David Strathairn as CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow in "Good Night, and Good Luck."
McCarthyism (noun) Unscrupulously accusing people of disloyalty (as by saying they were Communists).
Unscrupulously (adverb) Without scruples
Scruples (noun) Motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles
Joe McCarthy
Edward R. Murrow
"Good Night, and Good Luck", is a small-budgeted movie ($8 million, peanuts in today's Hollywood) with a big topic: the historic battle between the legendary CBS newsman, Edward R. Murrow, and Senator Joseph McCarthy. In 1954, Murrow devoted an episode of his show "See It Now" to McCarthy, and in doing so helped hasten his downfall.
But underneath is an even bigger topic: the difficulties of reconciling the goals of the news media -- with its mission to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable" -- with the profit motive of a successful business.
Clooney wisely chose not to cast an actor for the role of McCarthy, allowing the audience to see actual footage and hear the actual words spoken by the junior senator from Wisconsin as he created a climate of fear. McCarthy's voice and facial expressions still pack a punch; even with the black-and-white photography and stark '50s setting, the film feels as timely as the nightly news.
Many times history will repeat itself and this time of Republican dominated government is becoming more and more similar to the dreadful days of
Joseph McCarthy. Fortunately,
Edward R. Murrow, the legendary newsman stood up to McCarthy. This country needs a 'Edward R. Murrow' type person to stand up again.
McCarthyism (noun) Unscrupulously accusing people of disloyalty (as by saying they were Communists).
Unscrupulously (adverb) Without scruples
Scruples (noun) Motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles
Joe McCarthy
Edward R. Murrow
"Good Night, and Good Luck", is a small-budgeted movie ($8 million, peanuts in today's Hollywood) with a big topic: the historic battle between the legendary CBS newsman, Edward R. Murrow, and Senator Joseph McCarthy. In 1954, Murrow devoted an episode of his show "See It Now" to McCarthy, and in doing so helped hasten his downfall.
But underneath is an even bigger topic: the difficulties of reconciling the goals of the news media -- with its mission to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable" -- with the profit motive of a successful business.
Clooney wisely chose not to cast an actor for the role of McCarthy, allowing the audience to see actual footage and hear the actual words spoken by the junior senator from Wisconsin as he created a climate of fear. McCarthy's voice and facial expressions still pack a punch; even with the black-and-white photography and stark '50s setting, the film feels as timely as the nightly news.
Many times history will repeat itself and this time of Republican dominated government is becoming more and more similar to the dreadful days of Joseph McCarthy. Fortunately, Edward R. Murrow, the legendary newsman stood up to McCarthy. This country needs a 'Edward R. Murrow' type person to stand up again.
