Of Movies, Actors, and Real Men

So, my family watched The Ten Commandments for the first time this Lent (I know, we've had so many people say they can't believe we hadn't seen it yet!). Both Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner were simply incredible. I've enjoyed Heston immensely when seeing him before, and it struck me how thoroughly he takes the individual character of each role. The Heston Moses never came across as a Moses/Ben Hur mix! He was entirely the character in all its uniqueness. In my mind, this is a mark of a truly excellent actor.

Those of you who've read my blog for a while probably know that I'm all about who actors and celebrities really are...not just who they are on screen. And the more I've learned about the real Heston, the more impressed I am. Not only does he portray many upright characters; he was one! He served in the air force, championed the civil rights movement, was a friend of Martin Luther King Jr., and spoke out against abortion. Most significantly, he was faithfully married for 64 years to his bride, Lydia, whom he wed at age 20! Amidst the countless Hollywood scandals and divorces, this speaks volumes. He stands alone amidst celebs married two, four, five, and seven times...

In fact, I learned that my oft-repeated quote "Political correctness is simply tyranny with manners," — which and for some reason I thought was from Chesterton — was actually from Charlton Heston! (By the way, his actual name was John Charles Carter).

Check out this wonderful LifeSiteNews article from his passing almost a year ago (and check out the links at the bottom of the story!):

Larger than Life Hollywood Icon and Pro-life Advocate Charlton Heston Dies at 84

And check out this wonderful video clip of Heston on abortion. Powerful! (Don't forget to pause the music at the right). This is the introduction he gave to a video made in 1987 to raise awareness of late-term abortions.

Election Countdown/40 Days for Life: Day 29

Eduardo Verastegui, producer and lead actor of the 2007 American film Bella, endorsed Sen. John McCain on October 15th in Colorado. From the news release on Eduardo's website:

On October 17th, Verastegui was invited to Miami to speak at a rally with Senator John McCain, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Sen. Mel Martinez, Florida’s former Governor Jeb Bush and Sen. Joe Lieberman.

Verastegui said, "I am endorsing Sen. McCain for President because of his commitments to end abortion, to protect traditional marriage, to select conservative judges and to pass a just immigration reform."

"We need to put an end to abortion, and political candidates play a very important role in this matter. More than 200,000 Latino babies are killed by abortion each year in the USA. This holocaust must end. That's why we must elect Senator McCain. He will defend and protect the most innocent of his country, the beautiful babies in their mothers' wombs."

This is a man who has the issues in perspective...right on!

Verastegui believes that unless Americans elect a president who will defend fundamental human rights, no one can expect a sound economy, health care or national security, including immigration reform.

..."I can make hundreds of movies like Bella, and they will hopefully save many babies, but it's never going to be as powerful as a president nominating judges who observe constitutional law. After all, we are just one pro-life Supreme Court Justice away from overturning Roe v. Wade."

"We can never vote for any candidate that supports abortion."

And he makes a meaningful point on "change":

"Barack Hussein Obama speaks about 'change,' but what change are we talking about? Fidel Castro spoke about change in Cuba. Hugo Chavez talks about change in Venezuela, and other charismatic, well-spoken dictators promised change, but look what happened to their countries."

LifeSiteNews did an terrific interview with Eduardo which includes some more of his thoughts and quotes. The part that I think is simply too neat:

"When I finished [speaking], I went to John McCain and I said, 'Senator, thank you for your commitment to life. I’d like to give you something.' I gave him a Miraculous Medal blessed by Pope Benedict XVI and he was amazing. He said, 'Thank you so much! Look what I have here in my pocket.' Then Sen. McCain took a medal out of his pocket that he carries everywhere and it was a Blessed Mother Teresa medal. He said, 'Eduardo, now I am going to keep both.'"

Verastegui also gave McCain’s wife, Cindy, a Miraculous Medal. He said, “I was touched when I found out that the McCains adopted one of their daughters from Mother Teresa’s orphanage in India. There is nothing more beautiful than to give children homes with families who will love them. I hope that one day that I can do the same."

Praise God for men like this who are not afraid to speak the truth in the eye of the public — free of motives for personal gain, simply and clearly, and without compromise!

Don't forget today's Life Devotional...

Election Countdown/40 Days for Life: Day 27 (Mon)

Dr. Alveda King: Niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Truly an inspiring lady and real civil rights champion!

It is fitting that today's Life Devotional intention is for humility in our work for God's Kingdom. Dr. King really seems to embody that! 50 seconds into the following CNN clip, she is interviewed on this presidential election. This civil rights activists says that she awaits the day when she can vote an African-American for President...and then explains why she cannot vote for Obama:

HT on Dr. King: Cecilia Rose

More Eduardo News

From CNA: Eduardo Verastegui, the Mexican actor who starred in the movie “Bella,” joined pro-life sidewalk counselors and prayerful demonstrators at a Los Angeles abortion clinic on Saturday as he counseled women to turn away from aborting their unborn children.

Many of the demonstrators were present at the Family Planning Associates abortion clinic as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign.

John Anthony, co-coordinator of 40 Days for Life Los Angeles, described Verastegui's efforts... According to Anthony, Verastegui spent time in prayer and counseled and encouraged women to keep their babies, acting with “love, tenderness, humility and compassion.” “Five babies were saved that morning!” Anthony said. “Prayer and love in action were key and beautifully exemplified by all present.”

From LifeSite News: He [Eduardo] said, "You wanna hear something really, really funny? Here's what happened at the end. All the nurses from the clinic — some were African Americans, some were Latinas — came outside."

The next thing Eduardo Verastegui knew, eight nurses wanted someone to take pictures of them with him. Instead, he gave each nurse a Miraculous Medal and his DVD. They didn't want to watch his DVD, but promised to do so simply because he requested it. He told them, "I'm going to be here next Saturday and we'll take a picture next Saturday." Then the security guard confronted him, asking, "What are you doing here?" Verastegui countered, "What are you doing here, my friend?"

A Real Man. A Real Star.

From LifeSiteNews.com:

Actor Eduardo Verastegui Makes Pro-Life Plea to Hispanic Voters

September 25, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Mexican heartthrob actor Eduardo Verastegui has issued a pro-life plea to Hispanic voters in the United States in his introduction to the video "Dura Realidad" (Hard Reality), which shows healthy, developing fetuses juxtaposed with footage of abortions and the bodies of those who have died by the procedure...

Verastegui, star of the recent hit film "Bella", sits and speaks to the viewer about the horrifying nature of abortion and its impact on Hispanics, who seem to be disproportionately targeted by the abortion industry, before beginning the Hard Reality video."Abortion is an act of violence that kills babies," says Verastegui. "If you think this is an exaggeration, the next minutes are going to change your opinion."

Read the whole aricle here.

View Eduardo's video with English subtitles (the graphic footage has also been removed from this version):



Praise the Lord for real role models!

Charlton Heston... Rest in Peace

"I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses...

and that's probably enough for any man."

"Political correctness is simply tyranny with manners."

"You can spend a lifetime, and, if you're honest with yourself,

never once was your work perfect."

"It's been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it."

-Charlton Heston