The title of this column is that of one of my favorite films. Directed by William Wyler, The Best Years of Our Lives, released in 1946, is a brilliant movie that is all the more poignant when you realize that it came during an era when most so-called war films often glorified battle and painted portraits of soldiers that were properly heroic but rarely explored their humanity.
The Best Years Of Our Lives showed us how those servicemen lucky enough to come home alive still had to make often difficult, taxing adjustments to civilian life. And the men and women who put their lives on the line and were in harm’s way for the good of our country and the world often returned to a home front that was uncaring and unfeeling about their and their families’ plights.
This led to a now old yet sadly still applicable darkly humored joke that went along the lines of, “Nothing’s too good for the men. That’s why they get so much of it.”
Prompting me to think of this masterful Wyler film was the HBO movie Taking Chance (which was covered by SHOOT in our profile of its director, Ross Katz, in last month’s Spring Directors Series; Katz signed with TWC for spot representation). While Taking Chance followed a fallen soldier’s return home in a casket, what of those who come back home emotionally scarred or physically disabled?
On the latter score, Lance O’Connor, executive producer of Aero Film, took a proactive stance.
O’Connor, who has worked with the U.S. State Department and Pentagon on numerous government film projects, felt outrage when he learned that soldiers paralyzed from injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan were not getting the support they needed. Money and government funds for advanced wheelchairs like the iBOT (which affords users a significant degree of mobility through cutting edge technology) had been discontinued, leaving those who had been seriously paralyzed unable to lead “normal” lives upon coming back home.
Hooking up with the Santa Monica Chapter of the YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), O’Connor coordinated a huge fund-raising gala–that was two years in the making–at the Raleigh Studios lot in Hollywood. The money that was raised went towards the purchase of 22 iBOT wheelchairs at a discount rate of $26,000 apiece.
O’Connor got financial support from assorted individuals and corporations, including American Airlines, which flew a dozen soldiers to the event held at Raleigh to receive their chairs, plus to be recognized for the sacrifices they made for their country. Business leaders from Los Angeles and around the nation attended the affair and contributed.
Dean Kamen, inventor of the iBot, was on hand and marveled at how the soldiers were using his technology. Some of the injured soldiers hit the dance floor for the first time since being injured, slow dancing with their wives after once again regaining some semblance of mobility via the iBot.
There were many touching scenes during the event, but more importantly, awareness had been heightened and support garnered for restoring the quality of life for these heroic veterans. As O’Connor affirmed, “These guys deserve nothing less.”
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More