Follies of the Mad Men #56
A special "two-fer" installment of the Follies thread. Two splendid representations of our friends, the Native Americans, from within the lifetimes of many WU readers.
They hate cheap cigars, but are experts in premium house paints.
Comments
The dude on the top in the "war bonnet" doesn't seem to have too much "Native American" blood in him. He reminds me of a TV actor from that era that never, quite, made top billing.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 02/16/09 at 10:31 AM
Expat is that Milton Berle?
How I miss the days of the good old American Stereotype.
How I miss the days of the good old American Stereotype.
Posted by avmayes614 in the wt"F"-State on 02/16/09 at 10:33 AM
ARGH! He's not Native American!
Posted by AGFH on 02/16/09 at 11:37 AM
Uncle Miltie? No, but the same era. I keep seeing supporting actor that plays the bank manager, cop that brings the little girl back, etc.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 02/16/09 at 12:32 PM
They used a lot of Italians for the roles too.
Posted by AGFH on 02/16/09 at 02:13 PM
I just watched WINCHESTER 73, a western starring Jimmy Stewart.
Rock Hudson played an Indian chief.
Rock Hudson played an Indian chief.
Posted by Paul on 02/16/09 at 02:26 PM
I don't think Hollywood has been concerned with authenticity (at least not until The Godfather).
Maybe the use of real native americans for "indian" roles was avoided because of stereotypical reasons (indians drink too much) or even for avaibility reasons. Maybe the idea was to get actors who knew how to act and let the makeup department take care of the rest.
I don't know, just tossing out some ideas.
Maybe the use of real native americans for "indian" roles was avoided because of stereotypical reasons (indians drink too much) or even for avaibility reasons. Maybe the idea was to get actors who knew how to act and let the makeup department take care of the rest.
I don't know, just tossing out some ideas.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 02/16/09 at 03:14 PM
Big Gary - I think that's where the hypocritical white public would have had a problem. They would be happy to see whites play ethnic roles but would never want to see other races play whites. Kind of like how all pictures of Jesus tend to show him with white, European features. It makes whites feel better if they think they're the only ones around.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 02/16/09 at 04:27 PM
True, white people freak out if you portray Jesus as anything other than a long haired white guy.
And yes, I guess Italians are caucasians, never gave it a thought actually. But I can say that Italians are not Native Americans.
When all of those movies and ads were being made white people were in charge and saw no harm in it because they lived life (as do some people still today) with blinders on.
*If it doesn't offend me then it shouldn't offend anyone else.*
I don't think they did it to be hurtful or to be superior. I think they just did it out of ignorance.
And yes, I guess Italians are caucasians, never gave it a thought actually. But I can say that Italians are not Native Americans.
When all of those movies and ads were being made white people were in charge and saw no harm in it because they lived life (as do some people still today) with blinders on.
*If it doesn't offend me then it shouldn't offend anyone else.*
I don't think they did it to be hurtful or to be superior. I think they just did it out of ignorance.
Posted by AGFH on 02/16/09 at 05:24 PM
I guess Phillies never heard of a "Cigar Store Indian"? :lol:
Posted by DownCrisis on 02/18/09 at 05:09 AM
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