Vets finally get go-ahead to show film

Pasadena Star News ^ | Dana Bartholomew

[Boonie Rat]

Vets finally get go-ahead to show film

By Dana Bartholomew, Staff Writer

They had survived bombs at Pearl Harbor and torpedoes across the Pacific but say they were nearly sunk by political correctness in the city of Los Angeles.

City officials who had barred veterans of Pearl Harbor from commemorating the attack on Dec. 7 by attending a showing of the 1970 film "Tora! Tora! Tora!' at a city-owned movie theater did an about-face Wednesday.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who Tuesday said "I wanted to be very sensitive to the Japanese-American community,' changed her mind Wednesday in the face of outrage from veterans' groups and called for "disciplinary action' against theater officials for discriminating against veterans.

"I'm very pleased, the show will go on,' said Joe Janesic, a director at the Fort MacArthur Military Museum in San Pedro and an organizer of the Dec. 7 event.

The plan had seemed simple enough. Ushers would don the uniforms of World War II. Vintage Jeeps would putter up to the curb of the historic Warner Grande Theatre. A searchlight would crisscross the skies.

And hundreds of veterans would fill the seats during a 61st Pearl Harbor anniversary for a rare showing of the film, "Tora! Tora! Tora!'

Organizers say they had the go- ahead from the city Department of Cultural Affairs, which owns and operates the 1,200-seat theater.

They had found a rare 35-mm print of what many consider to be the most accurate Pearl Harbor re-enactment ever produced. They had printed invitations to veterans accustomed to commemorating their comrades at an annual event at the city- owned Fort MacArthur Park.

"I thought, what a great way to promote both city-owned facilities,' said Bob Meza, 49, of Santa Clarita, a vintage movie theater buff who volunteered to help run the museum fund-raiser.

"Every hurdle (theater officials) thought of was overcome.'

Then theater officials waffled.

First they said the projector was old, that it could ruin the film, event organizers said. Then they said the day was booked.

Finally, organizers say city officials told them the event was barred because it would be offensive to Japanese-Americans.

Councilwoman Hahn said she discussed the event with Japanese-Americans including Assemblyman George Nakano, D- Torrance who described the classic-car searchlight extravaganza as offensive to families placed in internment camps after the attack.

"December 7 is a day that lives in infamy. It's not a celebratory day,' said Chris Komai of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. "I can understand the desire of World War II veterans wanting to see that film, but does it have to be done on that day?'

"I am very upset,' said Councilwoman Hahn, who now says veterans were mistreated by officials from the Warner Grande. "This group, in my opinion, was treated unfairly by a city employee of a city facility ... I think there needs to be some disciplinary action.'

Dana Bartholomew can be reached at (818) 713- 3730.

[Chemist_Geek]

"I am very upset,' said Councilwoman Hahn, who now says veterans were mistreated by officials from the Warner Grande. "This group, in my opinion, was treated unfairly by a city employee of a city facility ... I think there needs to be some disciplinary action.'

Well, it sure seems like this councilcritter knows which way the wind is blowing. I'm heartened by this sign of relief from the hypersensitive PC insanity...

[Mr. Bird]

"December 7 is a day that lives in infamy. It's not a celebratory day,' said Chris Komai of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. "I can understand the desire of World War II veterans wanting to see that film, but does it have to be done on that day?'

What an ass. Who the hell does he think he is, trying to define Dec. 7 to the men who actually survived it?

[hauerf]

Undoubtedly Janice Hahn set up and was in control of this bludgeoning. Once the clamor got loud enough for long enough, she reversed course on a dime. Since then she has done some rather inept spinning. None of it matters, however. In due course she will be reelected easily by the same mushheads who voted her into office.

[PeterPrinciple]

"And hundreds of veterans would fill the seats during a 61st Pearl Harbor anniversary for a rare showing of the film, "Tora! Tora! Tora!' "

I guess I haven't watched the film in a long time but is it really that rare and if so, why???????????

[skeeter]

I see the councilwoman received my email.

[antidisestablishment]

When is the last time you saw it at a theater?