Recently I’ve thought a great deal of the 1938 movie “Marie Antoinette,” starring Norma Shearer. For my take on that film read here. I searched high and low on youtube for a clip of the movie, not just any clip, mind you, but the one where Marie says, “Let them eat cake.” I couldn’t find that clip at all, but found that line in the recently produced “Marie Antoinette” with Kirsten Dunst . So what am I getting at? Well, it occurred to me that the current administration has asked the country to “sacrifice,” while the administration flies Air Force One (a very costly endeavor) for a photo opt in New York City, scaring the city’s inhabitants to death, and to add insult to injury, the president decides to take his wife on a date, a very costly date, one that many estimate to have cost around $240,000. The brunt of which the taxpayers paid. Now we hear how the president spends his days golfing in France, while his wife shops in Paris’ finest stores. Now if that isn’t saying “Let them eat cake…” I don’t know what is. Meanwhile in Main Street, many lose their jobs, homes are being foreclosed, and all this administration says to us is, “all must sacrifice,” (all except them) “things will get worse before they get better,” (Obama will make sure of that) and with their actions they are telling us to “eat cake!” It’s a sad state of affairs.
I hope that this administration does not turn a blind eye and a deaf ear for too much longer. The people are fed up and will speak at the polls and that will be the biggest revolution for sure. I don’t know about you, but I feel “change” is coming, and Obama will not be the cause of the change, the people will be. Enjoy the clip.
2 Responses to “Let Them Eat Cake….”
Just for the record, Marie Antoinette NEVER
said, “Let them eat cake.” It was said by
a French royal BEFORE she was born. Marie
Antoinette was known for being a fashion
leader on the cutting edge and “breaking
the glass ceiling” as a French Queen. Also,
for her kindness and compassion.
The 1938 Norma Shearer version of “Marie
Antoinette” is far superior to the fluff
and garbage that Kirsten Dunst starred in.
Shearer gave a first rate performance and
deserved the Oscar in 1938. ( Bette Davis
won for “Jezebel”.)
By the way, I totally agree with your
column. Icons are falling and Obama is
having a $250,000 plus “date night” in
Manhattan. Priorities off: You think!
Thanks for dropping by Dukebluedevil! And yes, you are right in saying that Marie Antoinette never said, “Let Them eat cake.” It is one of those facts in history which has been twisted with time. Writer Alphonse Karr in 1843 claimed that the line originated with a certain Duchess of Tuscany in 1760 or earlier, and that it was attributed to Marie Antoinette in 1789 by radical agitators who were trying to turn the populace against her. This is just one of the theories behind this “Let Them Cake” deal. But as you can see from the movies, even though she didn’t say it, the line stuck. And even if she didn’t say it in words, she said it with her actions. She was a major spender, and that is a fact. Much like Washington is doing today, spending!
I totally agree with your assessment of Norma Shearer’s “Marie Antoinette,” it is a much, much better movie than the tripe with Kirsten Dunst. But you know Hollywood today, they try their hardest to re-produce Classic Hollywood movies. They actually believe they can top Classic Hollywood with all their fluff, bells, and whistles…please.
And yes, Obama’s priorities are totally off. Thanks for dropping by!