MovieChat Forums > Gentleman's Agreement Discussion > Very Powerful Scene

Very Powerful Scene

posted 15 years ago by FrizzKWest
9 replies | jump to latest

I loved this movie, and my favorite scene, the one that really struck a cord with me was when Tommy tells his father about the other kids picking on him. I almost cried. It reminded me of an oft-told family story.

My grandfather came with his family to this country as an infant, escaping pogroms in Russia. His parents when on to have four more children, the youngest of which was named William. One day at his school, the children were lined up front to back (the reason has been lost in time). William leaned to the side to say something, and the principle/headmaster of the school ran up to him and shouted, "You Goddamn Jew, you stay in line like everybody else!" and punched him in the side of the head, squarely on the ear. William lost all hearing in that ear. His parents complained to the school system board, but to no avail.

The unredeeming part of the story is that a week later William's three older brothers, one of whom was my grandfather, beat the principle within an inch of his life. But they felt it was the only way to get justice.

Was anybody else moved by this scene? Does anyone else have a story of anti-semitism?

Life is far too important a thing to ever talk seriously about it - Oscar Wilde

[–] lwebster20032003 15 years ago

Wow, what a moving story. I'm so sorry that happened to your Great Uncle, what a horrible thing to do to a child. I only hope that spirit of racism in that school Principal's family line has been eradicated, and that none of his offspring is walking around being mean to kids today.

[–] FrizzKWest 15 years ago

Haha, witty. Too bad it's not racism, otherwise that comment might have been taken seriously by someone.

______
Life is far too important a thing to ever talk seriously about it - Oscar Wilde

[–] nicoledesapio 15 years ago

Firstly, I agree with the OP about the scene between Tommy and Phil. The first time I watched that I almost cried, and it still brings a tear to my eye now -- though I think I'm affected not so much by Tommy's crying as by Phil's tenderness towards him.

Secondly, what a HORRIBLE thing for a grown man to do! (I'm talking now about your anti-semitism story.) And how horrible that he wasn't reprimanded for it! However, I can believe things like that happened. My grandmother's parents were from Italy, and as a result my grandmother endured a lot of cruel and bigoted remarks from schoolteachers -- and this was in a CATHOLIC school.

[–] MetFanMac 15 years ago

I think that's the most powerful scene in the movie. Then when Dave tells him that he might as well quit now, because he's found the worst of it all... boy oh boy.
Fortunately I never had an experience like your great-uncle's because I grew up and live in Israel, land of the Jews!

Supermodels...spoiled stupid little stick figures mit poofy lips who sink only about zemselves.

[–] MrPie7 15 years ago

This movie is great for watching historical anti semitism. But, things are so different today that the principle would probably be fired for just saying: " You Jew, stay in line like everybody else." Let's not wallow in past injustice like a certain Harvard Prof who recently said " Life has not changed for the black man unless you live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave!" After I heard that I wanted to ask Professor Gates if the water in the "Colored OnlY" waterfountains was cold enough there at Harvard.

[–] oceena 11 years ago

Here's one that happened to me in the summer of 1964 when I was 13 years old. My 'Jewish' camp took a bus load of kids to the NY Worlds Fair. We were allowed to go to lunch on our own, so 3 friends and I went to the China Pavillion. After eating, we left a tip and then saw two waiters standing by the table with their palms up demanding a larger tip. I refused but my friends gave them some money and left me. (nice friends).The waiters then asked me if I was Jewish and called me a *beep* several times. I had never heard that word and when I went to the camp director to tell him what happened, all hell broke loose. He immediately took me (& the entire camp) back to the China Pavillion where all the waiters were lined up outside. I had to point out the two waiters, which I did. They were fired on the spot. Robert Moses received letters about it (one from me). It made the newspapers and the Pavillion was closed. I didn't eat Chinese food for a long time after that.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] rave195 9 years ago

Yes, I couldn't agree more about the scene being very powerful, but my reason is in addition to yours.

To me, that part almost moved me to tears, but it was Gregory Pecks' instant rebuke of
his girl Kathy's reaction that stood out even more to me. He immediately reprimanded her for trying to soothe over the little boy by stating something to the effect, that he shouldn't be so upset since HE REALLY isn't Jewish. Gregory Peck's reaction in reprimanding her illuminated that she shouldn't use THAT reason to try and soothe the little boy, indicating she was being just as anti-Semitic as the little boys that were bullying Gregory Peck's character son. Now that was quite as powerful as his trying to comfort his little boy, IMO.

Always has been one of my favorite all time films and will remain so. Actually anything Gregory Peck has made, has always been in my top favorites!

Enjoy!
LadyDi

[–] nicoledesapio 8 years ago

rave195: Yes, I've always thought that was an extremely dumb thing for Kathy to say, even if it was said in the heat of the moment. Phil was right to reprimand her.