Rising Expectations: Demos & TV / Cruising Demo

Transcript (Download)

March 27, 1982, Chicago.

Heavy fighting for NBC's Robert Soren.

Normally on a Saturday afternoon in New Shuletown, there's plenty of activity, but today the city was virtually deserted, as soldiers fought off guerrillas.

The guerrillas made the good promise that they would attack on this the day before the national elections.

20 ,000 marchers gathered at the White House to protest the American presence in El Salvador.

Signs called for withdrawal of advisors.

People demanded an end to training programs, which they say trained the government to kill its own people.

There were demonstrations abroad in other U .S.

cities, including Chicago.

Barbara Flex reports.

Here in Chicago they were marching too.

There were signs and slogans giving the variety of reasons they had for holding the same view.

must stop trying to influence the events in El Salvador.

Opposition to all wars and to the military grasp prompted some of the nearly 1 ,000 people to be here.

Others wanted the U .S.

to have no part in the slaughter of civilians being blamed on both sides by a civil war.

There were signs warning of another Vietnam, as the U .S.

partners in El Salvador continues.

Still other marchers, though, came as much to politicize other favorite causes as to demonstrate their views on El Salvador.

And when the marchers reached the Salvadoran consulate on Wacker Drive, they heard from yet another group representing the leftist guerrillas who are boycotting tomorrow's Salvadoran elections.

For many of the speakers at the rally supported the leftist guerrillas in El Salvador, for many of the people in the crowd, there were other reasons to come out this cold, windy Saturday.

A small group of about 30 demonstrators marched across the street from the main group and had a much different message.

We say the Cuban and Soviet intervention in El Salvador should be stopped.

There were several attempts by each group to outshot the other, but there were no arrests and no violence, thus reported.

Barbara Schleck, News Center 5.

The Ambassador of Nicaragua says the CIA is trying to destabilize his government.

Ambassador Francisco Faleos -Morales.

is not going to the war.

is not going to the war.

is not going to the war.

is not going to the war.

The tax money and the welfare program are going to support the malpay for the people of Los Angeles and El Salvador.

El Salvador, we're fired up.

We're taking on more.

We're fired up.

We're taking on more.

We're farm certificates.

Is that carrot water? Now sit behind this damn door and fucking tell me where is the other audio? I got ripped off by capitalism.

I was a victim of capitalism degradation.

The last act of your movie is going to be like the end of a French operetta and everybody comes on stage at the same time.

Is this your first demonstration? Her first demonstration, yeah.

No war! No war! No war! US out of El Salvador! US out of El Salvador! El Puebloven! It's my debut in film! Demonstration Sandy.

I've been coming to demonstrations ever since 1959.

1959, what was that one? Civil rights demonstration, Champaign -Urbana, Illinois.

Since 68 I think.

Were you in Chicago then? Yes I was.

Chicago was my first one.

The one down by the Conrad Hilton? Right, that's the one.

That's the one that started me.

Yeah, the economic conditions in Poland with new reports of mounting fuel and food shortages.

It is reported however that the curfew is being relaxed somewhat in Poland so the Polish people can attend the midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Well that's our report, I'm Bob Schaefer, CBS News, Washington.

1982 will be increased by some 18, or pardon me, 16 billion dollars.

The estimated deficit for 83 will be increased proportionately.

And without further cuts we can't achieve our goal of a balanced budget by 1984.

I recognize that many in Congress may have other alternatives and I welcome a dialogue with them.

But let there be no mistake, we have no choice but to continue down the road toward a balanced budget.

A budget that will keep us strong at home and secure overseas.

Benefits for the needy will be protected, but the black market and food stamps must be stopped.

The abuse and fraud in Medicaid by beneficiaries and providers alike cannot be tolerated.

Provision of school loans and meal subsidies to the affluent can no longer be afforded.

We have no choice but to continue down the road toward a balanced budget.

A budget that will keep us strong at home and secure overseas.

And let me be clear, consumers, business, producers and inventors will do that for us.

Similarly, education is the principal responsibility of local schools, systems, teachers, parents, citizen boards and state governments.

By eliminating the Department of Education less than two years after it was created, we can not only reduce the budget, but ensure that local needs and preferences, rather than the wishes of Washington, determine the education of our children.

We would simply fund Social Security out of general tax funds as welfare is funded.

I believe there are better solutions.

I am asking the Congress to restore the minimum benefit for current beneficiaries with low incomes.

It was never our intention to take this support away from those who truly need it.

There is, however, a sizable percentage of recipients who are adequately provided for by pensions or other income and should not be added to the financial burden of Social Security.

We're asking for economies in many areas and programs that were started with the best of intention and a dedication to a worthwhile cause or purpose.

But I know also that some of those programs have not succeeded in their purpose.

Others have proven too costly, benefiting those who administered them rather than those who were the intended beneficiaries.

This doesn't mean we should discontinue.

Well, my name is Ike.

I'm from the United Transportation Union, local 577.

The person who's shooting me right now is an old friend of mine from Indiana University, where we fought against the war and other things together back in the late 60s.

The main reason I'm here today is like everybody else, I'm protesting Reagan's economic attacks on working people, his union busting, his neutron bombs, his wars in El Salvador, just his general rotten policies.

And I'm one of the people from the 60s that's still fighting in the 80s.

We have to face the reality that this is it and we are being forced to face it.

I'm just very surprised and quite surprised that you are not going to show it to yourself.

You married me and you told me and I told her, you know when I'm down.

So I think it's a wonderful thing if you were born certain that I was.

I do think that they have to live.

But for us to listen to them and say, hey guys, it's terrific.

They're really good at this, Reagan.

And we have the right to say we don't like it at all.

I want to start with this one.

And you know, we are monogamous.

We'll get to the end.

That is a myth basically.

Most homosexuals and bisexuals do not play roles like that.

I'd like to know how you, Dave, and your wife compare your marriage to somebody like if my husband was cheating on me or whatever.

The thing that makes our marriage work I think is the fact that we are dedicated to being honest with one another.

There's nothing that I do that we're not willing to share with one another.

Now, concentrated all gets out the worst dirt better so your whole wash.

We've got to get away from the oceans about cheese.

We've got to come to find the lakes.

If you're going to Disneyland, Orange County, or downtown Los Angeles...

Frank, our ledge was already seen again.

Well, sure, but then that was a trouble.

It wasn't up to you.

The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! I said, are you gay? The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Are you gay? I'm a scootish gay.

The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey, hey! Ho ho! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! The movie cruisin', got to go, hey, hey! Right.

Or by design? Well, I I am gay.

I don't know I Know I'm getting myself.

Yeah, but I'm not gonna protest something.

I don't know anything I'm asking people.

I don't know no we haven't seen it.

We just know it's anti -gay oh oh alright Hey, how start y 'all? Hey, John Kessler! Kessler's a nice one.

Let's cross the finish line.

Who's the man with the right? We say fight back! John Kessler's right! Who's the man with the right? We say fight back! Who's the man with the right? Fight back! Fight back! Fight back! Fight back! Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Movie crews have got to go! Hey, hey! Ho, ho! The movie crews have got to go! Hey, hey! Ho, ho! I don't know what exactly this may try to pull, frankly.

I'm not professionally concerned about whether or not the film is proving to insult homosexuals.

Professionally, all I'm required to do is a movie critic and say, I don't think the film has anything to do with homosexuality or any other kind of sexuality.

It's just a murder film, pure and simple, and a pretty bad one at that.

Al Pacino now, in his third disappointing performance in a role, plays a New York cop, sent undercover to entrap the murderer, who is killing gays by driving a knife into their backs, and we see it all in full -blooded detail.

His sign is sick as Pacino, but that is a very confusing movie.

It suggests that he may be turned down by the whips and chains, and that's only suggested, though, never stated, very confusing.

Pacino tells his boss he wants off the case.

I don't think I can do the job, Kessler.

I don't think I can handle it, Kessler.

You're my partner, and you can't let me down.

We're up to our business, and I'm counting on you.

It's a dull, dead performance by Pacino, and you're not going to believe this.

We never really learn, at the end of the film, who the murderer is.

That's very frustrating, all that we take out of this wildly over -publicized movie, that is being so well -publicized, oddly enough, by the one group, the gays, who would like to close it down, all we take out of the film, judging it simply as a murder picture, is the sickening memory of a knife being planted into someone's back repeatedly.

You want a better film this weekend? I can think of three right off the bat.

Identifier

F.2021-04-0009

Date Of Production

1980 – 1982

Abstract

Assemblage of footage of television screens and protests.

Description

Begins with the voice of Chuck Kleinhans saying "March 27, 1982. Chicago," with footage of a television screen showing local news coverage of the election in El Salvador.

This is followed by footage of a large crowd gathered in downtown Chicago to protest against U.S. aid to El Salvador’s military government during the Salvadoran Civil War. Participants chant "U.S. out of El Salvador!" and hold banners. Julia Lesage and JoAnn Elam are seen marching. A man wears a large paper-machier Ronald Reagan head; others carry faux coffins.

After this is more footage shot off of Kleinhans' TV screen, this time featuring Reagan giving a State of the Union address; he speaks of the need for budget cuts. This is followed by footage of Chicagoans protesting said cuts in the Loop. Banners read "DEFEAT REAGANOMICS" and "STOP THE NEUTRON BOMB!" Kleinhans talks to an old friend named Ike, who speaks about how Reagan's "rotten" economic policies negatively affect working people.

Most of the rest of the film captures a protest against the Al Pacino film Cruising (1980) at the Carnegie Theatre on Rush Street. Signs and chants accuse the film as being anti-gay. The reel ends with Gene Siskel's (negative) review of the movie, filmed off of a television screen.

Format

Super 8

Extent

400 feet

Color

Color

Sound

Mag Stripe

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Reversal Positives

Form

Unedited

Subject

Demonstrations
Television
War
Politicians
Sexuality and culture
Motion pictures
Motion picture theaters

Preservation Sponsor

Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research

Related Collections

Chuck Kleinhans Collection

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago ➜ Near North Side

North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago ➜ Loop

Main Credits

Kleinhans, Chuck (is filmmaker)

Participants And Performers

Kleinhans, Chuck (is participant)

Lesage, Julia (is participant)

Elam, JoAnn (is participant)

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