Greg Mitchell has authored 14 books and directed four PBS films since 2022. His latest, “The Atomic Bowl: Football at Ground Zero—and Nuclear Peril Today” has been airing over PBS stations and now streaming for free (key links to watch now and more here). A companion book is available, and you can read more or order here.. And subscribing to this newsletter is still somehow FREE.
Stephen last night:
Was great to see Jane Fonda re-forming the old Committee for the First Amendment, which played a key counter role to McCarthyism. Statement signed by many dozens of film folks and comedians, from A (Aaron Sorkin) to W (Winona Ryder). For more about that earlier period, I can recommend my book, '“Tricky Dick and the Pink Lady” on that infamous 1950 campaign. From the old/new group’s statement:
The McCarthy Era ended when Americans from across the political spectrum finally came together and stood up for the principles in the Constitution against the forces of repression.
Those forces have returned. And it is our turn to stand together in defense of our constitutional rights.
The federal government is once again engaged in a coordinated campaign to silence critics in the government, the media, the judiciary, academia, and the entertainment industry.
We refuse to stand by and let that happen.
Have to mark the death of a hero:
New trailer for upcoming 5-part series on Marty:
Now two gorgeous songs to maybe help you get through another brutal week. First, live last month, I’m With Her for “Sisters of the Night Watch.”
And a hymn by Ry Cooder from his soundtrack to the movie “Geronimo.”
From Tunes to Toons
Barry Blitt:
Ann Telnaes:
Steve Brodner on “Fat Elvis”:
Thank you today for the hymn from “Geronimo,” which is especially beautiful. Somehow I missed that movie along the way. I cannot wait to watch it now on streaming. Every day you open my eyes to something wonderful that I would have missed otherwise. I don’t know how you do what you do day in and day out, but we sure appreciate your keeping us sane in this difficult time.
thanks for the tribute to Jane Goodall