Last night we took time off from our binge-a-thon of procedural shows. Enough of the FBI and all things in Dick Wolf’s “Law and Order” World.

It was time for an overdue evening with the man the American Film Institute hails as “the greatest movie hero of all time.” Mr. Finch. Mr. Atticus Finch. After watching all the one-dimensional lawyer and cop shows, “To Kill A Mockingbird” resonates powerfully in its 60th anniversary edition. Gregory Peck’s quietly strong performance as Atticus Finch stands tall. Harper Lee’s classic novel seamlessly transferred to the big screen. Given the state of our nation and world, it should be an essential in all our class and living rooms.

“Mockingbird” is a child’s view of racism in the depression riddled south. It could be a contemporary reflection of much that ails our planet. Atticus Finch/Gregory Peck’s allegory about dealing with physical violence and bigotry is laid out in almost bible school terms for his children. He is telling them which birds it’s okay to hunt with an exception.

“You can’t shoot mockingbirds. They don’t bother anyone. All they do is sing. Sing their hearts out for you. It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Finch is explaining to his young innocents why the vile behavior of his town against a an accused black man is wrong. It’s also a metaphor for why the youngsters should not torment a mentally-challenged neighbor (probably autistic, but not yet a known diagnosis) who ultimately saves their lives. The “Boo” Radley character is sensitively played by a young Robert Duvall in his first movie.

The pervasive racism in the small southern town of a century ago cuts me deeply. That bigotry is fresh and alive, topping our local and network news daily. It’s especially rampant in the radical right wing media. It’s heard on the streets and shops of our small New England town. There is no avoiding it.

As a retired TV newsman, I spent decades covering the moral erosion of our state and country. We supposedly were learning from the mistakes of our past as my career ended. The new century would hopefully show us the fruits of labor from the Civil Rights and Women’s movement. Our cultural divide was going to disappear.

We talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

We seem to be going backwards. It’s great cocktail conversation among progressives, but not much happens when the party is over. It’s painfully obvious how we’ve failed when we watch the eloquent persuasion of “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

Last night’s pre-‘Mockingbird” viewing was a race-themed “Law And Order” (yes, I am a procedural junkie). “Fear and Loathing” was the “L&O” episode focused on one of the lead characters. A Black detective was racially targeted and roughed up by two white, uniformed officers. That Black detective was also investigating a homicide, apparently triggered by online race baiting. The murder suspect got his proper due in court. But the “Blue Line” ruled against the Black detective’s charge. It’s a reminder that racism continues, even in our criminal justice system.

It reminded me of a personal incident. Some 30 years ago in Boston, right behind the TV station where I’d worked for decades, a white Police officer continually harassed me over the legality of a parking space. In a real life, it could be a “Law & Order” episode. The cop’s record showed multiple charges of’ ‘inappropriate behavior’. That officer was fined and reassigned while I was reminded that my news media celebrity aside, my skin color made me a target. It is a story I would later share with Atticus Finch/Gregory Peck.

I met Gregory Peck a couple of years after he had finished “To Kill A Mockingbird.” It was already established as a classic as was his Oscar-winning performance. Peck was touring the country in a one man show. We met when Peck was doing his show at my alma mater, Hofstra University. Our campus radio station ticketed me for the Peck interview which was memorable.

“I heard your music program last night, Mr. Armstrong,” the acting legend began before my first question. Peck apparently had tuned in our little radio station and caught a “Music From The Movies” show I did. Peck expressed his appreciation for our mixing of music from “To Kill A Mockingbird” and another Peck film, “Behold A Pale Horse.”

I had detected a similarity in the music. We had done one of those radio artsy things. A “segue” on one music note to a similar one from the second movie. When done right, it is seamless. Gregory Peck really liked my little bit of business and smiled broadly as he hummed the tunes. He went on to explain how “To Kill A Mockingbird” had boosted his critical stock when, I thought he didn’t need any boost for such a brilliant career. Peck smiled with the old Hollywood bromide, “You’re only as good as your last movie.”

I shared my feelings about “Mockingbird” and Gregory Peck smiled, a warm Atticus Finch smile. “Well, I guess we really hit a home run, Garry”. We had quietly moved onto a first name basis.

As for the interview? That’s something for another day, possibly a podcast. I’m still basking in the glow of “To Kill A Mockingbird” and my few minutes with Atticus Finch.

Categories: #GarryArmstrong, Anecdote, Celebrities, Film Review, Movies, Racism and Bigotry

Tags: Film Review, Garry Armstrong, Gregory Peck, Movies, racial discrimination, Racism and Bigotry