Hollywood's Reaction to 9/11

During World War II, Hollywood stepped up to the plate and made hundreds of patriotic, pro-American movies. John Wayne was filmed fighting every enemy in sight. Claudette Colbert and Ginger Rogers made movies depicting life on the home front. Movie stars like Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart and Tyrone Power were commissioned into the armed forces. Others, like Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope did USO tours to help morale. Casualties befell the entertainment world as well during the second world war. Carole Lombard was killed when her plane crashed while doing a War Bonds selling tour. Glenn Miller died in Europe when his plane was shot down.

Today, with war looming like an approaching thunderstorm, Hollywood is making efforts to do it's part. Many benefits and fund raisers are being planned. Like last weeks boring, yet financially successful telethon, these events should prove to get much attention. However, I hope they are more entertaining.

I have been reading and hearing how Hollywood is postponing the release of several movies that have terrorist for antagonists. They claim it would be inappropriate and in poor taste.

Be honest here. They are worried they might get bad press or some public scorn, and thus make little return.

Hollywood has marketed R-rated movies toward people under 18. They exploit nudity, violence and foul language every chance they get. Take these family marketed movies for example: The unnecessary nude scene in Doc Hollywood, The violent beginning to Kindergarten Cop and what was holier than thou, quit the Boys Scout board of directors, Steven Spielberg thinking when he put the line "penis breath" in ET. I always enjoy watching a family movie with my kids only to have to explain an adult scene of dialogue to them afterwards.

Hollywood has rarely been concerned with offending people with a movie as long as it makes money. To the contradiction of some flighty film students, Hollywood is a business. If some movies are pushed back to a later date it is not due to some noble effort by movie moguls. It is simply a fiscal decision to maximize revenue. The american public in its entirety has seen the footage of the planes crashing into the Trade Center. These movies have nothing on that, as far as shock appeal. They need us to relax before their movies will have any effect.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's new movie Collateral Damage has been pulled from its release date of October 5th. Apparently Warner Bros. claims the movie would be to disturbing. Disturbing to whom? The man who counts the box office receipts? The plot involves a firefighter getting revenge on some terrorists who killed his family. Sounds like a perfect movie to release to me.

I just read an article about Zoolander. It stated that the movie was okay but the release date was very bad timing. It seems there is some terrorist type activity in the movie. At least Ben Stller now has a printable excuse if the film is a bomb. (ooops, should I have re-worded that?)

Like the Hollywood of old, I have no doubt that todays entertainers will do there part in attempting to create some bright spots in all the darkness to come. I am also sure todays movie companies will waste little time exploiting this event. Its okay. I understand that its not personal, its business. Just do not pretend to hide behind a veil of moral, sanctimonious concern.