a masterpiece when I saw it in theater, and still think so.
posted by MovableBookLady at 1:23 PM on March 2, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by MovableBookLady at 1:23 PM on March 2, 2016 [10 favorites]
I don't think that the Lonesome Rhodes character resembles Trump for an instant. Trump doesn't loathe his admirers, he respects and loves them for their taste and judgment.
posted by Chitownfats at 1:38 PM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Chitownfats at 1:38 PM on March 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
The other movie that foretold the rise of Trump: The Godfather (parts one, two and three.)
Consider this: A self-made millionaire with extensive political connections (Vito Corleone; Fred Trump) but a plodding, conservative approach to money making gives birth to several children. Two of the older boys (Fredo Corleone; Fred Trump Jr.), though given to wild living, are pegged as heir apparents to the business, only to die in early middle age (Fredo--gunshot wound; Fred--alcoholism). Their younger brothers (Michael Corleone; Donald J. Trump) inherit the family enterprise from their father, only to build it into an empire of massive scale, thanks to diverting it away from mundane, traditional pursuits (mafia crimes in the case of Vito Corleone; middle-class housing blocks in the case of Fred Trump) into--you guessed it--the casino industry.
Don't get me started on the political machinations of Michael Corleone and Donald Trump, or the resemblance, if you squint very hard and concentrate on the swept back, heavily pomaded hair, of Donald Trump Jr. to Vincent Corleone.
posted by Gordion Knott at 2:04 PM on March 2, 2016 [5 favorites]
Consider this: A self-made millionaire with extensive political connections (Vito Corleone; Fred Trump) but a plodding, conservative approach to money making gives birth to several children. Two of the older boys (Fredo Corleone; Fred Trump Jr.), though given to wild living, are pegged as heir apparents to the business, only to die in early middle age (Fredo--gunshot wound; Fred--alcoholism). Their younger brothers (Michael Corleone; Donald J. Trump) inherit the family enterprise from their father, only to build it into an empire of massive scale, thanks to diverting it away from mundane, traditional pursuits (mafia crimes in the case of Vito Corleone; middle-class housing blocks in the case of Fred Trump) into--you guessed it--the casino industry.
Don't get me started on the political machinations of Michael Corleone and Donald Trump, or the resemblance, if you squint very hard and concentrate on the swept back, heavily pomaded hair, of Donald Trump Jr. to Vincent Corleone.
posted by Gordion Knott at 2:04 PM on March 2, 2016 [5 favorites]
Trump doesn't loathe his admirers, he respects and loves them for their taste and judgment.
You're kidding, right?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:13 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
You're kidding, right?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:13 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Trump doesn't loathe his admirers
He says he loves the poorly educated, but I don't think he loves Chris Christie!
posted by octobersurprise at 2:26 PM on March 2, 2016
He says he loves the poorly educated, but I don't think he loves Chris Christie!
posted by octobersurprise at 2:26 PM on March 2, 2016
Out of curiosity, I found the first NYT reference to Adolf Hitler. Nov. 21, 1922. Amazing last three paragraphs.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:16 PM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:16 PM on March 2, 2016 [7 favorites]
As I understand it, the general consensus about A Face in the Crowd is that the inspiration was Arthur Godfrey. Wikipedia agrees, and mentions other figures as well.
posted by pmurray63 at 5:55 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by pmurray63 at 5:55 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Perfect timing on this post! I was just looking for some movies to add to my Netflix queue and came across AFITC, thinking "that is a movie I have always wanted to see". Didn't add it then, off to add it now, hope to come back to the thread in a few days to comment from a more knowledgable point of view.
posted by TedW at 5:57 PM on March 2, 2016
posted by TedW at 5:57 PM on March 2, 2016
Nothing could have foretold Donald Trump being the GOP frontrunner...
I'd argue that Reagan foretold Trump. That old reptile was better at disguising what he meant.
I'd also argue that there's value in Trump uncovering the extent of American unexceptionalism. Frankly I don't see him making so many unlikely promises as the sitting president did.
posted by Twang at 6:08 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'd argue that Reagan foretold Trump. That old reptile was better at disguising what he meant.
I'd also argue that there's value in Trump uncovering the extent of American unexceptionalism. Frankly I don't see him making so many unlikely promises as the sitting president did.
posted by Twang at 6:08 PM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Out of curiosity, I found the first NYT reference to Adolf Hitler. Nov. 21, 1922. Amazing last three paragraphs.
Jesus. I thought that was so on the nose that it had to be a hoax, but nope: here's the New York Times page containing the original article.
posted by sallybrown at 6:55 PM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
Jesus. I thought that was so on the nose that it had to be a hoax, but nope: here's the New York Times page containing the original article.
posted by sallybrown at 6:55 PM on March 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
No matter if Trump gets the Presidency or not, the GOP is going to be forever changed from their nudge-wink, dog-whistle days. I like this tweet from William Gibson after an early interview:
"In Trump, Fox has given the GOP base an unprecedentedly pure hit of their product. Having tasted such purity, the Republican base won't willingly go back to any stepped-on product, cut with whatever non-batshit adulterants."
posted by bitmage at 7:19 PM on March 2, 2016 [13 favorites]
"In Trump, Fox has given the GOP base an unprecedentedly pure hit of their product. Having tasted such purity, the Republican base won't willingly go back to any stepped-on product, cut with whatever non-batshit adulterants."
posted by bitmage at 7:19 PM on March 2, 2016 [13 favorites]
Frankly I don't see him making so many unlikely promises as the sitting president did.
Building a wall for the entire US border is a likely promise? Drumpf is the biggest liar in the race, it's like his hair will return to its original form if he tells the truth.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 8:23 PM on March 2, 2016
Building a wall for the entire US border is a likely promise? Drumpf is the biggest liar in the race, it's like his hair will return to its original form if he tells the truth.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 8:23 PM on March 2, 2016
I had never seen nor heard of this movie, and I have a kind of embarrassing inability to get into old movies. (I'm cultured! Then why do I keep falling asleep in Casablanca, but I've seen Joe Dirt 4 times?)
But! this movie sucked me in right away, and I ended up watching the whole thing. Andy Griffith is great (I already knew that) and he's great in this!
I think donald trump is.. interesting. Certainly, a terrible person! But from a purely outsider standpoint, looking at his effect on the american political system is interesting. Politics are so slick, so rehearsed, so good at walking the party line and appealing to their core voters, but also not being so non-centralist as to not appeal to any moderates. They have advisers and writers and stylists and they're rehearsed and prepped and polished to perfection.
And then there's Donald Trump, who is.. nuts. A nutty disaster. A xenophobic, unrealistic, racist, crazy disaster who just lets any inane drivel that pops into his head come out his mouth, who can't pick a side to stand on and a bunch of really terrible political mistakes and a bunch of weird nonsense. But I feel like all the weirdness of Donald Trump really puts the highlights on all the weirdness of everyone else. Everyone else looks like creepy aliens wearing man-skins and being "presidents". They seem overly rehearsed, like they're reading from a script. They seem like they're double-talking, and avoiding controversy, and all the things that they ARE doing, but usually they're all up there against each other and it seems normal to have a bunch of weirdos miming their way through politics. With Donald Trump up there, acting like the terrible person he is, it really makes you look at those other guys and be like "ugh. fake."
I think the same thing is happening on the left right now too. Hilary Clinton is looking worse compared to Bernie Sanders, he's making her look less passionate, less committed, less real.
An interesting Sea Change appears to be happening in politics!
posted by euphoria066 at 11:00 PM on March 2, 2016 [6 favorites]
But! this movie sucked me in right away, and I ended up watching the whole thing. Andy Griffith is great (I already knew that) and he's great in this!
I think donald trump is.. interesting. Certainly, a terrible person! But from a purely outsider standpoint, looking at his effect on the american political system is interesting. Politics are so slick, so rehearsed, so good at walking the party line and appealing to their core voters, but also not being so non-centralist as to not appeal to any moderates. They have advisers and writers and stylists and they're rehearsed and prepped and polished to perfection.
And then there's Donald Trump, who is.. nuts. A nutty disaster. A xenophobic, unrealistic, racist, crazy disaster who just lets any inane drivel that pops into his head come out his mouth, who can't pick a side to stand on and a bunch of really terrible political mistakes and a bunch of weird nonsense. But I feel like all the weirdness of Donald Trump really puts the highlights on all the weirdness of everyone else. Everyone else looks like creepy aliens wearing man-skins and being "presidents". They seem overly rehearsed, like they're reading from a script. They seem like they're double-talking, and avoiding controversy, and all the things that they ARE doing, but usually they're all up there against each other and it seems normal to have a bunch of weirdos miming their way through politics. With Donald Trump up there, acting like the terrible person he is, it really makes you look at those other guys and be like "ugh. fake."
I think the same thing is happening on the left right now too. Hilary Clinton is looking worse compared to Bernie Sanders, he's making her look less passionate, less committed, less real.
An interesting Sea Change appears to be happening in politics!
posted by euphoria066 at 11:00 PM on March 2, 2016 [6 favorites]
That oughta hold the little S.O.B.s. . - Gabbo, The Simpsons , "Krusty Gets Kancelled"
Simpsons hat tip to radio's "Uncle Don" Carney. The YouTube description errs, only insofar as there was a recording of his infamous comment made which appeared on a tape of bloopers (I just can't find my copy!).
posted by On the Corner at 12:08 AM on March 3, 2016
Simpsons hat tip to radio's "Uncle Don" Carney. The YouTube description errs, only insofar as there was a recording of his infamous comment made which appeared on a tape of bloopers (I just can't find my copy!).
posted by On the Corner at 12:08 AM on March 3, 2016
A perfect film. If anyone would like another viewing recommendation to explain the current political climate, I wholeheartedly recommend Adam Curtis' documentary The Century of the Self. All 4 parts have been sewn together on YouTube.
You Can't Tip a Buick pointed out in the Super Tuesday thread that vast swaths of the populace are in on Trump's kayfabe; that's true and depressing, this documentary gets to that mindset by the end, and it means that Trump can't even trip himself up like Rhodes did, because those supporters don't care. They would only hear that Trump thinks everyone else is a stupid puppet, and they are still smarter than everyone else, just like he is.
posted by heatvision at 5:07 AM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
You Can't Tip a Buick pointed out in the Super Tuesday thread that vast swaths of the populace are in on Trump's kayfabe; that's true and depressing, this documentary gets to that mindset by the end, and it means that Trump can't even trip himself up like Rhodes did, because those supporters don't care. They would only hear that Trump thinks everyone else is a stupid puppet, and they are still smarter than everyone else, just like he is.
posted by heatvision at 5:07 AM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
With Donald Trump up there, acting like the terrible person he is, it really makes you look at those other guys and be like "ugh. fake."
Reflect on the fact that the career reality tv star and self-brander is the one who looks "real" to you. Then reflect on the fact the reality tv star's behavior is itself straight out of the reality tv show aesthetic of "I'm not here to make friends!"
Say what you will about right-wing extremism, at least it's an ethos. If you're trying to spot "fakes," then the reality tv star is the fakest guy up there.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:03 AM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
Reflect on the fact that the career reality tv star and self-brander is the one who looks "real" to you. Then reflect on the fact the reality tv star's behavior is itself straight out of the reality tv show aesthetic of "I'm not here to make friends!"
Say what you will about right-wing extremism, at least it's an ethos. If you're trying to spot "fakes," then the reality tv star is the fakest guy up there.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:03 AM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
Just posted a link to "Face in the Crowd" to my FB wall a few days ago, right around Super Tuesday, I think. Brilliant performance by Griffith (and of course Neal and Matthau) and never ceases to be timely.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 8:59 AM on March 3, 2016
posted by Sheydem-tants at 8:59 AM on March 3, 2016
I wish we lived in a timeline where one-time Cincinnati mayor Jerry Springer had run for Senate in 2000.
Not sure if this was idle fantasty, or an actual reference to Jerry! Jerry! running a brief exploratory campaign around 2003. I saw him speak at my university, and he straight-up was like "I can't be bought, I've made all the money I could ever want!" And I would have totally voted for him because his politics are really progressive.
Dude now has his own podcast.
posted by mostly vowels at 10:01 AM on March 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
Not sure if this was idle fantasty, or an actual reference to Jerry! Jerry! running a brief exploratory campaign around 2003. I saw him speak at my university, and he straight-up was like "I can't be bought, I've made all the money I could ever want!" And I would have totally voted for him because his politics are really progressive.
Dude now has his own podcast.
posted by mostly vowels at 10:01 AM on March 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
It's not fantasy. Jerry Springer was an actual politician prior to his talk show days (and a journalist in between that), and a Springer v. Trump match-up would be very entertaining to watch. Democratic celebrity-politicos like Al Franken usually lack the working class vibe that Springer has.
posted by Apocryphon at 10:42 AM on March 3, 2016
posted by Apocryphon at 10:42 AM on March 3, 2016
Something interesting, in a weird media related way:
Keith Olbermann used to refer to Glenn Beck as "Lonesome Rhodes" when he would talk about how crazy and stupid he was. Just an interesting note related to the subject at hand.
posted by daq at 11:35 AM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
Keith Olbermann used to refer to Glenn Beck as "Lonesome Rhodes" when he would talk about how crazy and stupid he was. Just an interesting note related to the subject at hand.
posted by daq at 11:35 AM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
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