Cinema Sundays Spring 2007 Series 39 at the Charles Theatre
Baltimore Premiere of “Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater”
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The other day I called Jonathan Palevsky at the Charles Theatre ever so slightly too late…
He had called and left a message asking me to be the presenter this Sunday for the “Baltimore Premiere of Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater. Directed by Julie Anderson. Starring Barry Goldwater, James Carville, Walter Cronkite, John Dean, John McCain, the Goldwater Family, and almost every other figure who was ever involved in American politics.”
I would have loved to do it as I have done a great deal of research on the incredible career of Barry Goldwater.
Nevertheless, the person who called Mr. Palevsky back before I did is probably much more eminently qualified to speak on the topic of Senator Goldwater – Barry Rascovar, the pre-eminent Gazette columnist.
Mr. Rascovar, retired from the Baltimore Sun in August 2001 in one the many awkward decisions made by the paper since it was purchased by Tribune a number of years ago. Moves which many of us feel has caused the paper to shift precipitously to the left as nowadays, the paper is often considered to be the unofficial web site for the liberal point of view and the Maryland Democratic Party…
But I guess that matter is well beyond the scope of this post. And, after-all, it all worked out as Mr. Rascovar was quickly picked up by Gazette…
Meanwhile, Mr. Palevsky e-mailed me the following information…
Cinema Sundays at the Charles Continues its 39th series on April 22nd with the Baltimore Premiere of Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater. Directed by Julie Anderson. Starring Barry Goldwater, James Carville, Walter Cronkite, John Dean, John McCain, the Goldwater Family, and almost every other figure who was ever involved in American politics.
2007 USA Rated R for Republican. 90 minutes.
Synopsis
Barry M. Goldwater, rose from being a local businessman in Arizona (which was not yet a state when he was born) to become a hugely influential U.S. Senator whose 30-year career reached a crescendo with his ill-fated run for President in 1964.
The film follows that tumultuous year, as well as others in a career that encompassed numerous political and ideological triumphs. Though he never achieved the ultimate prize, the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 vindicated the conservative agenda Goldwater had long championed.
Ironically, in later years, Goldwater's support of issues like abortion and gay rights were diametrically opposed to those of the "new conservative" leadership, underscoring both the distance the country has traveled in the last 40 years, as well as the dogged independence Goldwater embodied up to his death in 1998.
At the height of his power, Goldwater was the symbol of conservatism, denouncing Liberals and Communists while advocating limited government, free enterprise, separation of church and state, and a strong defense.
But because of his unequivocal opinions, Goldwater was vulnerable to attacks that labeled him pro-war and anti-Civil Rights. Those perceptions, coupled with JFK's death a year before the election, undermined Goldwater's presidential hopes, though he remained a strong and influential Senate voice for 23 more years.
In addition to detailing Goldwater's rise in politics, Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater includes a myriad of anecdotes and insights about Goldwater's private and public life. Identified as much with his home state of Arizona as JFK was with Massachusetts, Goldwater was, according to George Will, "not just from Arizona .... he looked like Arizona."
In an era when JFK became the first Catholic ever to be elected President, Goldwater was in fact half Jewish. Remembers Robert MacNeil, "He often told the story about being born of a Jewish father and an Episcopalian mother. He would say things like, 'I went to a golf club where they wouldn't let Jews play, and I said, "I'm only half Jewish. Can I play nine holes?'"
Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater includes interviews with Senators Edward Kennedy, Hillary Rodham Clinton (a onetime "Goldwater Girl") and John McCain (who succeeded Goldwater in Arizona); former TV anchorman Walter Cronkite; humorist Al Franken; TV correspondent Robert MacNeil; former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee; author George Will; 60 Minutes' And y Rooney; CBS News' Bob Schieffer; White House reporter Helen Thomas; political consultant James Carville; former White House Counsel John Dean; Goldwater's brother, Bob; sons Barry, Jr. (a onetime House Representative from California) and Michael; daughters Joanne and Peggy; and others.
Click here for official site and trailer!
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/mrconservative/index.html
Ladies and gentlemen. I promised you a documentary and by gosh we have one. I was hoping to book The Romance of the 7 Tractor Drivers…a seven hour epic about life on the collective farm but sadly the 14mm print wasn’t available from Belarus films. Instead we have what should be a fascinating look at one of the most interesting and enduring figures of American political life.
Our speaker for this week is Barry Rascovar who writes for The Gazette, is featured on WYPR’s Inside Maryland Politics and is also a political commentator for WBAL TV. His own persona l take on Barry Goldwater should prove most interesting.
I want to thank our speaker from last week Joseph Schaub for his work on Fracture, I know we all appreciated his insights.
I am so looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Jonathan Palevsky Jpalevsky AT aol.com
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If you’ve never been to Cinema Sundays before, see below for our stimulating yet official description.
So what exactly happens at Cinema Sundays…Well, Here’s everything you’ve always wanted to know about Cinema Sundays but were afraid to ask.
Doors open at 9:45 There’s hot coffee, fresh bagels, (including my favorite the crunchy sunflower) and a discreetly hidden penguin in the post modernist ecologically vegan friendly industrial lobby of the Charles. Moderate bagel consumption takes place until 10:30 (after which we adjourn to the Dada era screening room for some introductory remarks by the host and the guest speaker. After the movie is screened (completely devoid of rude people talking during th e film or using their cell phones) the post screening discussion, will be moderated by the guest speaker, with Jonathan and Jerry on the mics fielding questions from YOU, the audience.
Please feel free to visit us at… Http://www.cinemasundays.com
Tickets: $15 at the door.
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1711 N. Charles St.
410-727-3464
info: Karen AT cinemasundays.com
