This week’s photograph was taken on the National Mall, where the movie “The Apartment” was being shown as part of HBO’s Screen on the Green Series.
There was an interesting dialogue between Jack Lemmon (who works in a large insurance company) and Shirley McLaine (who’s an elevator operator in said company) in this 1960 film:
BUD
They got a great little band at El
Chico, in the Village — it’s
practically around the corner from
where you live.FRAN
Sounds good.
(a sudden thought)
How do you know where I live?BUD
Oh, I even know who you live
with — your sister and brother-in-
law — I know when you were born —
and where — I know all sorts of
things about you.FRAN
How come?BUD
A couple of months ago I looked up
your card in the group insurance
file.FRAN
Oh.BUD
I know your height, your weight and
your Social Security number — you
had mumps, you had measles, and you
had your appendix out.They have now reached the corner, and Fran stops.
FRAN
Well, don’t tell the fellows in the
office about the appendix. They may
get the wrong idea how you found
out.
(turning the corner)
‘Bye.
Many people in the audience were laughing during this part (and I assume many in this crowd probably are very engaged in these issues), and it made me think about how we got from there to here, and a thought provoking question: Did HIPAA solve a problem or is it a band-aid on a bigger, deeper one?
Lastly, on this gorgeous summer evening, I also encountered a curiosity of this series, the HBO Dance, which is choreographed to the opening theme many in my generation remember before the days of cable. It’s always good to dance, and laugh, every day – and that does happen in Washington!
Video posted below, along with a bonus image of the crowd.
1 Comment
Lived in DC for 6 years. Miss the many events on the mall such as this. Thanks for posting.