Some successful Hollywood producers spend their money on yachts, sports teams, and European castles. Norman Lear’s biggest purchase, at least his most famous one, was a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Of course, what he purchased was not a copy of the kind that tourists can buy in gift shops at major American historic sites, but a “Dunlap Broadside,” one of about 200 printed by Philadelphia printer John Dunlap on the night of July 4, 1776. After handing over $8.1 million in exchange for the document in 2001, Lear took it on tour and made public appearances elsewhere over the years. He has attended concerts in the country, including the 2002 Olympics, Super Bowl XXXVI, and the Live 8 concert in the city where the song was written.
Lear’s purchase also inspired the film, as any man with his connections might. It was co-produced by Lear and the late Rob Reiner, another Hollywood aficionado of American politics. Short story from 2001 at the top of the post It captures a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by a lineup of the biggest stars of the era, including Michael Douglas, Winona Ryder, Edward Norton, Renée Zellweger, and Benicio del Toro.
All of their performances were filmed together at Independence Hall in Philadelphia by the film’s famous cinematographer, Conrad Hall. cool hand rook, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, marathon manand american beautyJuly 4, 2001.
Twenty-five years later, the film still provides a refreshing refresher on what happened. declaration of independence I’ll actually say it. Do not think that reading this sacred document is the next best thing. As Morgan Freeman notes in his preface, Thomas Jefferson “intended this proclamation not just to be read, but to be carried out. Its words and rhythm were written to be spoken in grand public forums, in proud and defiant tones.” ” His fellow actors speak to them with the calm of a country that knows it’s the best in the world, but there’s a certain irony now in the words they spoke in midsummer 2001, just months before that confidence was seriously shaken. It turns out that American history isn’t over yet. Even as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, we may have only just begun.
Related content:
Frederick Douglass’ impassioned 1852 speech, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Negro,” read by James Earl Jones.
John Trumbull’s famous 1818 painting declaration of independence effectively falsified to show which Founding Fathers owned slaves
Read George Washington’s 110 Rules of Civility: The code of decency that guided America’s first president
Meet Founding Mother Mary Katherine Goddard, America’s first female postmaster general and printer of the Declaration of Independence
Bertrand Russell’s 10 Commandments for Living in a Healthy Democracy
John Wayne reads the Pledge of Allegiance
Based in Seoul, Colin Mbemust write and broadcastIt’s about cities, languages and cultures. he is the author of the newsletter books about cities books as well Home page (I won’t summarize Korea) and korean newtro. Follow him on the social network formerly known as Twitter. @Colinbemust.
Source: Open Culture – www.openculture.com
