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Sydney Pollack, RIP

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Events
Posted on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:09:20 PM EST
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The film director Sydney Pollack has died:

Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack, who achieved commercial and critical success with the gender-bending comedy "Tootsie" and the period drama "Out of Africa, has died. He was 73. Pollack died of cancer Monday afternoon at his home in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, said agent Leslee Dart.

Pollack, who occasionally appeared on the screen himself, worked with and gained the respect of Hollywood's best actors in a long career that reached prominence in the 1970s and 1980s.

RIP. From Tootsie:

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    Sydney Pollack, RIP | 124 comments (124 topical)

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    BTD, are you doing an open (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:15:20 PM EST
    thread tonight?  Because I still have a question for you.

    Ask away (none / 0) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:16:00 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Ok, what do you think about (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:26:24 PM EST
    the Obama team sending out the Olbermann special comment to the media and super delegates?  And, how did you learn about the RFK comments in that interview?

    [ Parent ]
    I learned about them (none / 0) (#9)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:29:09 PM EST
    by reading an AP wire story.

    But Iget your drift. I think it is clear that a part of the Obama organization was pushing it.

    I think by 5 pm, David Axelrod pulled it all back in.

    And I think as of today, Axelrod wishes the story never would have happened.

    You see, Axelrod think he has it in the bag, and so do I.

    I tell you what to watch for - see what the Obama campaign says towards the end of the week on MI/FL.  

    [ Parent ]

    He wasn't successful in pulling it back in then. (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Teresa on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:34:02 PM EST
    The special comment wasn't until later that night and sent out by the campaign Sat. morning, right?

    [ Parent ]
    And if God forbid something (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:37:16 PM EST
    would have "happened" to Hillary, (or Obama) because Axelrod ran with it to all the "not very nice people running around lose, he would have been responsible. Boy, if Obama is elected, with people around him like Axelrod, he'll certainly make history, ala GWB!!

    [ Parent ]
    You touch on a very serious point (none / 0) (#71)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:13:44 PM EST
    The hate Obama stirs up against the Clintons (all 3 of them), and the extremely passionate, verbally violent following he has are a far more lethal combination putting the Clinton's at risk than anything the Clinton's have said about Obama. In fact, it's the Obama campaign that stirs up the anger that could also be putting their own candidate at greater risk.


    [ Parent ]
    C'mon.... (none / 0) (#124)
    by kdog on Tue May 27, 2008 at 03:12:07 PM EST
    the politicians put themselves at risk by playing the game.

    My dislike of the Clintons began long before I heard the name Obama, and my dislike for Obama has nothing to do with the Clintons.  My dislike for John McCain has nothing to do with either of them.  For me, my dislike stems from their actions in office.

    There is no MLK in this bunch...in other words, none are a danger to the powers that be, so they are in no danger of being killed.  

    When one of them talks about abolishing the federal reserve system, then they will need some kevlar.

    [ Parent ]

    Also, thanks for the response. (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:34:04 PM EST
    So did the AP story link to the video clip?

    [ Parent ]
    No (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:35:00 PM EST
    I looked around for more info and found the Argus Leader meeting video

    [ Parent ]
    Ok, because I think Obama's campaign (none / 0) (#28)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:37:03 PM EST
    edited that portion of the video and sent it around.  But apparently not to you.

    [ Parent ]
    Remember Huckabee's comment (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Stellaaa on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:41:15 PM EST
    at the NRA, my god, they let that one slip bye and pulled the nuclear reaction against Hillary.  All my suspicions were confirmed.  

    [ Parent ]
    See this is what Obama and Axelrod (none / 0) (#36)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:45:17 PM EST
    have done.  That was the argument in that article from the brit you posted.  He didn't just blame the media, he took it directly to Obama and Axelrod.  Emanuel Cleaver said it's not new politics, it's 1950's politics.

    [ Parent ]
    which article? (none / 0) (#42)
    by Stellaaa on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:51:21 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    BTD posted it a few days ago. (none / 0) (#43)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:51:56 PM EST
    I don't have the link but it's here somwhere.

    [ Parent ]
    Obama's comment was v. condescending (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by bridget on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:19:24 PM EST
    and typically annoying -
    first thing I read online this morning Yikes!

    I really don't know how Hillary can remain that cool after listening and reading to Obama nonsense like that all the time ... knowing that no matter how much he pushes the media will be on his side and that HE KNOWS IT. grrr

    [ Parent ]

    Ok, so they have it in the bag. (none / 0) (#10)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:30:48 PM EST
    So why push the story to begin with?

    [ Parent ]
    I think that was not Axelrod myself (none / 0) (#16)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:33:36 PM EST
    And I think he called off the dogs as soon as he heard what was happening.

    [ Parent ]
    Hmmm. He wouldn't even confirm (5.00 / 0) (#20)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:34:55 PM EST
    yesterday morning that they had stopped sending out the story.  

    [ Parent ]
    Nothing to see here, folks. Just move on..... (none / 0) (#70)
    by jawbone on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:13:31 PM EST
    They'd done their damage. Now, just want to get way from any blowback.

    [ Parent ]
    I think he wanted the damage (5.00 / 3) (#27)
    by Stellaaa on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:36:46 PM EST
    this has really turned me beyond return against Obama.   I just think they play with fire and they don't know how to stop it.  This is why they scare me, they have no thermostat.  

    [ Parent ]
    Excellently put "no thermostat" nt/ (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Valhalla on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:56:18 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Maybe not, but he sure wouldn't (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:59:57 PM EST
    apologize when George Steph... confronted him on his press secretary's distribution of KO's ugly speech, and questioned him twice on whether or not his campaign strategy will stop doing these things. Axelrod just answered what he wanted the question to be. These things HAVE to backfire on these guys just once!

    [ Parent ]
    How about the results (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:05:02 PM EST
    of this election backfiring.

    [ Parent ]
    Why do you think Axelrod wished (none / 0) (#12)
    by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:31:17 PM EST
    he had never pushed it?

    [ Parent ]
    Because (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:34:16 PM EST
    It has divided the Party even more because of the likes of idiots like Keith Olbermann.

    [ Parent ]
    Hmmm, seems they gave KO his (none / 0) (#66)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:10:39 PM EST
    credibility when they circulated his commentary far and wide to the media.


    [ Parent ]
    Also, he can't want this stuff (none / 0) (#67)
    by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:11:45 PM EST
    happening in the GE.  Hillary supporters irate when the nomination is all but decided is one thing.  Half the GE voters irate over the Obama campaign and KO manufacturing outrage over some innocent comment by McCain in the heat of the election will be death to the campaign, and he knows it.  

    Even outrage over the not-so-innocent remarks McCain will make will have to be played the right way. Axelrod does not want KO or the blogosphere hijacking the message.

    [ Parent ]

    I completely reject the notion (5.00 / 3) (#69)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:13:10 PM EST
    that sending out the KO special comment(a sad and immature move) was not approved by Axelrod.

    [ Parent ]
    And it should be rejected (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by bridget on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:28:39 PM EST
    no doubt in my mind that Obama and his people played it for all what it was worth to them -

    You couldn't pay me enough to watch it or listen to it but I have seen nitwits like Chris Cillizza (sp) praise Olbermann for his  oh so appropriate Special Comment.

    Looks like the Obamamedia is in overdrive and KO is now the liberal's liberal eeeeeks.

    Let's see, maybe Counterpunch will write about Olbermann in admiration. Ya think? ;-)

    [ Parent ]

    Oh Lord, Cilizza praised that bloviating (none / 0) (#85)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:34:03 PM EST
    idiot?  Wow.  Just wow.  How depressing this election has become.

    [ Parent ]
    I know. (none / 0) (#116)
    by bridget on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:52:47 PM EST



    [ Parent ]
    Heh, he may nave a huge problem on his hands (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by nycstray on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:15:18 PM EST
    The way to prevent it was to stop and redirect the FIRST instance it even looked like it was going to happen. Works in dog training and people training  ;)

    Once it becomes a learned behavior (problem), you have "issues".

    [ Parent ]

    Is this equivalent to Hillary's (none / 0) (#24)
    by MarkL on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:35:38 PM EST
    campaign pushing the "bitter" comment?

    [ Parent ]
    The difference between the "bitter" (5.00 / 0) (#35)
    by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:43:18 PM EST
    comment and allowing the story to keep going about crazy people who things to other people (I won't use the term), is that anything could have happened to Hillary or Obama because he let the story fester, and fester, and promoted it even more to fester. Much different conotation (sp) than "bitter."

    [ Parent ]
    Fair enough. I just thought I'd throw that (none / 0) (#37)
    by MarkL on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:45:41 PM EST
    out.

    [ Parent ]
    My friend who recently switched to (none / 0) (#96)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:05:40 PM EST
    Obama after voting for Hillary Clinton (reason--gas tax holiday is not a sound policy position) thinks Hillary Clinton's reference to RFK/June/assassination is the equivalent of bitter/cling and Hillary shouldn't have pushed that.

    Another Obama-supporting friend, whose judgment I usually trust, sd. Hillary is "out of control."

    [ Parent ]

    Have you read how disoriented Obama (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by MarkL on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:09:52 PM EST
    is these days? Noquarter covered several examples.
    He doesn't know where he is, who he is talking to, or what the date is.
    Then there's not knowing anything about Hanford.


    [ Parent ]
    In NM today to honor the vets, obama made (none / 0) (#120)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue May 27, 2008 at 12:59:37 AM EST
    mention of the fallen heroes, many of whom were among them today....wtf

    [ Parent ]
    that's not good (none / 0) (#123)
    by ccpup on Tue May 27, 2008 at 07:21:37 AM EST
    if he's the Nominee -- and it's still an "if" for me --, it's not like he gets a month-long vacation after the Convention, you know?  He's gotta be at the absolute TOP of his game to go against McCain and the Repuglican machine and, if he's woozy now, what the h-e-double hockey sticks is he gonna be like come October?

    On the other hand, Hillary is the Energizer Bunny of politics.  Nothing seems to throw her off her stride.

    [ Parent ]

    Yes (none / 0) (#103)
    by squeaky on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:22:11 PM EST
    Hillary bad for not dropping out is what I am hearing too. I tell them that it is good for the party that the remaining voters get heard. After the first week of June we will have to see where we are.

    Sad, that so many people actually think that the two candidates are seriously different in the direction that they would take this country. One thing for sure is that they will be opposite of McSame aka BushCo III.

    [ Parent ]

    I made a pretty rude comment (none / 0) (#108)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:34:16 PM EST
    to the fellow who sd. she is out of control.  My retort:  I hope you enjoy his presidency if he is elected.  Need to apologize.  Completely uncalled for.  

    [ Parent ]
    Not Really (none / 0) (#112)
    by squeaky on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:43:08 PM EST
    I would think that the person would be happy with an Obama presidency, (as would most of us) so they wouldn't be insulted, if anything they would be gloating.

    Unless by, "his presidency", you meant a McCain presidency, now that would have been mean.

    [ Parent ]

    Oh, no. I meant Obama. (none / 0) (#114)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:48:32 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    No Problem (none / 0) (#117)
    by squeaky on Tue May 27, 2008 at 12:00:08 AM EST
    But tell them to STFU.... until the fat lady sings......

    [ Parent ]
    I think I kind of did! (none / 0) (#118)
    by oculus on Tue May 27, 2008 at 12:08:26 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    That scene from Tootsie has great timing (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by andgarden on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:19:22 PM EST


    Oh, and no one from Hollywood will (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:21:25 PM EST
    hire you either.  

    Thanks for a laugh.

    [ Parent ]

    I saw a French movie (none / 0) (#21)
    by Stellaaa on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:34:57 PM EST
    Fauteuils d'orchestre,I think you can get it in English as Avenue Montaigne.  Oculus you would love it cause of the classical music story line.  He was great speaking French and all.  

    [ Parent ]
    Loved Avenue Montaigne :-) (none / 0) (#83)
    by bridget on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:31:19 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I think you are the only (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by Stellaaa on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:17:19 PM EST
    other person I know who saw it.  Ha..ha..!!  I loved it.  

    [ Parent ]
    This may be my favorite (none / 0) (#52)
    by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:58:19 PM EST
    scene in any movie ever.  In fact 'Tootsie' may be my favorite movie, if someone held a gun to my head and made me pick.

    If you see 'Charlie Wilson's War', you will see that they totally stole this scene for Phillip Seymour Hoffman's first scene in the movie, where he is getting told he did not get a job he wanted.  Blatant rip-off.  He is practically doing a Dustin Hoffman impersonation.

     I am very sorry to see Sydney Pollack go too soon. He directed some of my favorite movies.

    [ Parent ]

    Excuse me: verboten to say (none / 0) (#97)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:06:54 PM EST
    "gun to the head."

    [ Parent ]
    Great memories of (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by txpolitico67 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:10:06 PM EST
    Tootsie.  Totally hilarious.  I have to see this movie now.

    Thank you Sydney Pollack, may you rest.

    Is this an open thread? (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by txpolitico67 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:18:22 PM EST
    ?

    Not really (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:26:25 PM EST
    But . . .

    [ Parent ]
    If This is a Quasi-Open Thread :) (none / 0) (#87)
    by Jane in CA on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:36:13 PM EST
    May I ask what your reaction is to the comments Bill Clinton made in South Dakota yesterday?

    [ Parent ]
    Did not hear them (none / 0) (#89)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:43:48 PM EST
    and we have a real Open thread now.

    [ Parent ]
    what did my (none / 0) (#90)
    by txpolitico67 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:46:15 PM EST
    favorite prez say?

    [ Parent ]
    Oh my! (none / 0) (#101)
    by Jane in CA on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:17:30 PM EST
    Quite a bit, actually.  I'll post a link on the open thread.

    [ Parent ]
    You can get there by google (none / 0) (#91)
    by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:48:25 PM EST
    (not good at linking). He talked about the unbelieveable atsmosphere by trying to push Hillary out before the SD/Montant/PR vote. Good stuff!!

    [ Parent ]
    I googled Bill (none / 0) (#92)
    by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:48:50 PM EST
    Clinton in South Dakota.

    [ Parent ]
    There's video - link below (none / 0) (#102)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:18:25 PM EST
    Bill addresses the calls for Hillary to get out.

    [ Parent ]
    Thank you (none / 0) (#107)
    by Jane in CA on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:30:50 PM EST
    And may I ask you how you link here?  I copied the URL, highlighted it, then hit the link button and entered "link" in the prompt.  But when I just tried doing that it linked me back to comments ...

    [ Parent ]
    Here is my unauthorized method. (none / 0) (#109)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:36:48 PM EST
    Copy the url.  Paste.  Surround with[   ]  Put the word you want to highlight inside the first bracket next to the url.  Highlight, preview, post.  Fool proof.

    [ Parent ]
    Thank you so much! (none / 0) (#113)
    by Jane in CA on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:47:10 PM EST
    that is unbelievably easy :)

    Link

    [ Parent ]

    Good job. Hat tip to edgar08. (none / 0) (#115)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:49:40 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    How to link (none / 0) (#110)
    by waldenpond on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:39:33 PM EST
    ta da!

    [ Parent ]
    RIP (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by akaEloise on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:12:53 PM EST
    I met Mr. Pollack briefly a couple of decades ago when I was a junior flunky to a person who was moderately well-known in another field and was interested in making a film.  Somehow Mr. Pollack had been persuaded to come to our very non-Hollywood location and hang out with us for a while.  I remember him as being very funny and uncommonly civil to me and the rest of the junior flunkies, even though we could not have possibly been of any use to him.   The mark of a true gentleperson.

    RIP (none / 0) (#1)
    by andgarden on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:11:21 PM EST
    I guess it's finally time to see Out of Africa.

    Oh you must. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:14:30 PM EST
    It's excellent.

    [ Parent ]
    Warning: tear jerker. (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:20:37 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Meryl Streep's (none / 0) (#38)
    by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:47:10 PM EST
    best syphilis role.

    Best line from Tootsie: "I said good day, sir!"

    Man, Pollack was one of the greats.  I feel really olllllld now.

    [ Parent ]

    Yes, its a must - seen it at least three times (none / 0) (#56)
    by bridget on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:00:24 PM EST
    it doesn't get any better - Meryl and Robert Redford togther

    very sorry to hear the news about Sidney

    a great director and good actor
    just saw him in Michael Clayton

    he was great in Eyes Wide Shut, too

    [ Parent ]

    Sidney made lots of films with Robert Redford (none / 0) (#65)
    by bridget on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:10:21 PM EST
    and they are all great
    I highly recommend :-)

    [ Parent ]
    I've been known to start that DVD (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:55:51 PM EST
    in the morning and just let it run in loop all day. Great, great story about another very strong, ahead of her time woman.

    Pollock was involved in so many of my favorite movies: The Slender Thread, Jeremiah Johnson, Three Days of the Condor, Absence of Malice, Havana.

    RIP, and thank you for all the incredible entertainment you gave us.


    [ Parent ]

    Three Days was great (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:00:34 PM EST
    Based on the book, which was Seven Days.  Pollack made a joke about not having enough film for the entire seven.

    I love the part in Africa where Meryl Streep trudges through h#ll to find her worthless husband, and she comes upon his camp, finally, and he looks up at her, and she is sweaty and filthy from riding straight for a zillion days, and he says, "You've changed your hair."

    Hair...when Bob washes her hair.  Oh, my.

    Pollack knew about timing, which he learned in comedy.  Everyone thinks comedy is easy, but good comedy is very, very hard.  Once you get your timing nailed in comedy, you can make anything work.

    [ Parent ]

    Three Days of the Condor is one of those movies I (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by jawbone on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:11:54 PM EST
    never tire of watching. I also can get into Hunt for Red October no matter where I start watching. Enemy of the State is a recent movie I enjoy the same way.

    Political edge to two of those....

    Otherwise, I have a thing that I must start a movie at the beginning or I won't watch it. But, wow,

    [ Parent ]

    Condor is a superb movie (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by andgarden on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:13:58 PM EST
    Didn't remember it was Pollack's.

    [ Parent ]
    Three Days of the Condor (none / 0) (#84)
    by squeaky on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:31:52 PM EST
    Great flick. And yes Sidney Pollack.

    [ Parent ]
    His gift was so visible that (none / 0) (#63)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:06:40 PM EST
    he easily got the best of the best actors to participate in his productions. I can't count how many times I've heard the legends of film say they took roles simply for the honor of working with Pollock.

    [ Parent ]
    I have a name ... (none / 0) (#11)
    by kinglet on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:30:54 PM EST
    ...it's Dorothy. It's not Tootsie or Toots or Sweetie or Honey or Doll.

    RIP, Mr. Pollack. Thanks for Tootsie.

    Jessica Lange (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:55:46 PM EST
    so beautiful, and so political that it makes her even sexier.

    [ Parent ]
    Love that line. :) (none / 0) (#14)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:31:32 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    It would have been amazing... (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by kinglet on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:41:05 PM EST
    if that reporter in Detroit had used that line when Obama called her "sweetie." At least a couple of people would've gotten it and laughed.

    [ Parent ]
    More Pollack: The Way We Were and (none / 0) (#13)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:31:31 PM EST
    The Electric Horseman.  

    The way we were... (none / 0) (#15)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:32:00 PM EST
    love, love, love that movie.

    [ Parent ]
    Another tear jerker though. (none / 0) (#23)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:35:12 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    You knwo my favorite part of that movie? (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:36:35 PM EST
    Was when Barbra Streisand got enraged at the people making jokes about Eleanor Roosevelt the night FDR died.

    I felt like that too watching the scene.

    [ Parent ]

    Great scene. (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:37:53 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    At 2:50 of this clip (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:47:58 PM EST
    Link.

    [ Parent ]
    2:46 actually (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:49:07 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    BTW (5.00 / 6) (#45)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:55:19 PM EST
    The joke told about Eleanor Roosevelt was about how she went into some coal mines. apparently, the visit was lampooned at the time. From WIkipedia:

    "In one widely-circulated cartoon of the time lampooning the peripatetic First Lady, she was pictured appearing inside a coal mine wearing a miner's hat, to the astonishment of a startled miner who exclaims, "My gosh! There's Mrs. Roosevelt"."

    In the movie, Barbara Streisand said that Mrs. Roosevelt said "Yes I visited these workers in the mines because I am my husband's legs."

    Apparently, Appalachia was not beneath the  Democratic Party then.  

    [ Parent ]

    Was wondering whether to bring that up. . . (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by andgarden on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:56:57 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Why not? (5.00 / 3) (#54)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:59:11 PM EST
    I think we have discussed this a great deal.

    Let me tell you something else - I am thrilled Ted Kennedy is up to participating in a sail boat race - more power to him.

    But Obama, Kennedy and sailboat races is part of our problem.

    [ Parent ]

    I agree. When you parade how (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:03:49 PM EST
    the rich live,circa John Kerry etal, you only accentuate the opposite. Bill Clinton opened an office in Harlam, what a contrast. Obama did not live in poverty, neither did Michelle(altho' a big deal was made that she did). Pass a little on to someone who doesn't have, and reap the rewards. I thought the Dem party was that. It used to be to some extent. Not anymore!!! Change is good, but to purge in order to get there is not.

    [ Parent ]
    Kennedy can get away with it (none / 0) (#88)
    by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:39:11 PM EST
    The Kennedy family are American royalty.  They can be filthy rich without coming off as incredibly elitist.  People looked at Jack and Booby and felt proud, like one of their own had done good.  Maybe it was how Joe made his money, or because of the war hero stuff, or because they were Irish, and that was starting off with a big strike.  They could just do that kind of thing and it made people happy.  

    No one else can get away with this.

    [ Parent ]

    Harlem has changed..... (none / 0) (#125)
    by kdog on Tue May 27, 2008 at 03:21:24 PM EST
    I sure as hell can't afford to live in Harlem.

    Pretty soon there won't be a low income area in all of Manhattan.  The poor and working class are slowly but surely being driven out.

    Now if Bill opened his federally subsidized digs in the South Bronx...that would be a statement!

    [ Parent ]

    Tell me about it. . . (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by andgarden on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:03:52 PM EST
    Seems to me that Memorial Day would have been a good time for Obama to have been seen at the grill making perfect burgers. IN the Detroit burbs, perhaps?

    I wonder if we'll see any pictures of that.

    [ Parent ]

    Obama spoke to Veterans in New Mexico (none / 0) (#77)
    by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:21:12 PM EST
    New Mexico?  Really?  Not sure I get the logic of that, but at least he wasn't sailing with the Kennedys.

    [ Parent ]
    Especially considering the recent memory (none / 0) (#78)
    by andgarden on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:22:29 PM EST
    of the windsurfing ad.

    [ Parent ]
    Yup (none / 0) (#80)
    by ruffian on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:27:08 PM EST
    God forbid Teddy having to tack back and forth with the wind. We would have been doomed.

    [ Parent ]
    Wasn't this his apologia for the (none / 0) (#104)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:24:30 PM EST
    crack this primary campaign is like the Bataan Death March?

    [ Parent ]
    That's funny. That was my (none / 0) (#61)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:05:58 PM EST
    first thought.

    [ Parent ]
    Thank you. (none / 0) (#50)
    by zfran on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:57:53 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Wow. I forgot that. (none / 0) (#51)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:57:55 PM EST
    Will watch the scene now.  Funny how the more things change the more they stay the same.

    [ Parent ]
    OOO MY GAWD (none / 0) (#82)
    by txpolitico67 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:30:54 PM EST
    I have never seen this movie, but that scene was UNFREAKINGBELIEVABLE.

    Wow.  "She was her husband's legs."  

    No wonder I love Barbra Streisand SOOOOOO much.

    [ Parent ]

    yeah (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:52:10 PM EST
    and I love me some Bob, but that movie is so dated now.  I mean, he left her because she had a big mouth, basically, and wouldn't shut up.  Reminds me of a few years back when I watched one of the Indiana Jones movies (adored them as a kid) and all I could think was, "No wonder I wanted a whip.  All the women in this movie are just freakin' stupid."

    (and, yes, I did get a whip and yes, my sister still has a scar wrapped around her leg like a snake.  Why do you ask?)

    [ Parent ]

    I had an Indy fedora (none / 0) (#53)
    by Valhalla on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:58:52 PM EST
    (I think that's the name of the hat he wears).

    But I did not cause any injuries with it (as far as I know).

    [ Parent ]

    I wanted to put a whip on my door (none / 0) (#62)
    by nycstray on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:06:36 PM EST
    when I worked at DC Comics. They had just decided office doors were off limits for 'decoration' so I just made sure my office represented Ms Catwoman and the 'message' was delivered. ;)

    [ Parent ]
    DC has special "floors" now (none / 0) (#86)
    by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:35:29 PM EST
    in case you haven't been back in a while.  Each one has a theme from a character.

    [ Parent ]
    It's been about 7 yrs. (none / 0) (#94)
    by nycstray on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:50:04 PM EST
    I have my word bubble name plate on my apt door :)

    Our floor was Batman. Superman was the 7th iirc . And 5th was Alfred and the MAD crew.

    [ Parent ]

    Wonderwoman was just added, I believe (none / 0) (#95)
    by Kathy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:55:48 PM EST
    I am really not liking those new girlie comics, though.  I mean, wtf?  It's worse than Vogue.

    Denise Mina, one of my favorite thriller writers, has been doing some killer sh!t though.  

    [ Parent ]

    I don't follow them (none / 0) (#105)
    by nycstray on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:25:00 PM EST
    didn't before, during or after, lol!~

    I worked in licensed product/promotions, so knew/learned everything I needed to know and would read while I was there (it was part of my job, lol). I'll never forget the first time I said in a mtg, "Superman would never do THAT!" Oy. I still have a stash of good collectibles tucked away. Got to work on some real fun stuff there and with some kickin' artists.

    [ Parent ]

    "Behave yourself," says Robert Redford (none / 0) (#106)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:25:22 PM EST
    to Barbra Streisand.  

    [ Parent ]
    I love tear jerkers. (none / 0) (#25)
    by masslib on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:35:52 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Damn....I Like Him!! RIP And thanks for all (none / 0) (#29)
    by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:37:07 PM EST
    the great entertainment.

    RIP (none / 0) (#32)
    by janarchy on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:39:05 PM EST
    What a loss.

    FYI, he also was the Executive Producer on "Recount". I just read that he'd been due to direct it then turned it over to Jay Roach instead. I suspect it was probably due to his health. So another one to add to his resume.

    He was also a good actor.

    Sydney Pollack in Michael Clayton....liked (none / 0) (#41)
    by PssttCmere08 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 09:49:58 PM EST
    it alot...and didn't he play Will's father in Will and Grace?  He was extremely funny as the doctor in Death Becomes Her.

    On a lighter note, Ted Kennedy participated in a sailboat race today!!

    so sorry to see another great talent depart! (none / 0) (#75)
    by hellothere on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:18:44 PM EST
    he directed some of my favorite films.

    Since this is an open thread (none / 0) (#93)
    by txpolitico67 on Mon May 26, 2008 at 10:49:48 PM EST
    and we're talking about entertainment,  I wanted to tell you all that today I found out that I am a HUGE Michael Bolton fan.  I found a used cd of his in a bargain bin at Half Price Books.  I listened to it and loved like almost EVERY song.

    I just ripped it onto my iPod.  I was singing Steel Bars and my dogs started barking and freaking out!  LOL!  They've never done that before.

    Had to share.

    Another recent death: (none / 0) (#111)
    by oculus on Mon May 26, 2008 at 11:41:32 PM EST
    Photographer Cornell Capa:

    CORNELL CAPA

    Tootsie (none / 0) (#119)
    by jones on Tue May 27, 2008 at 12:33:42 AM EST
    Here's a relevant Tootsie clip Obama might enjoy,
    sweetie

    Blessed Be (none / 0) (#121)
    by themomcat on Tue May 27, 2008 at 02:20:42 AM EST
    May the Goddess guide him on his journey to the Summerlands. May his family, friends and all who have known him through his work find Peace.

    Such sad news.... n/t (none / 0) (#122)
    by kempis on Tue May 27, 2008 at 06:34:58 AM EST


    Sydney Pollack, RIP | 124 comments (124 topical)

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