On Woody Allen

Instapundit: "HOLLYWOOD ENDING: Breaking: Woody Allen memoir canceled after publisher’s staff walk out in protest."

My assumption, without other evidence that can be tested and proven in court, is that Woody Allen did not commit pederasty or sexually abuse Mia Farrow's children. That does not make him Father of the Year.

There is little doubt that as a man in his 30s and 40s Woody Allen chased 17 or even 16 year old women. That is condemned in our society. It can even be legally sanctionable. It is also common. For the vast majority of human existence it was considered normal. When was the last time that it was prosecuted, except for a teacher or person in a similar position of trust abusing their authority? Note that I said women, albeit young women, and not girls to differentiate between ephebophilia and pedophilia. They are different conditions and conflating the two with a linguistic sleight of hand does a disservice and comports with Stalinist tactics.

It has been said that Mia Farrow's ex-husband Frank Sinatra had warned Woody that Mia was unstable. Sinatra, who consumed women voraciously, did not tolerate what he considered creeps and was not rumored to pursue underage women. The ambiguity of the culture on that issue is shown by the opening scene of Sinatra's own peak performance in "Pal Joey" where he is thrown onto a train by cops who tell him that the girl he was with was underage, and the mayor's daughter. That was later parodied in "Animal House."

There is no doubt that in the 1970s-80s Woody Allen was deliberately unconventional in his conduct. That is especially true in his relations with Mia Farrow and her children. His behavior was theatrical ostentatious and deliberately provocative and challenging to Middle Class standards. It was approved of in elite and artistic social circles. It was even considered a Political act. It was also self indulgent unwise and likely to harm the children involved, who needed the stability of a more traditional family.

Disclosure, but not full disclosure as I wish to preserve my privacy and going near this subject risks doxxing and destruction by inflamed mobs. I have met Woody Allen and his wife. For my nickel's worth of opinion they have a real marriage. Is it possible that as a skilled performer he could fool people? Yes it is. Still over time we meet many people and that includes some monsters. To a degree one learns to rely on their own experience and impression. Unless better evidence comes to light I will rely on my judgment and consider him if not innocent then at least not guilty.

Regarding the conduct of the staff at the publisher. They should be fired. Publishing production display or sale is not an endorsement. We have been assured of that regarding both books and the offering of other creative works. The product may be condemned as without merit on its own or it may be important whether the person behind it is a saint or a monster. The publisher may institute a policy of not doing business with people they find offensive. They are a private business. What they should not do is submit to pressure from censorious staff.