Capote's "In Cold Blood"

The film Capote tells the true story of how Truman Capote's book "In Cold Blood" was researched and written. In 1967, the book was adapted into a film which was known for being unnervingly accurate in its depiction. The book describes the killing of the Clutter family in Holcomb Kansas, which took place 1959. Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Smith were responsible for the murders, and were arrested six weeks after the crime took place. Just after the murders occurred, Truman Capote read an account of what happened in a newspaper in New York. It was there that he decided that this would be the subject of his next book. Little did he know, that the book he was planning on writing would invent a genre of writing and solidify his place in history. Truman and his close friend Nelle Harper Lee rushed down to Kansas shortly after Truman had read the story. Over the next six years Truman would come to know most everyone in Holcomb, and when Dick and Perry were brought in, he got to know them very well too.

Perry believed that Capote had become his friend. They would swap life stories and found that they both had miserable childhoods. With an acquired sense of comfortability, Perry relinquished most every detail of his life and the events that took place in 1959 to Capote. Capote considered Perry to be a "goldmine", and when Dick and Perry's execution date drew near, Capote got them a lawyer who filed an appeal on their behalf. Capote "couldn't bear the thought of losing them too soon." At this point whether or not Capote actually considers Perry a friend is unknown, but as his execution date approached it was apparent that he did.

Capote was a writer, not a journalist. And as such he did not technically have a "code of ethics" to adhere to. The only morals that guided his decisions were his own. Those who employed him were in favor him him getting the story, and i would argue, would be in favor of him using any means necessary to obtain it. Towards the beginning of his investigation into the Clutter murders, Capote only involved himself to the extent necessary to gain the information he needed. As his investigation proceeded his level of involvement increased as information was harder to obtain. This continued until he, himself became part of the story. He was shaping the outcome by organizing lawyers to appeal on Dick and Perry's behalf. From a writing or journalistic perspective, Capote involved himself in the Clutter case to an unhealthy and unethical level. To the extent that there were serious emotional repercussions for Capote after the hanging of the two men.

Capote was played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won best actor for the role. Just after accepting the award Hoffman was involved in a press conference, during which he was asked about Capote.

Broadcast News and The Paper

Broadcast News

Jane Craig of Broadcast News makes every effort practice good journalism, and to rebuke those who don't. Her passion for reporting and doing her absolute best is apparent throughout the film. She is very much a control freak and at times, it can get her into trouble. Though a complete exaggeration, this film is also a good illustration of the inner workings of a more modern television news room. This is especially evident during the scene where Jane takes over the set as executive producer passing on guidance into the ear piece of anchor Tom Grunick. As the film progresses Tom and Jane begin to fall for each other. Jane's co-worker and long time friend Aaron Altman watches their relationship develop with great frustration, as he too has feelings for Jane. Much to his dismay, Tom and Jane do wind up together and eventually prepare to take a week trip to a tropical island. Aaron feels the need to tell Jane that Tom shot footage of himself after having completed an interview and had inserted the later footage into the final cut. This made Jane realize that Tom epitomized everything everything that she hated most about the direction journalism was heading. The movie ends with neither Tom nor Aaron winning Jane, who has found another man.

The Paper

The Paper tells the story of another passionate individual, Henry Hackett, who is an editor at the New York Sun. Henry's only problem is that he takes his passion to an unhealthy level when it comes before his pregnant wife Martha. When there's a story brewing, Henry's every thought is focused on finding the next detail of the story that will bring it closer to print. He generally practices good journalism and his conscious is actively involved in his decision making process. He did steal a lead from the editor of a rival paper during an interview, but he refused to go to print with a false story. He went to any lengths necessary to obtain the quote he needed to set the story right before going to print.

All the Presidents Men

The individuals portrayed in these two films exemplify what it means to practice good journalism.

All The Presidents Men

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein have gone down in journalism history for their relentless pursuit and and eventual breaking of the Watergate scandal. Devotion + Determination + Follow Through = Great Journalism. These two men went up against the entirety of the Nixon administration, and won. No other news organizations would go near this story for fear of receiving the same sharp criticism as the Washington Post. Furthermore, they stuck to their journalistic principles throughout the entirety of their multi-year long investigation. Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford did a spectacular job. It's very easy to see why these two actors are considered to be near the top of the "A" list. Years later Bernstein and Woodward were interviewed, and after having seen it, you get a good sense of just how accurate the film's depiction of this event really is.

Network and The Parallax View

Network and The Parallax View are two very different films which convey very different messages.

Network

Network is a highly exaggerated look into a failing broadcasting network (UBS), and what its higher-ups are willing to do in order to get back on top of the ratings. It begins by looking at news anchor Howard Beale. The head of the news and journalism branch of UBS, Max Schumacher, was keen on adhering to traditional journalistic values, and made every effort to do so on all UBS news programs, including Howard Beale's. Due to the failing ratings of the news division and the influence of Diana Chistensen (who was later put in charge of most of UBS' programming), Howard and Max received news that they were to be fired. Traditional journalistic values were done away with in order to bring about higher ratings. On what were to be his last shows, Howard began to rant and rave in anger. Diana sought to exploit this as people were tuning in to see Howard's ludicrousness. This progressed into a seeming endless downward spiral progressing further and further away from the values Max represented to the ruthless "Whatever Sells" attitude of Diana. Howard's ratings eventually began to fall. The film ends with Diana and her colleagues discussing what to do about these failing ratings. They conclude that the best approach is to assassinate Beale and use the footage on one of their other shows. Though a complete exaggeration, Network shows that there is more to reporting the news than journalistic values. There is a corporate ratings machine to contend with, and one must wonder, "To what extent are networks willing to compromise traditional values in order to maintain ratings?"

The Parallax View

This film tells the story of reporter Joseph Frady, and his investigation into the Parallax corporation. The evidence he has gathered indicates that this corporation is involved in a greater conspiracy to shape the outcomes of political races by seeking out individuals with aggressive tendencies to carry out assassinations. The film begins with the murder of a senator, and years later those who witnessed this murder were being picked off one by one. Joseph begins to realize that these murders, though portrayed as occurring by natural or unaided means,are being controlled by some greater force. Through his investigation, Joseph realizes that the greater force controlling these deaths is the Parallax Corporation. He then seeks out employment in this corporation in order to infiltrate their ranks to further his investigation. The movie ends with Joseph being framed and killed for the assassination of a perspective senator by the corporation he sought to undo.

Journalism in Ace in the Hole

Ace in the Hole is the perfect example of how journalism can get way out of hand and potentially magnify situations which it seeks to report. Chuck Tatum's desperation to make it big drove him to commit atrocities that eventually lead to his own death and the death of Leo Minosa. For Chuck Tatum, what ever sells is what he prints; Exaggeration of existing details of the story, and fabricating new details are the name of the game. Tatum put his advancement over the lives of those who were involved in the story he was covering and as a result parents lost their son, a wife lost her husband, and Tatum lost his own life.

Journalism as Portrayed in Good Night and Good Luck

Good Night and Good Luck is a film about Edward Murrow, who was a radio/ television journalist for CBS throughout the 30's, 40's, and 50's. He is most well known for his investigation and criticism of senator Joseph McCarthy, who at the time was involved in the identification of members of the communist party on American soil.

McCarthy was using interrogation techniques that a lot of people considered to be outrageous.

No one would call McCarthy out for fear of being accused of being a communist, that was until Murrow

and his team sought out to investigate McCarthy. They aired a series of shows that used McCarthy's

own words against him, and revealed his style of interrogation. Their shows eventually lead to the

censorship of McCarthy by the U.S. Senate.

Murrow was an outstanding journalist, who valued practicing good journalism just as much as getting the story. His fearless investigation of McCarthy has gone down in journalism history. He advocated the use of television to inspire, educate, and perhaps introduce important issues to the general public. He believed that to impose censorship on the news would contribute the the deterioration of the country, and he did all he could to prevent that from occurring.

Journalism as Compared Between Sweet Smell of Success and Deadline USA

Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success is a film about a New York columnist by the name of J.J. Hunsecker. He is well known, feared by some, and respected by all. He uses Sidney Falco as a "press agent," but in reality Falco gets J.J. tips for stories and does J.J.'s dirty work. The central issue of the film revolves around J.J.'s sister, Susan Hunsecker; specifically her relationship with Steve Dallas. J.J. wants this relationship to be disbanded, and uses Falco in a variety of ways to accomplish this objective. While Falco works on the more intimate aspects of their plan, and J.J. uses his power and influence to make the necessary calls when required.

Falco uses the power of persuasion and manipulation to entice and blackmail columnists into publishing bad reviews about Steve's band, which had been gaining popularity. As a result, Steves's band looses their venue. Susan asks J.J. to make a call to get Steves Job back. Falc0 then sets up Steve to speak his mind and stand up to J.J., which then gives J.J. the ammunition he needs to disband the relationship.

Falco and J.J. are characters that are used to being able to charm and persuade in order to accomplish their goals and get where they need to be. They practice a lowly form of journalism, which involves bribery and blackmail. These two men are used to being on top, and getting what they desire, but by the end of the film the way they conduct themselves catches up to them. Falco is imprisoned and J.J. looses his sister. The real winner in this film is Susan, who gained independence from the manipulative tongue or her brother.

Deadline USA

Deadline USA is the story of newspaper editor Ed Hucheson and his battle to save his paper The Day while attempting to publish a story which would put away a serous gangster by the name of Tomas Rienzi. Ed is a strong believer in the principles which The Day is founded upon, and knows that if this paper were to go under there would be a considerable void in the lives of its readers and in the newspaper business as a whole.

The Day is in danger of being sold off to one of its competitors, and Ed believes that if he could publish the Rienzi story, he just might be able to persuade the owners not to sell the paper and get them to realize how valuable it is. Ed plans to accomplish this by linking the murder of a young woman to Rienzi. When publishing the story of the woman's murder Ed chooses not to show any racy pictures of her in the paper and not to demoralize the victim in anyway. Throughout the entire investigation of the woman's murder and Rienzi, Ed sticks to his morals and practices good journalism (With the exception of offering a cash bribe to a witness). He is rewarded when the woman's mother agrees to share her side of the story with Ed because he had shown such integrity in the way he published the story of her daughters murder. This was the missing link that Ed and The Day needed to nail Rienzi.

Ed Hucheson is an excellent example of what it means to practice good journalism. He is courageous and cunning, while maintaining his principles and integrity. This is clearly illustrated by what most consider to be the most powerful scene in the film.

-Tom H.

Journalism as Depicted in Citizen Kane and His Girl Friday

In the films Citizen Kane and His Girl Friday, Journalism is portrayed as corrupt and lacking integrity. Each film does this in it's own way.

Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane is the story of Charles Foster Kane, a man with humble beginnings who later in life becomes very wealthy and influential. Through a series of events Kane becomes the owner of a newspaper in New York called The Inquirer. When he initially took control of the paper, he sought to highlight injustice and look out for the people. He drafted a document which he entitled "Declaration of Principles," which outlined the rules and principles which The Inquirer would abide by. His friend and co-worker Jed Leland expresses doubt as to whether Kane will be able to stick to the principles he has laid out, and tells Kane that he will keep the document as memoir. As time goes by Kane's newspaper grows in popularity and influence, as does Kane. It seems that with Kane's increased power comes a change in how he operates. His approach had shifted from looking out for the people to looking out for his own interests. He used his paper to influence and persuade others to see things his way. This is illustrated by his use of the paper during his campaign for governor, the persuasion of his wife's singing instructor, the way he portrayed his wife's opera performance, etc. By this time Leland had left New York and has left to write for the Chicago branch of the paper. He sends Kane the "Declaration of Principles," that he had drafted years earlier. Kane then tears up this document, which in the past he had treasured. This more than anything illustrates how Kane's attitude has changed as his power has grown.

His Girl Friday

His Girl Friday is a light, fast passed comedy about a newspaper run by Walter Burns, who is payed a visit from his x-wife Hildy Johnson. She has come to tell him that she is getting married the next day to a man named Bruce Baldwin. Throughout the film Walter uses his charming and persuasive personality to win Hildy back and send Bruce packing. Throughout this escapade, the latest news the paper is working on pertains to the up coming execution of a man named Earl Williams. Walter uses the events surrounding Williams to persuade her to come back to him and to return as a writer for his newspaper.

The portrayal of journalism as corrupt is strewn throughout this entire film. Walter uses his power as owner of the paper to influence elections, to negotiate his release from the police, to portray his paper as superior through exaggeration and falsification, etc. Reporters are portrayed as ruthless, heartless, con artists who will do absolutely anything necessary to get the story they desire. Ethics, honesty, and integrity are not at all seen in any of the characters in this film; That is, except for Bruce Baldwin, who exemplifies all of these qualities and is exploited because of them. The one thing that most stood out to me as i watched this film was the portrayal of women. Hildy Johnson is a powerful, influential, and independent woman. Seeing these qualities portrayed in a female character surprised me, considering that this film was maid in the 40's.

These films have many redeeming qualities, and promoted many messages that were important during the time they were produced, but exemplifying what is meant by "good journalism" is not something either of these films accomplishes.

It is important to consider information regarding journalism in the 1940's. Specifically, current issues and individuals that impacted and influenced journalism during this time period. Given the seriousness of the events that were unfolding back then, you can see why movies that were meant to address serious current issues and movies that were meant to make you laugh and smile might have been produced.

-Tom H.