The movie “Chappaquiddick” brings back a vivid memory
I
really didn't want
to see “Chappaquiddick”. I grew up in Massachusetts and the
Kennedy family and the tragedies
that plagued them were
a large part of my life. However I'm so glad I changed my mind. I
thought the movie
was very realistic and the
producers rendered no judgements. They
left
that to the viewer.
Jason
Clarke was very believable as Senator Kennedy but it was the magnificent portrayal by Bruce
Dern of
the 80 year old stroke victim Joe
Kennedy that really took me back.
The
year was 1943 and my father was
working in the advertising agency in Boston that was handling the
promotion material for young JFK's
bid to become a Senator. His father Joe was
footing the bill and proved
to be a very demanding and unreasonable client. He
had been the Ambassador to Britain in 1938 and
despite leaving that post under
a cloud he was
still a
powerful and
very wealthy man who was
ruthless in promoting
his sons.
The
day after JFK was elected as
Senator my father came home with a
long, slim box wrapped in gold paper and he threw it on the table.
“This”, he said, “is what we get for spending hours listening
to that bastard Joe Kennedy” and he opened the box to reveal a silk
tie with a hand painted Kennedy crest on it. My
dad was the last person in the world to be seen wearing a silk
tie so I wasn’t surprised by his anger …but I can’t help
wondering what that tie would be worth today !!
posted by Ginnie at 6:13 PM
7 Comments:
Great memory Ginnie! I must see that movie!
Even though your dad had a right to be peeved, I find some humour in the story and your touch at the end.
A fortune on eBay.
I read several biographies. Not a very likable man to say the least....
How well I remember Chappaquiddick! One of the events that soured my faith in - well - in so many things, in so many people.
It is not something I will ever forget either - Mary Jo is buried right across from my grandparents.
I guess it is a dumb thing to say and do, but I always pat her tombstone and whisper "I am so sorry," to her every time I visit the cemetery.
She reminds me of how stupid so many of us have been when in the company of "greatness" - men of power who don't take NO for an answer.
Not accusing Ted of anything- just saying that is what she reminds me of........
I don't blame your father for his feelings, Ginnie. Joe Kennedy wasn't a very pleasant man from accounts I've read.
Read through a few of your most recent older posts to catch up as I've not been blogging for a bit. Interesting content, as usual. Had wondered if this movie re Kennedy was worth seeing so appreciate your perspective. Not surprised at the type individual you described the father as being.
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