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FROM THE PHONE BOOTH: The Smallest Space in  Hollywood

	FINEFROCK

GOP CONVENTION
“Oklahoma” to Minnesota’s Hotel Whiskey:
Their End is Nigh
by Steve Finefrock - Hollywood Forum [scriptwriter] 9/1/08

"Oklahoma” became Oklahoma’s official state song in 1953 thanks to some quick-thinking Hollywood showbiz showcasing by a future Lt. Governor and Governor. Opposition was considerable in the face of young George Nigh’s resolution, with ticket sales still booming at the Broadway playbill of the world-famous “Oklahoma” – which introduced the American ‘musical’ genre to stage plays. Nigh found his proposal foundering as an oldster ridiculed lyrics in the proposed new official song, tearfully citing lyrics from the existing official song, eagerly ridiculing the rather ‘strange’ words and terms of the proposed replacement, while prancing around the floor of the House of Representatives to nodding heads of most members.

Thanks to his nimble parliamentary perceptions, and the oldsters’ lack of it, Nigh got the resolution postponed, avoiding a certain-death final vote on that particular day. Then, Nigh Went Hollywood – or Broadway to be more exact. Drawing from showbiz skills extending back from P.T. Barnum to Moses and a musical talent cadre in the state, he turned the tide. First, Nigh contacted a choir at a state college which knew all the “Oklahoma” songs from a recent performance of the play, plus a fine piano from a local music store which hoped for boosted sales of sheet music once the song was adopted. Then, fortuitously, an Okie who’d played Curly on Broadway was in the state.

VOILA!

All his ducks in a row on the fateful day, Nigh rose to ask personal privilege for the House to hear the choir do a few musical numbers, to showcase our state’s talented artistes. The choir opened to the pianist playing other songs from the Broadway hit, warming up the crowd like they do in Hollywood, prep for the ‘headliner’ appearing. Then, that rising first roar bounced off the ceiling’s tin covering, the choir booming “OOOOOOOOOO-kla-ho-ma” as the fully costumed “Curly” charged into the House chambers, full-muster from a rear door, blasting the room with the lyrics, strutting and kicking and showing those Broadway western boots possessed sass and class, and soon had everyone in his hand like soft putty.

Members were clapping, the gallery joining in the revelry, soon some Members were marching behind Curly. And at the propitious moment, Nigh rose to ask the Speaker for unanimous approval.

And so it was…

And is becoming for GOPsters and conservatives, to be showcased this Labor Day week in Minnesota, as a cabal of conservative creatives are working hand-in-glove with the convention’s program manager to bring a bit o’ Curly to the conservative conclave. It only took eleven years!

Nigh showed his fellow House members there was talent in them thar hills of Oklahoma, and my sojourn this past decade-plus has been to prove to fellow conservatives on the Potomac that the Palisades possess oodles and boodles of creatives with a rightward tilt.  The message has gotten through, as a fellow Okie and longtime friend is program manager for the convention, and working regularly, talking almost daily these past weeks with those conservative creatives, finding many ‘friends’ on the right who populate the Pacific Palisades with directing skills, writing talent, acting ability, producing experience.

What they’re cooking up is to be seen yet, and we have a high bar to meet after Mile High Stadium. But now for a first time, We Got Game. Talented Hollywood producers, writers, performers, directors are starting to intimately participate in the political salesmanship which is required in politics. As the stripper advised a young Louise in “Gypsy”: Ya Gotta Have A Gimmick.

Put on a show.

Give ‘em something to cheer.

Make ‘em FEEL as well as think. As “Oklahoma” got game to get its official moniker, so the Okie brigade leader in Minnesota is beginning to coordinate with Hotel Whiskey – that being the phonetic wording for an abbreviation of Hollywood given me by a Navy gal’s e-mail, as “HW” – via its conservative guests. To bring the ability to entertain and persuade to the political arena this coming week.

We are now beginning to put a bit o’ P.T. Barnum and Moses on our own stadium marquee.  Look for a much more entertaining republican presentation – again, we’re a distance yet from clearing the bar set this past week in Denver. But finally, FINALLY, the Palisades and the Potomac are communicating.


Watch out, Steven Spielberg and Michael Moore! ExileStreet

copyright 2008 Steve Finefrock

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