Happy New Year!

What a year it has been! The election of our lifetime is over and for once history seemed to move in the right direction. Met two famous authors, saw Obama speak, survived two major cutbacks at work, watched the economy falter. Lost my Uncle Allen. We lost Paul Newman, Heath Ledger, Odetta, Tim Russert and Ollie Johnson (the last of Disney's Nine Old Men), to name just a few. Watched Tina Fey out-Palin Sarah Palin. Saw a few awesome movies... Dark Knight, Wall•E, Iron Man and Slumdog Millionaire. Moved to a new apartment. And last but not least... a new relationship!

As for New Year's resolutions, mine are the usual... exercise more, eat less, budget better and save save save. After a minor health scare earlier this month, and watching a close friend go through major surgery for cancer last week, I think I will take my health a little more seriously this year.

For all who read this blog, have a very safe and happy New Year!

Movie Review - Slumdog Millionaire

Saw two great movies in TC at the State Theater yesterday - the first was a 25 cent matinee of The Wizard of Oz, which I have always wanted to see on the big screen. The second was a new independent film directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting), Slumdog Millionaire. Slumdog is the story of a young man, Malik, who grows up in the streets of Mumbai and, inexplicably, ends up on the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Suspected of cheating, he is picked up by the police who interrogate him. As the story interweaves seamlessly between his past, the game show, and his interrogation, we learn how he learned the answers to the questions as well as a broader picture of who Malik is. Unlike his opportunistic brother, he refuses to give in to the darkness with which he is surrounded. Malik is not playing for money, but for his lost love, Latika. How will he win? Is it luck, love, passion, or destiny?

This is without a doubt the must-see movie of the year. It is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. It perfectly captures the culture without ever feeling like a National Geographic special or a one of those dark, cerebral Oscar-contender-wanna-be's. Boyle even throws in a little Bollywood to add a touch of fun. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack is totally awesome!

You can read/listen to Bob Mondello's review on NPR here.

Cartoon Christmas continued...

Up north enjoying Christmas holiday with the family. Hopefully I'll have some pics when I return from TC. In the meantime, enjoy some more cartoons...

Disney Christmas

Here are a few of my favorite Disney Christmas shorts. The first is Wintertime, part of the larger film Melody Time. It was art directed by the master, Mary Blair, who created the look of most of the Disney films of the late forties and early fifties. She later designed the theme park ride It's a Small World.

More Christmas Commercials

Rest in Peace, Lwaxana

The "First Lady" of Star Trek, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, passed away this morning at 76. Widow of Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, Barrett starred in multiple roles in the Trek universe – including Nurse Chapel from the original series and the voice of the Enterprise's computer in all five Star Trek series and movies. She reprised her role as the voice of the computer in the new Trek film due out in May. Of course, she is most recognizable as Deanna Troi's mother on Star Trek: The Next Generation – Lwaxana Troi, "Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed."

I also learned today that Barrett shared the same birthday as me – February 23!

You can read the obit here on Yahoo.

Thanks, Liam, for sharing this with me!

Star Trek

This is too fun not to share! The old Star Trek animated series recut to the trailer for the new movie.

Found on Cartoon Brew.

File this one under stupid

It was reported in today's Cleveland PD that a wrecked car was found on the Jennings Freeway Friday evening. A Cleveland police officer and insurance adjuster arrived. The insurance adjuster saw a body of a man in the car and told the police. Police notified the family that the man would be taken to a local hospital. The family waited at the hospital not knowing where their relative was or what happened to him. The man never arrived. Two days later, it was discovered that the tow truck took the car to the impound lot WITH THE BODY STILL IN THE CAR. It was found with a cigarette still between his fingers.

You can read the complete story here.

No, this isn't a pic from the Italian Job...

While we were at the A Christmas Story House on Saturday, I looked out of Ralphie's bedroom window. Instead of seeing an idyllic winter scene, I see four Minis pull up in near perfect synchronicity. No word if any Nazi gold was stolen while I was there, but they didn't stick around long...

What could have been...

Here is a stunning trailer I just found on Cartoon Brew. Made in 2004 for a movie that never got made. Siegfried, based on the graphic novel by Dargaud. Directed by Alex Alice at Pendragon Imageforce. One wonders what the film would have been like. I never saw Beowolf, but it looks like this would have been a thousand times better.

It has been a very full couple of weeks! Enjoyed last Saturday Christmas shopping with my friend Paul... snooping through antique stores, gift shops and book stores, including a very chic antique place called Flower Child that features vintage mid-century furniture (think martini glasses and Danish modern furniture and those light-up china Christmas trees). Sunday, I went with Paul and his friends, Diane and Mindy to hear the Cleveland Philharmonic play Peter and the Wolf, accompanied not just by a narrator, but also a dance troupe, the Verb Ballets! Then finished the weekend by decorating my Christmas tree.

This Saturday, made the pilgrimage to A Christmas Story house...

then continued in the Christmas spirit on a leisurely drive through downtown to Cleveland Playhouse to see the Festival of Trees.



Made our way up to Coventry and had a late lunch at Hunan Coventry and, of course, spent a lot of time at Big Fun and City Buddha.

Christmas Commercials

A little bit of nostalgia for Monday. Here are three Christmas commercials I have always loved...

Prop 8: The Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Animation Month - Billy's Balloon

Another one of my all-time favorites!

Animation Month - The Last Knit

The Last Knit
by Laura Neuvonen, Fun Time

Head of Skate

And you thought the Sarah Palin jokes would stop!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Animation Month - Screen Play

Screen Play, by Barry Purves, is with one notable exception, my all-time favorite animated short. Before reading my pseudo-academic ramblings, I suggest you view it first. 

 

Highly stylized, the viewer is continually reminded of the unreality of what they are viewing. Instead of cutting from scene to scene, the sets change around the characters as though we are viewing a real play in the Japanese no theater. An actor narrates and plays key characters throughout the story; black-clad kurogo (puppeteers in traditional Japanese puppet theater) weave in and out of the story, manipulating events. Stunningly beautiful imagery abounds in this film. The story and characters are secondary to the artistry of the film. By the end, even the reality within the play is broken; then the reality of the film itself. The audience is being played.

You can visit Gary Purves' website here: www.barrypurves.com

A Turkey pardons a Turkey

Ever seen Fargo?

Animation Month - Peter and the Wolf

Last year's Oscar for Best Animated Short was awarded to Suzie Templeton for her film Peter and the Wolf. The story and music comes from Sergei Prokofiev's 1936 piece of the same name. Prokofiev's music was originally commissioned as a teaching tool for children to learn about orchestral music. The story is told by a narrator while accompanied by the orchestra. Each character is represented by their own musical theme and instruments (called a lietmotif); Peter by strings, the Bird by a flute, the Duck by an Oboe, etc. The piece has been narrated by several famous people over the years, including Boris Kaloff, Basil Rathbone, Alec Guiness, Patrick Stewart and Sting. Disney created their own animated short in 1949, part of the compilation film Make Mine Music, with Sterling Halloway narrating.

The story itself is simple: Against his Grandfather's wishes, our young hero Peter wanders into the woods, accompanied by his friends the Bird, the Duck, and the Cat, to hunt a wolf, perhaps not really expecting to find one. The Duck is eaten. The Wolf chases them up a tree. The Bird distracts the Wolf long enough for Peter to get a rope around it's tail and captures it.

Templeton's stop-motion film is a little different from Disney's. Character designs are scragglier, earthier; not plump and round. Peter takes place, in part, in a modern day city. Portions of the story are not even accompanied by music and there is no narration. You can read more about the film here on Breakthru Film's site and also on PBS' Great Performances.

Here are two back-to-back excerpts from the film. You can download the full short on iTunes or it is available on DVD.

For fun I've included the complete Disney short, in two parts...

...and an illustrated book by Bono. Yes, that Bono.

You can learn more about Peter and the Wolf at Wikipedia.

Auto Bailout - good or bad?

There has been much debate over the proposed bailout of the auto industry. Having grown up in Michigan, and now living in Ohio, I have watched both states struggle as industrial jobs disappear. The question is, would it be better to allow GM to restructure under bankruptcy protection or provide a short-term bailout to give them the time they need to restructure on their own? By doing nothing are we allowing another US industry fizzle away? Former Boston Governor Mitt Romney – who grew up in Michigan as a son of an auto exec – has a very persuasive editorial in the New York Times that addresses this very issue. You can read it here.

Update: Here is video of an interview Romney gave on Morning Joe.

Another update: Senator Barney Frank has a different opinion. You can read/listen to it here on NPR.

Save our economy!

Learn about how to save our economy from Captain Capitalism!

Animated Shorts

This month I'm going to try my first series. Those of you who already know me know I'm a pretty big animation fan. To start off the series, here are three shorts I found online, all with a bird theme. Enjoy!

Chicken Tennis

Kiwi  dir. Dony Permedi / School of Visual Arts

Penguins  dir. Pierre Coffin

We're off to see... hmmm...

Aintitcool is posting that French filmmaker John Boorman (The Exorcist II) is creating a CG animated retelling of Frank Baum's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I don't really know enough about Boorman's work to guess what his take on the story would be. The filmmaker is supposedly going back to the original source material, which is a potential gold mine from an artistic and storytelling standpoint. Remakes tend to be disappointing, but this artistic snob has to admit some of the concept art is intriguing, like the above image of the Witch's castle.

No word if this film will be created using mo-cap or traditional animation.

Have ye seen my kite?

According to MSNBC, an Australian man had a run-in with a whale while kite surfing. The man noticed a shadow in the water ahead of him, at first dismissing it as a cast shadow from his sail. Suddenly the whale broke the surface of the water and the man sailed over the back of the whale, then got whacked from behind by its tail. It happened so quickly that had it not been for others witnessing the event, no one would have believed him. No word if he's planning an epic voyage of vengeance.

The Wordy Shipmates

I found out last week that Sarah Vowell (aka, Incredible Girl) will be speaking at the Cleveland Public Library on Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 pm. She will be discussing her new book, The Wordy Shipmates. The book is a look back at the Puritans and the founding of Massachusetts. She discusses the first governor of Massachusetts, John Winthrop, and his sermon "A Model of Christian Charity." His image of a "shining city on a hill" (originating from the Sermon on the Mount from the book of Matthew) is considered the origin of the American ideal of Manifest Destiny – that Europeans/European Americans would occupy land from sea to shining sea, enlighten Native Americans to Christian ideals while removing them from their land. This same ideal, Vowell argues, was the same justification of our invasions of other countries – McKinley's decision to invade the Philippines, Kennedy's decision to send troops to Vietnam and George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq.

I have been listening to the audio version of the book, which includes actors reading the parts of key history figures. Her wry sense of humor and ability to tie moments in history to pop culture never ceases to entertain me.

You can read about it more here at the Plain Dealer.

Update: Sarah Vowell will be on 90.3 on Around Noon today.

Quantum of Solace

The new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, comes out this Friday. This is the first 'sequel' in the series. The previous film, Casino Royale, marked a turning point for the franchise. Inspired by the success of the Jason Bourne series, and a desire to match more closely the tone of the original Ian Flemming books, the producers decided to go more serious with the franchise. Royale is grittier, but does not lose the charm/style of Bond's character. No giant satellite raybeams or cartoonish digital effects, but plenty of fast-paced action. Royale is Bond's first mission as a double-O. As the story progresses, we see Daniel Craig's Bond slowly grow into his character; posing in front of a mirror in a "real dinner jacket" for the first time, ordering his first martini "shaken, not stirred." He grows from a working-class assassin to the cigar smoking, martini drinking stylish super-spy we all know and love.

Quantum picks up directly from where the last film leaves off. Bond has lost his lover, Vesper, and is eager for vengeance. A SPECTRE-like shadowy organization profits by funding terrorism. Their only lead, the mysterious Mr. White, the man who set in motion the events leading to Vesper's death. How will this film compare to the last? All indications from the trailers are it will be great.

Do you expect me to talk?

So, which Bond villain would you be? Post your answer in the comments section.

What kind of watch would you wear? Click here to find out.

Captain America Returns!

I am not a huge Captain America fan, but this tidbit of news from Aintitcool caught my eye. Joe Johnston, the director of The Rocketeer and October Sky, and production designer for the original Star Wars trilogy, will be directing the new Captain America film. Captain America was a soldier that was given super powers by scientists to fight Nazis during WWII. Fortunately, the filmmakers have chosen not to try to tell a Captain America story in present day; the story will take place during World War II.

The above illustration is by Alex Ross.

Giving Joe Sixpack back his Sixpack

According to NPR, a group of science students is trying to genetically engineer a new kind of beer that will have the same health benefits as red wine. The alcoholic beverage of choice in the United States is beer... most Americans are overweight... so why not create a beer that has (at least some) health benefits? Ironically, the students developing the project are all under the legal drinking age! You can read more about it here.

Obamanation now Obamaworld

Not just the United States but the entire world is celebrating the election of Barack Obama. Perhaps the most enthusiastic, the people of Obama, Japan.



You can read more about it here.

Election not over yet!

The election is not over yet! The most important decision is yet to be announced – what breed will the First Dog be?

Vote here.

It is ironic that even as America demonstrated it's ability to "transcend race" and elect the first African American president, at the same time it has taken away rights for another group of people. Unfortunately, voters in California overturned gay marriage. Voters in Arkansas imposed a law that bans gay couples from adopting children. The latter, in particular, is absolutely deplorable. How many children are out there without a family? Who are we to say that one couple is less qualified to be loving parents, simply because of who they sleep with?

I can't help but wonder, what will happen to children in Arkansas who have already been adopted?

America has demonstrated again and again it's ability to grow. During my lifetime I have seen the Berlin Wall fall and a man named Barack Hussein Obama become President-Elect. I have no doubt that both of these laws will be overturned in time. (One positive that came out of the California's Proposition 8 was that the vote was split almost 50-50. The last time gay marriage went on the ballot, the margin was much wider, meaning that attitudes are changing.) But it may take another generation before America is able to transcend it's attitudes about sexual orientation the way it has race.

In the meantime, I hope that the individuals in Arkansas who must enforce these new laws will take the needs of the children into account.

Both Liam and Mysterious Creature have posted on this as well...

A New America

“If there is anyone out there who doubts that America is a place where anything is possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

- President-Elect Barack Obama

More from Obama in Cleveland

Here are some videos of some of what we saw at the rally Sunday.

First was The Boss.



Then the man himself.

Obama in Cleveland!

Today proved to be quite the adventure – my friend Paul and I attended the rally for Barack Obama! The rally was happening downtown at the same time as a Browns game and the Wringling Bros. Circus! Of course, downtown Cleveland was absolutely insane. We stood in line for at least 40 minutes just to get on the Rapid. Once we got downtown, we discovered that the line to get into the rally wound through town past Tower City down as far as Huron. In spite of the large numbers of people, everyone was quite orderly. There was never a moment I felt unsafe or overwhelmed. Everyone was friendly and excited about witnessing history unfold before our eyes.There was such a sense of community that I can't say I've ever experienced in Cleveland before.

This is us in line on Huron looking up at Tower City...

Here we are about a half-hour later, next to the Civil War Monument in Public Square.

We did not try to get into the rally itself. Instead, we ended up in the mall just across the street from the rally, next to the Mariott Hotel. According to the PD, there were 80,000 people! We stood there for close to three hours before the actual speech took place.

Bruce Springsteen sang to the crowd. I am not a big Springsteen fan, but the tone of music tapped into what we have all been feeling the past few years – that sense of clinging to hope in a time of hopelessness – perfect for the occasion. I can only compare his music to Bob Dilan.


And the man of the hour... Michelle and their two girls were there too.

It was truly humbling to be a part of history... to share a connection with so many people who truly want a better future... to join with 80,000 people in prayer for this country and our candidate. This is the real moral majority!

I must confess I'm pretty tired from the experience tonight. I will try to post more of my thoughts about everything that I witnessed and heard later this week.

You can view more pics and read the PD report here.

I WANT YOUR VOTE!

During my entire lifetime there has never been an election as important as this. Regardless of where your politics lie, it is your responsibility to get out there and let your voice be heard. If for no other reason, than to justify complaining about the results!

For those of you who live in Cuyahoga County, there is a sample ballot at the Plain Dealer's website, Cleveland.com, where you can go through each candidate/issue. It will allow you to view editorials on most of the major issues/candidates or direct you to where you can do more research. You can print out your sample ballot at the end so you are prepared for the voting box.

Click here to go to the sample ballot.

Or another good source is the League of Women Voters.

Total segue here, to learn more about the origins of James Montgomery Flagg's famous illustration of Uncle Sam, I found a cool blog here.

Happy Halloween!

...and good evening.

Zombies are everywhere. We must mobilize now.

Learn more about the zombie menace here on NPR.

Image by Robert Kirkman. Published by Image Comics.

Also, to see something truly terrifying... click here.

This weekend I attended the scattering of ashes of my Uncle Allen in Ann Arbor. Allen had died in May. He had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for many years. He was a concert flutist before he became ill, and continued to teach music and repair flutes. Allen was quite the character. He carried a large cup of expresso coffee in one hand; he had a large, scruffy beard, fedora hat and pipe wedged in his teeth. There was always a twinkle in his eye.

It was an overcast, rainy fall day. The ceremony was only a few minutes. Afterwards, we went to his favorite expresso bar and raised a glass of coffee in his honor. A fitting tribute. The rest of the family headed up north to scatter the rest of his ashes in Long Lake, near Traverse City.

Curse of the Were-Rabbit!

Yet another favorite Halloween film of mine. Wallace and Gromit are at it again... this time as a pest control service. Just as a sleepy English town is about to host their annual vegetable contest, they are overrun by a terrible menace that threatens to eat their entire crop! Only cheese-o-holic and inventor Wallace and his trusty sidekick Gromit can save the day!

If anything convinces Liam to eat his vegetables, this movie will. "Just a little harmless brain alteration..."

Thriller

In keeping with the holiday, a group in Austin, Texas held the largest "Thrill the World" dance-off, with 881 synchronized dancers. No matter what you think of Michael Jackson these days, you can't deny the impact he's had on the world. Found on Aintitcool.com

The Shining

One can't talk about Halloween movies without mentioning, arguably, the scariest of them all, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. Apparently, Stephen King was not happy with Kubrick's take on his novel. 

Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) takes his wife (Shelley Long) and young son to to act as caretakers of the Overlook Hotel, a ski resort which is so isolated in the mountains, it must be shut down for several months in the winter. The caretakers will be completely isolated from the outside world during this period. Jack views this as an opportunity to work on his writing. Jack's wife, meanwhile, is growing concerned about the increasingly strange behavior of their son, Danny. 

The hotel, it is revealed, was the site of a horrific murder/suicide by a previous caretaker of is family some years before, and was built on sacred Indian ground. As winter closes in, the characters slowly begin to fall prey to the same cabin fever that took that family so many years before. Danny, we learn, can read minds and see glimpses of both the past and the future, an ability called "shining." What follows is psychologically complex... is what they are experiencing real or a result of cabin fever? Are there spiritual forces at work? Kubrick leaves it up to the audience.

Kubrick pushes the feeling of isolation by framing the characters so they appear small in a vast space and use of minimal dialogue and soundtrack. Exactingly controlled long shots are suddenly interrupted by flashes of terrifying imagery, usually in Danny's mind. Terror builds slowly through the film not through violent acts but anticipation of these acts as we watch characters slowly unravel.

Outside of the hotel is a full-size garden maze the characters can wander in; the hotel itself is a winding maze of hallways and with maze-like patterned carpets that reflect the psyche of the residents. According to Wikipedia, the pathways and walls of a maze are "fixed, pre-determined." One definitely gets the feeling by the end of the story, that these seemingly random events were predetermined.

The film has been satirized many times, most notably by The Simpsons.

Ohio Second only to Michigan in Job Loss

It was announced in the Plain Dealer today that Ohio ranks second only to Michigan in job loss "...with its 'unprecedented, Depression-level' loss of 496,900 jobs since 2000, or 10.5 percent of its work force, exceeded Ohio's decline of 213,300 jobs." Manufacturing jobs have been shipped overseas, which has decimated manufacturing areas like Detroit and Cleveland. It's downright scary.

Ohio, Michigan, and the country at large needs to start investing in new technology, like renewable energy – solar panels and wind turbines – and sell that all over the world. After Pearl Harbor, FDR said in a year we would build X-number of planes, and we exceeded that number. All it takes is a little vision. It's probably naive of me to ask, but how hard would it be to convert some of these empty auto plants into windmill and solar panel plants? Create a new industry, new jobs and maybe benefit our environment at the same time.

Additional note (added 1:23 pm): Here is another article at Newsweek explaining, in part, why the unemployment numbers are actually higher than they appear.

Yellow Subsimpsons?

I was trying to find something scary in keeping with the Halloween spirit. I succeeded. Found this on Cartoon Brew. I have no idea what this is. I take no responsibility for any long-term damage this may cause.

Don't lose your head!

Seems everyone has been blogging about their favorite Halloween/horror films. Here are two that are required viewing this time of year, both of the same name: Sleepy Hollow.

First is the classic Disney short from the 1950s, narrated and sung by Bing Crosby.

The other is Tim Burton's brilliant spin on the classic. The film reflects Burton's stint as an animator at Disney. There are some wonderful tips of the hat to the Disney version.

Lipstick on a Pig

The Chestnut Tree

Here is a wonderful little animation character study I discovered on YouTube called The Chestnut Tree by Hyun Min Lee. There is very little I need to say about it; just watch and enjoy!

You can learn more about Hyun Min Lee here.

Another day at the office...

glumbert.com

To boldly go...

Okay, so I'm a total geek. JJ Abrams, one of the creators of Lost, is helming the new Star Trek film. He says he is trying to bring a "Star Wars level of intensity to the franchise," but promises to keep it's optimistic view of the future. If it's half as good as Lost, it promises to be awesome.

You can see the pics of the new Star Trek movie here on Yahoo.

And the winner is...

Joe the plumber of Toledo, Ohio! 

John McCain referred to him over 20 times during the debate.

Crop Dusting with David Sedaris

Went down to the Allen Theater at Playhouse Square last night with a group of friends – Liam, Deanna, Collette and Erin – and saw David Sedaris in concert last night. He read excerpts from his writings, then took questions from the audience and did a signing afterwards. We waited in line for three hours after the show to get his autograph! (As a bonus, we each got a little drawing.)

I was first introduced to David Sedaris on a compilation CD from This American Life, but it was my friend Liam who really got me hooked when he loaned me his book When You Are Engulfed in Flames. David Sedaris writes what I would describe as slice-of-life essays from his own humorous, perhaps slightly skewed, perspective. Ultimately what one gets from his stories is reassurance because we are all slightly skewed! Not to mention a lot of laughs.

Perhaps one of the funnier anecdotes he shared was that of an airline stewardess, who told Sedaris that one of the natural side effects for the human body at higher altitudes was gas. To cope with this, the stewardesses would each take turns walking up and down the aisle of the plane, quietly releasing gas among the passengers. They called this "crop dusting."

And to add a totally bizarre twist, while I was getting my book signed, Sedaris looked over my shoulder at Liam and asked, "Have we met before? Do I know you from somewhere?" Liam had another book signed by him THREE YEARS AGO. But he remembered. Amazing.

To hear audio of David Sedaris on NPR, click here.

Thanks to Cruise Director Liam for getting us tickets!

John McCain and Sarah Palin's Fireside Chat

Speaking of Fireside Chats, John McCain and Sarah Palin have started their own. You can see it here. Image by Mark Fiore.

Fireside Chats

Last night, after watching the debate and the talking heads pontificate for a while and feeling rather disillusioned, I switched over to Jon Stewart's The Daily Show to get some much needed perspective. I was happy to discover that one of my favorite authors, Sarah Vowell (aka, Violet, aka, Invisible Girl) was on promoting her new book The Wordy Shipmates. 

Alluding to the current financial crisis, Sarah remarked "seems like everything gets [closer] to hell every time I visit. The next time I'm here, we'll be talking on a pile of rubble." Sarah went on to say she didn't even have the heart to read the paper that morning. Instead, she went online and read some of FDR's Fireside Chats. That's how bad things are. She went back to the 1930s to find reassurance in 2008.

So I followed Sarah's example and googled Fireside chats. This was the first transcript I read. FDR had to declare a national bank holiday after a run on the banks in order to prevent a crash. FDR had been in office less than two months and was in the process of pushing forward on his New Deal legislation.

Sunday, March 12, 1933

"It needs no prophet to tell you that when the people find that they can get their money – that they can get it when they want it for legitimate purposes – the phantom of fear will soon be laid. People will again to have their money where it will be safely taken care of... I can assure you that it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than under the mattress.

"The success of our whole great national program depends, of course, upon the cooperation of the public – on its intelligent support and use of a reliable system.

"...I do not promise you that every bank will be reopened or that individual losses will not be suffered, but there will be no losses that possibly could be avoided; and there would have been more and greater losses had we continued to drift.

"After all there is an element in the readjustment of our financial system more important than currency, more important than gold, and that is the confidence of the people. Confidence and courage are essentials of success in carrying out our plan. You people must have faith; you must not be stampeded by rumors or guesses. Let us unite in banishing fear. We have provided the machinery to restore our financial system; it is up to you to support and make it work.

"It is your problem no less than it is mine. Together we cannot fail."

One wonders if we will ever see that level of leadership again. Hopefully, whoever wins in November, we will see that person rise to a higher level of statesman.

You can read the entire text, and access other Fireside Chats, here: http://www.mhric.org/fdr/fdr.html

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, Monkey Stone Soup! I hope this will be a springboard to exchange ideas and have some fun along the way. Stone Monkey (or Monkey King) is a character that is near and dear to my heart. A Chinese folk story that has been retold many times in many formats, I wrote and drew a comic book as my BFA thesis at Cleveland Institute of Art many years ago. Stone soup is, of course, the story of the beggar who made soup from a stone.