Marilyn and That “Bullitt” Mustang

McQueen visits with San Francisco kids in 1968 while filming “BULLITT”

"Bullitt" has once again hit my radar. It comes in the form of that special lady in my life alerting me to the television series “Blue Bloods” and a resulting conversation of the season 6, episode 7 installment that aired on November 06, 2015 entitled “The Bullitt Mustang.”  

 

It gave pause that Steve McQueen was only nominated once for an academy award.  It was in 1967 for his portrayal of Jake Holman in the 1966 movie “The Sand Pebbles.”  It was, for many of us, McQueen’s finest work.  But it wasn't to be, as Paul Scofield won the award for his exceptional performance in “A Man for All Seasons.”

 

McQueen didn’t grouse or pout in the press, like many before him. Instead he immediately went to work on filming "Bullitt" in 1968.

 

When that “Blue Bloods" episode was aired, it had been 47 years since “Bullitt” first hit the big screen.  Apparently the magic of this film had not diminished.  As Susan Encinas wrote in Muscle Car Review, in March, 1987; “No one has duplicated the electricity or the savage ferocity that manifested itself in BULLITT chase scenes, and it’s doubtful any one ever will.”  The eleven-minute car chase that took three weeks to film will, in all probably, never be forgotten.  Whenever the movie is referred to today the descriptive “Classic Film” always accompanies its title.

 

This really validates Steve McQueen’s contention that because movies are a visual medium, the majority of the entertainment and story should be contained in the those visual elements – NOT IN THE DIALOG. Those car chase scenes, along with the grocery store scene as well as the scenes at the very end of the “Classic” movie, solidly validates and enforces McQueen's belief.    

 

The very last scene in the 2015 “Blue Bloods" episode has all the permanent male cast members admiring one of the greatest machines ever built. Yet further validation that that car may never be forgotten. 

 

One can’t help but wonder if The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences got it right in 1967.  But then, that will always be the problem with any attempt to turn art into competition.  It may have some strong financial remunerations but, other than that, it’s just plain ludicrous.  The beauty of any art form is always and only in the eye of the beholder.  Only the beauty of Marilyn and apparently that 1968 Mustang, remain indisputable.

Marilyn Monroe – Circa 1957 –1968 “Bullitt” Mustang Valued At $4 Million

Excerpts From Blue Bloods:

“This is the Mona Lisa of cars.”

“A Car that was in the greatest car chase ever filmed

with the coolest movie star ever.”

“It's Dorothy's ruby red slippers.

It's Neil Armstrong's space suit. 

 It's Bruce Springsteen's Fender Esquire on the cover of Born to Run.  

It's a thing that you could touch that stands for a whole feeling

that you had about things, what was cool and inspired you.”

“To millions of men the stuff that dreams are made of.”



Religious Right Aiding White Supremacy

As our nation continues its swirl around the porcelain receptacle, we must demand accountability where none is even considered, if we are to avoid the sewer.

Congressman Steven King has long been a decadent thorn is the side of Iowa.  He has now become an irrefutable and severe embarrassment.  "White nationalist, white supremacist,… — how did that language become offensive?" Yet his most disgusting proclamation has strong roots and ties to the oval office.

 Since 2015, President Trump has refused to denounce white supremacy whenever he has had the opportunity to do so.  His responses have always been open-ended and best characterized, as non-denial-denials, which he later denied denying by claiming ignorance to white supremacy.

Example: Bloomberg Television anchor John Heilemann asked if Trump would repudiate David Duke’s endorsement.  Trump’s response; “…if that would make you feel better, I would certainly repudiate.”  Not because white supremacy is evil or because Trump distains it, but only to silence the questioner on the topic.  Non-denial-denial.

Months later Duke offered his strongest support for Trump telling radio listeners that a vote for one of Trump's rivals would be "treason to your heritage.”  When asked again if Trump was comfortable with this endorsement Trump proclaimed; "David Duke endorsed me? O.K., alright, I disavow. O.K.?"  The tone and expression clearly indicated, beyond his choice of words, that he was just placating the interviewer.  Again, he refused to disavow or express disgust over the racist mental illness.  Another non-denial-denial.

Many months later on February 28, 2016 Jake Tapper pressed Trump on David Duke and the support he was receiving from white supremacists. Tapper tried three times to get a rebuke of the depravity and each time Trump declined.  "So, I don't know. I don't know—did he endorse me, or what's going on? Because I know nothing about David Duke; I know nothing about white supremacists."  

Months later, after Trump was badgered on multiple occasions over support from white supremacists, he still hadn’t educated himself on white supremacy???  All he could offer was a response in the fine time-honored tradition of Sargent Schultz from  “Hogan’s Heroes”; “I Know NOTHING.” When President Trump was asked to address Steven Kings racism his response was typical and predictable.  Answer – You guessed it – I know nothing – NOTHHHHHHING.

Mitch McConnell and other Republicans condemned Steven King’s racist remarks.  Yet they refuse to condemn President Trumps racist posture. No Republican outrage has been expressed over yet another inane Trump response or his refusal to denounce racism.

Republican politicians are not the only voice that is silent regarding President Trump’s many non-denial-denials of racism.  One of the parties most vocal demographics and ardent supporters, the religious right,  has also had nothing to say on the subject.   

The closest to any religious utterances on the subject come from Trump’s press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders.  She is the daughter of Mike Huckabee, a southern Baptist minister and a Republican politician.   He has won elective offices, by primarily campaigning as a zealous religious right advocate.  It’s not known if his daughter has adopted and claims adherence to her fathers’ religious persuasion.  What is know is that she was obviously raised to embrace such beliefs.  By her continued silence and refusal to denounce the racism that swirls around her boss, she too, is lending support to it.  Silence is consent.

These events are NOT just alarming but extremely dangerous. If we are on the road to once again embracing white supremacy then we, as a people, are on our merry way to losing our very souls.