Still looking for a holiday gift idea? Consider video (you’ll notice this column isn’t called “Cologne Watch”). On average it is affordable, one size fits all (unless you’re still into Beta) and it is versatile, with movies and programs to match every taste and interest.
What is more meaningful than sharing a viewing experience that touched, inspired or influenced you? To help with suggestions, we asked some city notables: If you were going to give a video as a gift, what would it be, and why? Here are their responses:
Mayor Richard Daley: “I have enjoyed many movies and have many favorites, but I was most moved by `Schindler’s List.’ It is an outstanding reminder of how cruel and kind human beings can be. I found it to be uplifting and life-affirming. It should be required viewing for all students.”
Jerry Reinsdorf, chairman of the Chicago White Sox and Bulls: “In addition to `Schindler’s List,’ I would also give `Mississippi Burning’ to show the hatred that existed in this country toward African-Americans, so that their ordeal need not be repeated and so people could understand why there is so much more work to be done to make all of our citizens equal.”
Aaron Freeman, host of “Metropolis” on WBEZ-FM 91.5 and “Talking With Aaron Freeman” on WPWR-Ch. 50: “Of all the movies I’ve ever seen, `The Princess Bride’ is the most soulful and romantic celebration of life and the human spirit, and that’s the thought I would want anyone on my gift list to bring into the new year.”
Suzy Kellett, director of the Illinois Film Office: ” `Gettysburg.’ It’s a movie all about honor. I simply loved it. I think it is one of the truest adaptations of a book I’ve ever seen. The performances and the musical score were magnificent. It was phenomenal just that it got made.”
Bozo, Chicago’s favorite clown: ” `The Great Race,’ starring Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. It’s got the biggest pie-throwing scene in the history of film.”
Bruce Dumont, president and founder of the Museum of Broadcast Communications and host of “Inside Politics” on WLS-AM 890 and FM 94.7: “`The Parallax View,’ the cult thriller starring Warren Beatty. It’s a great political thriller that takes you inside the world of manipulation, deception and political conspiracy. It’s a riveting drama about real power and what people will do to get it and keep it.”
Ardis Krainik, general director of Lyric Opera: ” `The Art of the Conductor.’ I read a review of it and it sounded fascinating. I wouldn’t mind receiving it myself!”
Bruce Wolf, radio personality on WMVP-AM 1000 and WLUP-FM 97.9: ” `Hitting the Long Shot,’ Volume 9 of `The Golf Digest Learning Library’ (800-765-7789). Davis Love Jr. doesn’t look like he has much athletic prowess. Then he takes the most fluid golf swing. It would be very inspiring during the holiday season.”
Tom Mula, who plays Scrooge in the Goodman Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol”: “The Alastair Sim version of `A Christmas Carol’ (in black and white if you can find it) or `Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,’ which has great songs and one of the best wakeup scenes (in which Scrooge humbugs no more).”
Rich Melman, president of Lettuce Entertain You: “`Field of Dreams’ is a very important movie to me. I was working out a relationship with my father when he passed away. Also, there is the dream of playing baseball. I also like the movie `Big’ for people who want to retain the child in them.”
Lynn Hauldren, the Empire Carpet Man: “`Ten From Your Show of Shows,’ starring Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner and Imogene Coca. I think everyone ought to laugh as hard as I did when I saw it again recently.”
Terri Hemmert, WXRT-FM 93.1 personality: “I would give an IOU for something that will be coming out in 1995, the authorized `Beatles Anthology,’ a 10-part documentary series. This will be the definitive collection with things even hard-core fans have never seen.”
Bob Sirott, host of Fox-Ch. 32’s “Fox Thing in the Morning”: “It’s Potty Time” (a potty-training video from the Duke University Medical Center’s Family Series, 800-445-5142). It’s educational, it’s entertaining and you can just imagine the fun and the warmth as families gather during the holidays to enjoy this video and sing together `I’m a Super Dooper Pooper.’ The mind reels at the wacky hijinks that will ensue when you bring it out at a holiday party.”
