Long ago, we used to talk about movies and books and theater at college. Remember?
Now I write this open letter to you in hope that you can help my letter to MPAA chief Chris Dodd find a place in the national conversation about gun control. My campaign is not about politics or laws, but about the culture. And I know you understand this, my old friend. We are in our 60s now. Rewind to when we were 18 years old. Remember?
Steve, this is what I wrote to Senator Dodd:
Dear Mr. Dodd,
I recently read a news story on www.TheWrap.com in which you, as chairman of the MPAA, said Hollywood is ready to participate in a meaningful dialogue about gun violence after the Sandy Hook Massacre in Newtown, Conn.
You are from Connecticut. I am from Massachusetts, originally, although I am now living in Asia, far from the violent gun culture of America.
Mr. Dodd, I grew up on movies. I went to college with people who are now film producers in Hollywood and overseas. I went to college with people who are now famous actors in Hollywood.
I love Hollywood, and I love movies, from "The Ten Commandments," which I saw when I was about 8 years old, to the recent release of that Jean Valjean flick. So I write this letter to you as a friend of Hollywood and with the hope that maybe something can be done to take guns and gun scenes out of future Hollywood movies -- on a voluntary studio basis, of course.
There, I said it. I am serious. I am not Jonathan Swift of yore with a "Modest Proposal" for eating babies to solve the hunger crisis in Ireland. No, I am a modern American man who loves movies, and yet I feel that the time has come to rethink the way we make and show our filmed entertainment.
As you know, Mr. Dodd, the Sandy Hook shootings also sparked calls from your old Senate colleague Jay Rockefeller for stricter regulations to protect children from violent images on television, videogames and other media.
The Wrap quoted you this way: "Those of us in the motion-picture and television industry want to do our part to help America heal. We stand ready to be part of the national conversation."
Mr. Dodd, I live in Asia now. Every night I watch movies on TV here, and in my channel surfing I find plenty of Hollywood movies – and nine out of 10 involve scenes of guns and people firing guns. These movies show a very violent gun culture to the rest of the world. Surely we can find a way to stop this and still make creative, crowd-pleasing flicks. I believe we can. If there is a vision and if there is a will. You must lead the way.
I am calling my citizens' lobby group on this issue SGIH, for Stop Guns in Hollywood.''
Steve, can you help?
Cheers,
Danny Bloom
NOTA BENE:
Films with Steve Tisch: Pierre Pierre - 2013
Hope Springs - 2012
The Back-up Plan - 2010
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 - 2009
Knowing - 2009
Seven Pounds - 2008
The Pursuit of Happyness - 2006
The Weather Man - 2005
Alex & Emma - 2003
Looking for an Echo - 2000
Snatch. - 2000
Mission Extreme - 2000
Wayward Son - 1999
American History X - 1998
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - 1998
Nico the Unicorn - 1998
The Postman - 1997
Wild America - 1997
Dear God - 1996
The Long Kiss Goodnight - 1996
The People Next Door - 1996
Corrina, Corrina - 1994
Forrest Gump - 1994
Freshman Dorm - 1992
Keep the Change - 1992
Afterburn - 1992
Vidiots - 1991
CBS Schoolbreak Special - 1991
Judgment - 1990
Bad Influence - 1990
Heart Condition - 1990
Heart of Dixie - 1989
Out on the Edge - 1989
Dirty Dancing - 1988
Hot to Trot - 1988
Big Business - 1988
Evil in Clear River - 1988
In Love and War - 1987
Soul Man - 1986
Triplecross - 1986
Call to Glory - 1984-1985
Silence of the Heart - 1984
The Burning Bed - 1984
Call to Glory - 1984
Calendar Girl Murders - 1984
Deal of the Century - 1983
Risky Business - 1983
Something So Right - 1982
Prime Suspect - 1982
Homeward Bound - 1980
Coast to Coast - 1980
No Other Love - 1979
Almost Summer - 1978
Outlaw Blues - 1977
The Missing Are Deadly - 1975
Brother's Justice - 2010
Seinfeld - 1995
Cry Uncle - 1971
Such Good Friends - 1971
Dirty Dancing - 1989
The Mirakle - 2005
Entourage - 2011
Super Bowl XLII - 2008
Who Is Alan Smithee? - 2002
The 67th Annual Academy Awards - 1995
NOTE: In 1964, during his first visit to Los Angeles, 15 year old Steven Tisch, before he went to Tufts in 1967 and by chance ended up meeting Dan Bloom, the author of this Open Letter, was taken by his parents to a party hosted by actress Polly Bergen and her husband, legendary agent-producer Freddie Fields. Movie stars were no doubt abundant that night, but Tisch remembers only the couple’s home—an august neo-Georgian redbrick mansion in Beverly Hills. It’s a favorite story: “I walked in and was staggered by its style and regal quality,” he recalls. “This was Hollywood. I knew it was the kind of house I would like to live in one day. I guess somebody heard me—because that’s the house I live in today.”
Tisch, who went on to become one of the town’s most successful producers (Risky Business, Forrest Gump, and The Pursuit of Happyness are among his credits), acquired the property in 1997.
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