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Charlton Heston

Won’t be down for manna. LA Times proclaims larger-than-lifeness, cites gun advocacy and conservative darling status like its something to be apologetic about.  

Charlton Heston, the Oscar-winning actor who achieved stardom playing larger-than-life figures including Moses, Michelangelo and Andrew Jackson and went on to become an unapologetic gun advocate and darling of conservative causes, has died. He was 84.

… 

Late in life, Heston’s stature as a political firebrand overshadowed his acting. He became demonized by gun-control advocates and liberal Hollywood when he became president of the National Rifle Assn. in 1998.

Heston answered his critics in a now-famous pose that mimicked Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. But instead of a rod, Heston raised a flintlock over his head and challenged his detractors to pry the rifle “from my cold, dead hands.”

NYT actually plays its straight, allowing Heston’s values to step to center stage:

The same quality made Mr. Heston an effective spokesman, off-screen, for the causes he believed in. Late in life he became a staunch opponent of gun control. Elected president of the National Rifle Association in 1998, he proved to be a powerful campaigner against what he saw as the government’s attempt to infringe on a Constitutional guarantee — the right to bear arms.

In Mr. Heston, the N.R.A. found its embodiment of pioneer values — pride, independence and valor. In a speech at the N.R.A.’s annual convention in 2000, he brought the audience to its feet with a ringing attack on gun-control advocates. Paraphrasing an N.R.A. bumper sticker (“I’ll give you my gun when you take it from my cold, dead hands”) he waved a replica of a colonial musket above his head and shouted defiantly, “From my cold, dead hands!”

Back to LA Times for some cinematic appreciation: 

Like the chariot race and the bearded prophet Moses, Heston will be best remembered for several indelible cinematic moments: playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with Orson Welles in the oil fields in “Touch of Evil,” his rant at the end of “Planet of the Apes” when he sees the destruction of the Statue of Liberty, his discovery that “Soylent Green is people!” in the sci-fi hit “Soylent Green” and the dead Spanish hero on his steed in “El Cid.”

The New Yorker’s film critic Pauline Kael, in her review of 1968’s “Planet of the Apes,” wrote: “All this wouldn’t be so forceful or so funny if it weren’t for the use of Charlton Heston in the [leading] role. With his perfect, lean-hipped, powerful body, Heston is a god-like hero; built for strength, he is an archetype of what makes Americans win. He represents American power — and he has the profile of an eagle.”

I watched Ben Hur with the family a few weeks ago. Totally holds up, dated effects notwithstanding. Famed chariot race, Christ story aside, it also includes one of the greatest, least appreciated movie lines of all time:

“You live to row this ship. Row well … and live!”

Heston’s cameo in the “Apes” remake is another example of what a towering figure he was. Not above wry self-satire.

Appreciations, observations via Memeorandum:

Powerline, Charlton Heston RIP.

Protein Wisdom: Stay Classy, AP.

Hot Air, Charlton Heston RIP.

Scared Monkeys, Giant and Icon.

Gateway, Nutroots React.

And lastly, from those who knew him as “Dad,” no fuller life.

Topics: Hollywood, guns, media

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 11:43 am on Sunday, April 6, 2008

7 Responses to “Charlton Heston”

1. Fatty Bolger Says:
   April 6th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

   He was much maligned by people who (wrongly) labeled him as a gun nut. Even Michael Moore had to fall back on his typical slimeball editing techniques in order to make him look bad.

2. blogagog Says:
   April 6th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

   Goop actor, great person.

3. Robert Says:
   April 6th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

   Heston could act. He was devoted to his craft. Kenneth Branagh cast Heston in his 1995 production of Hamlet as the Player King (”the play is the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” — A2S2). He was terrific. Branagh had cast a bunch of stars in bit pieces in the movie: e.g. Billy Crystal as a grave digger. Jack Lemmon was a palace guard. Lemmon was embarrassing. Heston was magnificent.

4. RebeccaH Says:
   April 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm

   Unfortunately for Hollywood, they don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

5. Vanguard of the Commentariat Says:
   April 6th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

   Heston marched with MLK when you could get your head bashed for such a thing.

   Wonder where all the “truth to power” Hollywood types were then?

   Answer: cowering in their gated villas.

   They will come out and take shots at GWB though, cuz you can’t get hurt doing that!

   RIP Chuck. You are a great American.

6. Dave Surls Says:
   April 6th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

   I had just started watching “El Cid” when I saw this. Bummer. Heston is in a bunch of my favorite movies. Fine actor, stand out human being.

7. steveballmer Says:
   April 6th, 2008 at 11:35 pm

   Heston was undoubtedly the best at his craft!

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