MovieChat Forums > Walter Brennan Discussion > Is it true that he was really racist?

Is it true that he was really racist?

posted 5 years ago by TMC-4 (19387)
8 replies | jump to latest

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/14748044-jimmy-stewart

True [R95]. He danced a jig the day MLK was murdered, and said that all civil rights activists at the time were commie rabble-rousers. They say he died a nasty death from emphysema...oh well.

—Anonymous
reply 96

https://thelifeandtimesofhollywood.com/walter-brennan-king-of-the-hollywood-racists-spokesperson-of-the-john-birch-society-and-made-album-of-hate-of-negroes-and-civil-rights/

https://www.ohio.com/article/20150909/LIFESTYLE/309099090

http://forums.tcm.com/topic/35327-walter-brennan/

http://forums.tcm.com/topic/38332-jane-fonda-movies/

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/old-old-hollywood-gossip-part-ii.558086/page-69

[–] liscarkat (16469) 4 years ago

Sure, in the same more-or-less benign way most guys his age at that time were. He had opinions, but he didn't go around lynching people.

[–] TMC-4 (19387) 4 years ago

So just because he didn't go around lynching people, that makes his apparent racism marginally less reprehensible!? And having racist views isn't acceptable in any sort of time. So don't give me the excuse that Walter Brennan was just like what most people of his generation and status was like during his time.

[–] TimMC (9143) 4 years ago

Go dig him up and lynch him if it will make you feel better.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

" And having racist views isn't acceptable in any sort of time. "

Sure it is. If you'd been brought up in a world where you were bathed in racism ever since you were in your mother's womb, as you were growing up you would have thought it was normal as your brain would totally be conditioned that way.

Yes I'm giving people of more ancient times excuses. Nowadays though, way less people can use that excuse. It's not automatically imbedded in the social fabric nationwide anymore. Which is a great thing. Lots of work still to do in some regions though.

Social Justice Warrior can't apply their present logic to other times where the social context had nothing to do with today's. You'd need to have an understanding of it that surpasses the vast majority of the people.

Now tell me you're an historian doubled as an archeologist OR travelled in time to spend a few years in that era to understand it, and maybe I'd find credibility in you applying your modern logic to it.

[–] TMC-4 (19387) 4 years ago

http://www.agcwebpages.com/BLINDITEMS/2020/JULY.html

195. ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER 07/20 **7**

https://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2020/07/blind-item-7-reader-blind-old-hollywood.html

Reader Blind - Old Hollywood: In a small California town (Camarillo, CA), there is a statue still standing of this multiple Oscar winning/Oscar (1936 - Won Best Supporting Actor - "Come and Get It"/1938 - Won Best Supporting Actor - "Kentucky"/1940 - Won Best Supporting Actor - "The Westerner"/1941 - Nominated Best Supporting Actor "Sergeant York") nominated actor (Walter Brennan). Considering what is going on in the news now, it is surprising no one has spoken out about this. This actor was an outspoken racist who made no attempt to hide his views. He belonged to an organization (Ku Klux Klan) known for their racist views and tape exists of him speaking in character about "negroes" at one of their conventions. Those that worked with him recall his beliefs in the mental superiority of whites and the inferiority of other races and his constant slurs predominantly against African Americans and Jews. One of the most well-known stories about this actor is how visibly happy he was when this leader (Martin Luther King, Jr.) was assassinated. Reports he literally danced a jig on set ("The Guns of Will Sonnett") when the news was announced. What was funny about all this is contrary to the characters he normally played, the actor was well educated (studied engineering at Rindge College in Cambridge, Massachusetts) and had another career (Real Estate) before acting and did not come from the south. Walter Brennan (Was Walter Brennan the most EVIL man in Hollywood?)

[–] marktayloruk (2374) 2 years ago

He was very Conservative - endorsed Wallace in 1968 and Schmitz in 1972. Doesn't make him evil.

[–] kynnedy93 (1) a year ago

there were stars like Cagney edward g robinson clark gable bogart who was in that era and was not like him well i’m sure in hell brennan is dancing that jig he did when MLK died

[–] huwdj (4562) a year ago

I stumbled on something on YouTube - it's a bit silly but I liked the line that Walter Brennan was so right wing he considered John Wayne a communist 😂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEi9zL9NsdQ