June 11, 2045
Hello, and welcome to Turner Classic Blogposts. I’m the regenerated DNA of Robert Osborne, because that’s a thing now.
Tonight we present an essay from Wentyworld.com, a blog that at its peak received over 5 views a month.
As with every blogpost we present, and every movie we air on TCM, and every book in every public library in America, we feel the need to add some historical context. It’s not that we’re saying you, the American viewing and reading public, are too lazy or stupid to interpret works of fiction with an understanding of the changes in social mores since they were made.
Oh–okay. I’m being told we DO think you’re too lazy and stupid to do that. Sorry folks, this regenerated DNA technology is still working out the kinks.
Anyway, tonight’s blog begins innocently enough with some personal reflections on a music video shoot. But from there Wentworth moves into an editorial on the use of a context-setting prologue before “Gone With The Wind”.
Lately I’ve been involved in a lot of music video production. This is not my usual bag but Herr Kroheim von Stroheim (the artiste), Dangerous Dave (the director) and I (the stooge) spent a whole day over Memorial Day weekend shooting a music video for his song “Just Be.” Then tonight, we shot some footage on Hammond Lane for the video to “Maybe A Dream.”
Now…I don’t wanna spoil these videos because I’ve seen a very rough cut of the first one and it’s…hilarious. And inspirational. The stuff we shot tonight defies description. I found myself locked in Krohe’s trunk, which is a first–and, dear God I hope, a last. This new one is being shot silent-movie style on Super 8 movie film which will really be a striking visual.
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HBO Max, the newest streaming service, has already drawn some attention for “politically correct” stuff like taking away Elmer Fudd’s gun (I have no grievance with that, I believe it was Paul Simon who said there are 50 Ways to (Try and Fail to) Kill A Wabbit.
The other big story involves “Gone With The Wind.” HBO Max had this 1939 film available for viewing at launch, but is taking it out of circulation so a brief prologue can be produced, explaining the historical context and making sure people are absolutely certain that Time Warner is anti-slavery. Well…okay. Good to know. (One assumes every Fortune 500 company is anti-slavery.)
Couple of notes up front: I’m not a “Gone With The Wind” fan. Mom loved the movie and watched it on TV in the years when it was split up over two nights. I’ve never been able to make it through. I am in favor of the protests, and the real awakening that is happening in their aftermath.
What frustrates me is why any adult person needs this kind of disclaimer spoon-fed to them. “Gone With The Wind” takes place in the Civil War. That tells you everything you need to know about what kinds of scenes and uncomfortable moments will be found in the film. And “Gone With The Wind” is not “Birth Of A Nation”, the sickening silent film with KKK riders that is genuinely buried. “Gone With The Wind” is on free and pay TV multiple times a year; it has been released on every home entertainment format from 8mm film reels to 4K Blu Ray.
Is there any adult person on God’s green earth who, cycling through titles on HBO Max, sees “Gone With The Wind” and thinks, “Huh. Never heard of this.” I have trouble envisioning it.
I’ve seen these “context disclaimers” before, in DVD releases of Looney Tunes cartoons and World War II films produced by the Walt Disney Studio. In each case, the intros were well-written and I think wisely included. Because these were animated releases there was a chance of an adult plopping the kids down before the TV and hitting play. Hopefully the disclaimers caught some eyes and prevented kids from seeing….well…what we saw every day on TV: the stereotypical black nanny of “Tom And Jerry”, the horrifying caricatures of Japanese and German figures in World War 2 shorts, and on and on.
But again, kids are kids. Adults are adults. Google exists. You have a brain. HBOMax should not have to explain to you why “Gone With The Wind” is a beloved albeit problematic film set in a very different time, and honestly, filmed in a very different time. Hattie McDaniel was able to accept her Oscar in person but couldn’t sit with the rest of the cast because the event was segregated.