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One of director Spielberg's heroes — Chris Christie
Posted on December 21, 2012 by Bob Ingle
Legendary movie director Steven Spielberg, longtime big supporter of things Democratic, has named Gov. Christie as one of his heroes. "He was able to put party politics aside for the greater good. And the fact that he would, right at the end of the election cycle, tell the truth about his gratitude — he was my hero," Spielberg said about Chrisie's handling of superstorm Sandy. Other heroes the director listed were Nelson Mandela, former President Bill Clinton, former Rep. Gabby Giffords and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow.
But that's not the only Spielberg connection to the Garden State. Spielberg spent some of his childhood in Haddon Township, N.J. ('52-'57) at 267 Crystal Terrace. There is a story that young Steven saw the The Greatest Show on Earth at the Westmont Theater and fell in love with the movie business. Some point out a major picture like that probably would have opened in Philly and in accepting an award once Spielberg said he saw it in Philly with his father. Maybe he saw it both places.
In nearby Haddonfield, in the summer of 1858, William Parker Foulke found the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton. Spielberg directed the iconic Jurassic Park. Might his childhood experience in the area influenced him? Spielberg also directed "Jaws" which is based on the Peter Benchley novel published in 1974. It was set elsewhere but part of the material was based on 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks. A part of the "Jaws" manuscript was written in Pennington, N.J.
A journalist, Benchley worked for The Washington Post, Newsweek and as a speech writer for President Lyndon Johnson. He died in 2006 at his home in Princeton, which is the town where Drumthwacket, the New Jersey governor's mansion, is located. The guy who writes this blog was there at a Christmas party with Christie this week and once worked on the set of a Spielberg movie. And that brings us full circle. There really is a Jersey connection to everything. This should give you a lot to chat about at holiday parties.
About Bob Ingle
Bob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption" and "Chris Christie: The Inside Story Of His Rise To Power". He has won numerous journalism awards and is often a news analyst on radio and television. Twitter @ bobingle99.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Bill Clinton, Chris Christie, Gabby Giffords, MSNBC, Nelson Mandela, Peter Benchley, Rachel Maddow, Steven Spielberg. Bookmark the permalink.
5 Responses to One of director Spielberg's heroes — Chris Christie
Ontheroad says:
I was ok with Spielberg's list of heroes until he listed Rachel Maddow. He's got to explain that one.
Shoregrrl says:
Wow, I never thought I'd see Christie show up on a list with Rachel Maddow..
Bob Ingle says:
Yeah, the world it is a'changin'
I don't think he or anyone has to explain his heroes, it is personal judgment. The one you wouldn't expect in that list is Christie which is why I shared it.
Alex Hamilton says:
Rachel Maddow and Chris Christie together? I am reminded that she was just waiting for him to finish his Keynote speech at the RNC before she could dump on him. Even Chris Matthews told her to relax.
Good to know the Pennington connection to Jaws. Maybe that's why I think of the Jaws theme as I drive up Rt. 31 every night. I thought it was because of all the speed traps.
Speaking of New Jersey connections I will add my useless Jersey trivia of the week: Character actor Paul Gleason was born in Jersey City. Who was he? Think Breakfast Club, Trading Places, and Die Hard "Looks like their going to need more FBI Agents." I'm thinking NJ Hall of Fame right next to Frank Sinatra and Paul Robeson.
Bob Ingle, Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers, on politics in "The Soprano State".
The Soprano State (the Movie)
Debuted October 18, 2010
Bob Ingle
Bob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey Newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption." Hear him Fridays at 5 p.m. on www.tommygshow.com radio. twitter.com/bobingle99
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Chris Christie biography
"Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power," written by Bob Ingle and Michael Symons, offers the first inside portrait of New Jersey's governor, who in two years as governor emerged as a national Republican Party figure famous for his blunt public statements. The book details Christie's combative public persona and deep family roots, tracing his improbable political rise from a bruising stint in county government to his anti-corruption crusade as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power goes behind the scenes to reveal his family life, his public life, and what the future might hold..
The Soprano State
"The Soprano State," written by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure, details the you-couldn't-make-this-up true story of the corruption that has pervaded New Jersey politics, government, and business for the past thirty years. From Jimmy Hoffa purportedly being buried somewhere beneath the end zone in Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands, through allegations of a thoroughly corrupt medical and dental university, through Mafia influence at all levels, to a governor who suddenly declares himself a "gay American" and resigns, the Garden State might indeed be better named after the HBO mobsters.
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