Vancouver-bound author James Douglass on JFK and the Unspeakable

[Gordon Gray]

I always though this was the best scene from Network. The one that would live on after some of the cliches in that film were forgotten.

This scene was adroitly directed by Lumet, beautifully shot by Roizman, and smashingly acted by Ned Beatty.

What it says about the future of the media has turned out to be oh so painfully accurate. Its not enough that six giant companies own something like 70 per cent of the media in America. They actually want more. People like Murdoch want to control all the media everywhere. And they will not stop until they do so in some way.

And they will abide by a goof like the Finch character only for awhile. Then, like Glenn Back, he is off the network. Substitute Beck for Finch and Ailes for Beatty, and this is real life.

Thank God for Al Jazeera, and Al Gore for giving them an opening in the USA.

Paddy Chayefsky was highly underated American writer IMO. Networks and Hospital were amazingly prophetic. Who would have anticipated the likes of Glen Beck and FUX News in the early 70's. Curious as to what you think the cliche's were?