Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.

— Oscar Wilde

And no one is better at imitation than Hollywood.  Consider the following.  In 1940, MGM released The Shop Around the Corner starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.  In 1949, MGM remakes this story about anonymous pen pals who work side by side as a musical In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland and Van Johnson in the lead roles. Not to be outdone, Warner Brothers produces an Internet-age variant in 1998 titled You’ve Got Mail starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

This morning I realized I too am in the “re-make business” with one big difference.  I am creating the imitations before the original has ever been released.  It started with MacTrump.  Yesterday, it was Other People’s Money.  Both are prequels to the forthcoming documentary or historical drama Comrade Trump.

Today’s version of the rise and fall of His Orangeness was triggered by recent conversations with my wife and friends who keep asking, “What do you think is really going on between the White House and Russia concerning the use of chemical weapons in Syria?” My response, “I’m not sure.  I have more questions than answers.  But there is one thing I’m sure of, everything is suspect.”

As I spoke those last three words, I knew I had seen them somewhere before.  And sure enough, they are included in the tag line to the 1997 film L.A. Confidential.  “Everything is suspect..everyone is for sale…and nothing is what it seems.”  For those unfamiliar with this critically acclaimed film (99 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), it is the story of a 1950s dysfunctional police department which “investigates a series of murders with their own brand of justice.” (Source: IMDB.com)  In the end, members of the force cover-up internal corruption while presenting themselves as heroes.

Today, I proudly release D.C. Confidential, the exploits of a New York real estate developer who “is determined to live up to his father’s reputation.” (Source: Wikipedia)  In the original, a narcotics detective moonlights as the technical adviser on a popular TV police drama.  Of course, in this version, the lead moonlights as executive producer of a reality show.  The precinct captain, played by Steve Bannon, believes “a detective should be willing to shoot a guilty man in the back for the greater good.” (Source: Wikipedia)

Which brings me back to why this particular movie is the perfect analogy for the U.S. response to the events in Syria.  There is growing evidence (including last night’s report Trump adviser Carter Page was/is the subject of a FISA Court warrant) the White House, like the L.A. precinct, is mired in corruption.  And among the rogue White House operatives is Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.  Despite being a member of the corrupt force, he is sent on a mission to Russia designed to make him appear to be a hero, not the Trump/Russia intermediary he really is.  While Tillerson claims he is only following department’s mantra “To Serve and Protect,”  we are left wondering just who he is serving and what is he protecting. If the tag line fits…

Everything is suspect…everyone is for sale…and nothing is what it seems.

There is an unintentional coincidence between the two movies I selected for these parodies–Other People’s Money and L.A. Confidential.  Danny DeVito has roles in both.  Directors and producers often have favorite actors to whom they turn when casting a film.  I plan to keep DeVito in my stable as he seems to be the only film star with the stature to play Comrade Trump in my forthcoming docu-drama.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP