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Rockwell Video Minute: The Holdout
Norman Rockwell admired men and women who fearlessly stood by their convictions. Nowhere was that more evident than in his portrayal a jury’s lone dissenter.
Comments
Ah, The Saturday Evening Post from 50 years ago, when I was a youngster, retrieving our Post from the over-sized mailbox on our driveway wall. Thanks for the revisit to ” the good old Post days ” when us four kids, Mom and Dad and the front porch were all for catching up on the latest. Our weekends could never have been the same…..
When I was a young man living at home my parents subscribed to the post as well as taking trips to Massachusetts and visiting the Rockwell museum.
I’ve always enjoyed the art and in time my own visits to the museum with my family.
Now over 50 years later I’ve subscribed to the magazine my parents once read and admired as I follow in their footsteps. Thanks for great art and stories of a time once lived.
Frankly, I was surprised (and even shocked) that as late as 1959, women in the better part of half of the states could not serve on a jury! Perhaps this is a contributing factor as to why this young woman with her reasonable doubt is so adamant in standing her ground on something so important.
Despite their frustrations, the men seem to be trying to be respectful of her even though they don’t agree. More than likely it was resolved by the juror portrayed by Rockwell, and his voice of reason. As in all Rockwell covers, there is much to studied and pondered, top to bottom.
12 years later (3/9/71), “All in the Family” aired one of their first and finest episodes ever, entitled “Edith Has Jury Duty”. She is the one holdout from an otherwise unanimous jury’s decision of guilty, but is proven to be right in the end, preventing an innocent man from wrongly being sent to prison.
The fact the episode is “politically incorrect” in today’s messed up America (and could NEVER be made now!!) is irrelevant in what it still has to say. Fortunately you can find it on YouTube. Norman Lear knew how to blend the serious with humor, and has Edith sequestered with a haughty woman of means who is sure she and the 10 other jurors are correct in their decisions of guilt. Doris Singleton gives one of HER best performances as ‘Mrs. Stonehurst’ here that is not to be missed, trust me!
Love Norman Rockwell
I am 78 years old. The Post has is part of my past t0 day it is a blessing for me. Thank you for the e-mail.
Entertaining comment on the famous Rockwell painting. It has a place of honor in my law firm’s small reception area, and is frequently commented on by clients and other visitors. Truly a “piece of Americana” that Norman himself would appreciate.