HOLLYWOOD GOES TO WASHINGTON.Byline: - Glenn Whipp Hollywood loves its populists who, by hook or, more often, crooks, enter the political fray and deliver a blow or two for democracy. Robin Williams' Tom Dobbs is the latest. Here are three of the best: The Man of the People: Jefferson Smith, ``Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' (1939) The dark night: Cynical big-city politicos pick gullible gul·li·ble adj. Easily deceived or duped. [From gull2.] gul rube (Jimmy Stewart) to succeed deceased senator, believing he can be easily manipulated to go along with a crooked, pork-barrel scheme. The shining dawn: Mr. Smith turns into a Yankee Doodle Dandy Yankee Doodle Dandy feather-capped dandy; “handy” with the girls. [Nurs. Rhyme: Opie, 439] See : Foppishness , using a 23-hour filibuster filibuster, term used to designate obstructionist tactics in legislative assemblies. It has particular reference to the U.S. Senate, where the tradition of unlimited debate is very strong. It was not until 1917 that the Senate provided for cloture (i.e. to rage against the political machine, guard freedom and uphold the ideals of this sweet land of liberty. Key line: ``Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here. You just have to see them again.'' The Man of the People: Dave Kovic, ``Dave'' (1993) The dark night: When the sleazy slea·zy adj. slea·zi·er, slea·zi·est 1. a. Shabby, dirty, and vulgar; tawdry: "sleazy storefronts with torn industrial carpeting and dirt on the walls" commander in chief has a stroke, the manipulative ma·nip·u·la·tive adj. Serving, tending, or having the power to manipulate. n. Any of various objects designed to be moved or arranged by hand as a means of developing motor skills or understanding abstractions, especially in White House chief of staff installs a look-alike, Dave, rather than turn over the reins to the decent vice president. Makes sense: The chief of staff -- not the photo-op friendly president -- has been running the country anyway. The shining dawn: Dave plays with puppies, builds Dagwood sandwiches A Dagwood sandwich is a thick multi-layered sandwich made up of a wide variety of meats, cheeses, and condiments. It was named after Dagwood Bumstead, a character in the comic strip Blondie, who frequently makes enormous sandwiches. for his bodyguard and makes nice with the fed-up first lady. Eventually does an end-around, promoting an agenda of jobs, homes and honesty in government Power-to-the-people line: ``I ought to care more about you than me, more about what's right than what's popular.'' The Man of the People: Jay Billington Bulworth, ``Bulworth'' (1998) The dark night: Self-destructive liberal senator takes out a contract on himself in a moment of deep despair. The shining dawn: Freed from his corporate masters, Bulworth begins speaking -- and rapping! -- the unspeakable truth, seesawing between playing the visionary and the fool. Excited and newly energized, he decides he doesn't want to die. But it may be too late. Power-to-the-people line: ``One man, one vote: Now is that really real? The name of our game is let's make a deal Let's Make a Deal is a television game show which originated in the United States and has since been produced in many countries throughout the world. The show was based around deals offered to members of the audience by the host. .'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Jimmy Stewart is an idealistic, small-town senator who finds himself battling the ruthless politicos out to destroy him in ``Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,'' with Jean Arthur. |
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