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Film Institute, Washington, DC 9/26/89 [OA 8130]
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Film Institute, Washington, DC 9/26/89 [OA 8130]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Curt Smith Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Smith, Curt, Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1992
OA/ID Number:
13888
Folder ID Number:
13888-034
Folder Title:
Film Institute, Washington D.C., 9/26/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
18
29
1
4
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Four
September 20, 1989
FILM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FILM INSTITUTE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1989
Chairman Jankowski, Director Stevens, Director Firstenberg,
Mr. Wolper, Mr. Valenti, Other Trustees of the American Film
Institute, Distinguished Guests, Friends and Fans of the American
Film.
Thank you for your warm reception. I've looked forward to
this night for quite awhile. ( (In fact, to put us in a movie
mode, we arranged to come over here in a special car. It was a
tight squeeze getting me, Barbara, the driver and three Secret
Service men into the Batmobile.) ) ( (PAUSE) )
( (First, I'd like to say a word, in particular, about this
distinguished audience. I don't think so many well-dressed
people have gathered together since the Beverly Hills Court began
jury selection for Zsa Zsa Gabor's trial.) ) ( (PAUSE) )
I also appreciate that kind introduction. And let me say
how pleased I am to see so many notables in this evening's
crowd. Artists from Spacek to Spielberg to Stallone. Surrounded
by all these household names, I wish I'd brought along my
autograph book.
Barbara and I are delighted to be here. (I But I'm obliged to
extend regrets from what some have called the most charismatic
2
speaker in the Bush family. Yes, our springer spaniel, Millie.
( (PAUSE) )
Nothing personal, you understand. It's just that Millie
doesn't often get the White House theatre to herself. Well,
tonight she's making up for lost time.
Now, make no mistake: I can't argue with Millie's
selection, For The Love of Benji. It's just that I'm afraid all
this good press is going to her head. Last night, we got to
talking about what Millie should serve her guests. Barbara
picked milk bones [PAUSE]
I chose Alpo [PAUSE]
Millie asked to see the wine list ( (PAUSE) )
Well, this evening, Millie, eat your heart out. For there's
no place that Barbara and I would rather be than here, with you.
( (We meet at the end of quite a summer for movies -- with
Ghostbusters Two, Karate Kid Three, Lethal Weapon Two, Indiana
Jones Two, and Startrek Five. With all those numbers, I wasn't
sure if I was at a movie or a budget meeting.) ) ( (PAUSE) )
( (And it was a summer, too, when all through my vacation, a
movie I saw last May kept going through my mind. The way things
were going, it was starting to look like A Fish Called Wanda was
as close to a fish as I was going to get. )) ( (PAUSE) )
But thankfully, that's all behind me. And I'm pleased to
join you at an event which salutes the 24th anniversary of the
American Film Institute. For almost a quarter-century, the AFI
has nurtured and celebrated the art of the moving image. In
doing so, it has nourished the mind and soul of America.
3
For the moving image is not merely entertainment -- in a
darkened theatre, or on a TV set. It is also a part of America's
rich inheritance. The American film is not only the mirror of
America. It is also the conscience of America.
Who can forget how Grapes of Wrath immortalized the dignity
of America's impoverished? Or how Gentleman's Agreement exposed
anti-Semitism? Or on a personal note, the courage amid
X
adversity embodied in Knute Rockne.) All-American. Embodied by a
friend of ours. Yes, Ronald Reagan as the Gipper.
When President Johnson signed the bill 24 years ago to
create the National Endowment for the Arts, which created the
American Film Institute, he was talking about such works. And
those who make them, past and present.
He was referring to actors and actresses. Producers and
writers, directors, craftsmen, artisans. And this Institute, he
said, would bring them "together
these artists, outstanding
educators, and young men and women, who wish to pursue the 20th
century art form as their life's work.' "
It did, and does today. Helping to spur the art form so
uniquely American. The art form invented in America. And which,
in turn, America has expanded to the world -- allowing peoples on
every continent to freely see film's diversity. And to inspire
those peoples to build on what America has begun.
That is the major reason why this Administration has
conveyed to the governments of the European community our
steadfast belief in mutual access to movie and TV program
4
markets. Quotas of any kind are unacceptable. Our government
does not intrude on private decisions and public choices in TV
programming. Neither should theirs. Consumer choice must be
expanded, not reduced.
Secretary of State Baker, Secretary of Commerce Mosbacher,
and U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills have made our position
quite clear. No enterprise achieves creativity when competitors
are locked out. Good trading partners have neighborly access to
each other's territory.
In short, let the consumer decide. And let him prosper
through competition. We want more movies made -- foreign, and
domestic. Like these movies made, for example, since AFI was
born. Think of Coal Miner's Daughter, where the human spirit
bested poverty Or Hoosiers, that brilliant portrayal of small-
or think of then
town America. Or Lean on Me, Clean and Sober, and I'm Dancing As
Fast As I Can.
Movies which assault the scourge of drugs.
And
Mony let me thank7 you in the film industry who are helping to stop
to those of
this assassin of our kids.
These movies -- like thousands of others -- have been
America's Ambassador to the World. And by boosting the health of
the industry as a whole, AFI has helped make them possible.
First, AFI trains young filmmakers. Allowing them to
apprentice under the tutelage of masters. Second, it helps
preserve historic and classic films of yesteryear. Working to
find -- and save -- these priceless pieces of our national life;
leading countless Americans to a career in film.
5
The third way AFI spurs the film is through advocacy.
Teaching our generation the beauty and value of the moving image.
And finally, AFI will teach future generations. About how we
lived. What we valued. Through the art of Michelangelo and da
Vinci, we see today the world of Renaissance Italy. The motion
picture can be our legacy.
In a sense, of course, it already is. Helping us smile
-- as Shirley Temple did in the depths of the Depression. Or
sing -- as Gene Kelly -- Gene, take a bow -- did in the immortal
Singing In the Rain. Or dream dreams that no longer seem
impossible. As the wondrous cast of The Wizard of Oz did in that
magical movie year of 1939.
Movies can be romance, comedy, tragedy, drama. They have
made us laugh. They have made us think. They've helped get us
though the bad times. And made the good times even better.
For the American film is our mirror, and our conscience. In
the White House theatre, in theatres around the world. So I ask
you: Help AFI. Help it celebrate America. And this magnificent
inheritance called the film. So that you and I, and an entire
world, can always say: To feel the heart of America, just look
at the American film.
Thank you for this wonderful occasion. God bless you, and
God bless the United States of America.
#
#
#
#
Wizord
Nill
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Four
September 20, 1989
FILM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FILM INSTITUTE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1989
Chairman Jankowski, Director Stevens, Director Firstenberg,
Mr. Wolper, Mr. Valenti, Other Trustees of the American Film
Institute, Distinguished Guests, Friends and Fans of the American
Film.
Thank you for your warm reception. ((I'm just glad we could
make it here in time. After all, it was a tight squeeze getting
me, Barbara, the driver and three Secret Service men into the
Batmobile. )) OR ( (And in particular, I'd like to say a word
about this distinguished audience. I don't think so many well-
dressed people have gathered together since the Beverly Hills
Court began jury selection for Zsa Zsa Gabor's trial.) ) ( (PAUSE) )
I also appreciate that kind introduction. And let me say
how pleased I am to see so many notables at the head table.
And
artists from Spacek to Spielberg to Stallone. Surrounded by all
these household names, I wish I'd brought along my autograph
book.
Barbara and I are delighted to be here. But I'm obliged to
extend regrets from what some have called the most charismatic
speaker in the Bush family. Yes, our springer spaniel, Millie.
( (PAUSE) )
2
Nothing personal, you understand. It's just that Millie
doesn't often get the White House theatre to herself. Well,
tonight she's making up for lost time.
Now, make no mistake: I can't argue with Millie's triple
feature. Lassie Come Home. Old Yeller. And my personal
favorite, For The Love of Benji. It's just that I'm afraid all
this good press is going to Millie's head. Earlier tonight, we
held a family meeting to choose the menu for her guests. Barbara
picked milk bones [PAUSE]
I chose Alpo [PAUSE]
Millie asked to see the wine list. ( (PAUSE) )
Well, this evening, Millie, eat your heart out. For there's
no place that Barbara and I would rather be than here, with you.
( (We meet at the end of quite a summer for movies -- with
Ghostbusters Two, Karate Kid Three, Lethal Weapon Two, Indiana
Jones Two, and Startrek Five. With all those numbers, I wasn't
sure if I was at a movie or a budget meeting.) ) ( (PAUSE) )
( (And it was a summer, too, when all through my vacation, a
movie I saw last May kept going through my mind. The way things
were going, it was starting to look like A Fish Called Wanda was
as close to a fish as I was going to get. )) ( (PAUSE) )
But thankfully, that's all behind me. And I'm pleased to
join you at an event which salutes the 24th anniversary of the
American Film Institute. For almost a quarter-century, the AFI
has nurtured and celebrated the art of the moving image. In
doing so, it has nourished the mind and soul of America.
3
For the moving image is not merely entertainment -- in a
a part of
darkened theatre, or on a TV set. It is also perhaps America's
richest inheritance. The American film is not only the mirror of
It
America. The American film is the conscience of America.
Who can forget how Grapes of Wrath immortalized the dignity
exposed
of America's impoverished? Or how Gentleman's Agreement scored
anti-Semitism? Or on a personal note, the courage amid
adversity embodied in Knute Rockne: All-American. Embodied by a
friend of ours. Yes, Ronald Reagan as the Gipper.
When President Johnson signed the bill 24 years ago to
create the National Endowment for the Arts, which created the
American Film Institute, he was talking about such works. And
those who make them, America's mirror, and conscience
He was referring to actors and actresses. Producers and
writers, directors, craftsmen, artisans. And this Institute, he
said, would bring them "together
these artists, outstanding
educators, and young men and women, who wish to pursue the 20th
century art form as their life's work."
It did, and does today. Helping to spur the art form SO
uniquely American. The art form invented in America. And which,
in turn, America has expanded to the world -- allowing peoples on
every continent to freely see film's diversity. but to create
That is the major reason why this Administration has
conveyed to the governments of the European community our
steadfast belief in mutual access to movie and TV program
markets. Quotas of any kind are unacceptable. Our government
mm
4
does not intrude on private decisions and public choices in TV
programming, no matter the source. Neither should theirs.
Consumer choice must be expanded, not reduced.
Secretary of State Baker, Secretary of Commerce Mosbacher,
and U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills have made our position
quite clear. No enterprise achieves creativity when competitors
are locked out. Good trading partners have neighborly access to
each other's territory.
N/W Limpune
In short, let the consumer decide.
And when they do, I
believe, they will decide for America. Think of just these
American movies since AFI was born. Think of Coal Miner's
Daughter, where the human spirit bested poverty. Or Hoosiers,
that brilliant portrayal of small-town America. Or Lean on Me,
Clean and Sober, and I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can. Movies which
assault the scourge of drugs. And let me thank you in the film
terrible theat to
industry who are helping to stop this assassin of our kids.
These movies -- like thousands of others -- have been
America's Ambassador to the World. And by boosting the health of
the industry as a whole, AFI has helped make them possible.
First, AFI trains young filmmakers. Allowing them to
apprentice under the tutelage of masters. Second, it helps
preserve historic and classic films of yesteryear. Working to
find -- and save -- these priceless pieces of our national life;
inspiring countless Americans to a career in film.
The third way AFI spurs the film is through advocacy.
Teaching our generation the beauty and value of the moving image.
And fourthly, family AFI will teach future generations. About how we
5
we see today the of
Through the
lived. What we valued. Renaissance Italy gave us the art of
Michelangelo and da Vinci. The motion picture can be our legacy.
Let me close with two stories about the American film. One
shows the amazing impact of movies on popular culture. The other
concerns a fabled character of movie culture.
( (The first happened last Friday, when I gathered with 11 of
our Nation's former Attorney Generals to commemorate the
bicentennial of their office. I told one of my grandkids that
I'd be attending a celebration to mark the 200th birthday of
America's top law enforcement officer. He said: "I didn't think
Batman was that old. ) ) ( (PAUSE) )
( (The second story happened when I was watching a film
several weeks ago. No. Not Bridge Over the River Kwai. No.
Not even the soon-to-be released heavyweight blockbuster, Dueling
Egos: Mike Tyson versus Zsa Zsa Gabor. No, the movie I'm
talking about was that cultural paragon, Ma and Pa Kettle in
Wakiki.) )) ( (PAUSE) )
( (Some of you may remember Marjorie Main as Ma Kettle -- a
tough, outspoken sort. Her character was once described as a
"blend of Tugboat Annie, Carrie Nation, and Gorgeous George. ")
( (PAUSE) )
whill wall,
(
(Well,
in
this
movie
Ma was on a steamboat cruise headed
west from California. Whereupon a tourist -- striving trying to strike
up conversation == asked, "Mrs. Kettle, have you tasted of
Tchaikowsky?" With that, Ma raised her head, Set her jaw. And
whil League
6
as usual, was ready with a response. Said she: "I ain't had
time yet for none of them Hawaiian dishes. ")) ( (PAUSE) )
Fellow movie-goers, millions of Americans have tasted of the
American film. They have had time for romance and comedy,
tragedy and drama. And today they make time still.
For the American film is our mirror, and our conscience.
In the White House theatre, in theatres around the world. So I
ask you: Help AFI. Help it celebrate America. And this
magnificent inheritance called the film. So that you and I, and
an entire world, can always say: This is America at her most
ennobling. This is America at her best.
Thank you for this wonderful occasion. God bless you, and
God bless the United States of America.
# # # #