CSPAN was “Must-see-TV” for once! On Wednesday and early into Thursday morning, Republicans and Democrats duked it out in a 30-hour talkfest to debate four stalled U.S. Appeals Court nominees.
While political junkies such as myself can sit and watch for hours, others must have a little entertainment to go along with the sometimes monotone debate on the Senate floor.
Entertainment on the political end comes down to subjectivity. If one is the technological type, there is of course the Internet, with a massive amount of political information.
From blogs to media, think tanks, academic resources and humor – there is no shortage of enjoyment for the politico. But for those of us who did not grow up during the Cold War, we generally do not turn to the genre of movies for political entertainment. That could be because those political movies today are not as intellectually stout as they were 30 years ago.
There are movies such as High Noon, Dr. Strangelove, The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, On the Waterfront and Never On Sunday, to name a few.
“Since film has become one of the most influential art forms of modern times, students need to learn how to view films critically and historically,” says Dr. Stephen Fritz who is teaching a class on Cold War films.
“Films embody ideas and values, so critical viewing can reveal essential features of the society and era in which they were made. It is vital to be able to read a film in a critically and historically informed manner if we are to understand something of the nature of the Cold War.”
High Noon and On the Waterfront are films that both deal with the McCarthy era. The directors of both of these films were sought out by the anti-communists to cooperate in giving information on those who supported the communists. Fritz said that the director of High Noon did not cooperate with those questioning him.
“High Noon is about a lonely individual who does what he has to do regardless of the consequences,” he said.
The director from On the Waterfront did cooperate with anti-communists and even turned in some of his friends. His film was about doing what is right for the community even if you may have to turn your back on some friends.
Dr. Strangelove is a film about the recklessness of the nuclear arms race and Invasion of the Body Snatchers is acclaimed by communists and anti-communists.
“Invasion of the Body Snatchers is about conformity or non-conformity as seen by some. I see a fear for science and technology as a general theme,” Fritz said.
During the time of this film the United States was testing nuclear bombs above ground.
Those films just mentioned are classics but the ultimate political filibuster film is Mr. Smith goes to Washington.
Mr. Smith is a naive leader of the Boy Rangers picked by a spineless governor to finish out a Senate term.
Smith, in his travails to build a boys’ camp, finds his path in conflict with a political boss who controls all state and federal politics in his home state.
Smith ends up reading the Bible, among others things, while he works a filibuster without any help from his colleagues.
While you’re getting ready for a 30-hour debate in the Senate, check out one of these great political movies to put you in the mood for filibusters and communist takeovers.

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