Smacks of Carelessness

Steyn Online ^ | 1 June 2019 | Mark Steyn

[Rummyfan]

One of the great pleasures of writing for The Spectator (the oldest continuously-published magazine in the English language) is that one never knew by whom one would be upbraided - usually via handwritten notecards forwarded from the Doughty Street office. I think I've mentioned before Sir Alec Guinness' correction of my review of Jane Austen, and John Cleese's likewise about an arcane point concerning the American rights to Fawlty Towers. Still, they're both in showbusiness. It was somewhat stranger to find that among those reading my film reviews was Claus von Bülow, whose only connection to the entertainment world was that he was put on trial for the attempted murder of his wife Sunny (scroll down for Gary Alexander's colleague's joke about "When Sunny Gets Blue"), and afterwards they made a movie about it. My late friend (post-9/11) Ron Silver took the role of von Bülow's lawyer Alan Dershowitz, whereas poor old Claus had the misfortune to be played by Jeremy Irons, and Irons took the easy way out and played him chillingly cold. In fact, as he was wont to complain after the release of Reversal of Fortune, you could say a lot of things about von Bülow, but he wasn't cold. Very gregarious, indeed.

[Rummyfan]

Claus von Bülow when he wasn't critiquing Steyn's film reviews

[allendale]

Steyn needs a vacation and a break. When a man, even if he dresses well, is witty and has an accent, offs his wife however creatively, he is still a vile killer. So tell us Mark, just what is your fascination with Bulow and just how are things going in your marriage?

[Moonman62]

I didn’t know Ron Silver was dead.

[bert]

but the man was not guilty.

[Rummyfan]

Ron Silver died from cancer in the early 00s. He was a conservative too.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

But the man was not guilty.

Only God knows that.

[Fightin Whitey]

but the man was not guilty

Piff! What's a minor detail or two in a major murder case?

[Moonman62]

He converted late in life. He was a big Bill Clinton supporter. He changed his mind because of the 9/11 attacks and Democrat policies concerning Israel.

[A_perfect_lady]

I like Mark Steyn a lot, but this has a peevish, “get the last word now that he’s dead” smell to it.

[Albion Wilde]

bump

[Rummyfan]

He converted late in life. He was a big Bill Clinton supporter. He changed his mind because of the 9/11 attacks and Democrat policies concerning Israel.

Better late than never....