Mark Steyn: The Love That Doesn't Like You Speaking Its Name

The Atlantic Monthly ^ | December 2003 | Mark Steyn

[hershey]

Terrific article.

[RightWingAtheist]

In 1996, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, mulling over their Career Achievement Award, decided to reject Elia Kazan and honour instead Roger Corman

Give Corman a break. Sure, he's not a great artist on the level of Kazan, but he's made some fun films, and discovered a lot of great directors and actors-Martin Scorcese, Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro, Bruce Dern, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Joe Dante, etc.

[liberallarry]

Behavior that the actor engages in off the screen sometimes affects the on screen perception. If an actor is a known gay activist, then it is hard for him to portray a straight man in a loving relationship with a woman. People just don't believe it.

This can happen...but it doesn't happen for me. Lucky me.

I'm not saying I don't notice if an actor is miscast, if he can't properly portray his character. But I don't have to know anything about his personal life to make the judgement...and conversely knowledge of his personal life doesn't affect that judgement. I've seen perfectly straight actors portray wonderful gays...and I'm told that Clint Eastwood is a non-smoker in real life.

[okie01]

"I assume you're talking about the military talents of Lee and Jackson? Since I've already said I appreciated Hitler's talents how can you even ask?"

Right answer. I just wanted to see if your broadmindedness extended to the Confederacy. With some people, it doesn't, y'know...

And I agree. As a skilled political showman, Adolf Hitler has no peer. Which demonstrates the dangers of voting for skilled political showmen, I suppose...

How could you possible have an objection to pigmeat, fried okra and a mess of greens, with sweet tea, followed by a slab of coconut creme pie?

[stylin_geek]

Hey LL, still alive and kicking, I see.

I, for one, find it disgraceful that certain celebrities rail against this country, without recognizing their wealth is a direct result of what this country stands for. All they can see is everything wrong, without being able to acknowledge how much this country has given them. I'm one of those who have a tough time separating politics and the person. Although I do admit some inconsistency. (face it, "The Princess Bride" is one of the best comedy/fantasies ever put on film)

I do have a tendency to avoid artists I disagree with, as I see no reason they should get my money.

Over the years, a lot of people have been brought down by personal scandal, because character was thought to count. Now look at what celebrity is. Would you really want your son dating Britney Spears? Jennifer Lopez? Paris Hilton or Nicole Richie?

[91B]

Innocent people were hurt (or worse) by what Crawford and Robeson did (or failed to do). Things like that hardly qualify as motes, and I do everything in my power to look for beams like that in my own eyes.

[liberallarry]

How could you possible have an objection to pigmeat, fried okra and a mess of greens, with sweet tea, followed by a slab of coconut creme pie?

I've been wrong plenty of times. I do love coconut creme pie...if I'm ever down your way I'll try again. :)

[liberallarry]

Lots of people benefited by their actions too. Crawford was wonderful to a neighbor's children when they were in need. Judging a person's worth is a tricky business. Humans generally do a bad job of it - that's the meaning of the parable.

[liberallarry]

Now look at what celebrity is

A celebrity is not necessarily an artist and vice versa. What a tragedy!

[91B]

We may not do a very good job of it, but that is no excuse not to try. If you don't make judgements about what is right and wrong, wrong will run rampant.

[nightdriver]

"When I hear him sing I hear a great singer, when I watch Joan Crawford act I see a great actress, when I watch Muhammed Ali fight I see a great fighter."

And when I see Ted Hall, I see a geat traitor, and when I see Joseph Stalin, I see a great murderer! ;^)

[91B]

Which do you think would have required more effort on Crawford's part? The long term commitment to treat her daughter well or the short term act of doing good for her neighbor's children? I suppose that anybody can be kind from time to time, but doing so over the long haul requires character, and that is what makes the difference to me.

[liberallarry]

I make judgements about right and wrong...and I make judgements about art and beauty and talent.

[liberallarry]

And when I see Ted Hall, I see a geat traitor, and when I see Joseph Stalin, I see a great murderer! ;^)

Makes me laugh...and think about Charlie Chaplin.

[liberallarry]

Fine. Don't enjoy her films.

[stylin_geek]

Yes, very true, but look at how many times the two are conflated. Heck, I just did it. Streisand is now a one note shrill leftist, and her current stuff is just bad. Because of who she is, and being as she is such an ungrateful wretch, she does not need any more of my money. Although at one time she was both an artist and celebrity.

[Snuffington]

Elia Kazan was on the right side of history. His enemies line up with the apologists for thugs and tyrants. Whose reputation would you bet on in the long run?

Amen.

[liberallarry]

Yes, very true, but look at how many times the two are conflated

Human beings have bad judgement?

[stands2reason]

Add some cornbread, yams and blackeye peas to that and I'm inviting myself over!

[StormEye]

"Would you really want your son dating Britney Spears? Jennifer Lopez?
Paris Hilton or Nicole Richie?"

My son -- certainly not! I'll date them instead!
(I'll just have to ignore the fact that they're air heads. But I'll manage somehow.)