BOOK REVIEW: An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood

MAZORNET JEWISH BOOK CLUB ^ | Circa 1988 | MAZORNET JEWISH BOOK CLUB

[veronica]

Controversial 'Passion' presents priceless opportunity for education

A toxic film delivers a dangerous, but teachable, moment

By Paula Fredriksen

"Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" came into my life last April. Gene Fisher, the ecumenical officer for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, convened a group of scholars to assess Mr. Gibson's script - its historical fidelity, use of New Testament materials, and consonance with Catholic instruction. Why did we on the panel care? This was, after all, just a movie. The answer, in part, lay with Gibson's own publicity efforts. In numerous interviews, he'd presented his movie as an act of God, insisted that it was the most historically accurate depiction of Christ's passion ever filmed, and paraded his own Catholic piety as authentication of his movie."

Etc.

So the notion that only Foxman and Marvin Heir have objected to aspect of this film and the manner in which it has been promoted, is wrong, and a lie.

[wtc911]

Hollywood started off by denigrating Christian beliefs as well as presenting the lowest forms of morality as both attractive and acceptable.

The insistent immorality of the studio film in the first two decades of the Studio system (adultery as commonplace, prostitute as heroine, gambler as hero, Christian minister as a manipulating lecherous hypocrite, open drug use, the bad guy as the good guy, nudity, homosexuality etc...)was so pervasive that a social backlash by the public, which was at the time overwhelmingly white/Christian, caused the creation of the Hays code in 1930.

This code was explicit in its reaction to the upside down morality that the studios were pushing into the theaters. It clearly cataloged that which was no longer acceptable. This list includes all that is referenced above and more.

The studios run by these men fought these changes tooth and nail but lost out to the prevailing public morality. Interestingly, it is after the studios were forced to imply rather than show sin that the first golden age arrived.

It is also interesting that the Communist movement in America had its birth and early growth within the same community that spawned the studio moguls, and at the same time. This intersection of origin led to the post WW2 communist influence in Hollywood that McCarthy attacked.

This is a statement of irrefutable history and easily verified by anyone here. Responses that try to twist it to some antisemitic tome are off base and will not be responded to or respected.

[Caipirabob]

Well, sadly I can say that we have a pretty good collection of loose nuts within Christianity, and we can't keep them all locked in the basement. Some of them even make it to television.

Still, I've been encouraged by what I've read posted by FReepers recently, on threads regarding the crucification of Jesus and where the blame lay. One thread, a FReeper responded to "Who killed Christ" with the post of "I did, my sins killed Jesus" and so on, and it was followed up by tons of "me too's" and so on (This is typically followed up by my comment on keeping a shovel handy in the event the topic of "Roman Reparations" is ever brought up.)

For myself I have learned enough to realize much of the antagonism between Christians and Jews aside from the obvious religious differences is mostly due to misunderstanding. Each religion has it's group of "High Profile Secularists" who do nothing to help relations between both groups and go out of their way to foster further division. I like to think that I have grown enough to recognize it, and here at FR I believe I've seen confirmation of what I view as the major problems.

What's more important is that over the years I've learned of what we do share in common. I've seen a great deal of respectful discussion, support and occasional inconclusive flame wars that in the end, seem to indicate we need to stand together now more than ever.

Within our respective beliefs, any major differences will be resolved by God in the end, and by any account, I believe his will is that we see it all through to the end together. It's getting to be a more dangerous world every day. As our two religions are so closely bound in basic beliefs, it can only strengthen us to embrace those values and place our efforts in mutual respect.

I still have a major problem with secular liberals, but that's a label I apply err...liberally to anyone who assaults our mutual values. At any rate, I don't want to see all the progress we've made, especially since 9/11 be hurt.

We each have to make our own personal journeys I guess. Fortunately, I think mine is going the right direction. Let's hope more and more people can feel the same way.

I need to take a moment to toss in a complement for the guy who put in the "Post Spell Checker". No longer do I need fear offending fellow FReepers with my random slaughter of my native tongue. This post would have been a "doosey" otherwise...

[Liz]

Hollywarped denizens, People for The American Way (organized and funded by TV mogul Norman Lear of Archie Bunker fame), the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Americans for Separation of Church and State, have all played their parts to construct The Aberrant Culture.

Libs long-term planning to foment a chaotic, fully fornicating society, with abortion on demand to clean up the mess, has been very successful.

Revered American traditions are being replaced by gay marriage, gangsta rap, hard and softcore-porn in music, TV broadcasts, and movies. Who can watch a post-Boob Jackson Super Bowl with the same degree of confidence? CBS's Mel Karmazin wants us to believe he never watched MTV and didn't know what kind of half-time entertainment to expect. Yeah, Mel baby, I got a bridge I can sell you cheap.......it's in Brooklyn.

Leftist revisionists keep busy reinterpreting American history, literature and traditions. Even American heroes like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are subject to leftist revision and slander.

Hollywood's dedication to this horrific scenario cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be overestimated.

[veronica]

Hollywood started off by denigrating Christian beliefs as well as presenting the lowest forms of morality as both attractive and acceptable.

Examples please. Specific movies etc. Folks make grand statements, but I want specifics. Name the movies and the producers.

I can think of one producer who made racy sexy films, but he wasn't Jewish. He was Joe Kennedy Sr.

Films reflect the times in which they are made. The decadance of Roaring '20's, the rise of the Mafia, Prohibition, all of these events are REFLECTED in films. The films do not start the historical trends, the trends and events are reflected in the movies.

[veronica]

Since you have not seen the movie, (obviously) you are no better than Foxman was (before he saw the movie).

You are engaged in a campaign with an agenda that serves your personal puposes, and you are bootstraping onto The Passion to push your personal agenda.

We know what Foxman's agenda is, what's yours????

[veronica]

For myself I have learned enough to realize much of the antagonism between Christians and Jews aside from the obvious religious differences is mostly due to misunderstanding.

I really would not know much about that. I have never had negative feelings about Christians, it just was not a part of my upbringing, when I was a kid. I thought of Jews and Christians as Americans of different faiths. That's about as much thought as I gave it. The fact that we are all Americans is much more significant to me. Faith is a personal thing as far as I am concerned, unless it impacts my life, as Islam did on 9-11. I am as aware that good Christians saved Jews during the Holocaust and support Israel, as I am that some Christians are anti-semites.

[Just mythoughts]

veronica These scholars have no Biblical authority. When one has to pick and choose a scripture here and there to hang their hat upon they cannot be relied upon.

At issue is is the denial of Christ being who He said, and the prophets of old said HE was, is, and will be.

The Bible is a whole and nothing in the NEW is written without documentation from the OLD.

Now there is one mistake that Mel did make and that was leaving out Psalms 22 which was penned by King David and preached by Christ while hanging upon that cross.

[wtc911]

Do you deny the Hays code existed and the reasons for it coming to be?

The following are all studio films from 1928 alone and all deal with one or more of the social morality issues in my original post, but from the bad=good perspective...

WAGES OF VIRTUE

SADIE THOMSON

MANHANDLED

THE TRESPESSOR

THE LOVES OF CARMEN

LADIES OF THE HAREM

LOVE AT NIGHT

SOCIETY SCANDAL

ME,GANGSTER....

There are hundreds more. That is the history. Doesn't matter if you don't like it. Denial in this case betrays an unwillingness to accept truth.

[veronica]

I'll start with Sadie Thompson.

Based on a book by Somerset Maugham, and directed/produced by Raoul Walsh. Neither were Jewish. Raoul Walsh I think was Catholic.

[Sam Cree]

"Indeed, these men created "America" and American values. America the strong, the wholesome, the honorable, the upright, the incorruptible and the upstanding -- but definitely not Jewish."

A really obnoxious statement by the reviewer. Not only did these men not create America and American values, there is no conflict between American values and being Jewish.

OTOH, these guys are good examples of the American dream, of individuals following their personal dreams and achieving what the Left despises, material and personal success.

[veronica]

The Loves of Carmen is also a Raoul Walsh film.

[missyme]

So again I ask: What makes one an Anti-Semite?

1. A person who hates one or a few Jews?
2. One who hates any people that practice any religious form of Judiasm?
3. One who hates Israel?
4. One who hates the ethnicity of a person who has Jewish ancestry?

Or are the words Anti-Semite, Bigot, Racist, male chauvanist,all one in the same.... I think the word "HATE" is very strong, but I will say that I totally am agaisnt the religion of Islam totally! do I hate Muslims and Arabs as individuals "No" so what does that make me.

I also think that Judiasm is a religion of G-d but I think all Jews who do not accept Jesus Y"shua The Christ as the Promised Messiah Of Israel are doing themselves as individuals a dis-service in the long run... So what does that make me?

I think anyone who practices Scientology,Wiccan hinduism are faiths not of G-d

And as a Christian I know many forms of Christianity I think are Pagan, hostile and hypocritical.

But this is my opinion: I stand alone because I die alone and will face my G-d by myself. I admit to being a sinner and I hope G-d realizes that I always treated people based only on there heart and character, even though I have dis-agreed with there forms of religious faith. So how G-d judges that is truly the one that counts...

[veronica]

So again I ask: What makes one an Anti-Semite?

1. A person who hates one or a few Jews? NOT NECESSARILY. I "hate" some Jews. Like Noam Chomsky and Adam Shaprio and Norman Finkelstein.

2. One who hates any people that practice any religious form of Judiasm? See 1.

3. One who hates Israel? YES

4. One who hates the ethnicity of a person who has Jewish ancestry? I don't understand this question.

Or are the words Anti-Semite, Bigot, Racist, male chauvanist, all one in the same....

Specifically, anti-semitism led to the attempt to exterminate the entire Jewish population of Europe.

Everyone with a brain knows anti-semitism when they see it. It's not rocket science.

[missyme]

I have never heard the word Ant-Semitism until I was an adult. I grew up outside Los Angeles Ca, attended schools with Jews and never heard that word.

In fact during the 70's in my school it was predominantly White, caucasion now who does that include? of course this is before the huge influx of illegal and legal aliens, but that being said. Our school was not racially mixed although the religions of Christianity and Judiasm was practiced in school, we had christmas plays, hannukkah parties,etc, with no problems, When the school became integrated from the inner-cities "major problems" Parents of both faiths screaming because to Black Children we were White I think the word was "Honkeys" no defintion between Jew and Christian we were "White" my family being racist calling Blacks the N Word my parents best friends who were Jewsih calling Blacks a yiddish word for the englis N-word and I cannot spell it but I think you will know, never heard the word Anti-Semite until the USA became filled with immigrants.

Back then we were just a bunch of American Families living with Mom Dad and Apple pie and yes we were Chrsitians and Jews.

[missyme]

So then Anti-Semites is the ARAB World since they are the only ones that want to see Israel destroyed.

[veronica]

So then Anti-Semites is the ARAB World since they are the only ones that want to see Israel destroyed.

You need to get out more. There are many on the far left and loony paleo right who are very "anti-Zionist", aka anti-Israel aka anti-semitic. They consider Israel illegitimate.

[uncbob]

Like I said, intended or not, Gibson's film has brought the anti-semites out from under their rocks.

Nope

What came first .
It was the Jewish criticism of his movie by Jewish spokesman and groups before it was even released
They were the ones that brought the whole issue up and then wonder why people get irked at them

[missyme]

My feeling is that the United States at one point in time had the True immigrants that made USA what it is today..

Italians, Germans, Russians, Armenians, Greeks Irish, Chinese which included Jews and Christians came together changed there names I beleive to mold into what is known as the United States, after all the only true Americans were the "Indians" anyways they lived together, built communities together, The Great Entertainers which are proably all "Dead" included some of the Best in the Industry who were they" Jews and Christians" "Americans.
Look at the Rat-Pack including Jews and Christians, Martin and Lewis, this business of ANTI-SEMITE came to the USA when the USA lost who she was and let the continuance of immigrants come into America and make us now like a European nation! (Barf!)

The Great Ol' USA died with the Great Ol'Entertainers.

[veronica]

Wrong. As the link I posted shows, a group of Christian scholars were the first to raise a red flag about Gibson's film. To a large degree Gibson is on a crusade against the Pope, against Vatican II, etc.

And more Jews have defended the film, than have attacked it. Anti-semites however will jump on any cause that they can use to paint Jews with a broad brush.