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FEATURES
From the Min Editors: Top 5 Publishing Movies
Here’s what we came up with: 1. Superman (1978) Who could deny the greatness of the world’s greatest superhero’s classic newspaper office? Clark Kent was just a trusty do-good reporter at the Metropolis newpaper, The Daily Planet…or so we all thought. His romantic interest, fellow reporter Lois Lane, had her suspicions about Kent, but there were bigger stories to report what with Lex Luthors world-ending shenanigans. From the comic book to movie, we all held our breath to see how long he could prevent his secret from becoming breaking news. 2. The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) Take him or leave him, but the abominable Larry Flynt was a true champion of free speech. He was a strip club owner with a dream of publishing girlie mag Hustler and a questionable set of morals, but he defended (almost to the death) his right to have both. In this true account of his life, Flynt (played by Woody Harrelson) and his attorney find themselves in courtrooms all over the nation defending Larry against criminal and civil charges. In the meantime, Flynt is beset by paralysis, the result of an assassination attempt. Given the resistance, it’s really an amazing story of the perseverance of one man to turn an idea into a mulit-million dollar publishing empire. 3. All the President’s Men (1976) Many aspects of this movie (based on the book with the same title) shocked America when it first came out in 1976. From the day-to-day operations of a fast-moving newspaper office to the depiction of Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate scandal, people wondered if that’s really how it all happened. But this movie tells Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein’s Watergate account with uncanny accuracy. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman had all of us believing every moment of this true scandal story. 4. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) The movie version of Weisberger’s 2003 book would not be what it was without the help of legendary Meryl Streep (who we all know was supposed to be Vogue’s famously demanding EIC Anna Wintour). Anne Hathaway’s character Andy was a living stereotype of a young fashion editorial assistant, something everyone in magazine publishing can relate to in one way or another. 5. The Paper (1994) Hands down the greatest movie ever made about newspaper publishing, this one is also on our list of the greatest movies ever made period. Not only does it delve into the nitty gritty of daily news reporting and the repercussions of getting a story wrong, but the very “non-hollywood” account of the moral dilemmas newspaper reporters face everyday is accurate. Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is the workaholic metro editor of the fictional New York Sun, who risks the same fate as his editor-in-chief, who puts his work first at the expense of his family. It’s a story that’s been told time and again: The paper's publisher, faces dire financial straits, so he has Alicia Clark (Glenn Close), the managing editor, impose cutbacks. The struggle between editorial accuracy and selling a tabloid is masterfully told. Leave us a comment and tell us what you think! Features Archives COMMENTS
1.
How the Godfather I & II is not on here is maddening!
Posted by Eric on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 11:54 AM
2.
What about Pulp Fiction?
Posted by Rob Fulop on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 11:59 AM
3.
His Gal Friday? Or was that a different planet? Anyway, thank God it is Friday.
Posted by Jack Vaughan on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 12:02 PM
4.
I don't think the judges ever worked on a real newspaper! not to include the various versions of front page is incredible!
Posted by bob henkel on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 12:07 PM
5.
What? No "Hudsucker Proxy"?!?!!!
Posted by Chris on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 12:08 PM
6.
The Front Page (Katherine Hepburn)
Posted by Robin Sherman on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 12:10 PM
7.
"All the President's Men" is, in my opinion, the best publishing movie of all time. The second best is "Shattered Glass."
Posted by Stephen Lacey on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 12:29 PM
8.
You gotta include "Shattered Glass" on this list (instead of Devil Wears Prada, IMO) it makes you loathe and admire this knuckleheaded journalist who had a lot of breaks the rest of us never had. I make it mandatory viewing for an "Intro to Reporting" class I teach in the Fall.
Posted by Mark A. Newman on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 01:37 PM
9.
What about Star Wars? I love the scene where Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are interviewed by the editor of the Intergalactic Sun, then Chewbacca comes in and gives them that quote about Darth Vader's manhood. That was awesome.
Posted by Mark Kuhar on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 01:42 PM
10.
Not to mention Rocky Horror Picture Show. Remember they use the Cleveland Plain Dealer to cover their heads in the rain? That had to be one of the best product placement coups of all time in the publishing business. Rumor has it the PD spent MILLIONS on that.
Posted by Mark Kuhar on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 01:45 PM
11.
What about "Zodiac"? It offered a window into the newspaper business. Plus, it featured Robert Downey Jr.
Posted by Bill Donahue on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 02:16 PM
12.
Everybody knows that "Gone With The Deadline" is the best movie ever made about the newspaper business. Clark Grable was great in that, and he had GREAT legs.
Posted by Mike Hicks on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 02:27 PM
13.
A list without a mention of "The Front Page" (in its various incarnations) cannot be taken seriously, or even jokingly. And Superman?? It's a comic book about a guy with a cape who happens to be a reporter. He could have been a teacher or car salessman, too. Want more real newspaper movies? How about Deadline U.S.A. with Humphrey Bogart, or "30-Dash-30" with Jack Webb, or "Gaily, Gaily," based on a story by Ben Hecht (The Front Page) from his days as a cub reporter.
Posted by Henry Mencken on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 02:33 PM
14.
A pity book publishing was not included. I would have nominated The Seven Year Itch and Bell, Book and Candle.
Posted by John Grieder on Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 02:51 PM
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