Mark Twain & Mary Baker Eddy a film by Val Kilmer

[viddrome]

SIGN AUTOGRAPHS YOU HAS-BEEN, THIS PRICK REFUSED TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS FOR A HANDFUL OF FANS OUTSIDE THE THEATER IN CULVER CITY.

[Wouldyouwannarethink]

Why would you portray Samuel Clemens as an alcoholic, chain smoker with a bellicose wit? Why not highlight his social and political insights? His integrity? His philanthropy? His literary genius? Doesn't he deserve better? And, by the way, this video fails to capture the range of his opinions about Eddy, which vascilated considerably over the years. If this is meant to be a documentary, why not a more balanced presentation???

[4brens]

This looks good....when is it coming out?

[JimmySteller]

Here's hoping this movie gets made. And maybe Kilmer will finally get an Oscar nom.

[TenaciouslyWinning]

You GO Val!

[TrashCinemaJunkie77]

Snorting whiskey and drinking cocaine. Kilmer is such a scenery chewing ham.

[moniquesa19]

Que bueno que Val , además de un brillante actor, sea un devoto Científico Cristiano, así muchas personas podrán conocer a través de él, los beneficios de la Ciencia Cristiana. Soy estudiante de la CS, y estoy muy agradecida por todas las bendiciones recibidas. Me gusta la actuación de Kilmer...pero ¿Hay una versión en español?- Gracias desde ya.

[TGSTim]

Maxmollylr,

While some may assert that matter has no intelligence, isn't it just as silly to assume that a soul (which has no physical characteristics) can contain intelligence as well? I would argue that we as humans flatter ourselves too much with the term intelligence.

[jared1907]

Val Kilmer is Awesome..And, Has Never ..Received the 30,000 feet Oscar he deserves!

[redtron]

LOVES THIS!!!! All out briLLiant!!!!!!

[maxmollylr]

I can hardly wait to see this movie! It is about time. I admire Val Kilmer and the religion Christian Science.

Mark Twain's daughter, Clara was a Christian Scientist.

[Hans021220]

Does anybody know where Mary Baker Eddy was putted to rest?

[maxmollylr]

@Hans021220 HI! No I don't, but what I do know is the great work she did for mankind while she was here. What does it matter where someone was laid to rest? I want to move forward. Focus on the now.

[Hans021220]

@maxmollylr I do focus on the day today,but I was just wondering..I know she did a great work,and my mother in law used to send me lots of her lessons.That was such a blessing to me,even I am not a Christian Schientist myself.My mother in law prayed so much for me and my son,and do I ever miss that now when she has passed........

[rareandfirsts]

I sincerely hope this film comes to be. A very well done "test."

[sonjabarrett]

Mr Kilmers best work yet. I am awestruck. Well Done.

[LRooster4Prez]

this is the Twain I imagine

[freedomland11]

Oscar Buzz 5 years late

[eslubin]

This is what actors do in their free time.

[twelveacres]

Mary Baker Eddy founded a religion, started an INternational newspaper, ran a Metaphysical college, healed hundreds of people, started a monthly Journal and a weekly Sentinel to name a few. All this when woman were not even allowed to vote.

She was a remarkable woman and Kilmer seems to only mock her. It lacks the dignity she so deserves.

[eslubin]

@twelveacres woman suffrage is/was overrated

[twelveacres]

If you want to learn about Mrs. Eddy read her books, Science and Health and Prose Works.

Don't listen to this nonsense that Kilmer produced to feed his own ego. It is disrespectful to Mrs. Eddy and she would never have approved of this clip. As a Christian Scientist himself you would think Kilmer would know better. Apparently not.

[kmbishop1]

So glad that you are making this film Val. I can't way to see the rest!

[thesecretcoop]

WTG! "Of course you have been benefited. Christian Science is humanity's boon. Mother Eddy deserves a place in the Trinity as much as any member of it. She has organized and made available a healing principle that for two thousand years has never been employed, except as the merest kind of guesswork. She is the benefactor of the age." ~ Mark Twain: A Biography; the Personal and Literary Life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens by Albert Paine

See TheSecretCoop Channel for the S&H 700 Project ~ Cheers!

[thesecretcoop]

@thesecretcoop Just realized I posted essentially the same quote 2 years ago ~ had no idea that it had been that long since this piece debuted. How about an update on the project, Val? Thanks! :D

[henkydory]

Brian Eno, Val Kilmer, and Mark Twain. Very very enjoyable.

[nhprman]

Great portrayal, but was Mark Twain known to ever perform half drunk on stage? Not saying it didn't happen,ever, but that's the direction Kilmer went here, obviously.

[TheForwardGaze]

This is so disjointed I can't give an opinion. Give us something else a bit tighter.

[soulman35]

Actually we do know how she responded to his barbs. It is in her published writings, and it is gracious and beautiful.

[vcomp1960]

Would Twain have an accent like this???

[menderfire9]

This is an example of what MBE produced. A Science?? Read on: The CS Nurse sat by Ian's bed for the last 6 hours of 11 year old Ian's life as he lay in a coma; not responding to anyone. She observed vomiting, labored breathing, excessive urination, facial spasms, clenched teeth. Nevertheless, her concept of CS nursing care was to give him drops of water through a straw & to tie a sandwich bag & wet cloth around his scrotum. She did not call for medical help or ask his mother to obtain it.

Sad

[thesecretcoop]

@menderfire9 No, this is an example of a skewed version of Mrs. Eddy's teachings, no doubt occurring long after she had passed on and the Board of Directors began to thwart her specific directives for the Mother Church. The evolution of the organization is a fascinating story in itself; highly recommend some of the independent writings on the subject (especially Helen Wright and others who interviewed Mrs. Eddy's own students and/or were in her household.) Vaya con Dios ~

[maxmollylr]

@menderfire9 There are many Christian Scientist all striving to heal llke Jesus. They are all learning at their own pace. Some are good and some need to keep learning. I have had many healings in my life and sometimes I have had to use medical means, but that hasn't made me quit Christian Science. I love it because it gives me an option as I go through life. It not only helps physically, but also mentally. Also, you can't believe everything you hear from people who mock or diss CS.

[larmcc]

@maxmollylr

No, there are not many Christian Scientists. There are less and less. The church has had to shed property after property because attendance is way down. At one point, our whole family went to a church. Today, only my grandmother still goes. There are a handful of older grey haired women left. The church is a shell of what it once was.

After watching 3 family members die needlessly while relying on Christian Science, I can tell you it is a dangerous religion.

[cookie78228]

Its not a dangerious religion,. once i got sick and needed to go to the hospital, I still prayed of course but i was not ready to hel my self it takes practice,. if they were old or had an incurabule disease,. its better to believe inn God sometimes its all u can do, , so u may as well start early, start now. Money cant save people or cure disease,. u have to learn to talk to God commune with him, at least if it is my time to go I'll know where im headed, home where were all come from

[Rocknotron]

MBE! FTW! haha thats contradictory aint it

[TheBronagh]

Val is a shoe-in to play Twain. I would love to see him do a one man show on Twain on all aspects, subjects and opinions of Twain; a one man show on the best of Twain.

[phantom1897]

@TheBronagh I wouldn't like his interpretation...I agree it seems his Twain presented here seems quite drunk. He is is both drunk and slow and boring. Although Twain may have been slow is speech, he was never boring. See Mark Twain Tonight, where Hal Holbrook plays Twain and compare. Then watch other interpretations and compare. Who makes a good Twain?

[TheBronagh]

Is the old footage seen here in 1:07 &1:08 actual footage taken of Mary Baker Eddy herself, taken awares? Did you get it from the MBE Library? Just curious. If it is actual, are there any more known film footages of MBE? Any voice recordings of her in existence do you know? Thanks

[TheBronagh]

@TheBronagh The woman seen in the film as MBE is, in fact, NOT MBE I researched it I think that is kind of dishonest. Its a little disturbing to me, showing old film footage of a notorious dead woman & its not real.I enjoy Kilmer playing Twain,but I wish he would not necessarily do a Twain & Mrs Eddy story as the 2 never met nor directly had contact with one another. Twain criticized her thru her writings;we know what he said about her.But we don't know how she reacted 2 his barbs.Do Twain alone

[cinestar2]

this isnt really a movie trailer, is it?

[insightllc]

I solved the mystery of three six and nine, The dates are September in 1899, When Nikola Tesla made the land, Wave like the sea. Yakutat Bay Earthquakes from Colorado Springs YOU NOW SEE. -CMS If you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6 and 9, then you? would have a key to the universe. — Nikola Tesla

[9gymrat9]

I believe that anyone who can capture the interest of both Einstein and Twain is worth investigating. Kilmer must hold a similar belief and I am looking forward to seeing this film. Open-minded thinkers who want to know more about the subject should read Rolling Away the Stone by Stephen Gottschalk. Eddy challenged conventional Christianity and she and her works can be threatening to many mainstream Christians who don't like to rock the boat.

[9gymrat9]

I believe that anyone who captured the interest of intellects such as Twain and Einstein is worth investigating. Obviously Kilmer feels the same. I might suggest the book by Stephen Gottschalk, Rolling Away the Stone, an in depth look at Mrs. Eddy. Her philosophy was revolutionary and threatening to mainstream Christianity which continues to attack her and her works. I'm looking forward to seeing this film.

[christopherjhd]

@dongnaneng you are correct , one of mark twain's relatives was healed by a Christian Scientist which started the first book filled with criticism however his comments changed some what in the second book where he made some alterations in opinion. I always find people who read the first but still need to read the second on before passing judgment on any one.

[ilessthanthreeyou]

I'm so excited for this. I'm not Christian Scientist but I've often passed judgment before I knew anything about it, it was because I knew Val was making this film that I decided to read about it and about Mary Baker Eddy and it's a very interesting philosophy and she was certainly an amazing character.

And who doesn't love Mark Twain? lol

Can't wait for this

[DemonMeister]

I can so see Winona Ryder playing Mary Baker Eddy! I hope Val sees that as well...

[cinestar2]

@DemonMeister how do you know more about the cast?

[actwealthy]

Raised in Christian Science, I ultimately think Mary Baker Eddy had some good things to say, however if you want to find good Christian Scientists, they are hard to find in the CS church. They say the time for thinkers has come, they will think about Divine Love, but are unable to tell you they love you...They speak of Divine Truth, however regarding circumstances, they dont bring the truth out in their own lives. God blesses the DOERS of the word of God.

[actwealthy]

I had to leave those that THINK about Divine Love, to join a church where the people could tell me that they love me. I had to disown the personality cult, to actually find the Christ within....to leave the people who THINK about healing, to get my spiritual healing.

[maxmollylr]

@actwealthy God loves you. Isn't that enough for you? OK, I love you and I am a Christian Scientist. I feel quite satisfied and happy just knowing that. Emotion is not lasting and as long as you live in the human and not the Spiritual, you will feel an emptiness. God is eternal, the human is temporary. You pick.

[DocHymes]

It would be instructive for you to read the Biography "Christian Healer" and incidentally Mrs. Eddy's church was not built on words or "good things to say" as you put it .. it was established by WORKS. She was even invited to preach in one of the Baptist church's in Boston which she did and many who attended walked out healed. Seeking out a "good" personality wether they are Christian or not is misses the whole point. In fact I have had quite the contrary experience.

[maxmollylr]

@actwealthy You know, that is definately true. There are all kinds of people in the Christian Science movement. So? They are all on their own individual journey striving to understand the healing message that Jesus practiced. We too can do the same thing Jesus did. I think though that people are offended by that because of what they have been taught. They are afraid of something they don't understand. I guess I would be afraid if I was taught all my life that there is a hell.

[ceaserowns1]

Uh... for someone telling me i didn't read the book your throwing that quote out of context. He says before that how Christian Science appeases the intellectual and the unintelligent and that's why its dangerous. I count that more of a compliment than an insult. At least christian science doesn't need to make up saints and pictures because half of their congregation cant read just like early Catholicism did.

[ceaserowns1]

"That with an eye to business, and by grace of her business talent, she has restored to the world neglected and abandoned features of the Christian religion which her thousands of followers find gracious and blessed and contenting, I recognize and confess;" Mark Twain. He criticised Mary, yes, but never the religion. He liked it and thought it worked.

[paulipaz]

With that said, Im not denying the power of the mind, but uh, yeah Im not getting into it.

I love, love Twain and Val is one of my favorite actors, and it's interesting to note that he's a devout Christian Scientist (my bro used to work at a reading room when we were part of the church, and we saw videos of him reading in Sunday service). Anyway, I cant wait to see his take on Twain's opinions of her and all the controversy that surrounded her!

[rushforth07]

WOW I can't wait for this movie!!

[FallenSparrow]

People forget that there's a difference between Mark Twain the person and Mark Twain the persona. And as for the death conversation, well, I don't really know if it has a beginning or an end, but Twain again saves us from thought: "Whoever has lived long enough to find out what life is, knows how deep a debt of gratitude we owe to Adam, the first great benefactor of our race. He brought death, sweet death, into the world."

[FallenSparrow]

Twain's a-twirling in his grave, for surely no one has misunderstood his satire more than this "most interesting woman" whom he himself called "crooked". Not to mention that he wrote fictional homages to his wife Olivia. Plus Kilmer sounds like a hazy mix between Randy Newman and Morgan Freeman in Driving Miss Daisy. I leave it to Twain in his own words: "Woman was God's second mistake."

[MaskRaiders]

Death does not exist! Period! End of discussion.  End and Beginning, explain the difference. They are one...

[MaskRaiders]

Death does not exist! Period! End of discussion! Always with love :-)

[Cambria777]

Yes, please! When can we look forward to the finished work? Can you give us an update??? I can hardly wait to see this. I know it will be extraordinary!

[bigrogue74]

when will the fim be complete?!

[FoohyMonkeyzz98]

i dont get it

[cinestar2]

i got no time right now to watch this video,

but one question: was mark twain in the end convinced by mrs eddys sayings? because i read he attacked her in one of his books.

[thesecretcoop]

@cinestar2 Yes, see the quote from his biography by Paine (here and on Wiki.) Cheers ~

[maxmollylr]

@cinestar2 His daughter, Clara, was a Christian Scientist. He wrote a correction to his book Christian Science which was very nice.

[scheye1]

no they didn't

[scheye1]

Why are you being so defensive? Maybe they might have believed it a long time ago, but lots of people that weren't christian scientists probably did as well. I'm not trying to personally prove you wrong, just let you know that the information you're putting out online isn't portraying their religion the way it really is.

As for Copernicus, he lived between 1473 and 1543. Christian Science didn't even start up till in the mid 1800s. So how would he have been condemed by them if he was dead?

[kevsart]

Reply to scheye1 Thanks for clearing that up.You are one of the few intelligent folks on here.Sorry for the insults ya caught me on a bad day. Peace

[moxie1982]

Val Kilmer is an ass. Opportunistic, at best.

And, to paraphrase, those without sin (or fault) can cast the first stone.

We are human. To aim venom and loathing on a belief system is simply ignorant.

Aren't we all free to believe and practice as we choose? If we rest on "what is" how could we ever move forward?

We have the dignitiy and capacity to think beyond ourselves.

Don't be afraid...go ahead...change.

[mousepd]

Brilliant acting. I have always considered Kilmer to be a gifted performer. Tom Cruise and others are good at being themselves but Val Kilmer can portray anyone he chooses. I loved his role as Jim Morrison as well.

[bmiller4930]

Since I have been healed by Christian Science many time over and my life has improved by its love, I know that Mary Baker Eddy was correct. Thanks, Val, for this video.

[spacecowboy95]

@bmiller4930 Why wont god heal amputees?

Why are all the so called miracles ambiguous?

[LucidNation]

Very intriguing. Some of the acting's over the top but of course it's only a demo. Wish the love aspect had been more clearly indicated to be ironic or actual (or both). Eddy ripped off Quimby.

[grazeland]

Do more research or consult with Twain scholars before finalizing this project. I've always admired Kilmer, but he's tackling an icon -the Lincoln of our Literature. And in 2010 -the 100th year of Twain's death, the 175th year of his birth. Val, do not ride Clemens' coattails if you don't plan to do him justice. I hope this is not a real sample of what's to come - taken him out of context & portrayed him as a drunk. The critics and scholars will eat you alive for this. Please, do your research.

[Cambria777]

There are stories online at U.of VA & at U.C. Berkeley describing MT as pretending to be drunk as part of his act. On 12-31-1906 he imitated a drunk at a New Year's Eve party, as described in the NY Times 01-01-1907. He also portrayed a drunk in 1872 at someone's home where he was a dinner guest: "...far from being drunk he was acting as he always did. The dress, speech, and the posture were all part of his characteristic manner-he was after all a humorist." Am guessing Val did his homework.

[grazeland]

Exactly. Twice. He "imitated" a drunk. The man lived 74 years. Why would Kilmer select these two brief moments to put in the heads of impressionable and uninformed viewers? Sensationalism? If Kilmer is going for obscurity, why not recount the little known story of Warren McGuinn? I have no idea what Kilmer is planning. Like I said, I just hope he does his research and does not take little moments out of context to distort the life of Mark Twain.

[veggiepants]

Val's accent is WAY off. Aside from that, why is he doing a drunk Mark Twain??? I love that man and it's irritating to see his dry humor delivered so sloppily wet (pun intended.) If you ever watch Ken Burns' biography on him you'll see what I mean. This is waaaaay off. Seems like Val just wanted to spew a lot of Twain's wit and wisdom without doing any real homework.

[grazeland]

Thank you! If he would just read Twain's autobiography or the Kaplan bio he'd have a clue. I'm hoping this is just a sample of how he will look as Twain, not how he will actually perform. Please, Val, do Twain justice by doing some real research.

[grazeland]

I wonder what Hal Holbrook would think of this. Maybe he would offer to mentor Val Kilmer and prevent him from making a terrible career move. (We can hope!)

[LEWOOF]

and the streets were carpeted cheaply with dead cats....

[ziasutra]

thanks for doing this. much respect to they and you.

[MauricePedro]

mark twain rules

[11moonelf]

wow! applause for val. and i did not realize mark & mary were contemporaries. they were both so very 'ahead of their time.' looking forward to the finished project.

[mindsciencequimby]

Thank you.

Look-up P.P.Quimby for the true beginnings of Mental Healing.

[britwhit2002]

@mindsciencequimby Does it matter who was the first to present "mind healing"? The Principles have been presented throughout the ages through many faiths. In my mind, the more the Truth is presented, the better!

[maxmollylr]

@britwhit2002 People were healed even before Jesus.

[mrselfrog]

I've been a fan of Kilmer since 8 was 8 and i saw him in TopGun.... I knew then we would be married one day.... ahhhh.... then i grew up. Still a big fan, but I married another man.... :-)

This is a great vid.

[thistledownealli]

I'm so glad Val is doing this! I actually have a copy of "Christian Science" written by Mark Twain. It's a very interesting subject and kudos for bringing it to light. It's a history of Christian Science that is little known. THANK YOU, VAL!

[dukeleach]

thanks for all you do . this is so great.

[luckyguy71]

WOW! This is a GREAT piece! I can't wait to see the finished product. It puts a new light on the Twain vs Eddy issue that many people don't research enough to see and understand. GOOD WORK VAL!

[littlegrief]

Great idea, though his accent needs work - Missouri accent is rounder. Loved the hook at the end. Are Mark Twain's words his own or are they summarized by someone else? And did he actually speak about Mary Baker Eddy at Carnegie Hall? Can't wait to see the final film.

[Sindicutt]

does anyone know the name of the song in the background?

[neserdna]

This is great and about time. Considering Mark Twain's opposition to Mrs. Eddy, that he came around in the face of proof and reason is amazing and the story and her place in history is long over due.

[sketchyfolk]

nice acting---but being a man from the south the accent needs a lot of love. it sounds like malibu, not mississippi.

[eubankcanada]

I had troubles with the accent as well, but mainly because of the poetic and emotional way he explains Christian Science so that it took me two times to catch what he thought about it. Twain is from Missouri, not Mississippi, so his accent shouldn't sound like it's from the south. Florida, MO (where he was born) and Hannibal, MO (where he spent his childhood) are closer to Chicago than they are to anywhere in the south.

[offyonder]

This will be interesting to see... I wonder if the Mother Church has offered any sort of endorsement or if Val is just going off on his own for this. I hope he stays very true to history and doesn't need to embellish any part of the story.

Also, it sounds like he's using the same voice as he did in Tombstone as Doc Holiday... Might have to see that again to be sure.

I also recall hearing Einstein had attended a few Wednesday Night services... maybe it was part of a DiscoveryBound OTM! ;)

[CScares]

I hope this is something Val is doing on his own just because Mrs Eddy didn't want to be idolized by the church or anyone else.

[thesecretcoop]

@CScares It took me a moment to realize your username is CS cares, not CS(s)cares! 0.o Must have naysayers on the mind :P

P.S. CS heals, too! ;-)

[thesecretcoop]

@CScares P.P.S. Be not afraid. There's a big difference between idolizing someone and portraying the brilliance of their work, not to mention its place in prophecy. Google HealingUnlimited & search for "Mrs. Eddy's Place," a pamphlet which was first published by the Boston Board of Directors, but later removed from Reading Rooms by future appointees who did not understand its significance. Thanks to the Independent Movement and courageous people like Val, the Good Word is getting out!pda

[zjgreen3]

How interesting about Mark Twain and Mary Baker Eddy - never heard about any of this! And Val is an amazing actor!!

[thesecretcoop]

To his publisher, Mark Twain remarked, "Christian Science is humanity's boon. Mother Eddy deserves a place in the Trinity as much as any member of it. She has organized and made available a healing principle that for two thousand years has never been employed, except as the merest guesswork. She is the benefactor of the age." — Mark Twain, A Biography, by Albert B. Paine, Vol. III, p. 1271.

[seeeeeeea]

Looks super interesting-- what a voice!

[eastdallasalice]

Bag queen, I read stories on the internet about Einstein's first wife did most of the work that Einstein is famous. I don't doubt it for a second.

[thesecretcoop]

If everyone realized what is in that book (meaning Science and Health by MBE), you would not have enough room anywhere to accommodate the people who would be clamoring for it. ~ Albert Einstein

[chakilmame]

Val is the most outstanding actor I've ever seen. I adore his talent.

[baggagequeen]

Mary Baker Eddy first discovered that we all have an immune system......... Many thought she was crazy, or a witch......... fast forward about 75 yrs., Lo and behold they discover that we all have am immune system. Duh! ;)

[larmcc]

Hmmmm? We do not have an immune system. "Man is not material, he is spiritual." THOSE are the words of MBE. I was raised in Christian Science, never recall hearing anything about an immune system. Of course I believe in an immune system since I have been out of the 'religion' for over 20 years.

[baggagequeen]

When I say an immune system, I don't mean thats what she called it, its just a figure of speech, but she knew we were wonderfully made, and able to be healed without medicine.

[maxmollylr]

@larmcc Obviously, you didn't understand what you were reading. How can matter have intelligence, silly.

[baggagequeen]

I studied Christian Science for about 4 yrs. It is for real and very powerful; I no longer have allergies because of it, etc. Val Kilmer is a devout Christian Scientist.

[Hurricanesupply]

Val is the most interesting person that ever lived! I admire his spirit & his cleverness.

[vivezidane]

haha what? I beg to differ, greatly. There are a few thousand years of history before him that would disagree as well.

[SueZanka007]

I love Val Kilmer. He is great!!!!!!!!!