Three Forgotten Films

(Conspiracy Nation, 12/24/07) -- Three films from the 1970s, forgotten, come to mind: WUSA (starring Paul Newman), The Ruling Class (starring Peter O'Toole), and A Boy And His Dog (science fiction, no major stars).

WUSA is a radio station. Paul Newman plays a radio personality. Not recalled is whether he is a talk show host. At a political convention, an assassination occurs. Newman grabs the microphone and begins a chant: "We're O.K.! We're O.K.!" This is the final scene. We, as a society, are "O.K."

WUSA is oddly prescient. In the 1980s arose "We're O.K." radio activist Rush Limbaugh. That is the mantra of his show, that we, the USA, are O.K. "Well what about the economy, Rush?" (Answer: "We're O.K.!"). "Rush, I'm not sure we should be in Iraq." (Answer: "We're O.K.!"). Liberal caller: "Mr. Limbaugh, we as a nation are not focused on the needs of our own people." (Answer: "We're O.K.! And you are a 'lib'!") El Rusto is not the only one doing "We're O.K.!" TV news shows, after "if it bleeds, it leads," switch gears into heartwarming feel-good stories. That is their answer to the headline crises of the day. Beginning to doubt the direction of the society? Well what about this heartwarming story? We must be pretty "O.K." as a society if this has taken place.

Peter O'Toole is convinced he is "God" in the film, The Ruling Class. A psychiatrist tries to cure him. Nothing seems to work, until the therapist decides to put another "crazy" person who also "knows" he is "God" into the same room with O'Toole. Can two "Gods" exist together in the same place and time? O'Toole is cured. He realizes he is not "God." He decides he is Jack the Ripper instead.

In the Middle East the psychiatrist has placed three people who all believe they are "God" into the same time and place. Britain began the fun in the 1800s, when some bright people decided returning the Jews to their homeland would bring back Jesus in consequence. Another psychiatrist inserted Christians into the milieu a few years ago.

A Boy And His Dog occurs in a post-apocalyptic world. The young man can communicate telepathically with his dog. Their conversations are heard by the audience. Things are bleak on the surface, until they discover an underground society where all seems well. It turns out otherwise, and the boy and his dog escape, together with a young woman. But food is in short supply. The young woman, increasingly bitchy, decides it is only reasonable that they should eat the dog. Guess who gets eaten? The final scene has the boy and his dog engaged in conversation.

Again we have a film from the 1970s, banished from memory, that is somewhat prescient. Back then, the "Women's Lib" was new. Males were mostly meek little lambs. ("Yes, dear.") Boy and His Dog champions the male side of the equation. Not to say it is completely correct, but it advocates the masculine perspective. So, of course, A Boy and His Dog has been exiled in these "politically correct" times.

Merry Christmas. And remember, "WE'RE O.K.!"

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Conspiracy Nation

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