Just to clarify:
I'm sure that the muckity-mucks in Hollywood DO BELEIVE that making anti-American movies bolster their foreign profits. I just doubt that making anti-American movies really does; that if they stopped selling their souls, and took a look, they might discover that making pro-American movies could improve the bottom line.
If what Steverino writes is true (and it makes sense--I'm sure it is), I seriously doubt that making PRO-American movies would eat into their profits. There are so many people on this planet who LOVE the United States, while it is their governments who hate us.
Iran is a great example--probably a majority of Iranians love the US, but the government, clerics, and a certain percentage of others (with too much clout in the country) hate us. Admittedly, it is doubtful that the Iranina government would let pro-American movies into the country... So, yes, it is likely that there are more in the way of profits from pandering to the fans and supporters of "I'm-a-dinner-jacket" in Iran. But elsewhere...
In freer countries, where there is far less government censorship, making pro-American movies would NOT hurt the bottom line. And it might help it. (I am not sure that box office receipts for the latest spate of anti-American swill were that great OUTSIDE the US; they made a poor showing here...)
The anti-American films coming out of Hollywood only serve to bolster the strength of the arguments of those who hate us; and I doubt puts that much more money in the pockets of the greedy in Hollywood.
Hi Steverino: Good questions. One producer told me that Hollywood makes anti-American movies because half of their profits come from foreign sales. They believe, from an investment standpoint, that pro-American movies and television shows would cut their foreign profits.
And NO, Hollywood has no soul.
I also know one formerly blacklisted writer who understands why HUAC was important and how stupid his pro-Communist ideals were - which is why he is, today, a staunch Republican.
I agree, Hollywood of the 40s genuinely loved this country, and would despise today's crop.
I wonder how much of that was because of the Hollywood 10 and the whole HUAC stuff?
Another area where Hollywood has changed is in its approach to religious themes. Old Hollywood was always reverent and respectful. Today....well, religious people are portrayed as nuts in today's Hollywood.
What profit a studio if it grosses $100 million a picture but loses its soul? (Tongue in cheek, but not entirely off the mark.)
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