Jack Valenti is dead
Jack Valenti, the consummate Hollywood politician and chief of the Motion Picture Assn. of America for 38 years, died this afternoon. The news broke right while I was flying from Burbank to Oakalnd, hence the late posting. The head of the Motion Picture Association of American for 38 years, Valenti was a brilliant operator, a wise wordsmith and an elegant man. Oh, and a great raconteur.
I first met Valenti at some kind of industry gathering at the Sportmen's Lodge on Ventura Blvd. in 1983, and I can remember to this day his sharp eagle eyes sizing me up as he smiled and shook my hand. All world-class smart guys all over the world have eagle eyes. Eyes that whir and click as they assess your vibe, your appearance, your manner. Valenti was one tough hombre. I thought he lacked flexibility as far as trying to address the wrongs of the CARA ratting system, but that was then and this is now.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 26, 2007 at 5:23 PM
comment #1
Noah
says ...
I didn't know the man personally or anything and he really did a lot for the industry, but I just wished he would've worked harder to make the NC-17 a legitimate rating. As Roger Ebert said for years, there should have been an "A" rating for Adults-only non-porno films. Maybe the new guy can do what Valenti couldn't in regards to making the rating system a little better.
Posted by Noah
at April 26, 2007 5:44 PM
comment #2
JoeGreenia
says ...
I'm intrigued at the news of his upcoming memoir. A definate read for me.
Posted by JoeGreenia
at April 26, 2007 5:52 PM
comment #3
tholl-yung
says ...
Joe Leydon, you predicted snark and got raconteur. I didn't know Jack, I haven't seen "This Film is Not Yet Rated" and I don't know if what I pasted below is true, I just remember the note after the MPAA screening: "no more than three thrusts in the sex scene or you won't get an R."
Hmph. The movie ratings system is a voluntary system operated by the MPAA and the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO). The ratings are given by a board of parents who comprise the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA). CARA's Board members view each film and, after a group discussion, vote on its rating. The ratings are intended to provide parents with advance information so they can decide for themselves which films are appropriate for viewing by their own children. The Board uses the same criteria as any parent making a judgment - theme, language, violence, nudity, sex and drug use are among content areas considered in the decision-making process.
Posted by tholl-yung
at April 26, 2007 6:52 PM
comment #4
berg
says ...
I am sure there are more than 3 thrusts in the R rated film Femme Fatale, or for that matter knocked up ...
Posted by berg
at April 26, 2007 7:10 PM
comment #5
tholl-yung
says ...
There were circumstances, Berg, but I'm keeping within the respectful tone of the post.
Posted by tholl-yung
at April 26, 2007 7:48 PM
comment #6
jocko
says ...
Wow. What a hypocrite you are, Jeff. You're willing to slame Bob Clarke in his obit because you didn't like his flicks, you're willing to slur Sam Raimi in your campaign against Spider-Man because you disagree with his poltics, and you're happy to rail against the corporate control of movies and all that entails but when it comes to a political hack like Valenti and all the harm he has caused the medium in the cause of expediency and profit all you can add is 'that was then and this is now.' Consistency is a measure of critcism, sir. Shame.
Posted by jocko
at April 26, 2007 8:08 PM
comment #7
christian
says ...
let's remember jack for inspiring peter fonda to come up with EASY RIDER after seeing valenti give a speech asking filmmakers to provide more ol' fashioned entertainment like DR. DOOLITTLE...
Posted by christian
at April 26, 2007 8:24 PM
comment #8
Joe Leydon
says ...
I am astonished -- and abashed.
Posted by Joe Leydon
at April 26, 2007 8:47 PM
comment #9
the king
says ...
I feel he personally held the medium back. Maybe it wasn't him, but he was the FACE of the MPAA, the spokesperson. So everytime I heard of another film being censored I blamed him.
He cowtowed to his D.C. masters and never stood up for the art of filmmaking and the right of free speech.
There I've said it. So Wells doesn't have to.
Posted by the king
at April 27, 2007 7:29 AM
comment #10
Bocephus
says ...
As much as I hate the MPAA rating system, I'll take it over the Hays code any day. Valenti played a big part in destroying the Hays code, giving new freedom to filmakers.
You can rail on the NC-17 rating as much as you want, but we would not have had the 70's cinema renaissance without Jack Valenti.
Posted by Bocephus
at May 1, 2007 9:14 AM