http://www.fresnobee.com/384/story/44178.html
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/15/05
I just hate those long drawn out articles.
LOL
It just happened (or was reported) - articles will no doubt be numerous soon enough
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
I have to say, I will always think of Jack Valenti as a reactionary obstructionist. Many of you young uns probably aren't even AWARE of how videotape recorders frightened the film industry so much when they were new that Valenti and crew tried to get them banned, lest the film industry suffer. He thought of the machines in the way file sharing programs are considered by the RIAA today. He actually wanted VCR manufacturers to pay royalties to the studios.
He was also SO threatened by the success of Deep Throat that he put together the nefarious MPAA ratings board to make sure that mainstream Hollywood films from the '70s on would not have the sort of mature sexual frankness that would inevitably followed in the wake of porno chic.
But as Bette Davis is alleged to have said upon being told of the passing of Joan Crawford: "I was always told not to say anything of the dead if you can't say anything nice. She's dead. How nice."
I never said he was well liked :)
In fact - I remember him speaking at my college and he was acerbic as hell.
But there goes one of my theories that Namo was Valenti
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
I'm still heeeeeeeeeerrrrre!
oh please, like death would even slow namo down.
Heaven (or Hell)'s got great wifi
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/15/05
Here is the MPAA page with the announcement. President of the Academy for 38 years! Long time.
Valenti - 2007
I agree, Namo. And I wasn't even alive for most of his "work."
Can't say I'm a big fan of Valenti... so I'll gladly add a RIP.
I was not a fan of his either. I saw "This is film is not yet rated" again a few weeks ago and it brought home the point how much of an obstructionist he really was, and Dan Glickman seems to be heading in that same direction. Anyway, RIP to him an condolences to his family.
I want to hear Namo do that line in a flawless post-stroke Bette Davis imitation.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
It's damn good, PalJoey. I'll record it for the next edition of BWW Idol.
Well...the man was dedicated, I'll give him that.
Check out this movie. You'll look at Jack and the MPAA from a different viewpoint. Great Documentary by the way!
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