6 March 1933 “King Kong Opens, FDR becomes President, Bank Holiday, Gold Confiscation, and Fireside Chat.”

The film, King Kong, starring Fay Ray was released and premieres at Radio City Music Hall and the RKO Roxy Theatre in New York City.

This concept of a large animal that could embody evil seems a fitting monster during this time. A large easy target to attack and put one’s force of good toward. Such a monster would have seemed a blessing during the Depression. A clear cut bad guy to attack as a conglomerate of good to fix the hard times. Though, there was no one specific monster, at least not visible to the general public. In my own bad little way I’d like to see the ill used Stock Market and the Likes of the then large banks and Traders as the Gorilla, only one problem. King Kong appeared to have heart and was trying to save Fay Ray. In this, of course, is the rub. The clear cut case of a presentable evil to fight often has complexities.

I think this WWI U.S. Army enlistment poster rather interesting in connection with King Kong as well. The ‘brute’ Keiser Wilhelm is seen as a savage ape intent on destruction. One wonders, then, were there subtleties to Germany then as it is sold as the ‘bad ape’ others will happy rail against?

Here is a preview of the movie. It is rather amazing in its production when one considers it was less than 10 years prior that movies did not even have sound.

On the 4th of this month, 1933, Herbert Hoover officially hands office over to Franklin Roosevelt. This is the last time that March 4th is used as the inauguration date. Here is also the first time that a sound movie recording is made of an inauguration as well. This original footage shows some of that famous speech.

This link HERE will take you to a transcript of that speech that you may read if you are interested. I have to say I rather like this bit of the speech here:

Recognition of the falsity of material wealth as the standard of success goes hand in hand with the abandonment of the false belief that public office and high political position are to be valued only by the standards of pride of place and personal profit; and there must be an end to a conduct in banking and in business which too often has given to a sacred trust the likeness of callous and selfish wrongdoing. Small wonder that confidence languishes, for it thrives only on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection, on unselfish performance; without them it cannot live.

These words would be well received today, I think. And I am rather shocked when I have heard people compare our current president to FDR. Particularly when the very root of what FDR is wishing to root out, the large monopolized monied interests, are who currently provide campaign money for both the current president as well as his opposition.

I have been accused by commenter before of various political beliefs. Perhaps some feel I am simply a staunch Democrat because of my living in the North East. Yet, I have no specific political leanings. And, if anything, have learned to question both sides now to the point that I wonder if there are indeed sides at all. Or merely a wonderful produced entertainment field meant to pander to a dichotomy made up by these groups themselves. As the saying goes, United we Stand Divided we Fall. There can be no United if we need to stand on either sides of a Red and Blue fence and shout at one another.

I used to think differently about FDR, but just what I am beginning to read and understand of speeches and things this year, I am beginning to see things a new way. And, again, it makes one rather sad too see what one thought was random events somehow tied together.

I was even, up until recently, angry at the act this 5th of March 1933 Executive Order 6102 that forbid the ownership and hoarding of gold and the confiscation of gold. This was an affront to me at first to think, we are having our gold stolen. I had even heard of banks having to hand over their safe deposit boxes under this law. The actual law, however, never enforced IRS officers with armed guards to take gold from private citizens safe deposit boxes. This, then, makes me wonder about that belief today.

In fact, the confiscation of gold would not affect any little person who had a few coins stashed in a cigar tin in their attic. In fact, they could happily leave them be and their value would increase. And also, many of the very poor and the hurting middle class wouldn’t have had any gold except of course any simple gold money currently in circulation and of course jewelry, which was not affected by the order at all. It seems it was a means to force the banks to show that they were not in fact keeping money of its customers but simply using it as investing for their own profit and often not having even portions of what many average person thought was safely held by them.

Here is that first Fireside Chat of FDR for you to listen to and decide for yourself what is happening at the time.

This year is really starting to unravel what I believe in the make up and accepted idea of what ‘America’ is. Here I see FDR saying in his speech that the American Dream should not be to try and be a few of the very powerfully rich, as how could that even be possible? And, when many came to this country, they simply wanted a simple life of freedom and the right to do as they please. This modern concept that we all want to be billionaires, live a jet set lifestyle and be draped in diamonds and furs is not only false and unreachable for the majority, it is also not necessarily the dream shared by all!

I am afraid this year, there will be many more unraveling of what I think and believed once of our country. The more I travel into the past the more I begin to see how much we are fed or simply ‘taught’ about what America is suppose to be. I hope such ramblings will not become tedious.

There are SO many things happening right now I find it hard to even touch on everything in my posts. There is still more to discuss of the Bank Holiday FDR enacted two days ago. But, for now, I shall close here. I have to get out and enjoy the sun while I can. Hubby is off today and we are looking forward to having a good burn and clearing up the winter’s debris of branches and old brush.

The daffs and crocus are so early this year, that their bright little heads our nodding in the cold sharp sunshine and beckon to us. Amidst the chaos and disorder of our current world we still must want to make happy homes. But, I fear, we are coming to times when we will need to consider ways to stand up for our rights to keep and maintain such a way of life.

I need to find and share more homemaking tips and tricks from this year, but there is simply so much going on in the news that I have to try and keep up.  And have been bad with comment questions as well concerning various questions. I shall try and touch on these in future posts. And also to apologize for my horrid grammar and editing. I am a wretch when it comes to grammar and almost never edit. I shall plead the large amount of things I must do each day as excuse, but am most likely simply far too lazy to be bothered. You can see what a horror of a writer I am, but you must all take me as you find.

If you get a chance today go outside, smell the coming Spring, and think of happy times. Much as our Depression sisters did, we shall persevere and our homes shall be the refuge we all need.

Happy Homemaking.