Stanley Kubrik, Joe DiMaggio:MOf Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men: Celebrating the Lives of Two Men who Made a Difference

I'm not even in New York, but I can see the front page headline of the Post right now. Joltin' Joe Has Left and Gone Away. following on the heels of Legendary Film Director Kubrick Begins Next Odyssey. (assuming Eyes Wide Shut: Director Kubrick Dead at 70 is harsh even for them) Two local boys done good, now gone forever. No matter what the headlines read, the world has lost two very special men who gave us gifts in their lifetimes that have become priceless, timeless, classic moments in our culture's collective history, and for that, we must forever be grateful.

Stanley Kubrick was a film lover first, a film director second, likely only because his hands had to grow big enough to hold a camera. He was one of those people whose fascination with the image was clear even as young man, and who saw that fascination evolve over time into something purely magical. He was a filmmaker's filmmaker. Someone who through the sheer obviousness of love for his art infused in every film he made, inspired those same feelings to emerge in others who would then go on to demand as much of themselves in the films that they made. Kubrick's commitment to his vision was so complete, that he created his own system for distribution and marketing just so he could maintain total creative control over his art His work is a perfect blend of visual artistry and cultural relevancy. After all, Kubrick references abound within his own films as well as those of others who pay him homage . He gave us a way to laugh in the face of nuclear terror, and a good hard look at the violent side of human nature. He gave "Heeeeere's Johnny" a whole new meaning to a younger generation. He gave us Hal and Dave, who have been repurposed for the Internet age in the famous geek humor spoofs If the Hal 900 Had a Pentium and A Problem in the Making both of which made the full email rounds (a fact about which I'm sure Kubrick, a heavy Internet believer/user, was quite pleased) But most of all he gave us all a living example that if someone believes in a vision strongly enough, and works hard enough, amazing things can happen. Let's hope his last film is one of them.

Well, I and so many others never had the pleasure of meeting Stanley Kubrick (one of the side-effects of being a reclusive film director living in rainy old England), but I was lucky enough to have my life intersect with Joe DiMaggio's in a way that I will forever treasure as a truly special moment.

Joe was given an honorary degree from my university on the day that I was getting my real one. Now, I'm not a big sports fan, and really could care less about baseball, but Joe DiMaggio had always intrigued me. After all, here was a man who was married Marilyn Monroe for less than a year, yet brought flowers to her grave on a consistent basis after her death. What kind of gentle romantic soul would do that I wondered? What kind of capacity for depth of caring must that kind of man have--and I started to think that Marilyn must have been pretty dumb for letting him get away. So when on this day,the day of my graduation from college, I actually had a chance to meet this man, how could I possibly resist adding such a great memory to an already special day? He offered to take a picture with me since cameras were out anyway, and then warmly gathered me and my mother (who was standing right next to me) close to him with strong arms and a firm hold that defied his age. When Joe realized that the person who was taking the photo was my father, he insisted on us all posing for another shot so my father could be included too. As my father moved into position, a very telling thing happened, and it is for this reason that this moment stands out to me as one to be remembered. An elderly lady was walking down the steps just across the way from us, and despite being next to the railing, and I believe holding some sort of cane, she was having a little bit of trouble. How many home runs Joe got in his lifetime I couldn't tell you. But I can tell you that upon seeing this lady struggling with the stairs, a gentleman known as Joe DiMaggio politely excused himself for a moment so he could escort this lady safely down to the bottom. At that moment, I saw the kind of life lesson that they don't teach in college, or sadly, in most of the things that comprise daily modern life. A genuinely warm guy and a real class act. A gentleman sports hero in a way that the majority of today's top athletes couldn't even approach. It was the perfect reminder of what I wanted to be when I grew up coming at the time when those issues were foremost in my head. And it is for this reason I was glad to know him, if but for a moment.

So, in memory of Gene Siskel, the third member of this trio of souls recently departed, I have to say, how about two thumbs up for these guys? Thank them in your heart for the gifts the gave us. Challenge yourself to be the best and most creative person you can be, honest with yourself and good to others, and although they will be missed, you will hear the lasting echo of the legacies they have entrusted to our future.