Paul Rigby Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Small piece in this morning’s Guardian, G2 section, Arts Diary page (27), compiled, apparently, by one Francesca Martin, on George Clooney’s next two films. Both feature the CIA. The second, Escape from Tehran, “will be based on the true story of the CIA creating a fake movie in order to…” Follow the link for enlightenment. Sounds to me like a puff piece for the Agency, but we’ll have to wait for confirmation (or otherwise). http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2075509,00.html Any one know anything about the Agency fake in question? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Bronstein Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Small piece in this morning’s Guardian, G2 section, Arts Diary page (27), compiled, apparently, by one Francesca Martin, on George Clooney’s next two films. Both feature the CIA. The second, Escape from Tehran, “will be based on the true story of the CIA creating a fake movie in order to…” Follow the link for enlightenment. Sounds to me like a puff piece for the Agency, but we’ll have to wait for confirmation (or otherwise).http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2075509,00.html Any one know anything about the Agency fake in question? Paul I don't think George Clooney does puff pieces Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Rigby Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 I don't think George Clooney does puff pieces Paul. Let's hope you're right, Myra. But a note of caution: The Paley of Goodnight and Good Luck, fine film that it is, is not the Paley of history. CBS only gave the green light to Morrow after Tailgunner Joe made the scarcely believable error of publicly attacking the CIA in the summer of '53. By far the most influential attack on McCarthy came not from the inveterate liberal Morrow, but instead from the notorious red-baiter Frederick Woltman, who rounded on him in the pages of Scripps-Howard's papers in a series published in mid-July 1954. Now that would be an even more interesting tale, if truth be told. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Parker Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I don't think George Clooney does puff pieces Paul. Let's hope you're right, Myra. But a note of caution: The Paley of Goodnight and Good Luck, fine film that it is, is not the Paley of history. CBS only gave the green light to Morrow after Tailgunner Joe made the scarcely believable error of publicly attacking the CIA in the summer of '53. By far the most influential attack on McCarthy came not from the inveterate liberal Morrow, but instead from the notorious red-baiter Frederick Woltman, who rounded on him in the pages of Scripps-Howard's papers in a series published in mid-July 1954. Now that would be an even more interesting tale, if truth be told. Paul I've seen it described as an action comedy, so "puff piece" may end up being an accurate description. What's not accurate is that it will be about a "faked CIA film". It will be about a fake film production company - the cover used to get into Tehran for the rescue operation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Bronstein Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I don't think George Clooney does puff pieces Paul. Let's hope you're right, Myra. But a note of caution: The Paley of Goodnight and Good Luck, fine film that it is, is not the Paley of history. CBS only gave the green light to Morrow after Tailgunner Joe made the scarcely believable error of publicly attacking the CIA in the summer of '53. By far the most influential attack on McCarthy came not from the inveterate liberal Morrow, but instead from the notorious red-baiter Frederick Woltman, who rounded on him in the pages of Scripps-Howard's papers in a series published in mid-July 1954. Now that would be an even more interesting tale, if truth be told. Paul I've seen it described as an action comedy, so "puff piece" may end up being an accurate description. What's not accurate is that it will be about a "faked CIA film". It will be about a fake film production company - the cover used to get into Tehran for the rescue operation. Interesting. Well comedy doesn't automatically equate to puff piece. Humor and satire are very effective tools, e.g., The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Dr. Strangelove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Rigby Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share Posted May 11, 2007 I've seen it described as an action comedy, so "puff piece" may end up being an accurate description. What's not accurate is that it will be about a "faked CIA film". It will be about a fake film production company - the cover used to get into Tehran for the rescue operation. Great, I love it, another Guardian cock-up. If you can furnish me with a source, I'll demand a correction in the most intemperate tones I can muster. Interesting choice of subject for Clooney; and even more interesting to see how the script writers et al manage to reconcile Reagan's band of CIA helpers with an alleged CIA attempt to rescue US hostages (at the same time?). History being rewritten just in time for a new Democratic administration? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Parker Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I've seen it described as an action comedy, so "puff piece" may end up being an accurate description. What's not accurate is that it will be about a "faked CIA film". It will be about a fake film production company - the cover used to get into Tehran for the rescue operation. Great, I love it, another Guardian cock-up. If you can furnish me with a source, I'll demand a correction in the most intemperate tones I can muster. Interesting choice of subject for Clooney; and even more interesting to see how the script writers et al manage to reconcile Reagan's band of CIA helpers with an alleged CIA attempt to rescue US hostages (at the same time?). History being rewritten just in time for a new Democratic administration? Paul Paul, if the Guardian had said "fake movie project", they'd have been right. Here's one story describing it as a "dramedy". http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?...693&count=0 and here's the announcement for the upcoming Studio Six production of "Argo". https://www.cia.gov/csi/studies/winter99-00/pg07.gif More on the actual mission the movie will be based on here: https://www.cia.gov/csi/studies/winter99-00/index.html Myra, I could be wrong, but I don't think this particular CIA action would be considered fodder for sharp satire, or critical commentary. That doesn't mean it will necessarily be a "puff piece" - just a typical Hollywood "feel good" story, and one Clooney may have bit of fun with... if that turns out to be the case, it should not detract from anything else he has done, or will do, pertaining to CIA or government chicanery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Bronstein Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 ...Myra, I could be wrong, but I don't think this particular CIA action would be considered fodder for sharp satire, or critical commentary. ... I think I read that the movie will be a musical Greg. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Graves Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 ...Myra, I could be wrong, but I don't think this particular CIA action would be considered fodder for sharp satire, or critical commentary. ... I think I read that the movie will be a musical Greg. ... ___________________________ "You'se gotsta have heart, all you'se really needs is heart..." ___________________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Rigby Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 ...Myra, I could be wrong, but I don't think this particular CIA action would be considered fodder for sharp satire, or critical commentary. ... I think I read that the movie will be a musical Greg. ... Fabulous idea. "The hills are alive...with covert operators." Or the Spinal Tap contribution: "You're a cheeky one, Dicky Helms..." Myra, get writing! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Graves Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 (edited) ...Myra, I could be wrong, but I don't think this particular CIA action would be considered fodder for sharp satire, or critical commentary. ... I think I read that the movie will be a musical Greg. ... ___________________________ "You'se gotssta have heart, all you'se really needs is heart..." ___________________________ ____________________ bumps a bagel ____________________ Edited May 12, 2007 by Thomas Graves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Parker Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 ...Myra, I could be wrong, but I don't think this particular CIA action would be considered fodder for sharp satire, or critical commentary. ... I think I read that the movie will be a musical Greg. ... Fabulous idea. "The hills are alive...with covert operators." Or the Spinal Tap contribution: "You're a cheeky one, Dicky Helms..." Myra, get writing! Paul Sounds like a worthy project for Myra. Here's my contribution, fwiw My Favorite Things Bolt-cutters on toesies and razors in mittens Rottweilers in kennels and Old Cambridge Britons Brown paper packages dropped off in our stings These are a few of my favorite things Skull and Bone cronies and bulemic models Cartels and hotels and untraceable bundles "Restyled" priest-pilots who fly with the moon on their wings These are a few of my favorite things Girls in white dresses with white powder stashes Crates of booze for the million dollar bashes Cold Wars and Hot Wars and Terrorist Rings These are a few of my favorite things When the dog bites When the bee stings When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Rigby Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 ...Myra, I could be wrong, but I don't think this particular CIA action would be considered fodder for sharp satire, or critical commentary. ... I think I read that the movie will be a musical Greg. ... Fabulous idea. "The hills are alive...with covert operators." Or the Spinal Tap contribution: "You're a cheeky one, Dicky Helms..." Myra, get writing! Paul Sounds like a worthy project for Myra. Here's my contribution, fwiw My Favorite Things Bolt-cutters on toesies and razors in mittens Rottweilers in kennels and Old Cambridge Britons Brown paper packages dropped off in our stings These are a few of my favorite things Skull and Bone cronies and bulemic models Cartels and hotels and untraceable bundles "Restyled" priest-pilots who fly with the moon on their wings These are a few of my favorite things Girls in white dresses with white powder stashes Crates of booze for the million dollar bashes Cold Wars and Hot Wars and Terrorist Rings These are a few of my favorite things When the dog bites When the bee stings When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad Splendid. All we need now is the finance for "CIA: The Musical." More grand guignol than opera bouffe, but I'm convinced there's a market. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Bronstein Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 (edited) ...Myra, I could be wrong, but I don't think this particular CIA action would be considered fodder for sharp satire, or critical commentary. ... I think I read that the movie will be a musical Greg. ... Fabulous idea. "The hills are alive...with covert operators." Or the Spinal Tap contribution: "You're a cheeky one, Dicky Helms..." Myra, get writing! Paul Sounds like a worthy project for Myra. Here's my contribution, fwiw My Favorite Things Bolt-cutters on toesies and razors in mittens Rottweilers in kennels and Old Cambridge Britons Brown paper packages dropped off in our stings These are a few of my favorite things Skull and Bone cronies and bulemic models Cartels and hotels and untraceable bundles "Restyled" priest-pilots who fly with the moon on their wings These are a few of my favorite things Girls in white dresses with white powder stashes Crates of booze for the million dollar bashes Cold Wars and Hot Wars and Terrorist Rings These are a few of my favorite things When the dog bites When the bee stings When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad That is so macabre Greg. I'd expect nothing less. Ok, here's mine. You gotta picture Carmen Miranda performing it. (Sung to the tune of the Chaquita Banana jingle.) I'm Chiquita banana and I used to be, United Fruit and that's some history. But there's more to show you if you want to see, How we used the CIA, Hey! Well United Fruit it was a company, Dominating the economy. In Guatemala where they stayed tax free, Because they owned half the land! Wow! But they didn't use all of the land you see, They kept it to insure they had monopoly. T'was actually a big conspiracy, To keep all banana biz. So the people living there did not feel free, To plant some fruit trees in their own country. They elected a leader and they said they'd need, A piece of the banana pie. When their leader said that he'd buy unused land, And give it to the peasants as a helping hand. United Fruit, well they devised a plan, To call in the CIA-Olay! Now the CIA as you may know or not, Likes profit over people so they kill a lot. When they got the call they said they'd hatch a plot, To chase those damn commies out. And they did! When it was over there were many dead. The CIA said "better dead than red." A Banana Republic's what they made instead. And that's what it remains today! Yay! Now I'm Chaquita banana and I'm here to say, That I have everything I want today. But if workers form a union I won't hesitate, To call in the CIA! One more time! I'm Chaquita banana and I'm here to say, That I have everything I want today. But if workers form a union I won't hesitate, To call in the CIA! What'd I say? I'll call in the CIA. You want a raise??? I'll call in the CIAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Andelay! Edited May 12, 2007 by Myra Bronstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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