MovieChat Forums > Bill W. (2012) Discussion > Where was Clancy?

Where was Clancy?

posted 12 years ago by sleepybone
5 replies | jump to latest

I saw Bill W. last night and I congratulate the film makers. I was especially moved and impressed by the clips of Bill and Bob. And while I enjoyed the interviews, I was wondering why Clancy I. wasn't interviewed. I'm not a member of the Pacific Group, but I've heard Clancy talk AA history, and he's a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge, from the Washingtonians on.
The interviews with the two young women seemed out of place in the history. They were so personal while the rest were about Bill.

[–] tsweet-160-209035 12 years ago

Clancy? Really? Only a member of Pacific Group (PG) would ask where that ego-driven *beep* is. Bill would turn over in his grave if Clancy were in this movie. I've been to a PG meeting and amongst the inappropriate hisses and the "I want to thank God, my sponsor, and Clancy for the structure of this meeting" I thanked God that PG is not, at all, what AA is about; because if PG was AA, I'd be drunk.

[–] sleepybone 12 years ago

But as I said, I'm not a member of the Pacific Group...and not even a huge "fan" of Clancy. It's just that he has been around for so long, he knows tons of AA history, and he's, well, still alive.
Like you, I'm certainly glad that PG isn't AA. But each group does get to be autonomous...

[–] qtpi1969 12 years ago

Clancy is NOT REAL AA and anyone doing a documentary on AA would know that and thus probably not contact him.
OMG, could any real AA-er see Clancy going on and on about NO DRUG TAKING and UNTREATED ALCOHOLISM and SPONSORING ACROSS COUNTRY, if he were asked to comment?? Makes me shudder to even think about it!
Clancy did NOT KNOW Bill. As for AA history, there are planty of great old-timers around AA today (some that I personally know in IL are even in his sponsorship line) who could do a great job sharing stories and info. about the co-creator of AA. They would find no need to go Clancy's route, which to me, is an ANTI-AA CULT.
Clancy is nothing but the AA version of L. Ron Hubbard, hiding behind the veil of a great program, in order to feel and act "superior".
I don't think ANYONE wants to have that kind of figure in a documentary about Alcoholics Anonymnous and it's origins.
JMO, however, most would agree I imagine...unless you are, sadly, a PG cult-er.

Be kind. Don't Flame.

[–] malcolmkelly 11 years ago

Clancy I. is one of the few living members to have met Bill on a number of occasions, and to have had private conversations with him. Also his sponsor Chuck C. was a close friend of Bill's. I'm not a member of the PG (I'm in Ireland), but I applaud the dedication Clancy has shown towards the fellowship for more than 50 years (he flew from LA to our town in Ireland to give a talk to a couple dozen people - no payment, and spent a lot of time talking to the newcomers incl me.) I don't think Clancy has ever said anything about AA's history that's not available in AA Comes Of Age, or Doc. Bob and the good ole timers. Or ever put himself forward as an expert on AA history, but he did meet most of the characters in this documentary, and might have been a useful link back to early AA. I doubt very much he would have appeared even if he was asked. The comments about the PG are disappointing to say the least - the usual AA spite and resentment (thankfully we have a program to deal with that - it's in the bool Alcoholics Anonymous, you'll probably find it at your homegroup!)

[–] puck-yeahthatpuck 9 years ago

No doubt the insisted on giving Bill Wilson top billing, so Clancy demurred.

Or maybe he was supposed to show up to comment but he sent one of his 'babies' instead.