A gentle reminder ...

The goal of this blog initially was for Mr. Mc to show his students and friends what he doing while in Pennsylvania and DC in 2011. Now it's being used as a place for him, travelling colleagues and former students to discuss edumacation and history related "stuff" as well as ... well, anything which pops into his head. Mr. Mc would never knowingly embarrass either the school he loves or the family he is devoted to. By joining in the discussion, he expects the same of you.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Thoughts on NYC #2--Selling you the Brooklyn Bridge


One of the oddest moments in New York City, for me, was seeing places I could immediately identify. The Chrysler Building. Empire State Building. The New York Subway. Central Park. I was in NYC for a weekend 25 years ago, so how did I recognize them? Movies.  
 
 


 


 



 

To quote Yogi Bera, "It's deja vu all over again," last Saturday when I walked a few blocks from the World Trade Center Memorial and tripped into the Brooklyn Bridge. I knew immediately where I was when I saw it. Thanks to, Ghostbusters, I Am Legend, The French Connection and Enchanted. It was funny. I was watching TV a couple days before I left for the conference and the movie, The Seige was on. The synopsis from Internet Movie Database: "The secret US abduction of a suspected terrorist leads to a wave of terrorist attacks in New York that lead to the declaration of martial law." It was released in 1998, 30 some months before the attacks on 9-11. So, as I was walking the bridge, that was one of the thoughts. If you look at the poster you see the Bridge as well as the twin towers. Its chilling to think that things so dominant no longer exist except in photographs and movies. I posted my thoughts from the memorial when I was there.. 
 
 
 
Alright, there are also a lot of movies which have used the Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop for good, as well. One of my favorite movies is On The Town. Its IMDB synopsis: "Three sailors on a day of shore leave in New York City look for fun and romance before their twenty-four hours are up." Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Here is a clip-the Brooklyn Bridge makes a guest appearance.
 

 
In my search for that clip, I found this one for the new Broadway version of the movie. Pretty cool re-creation.
 
 
BTW- as a note... the phrase 'Selling you the Brooklyn Bridge' comes from a con man named George C. Parker. His story is here.

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