Oct 21 2008
Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time
I just found these old photos I made in 1989. If I could turn back time, I would have had more film in my camera on the day Cher came to make her infamous music video on the USS Missouri. I was the duty Master-At-Arms that evening. Almost everyone who did not have duty left the ship because they knew they would probably be recruited into being in the video. And they were right! I had the dubious task of going around the ship that night and waking up every sailor I could find to order them to put on their whites and get up on deck to be in the video. There were some grumpy sailors that night.
You would think that there would be a lot of sailors wanting to be in a music video, but that wasn’t really the case. In fact, there were so few of us, they had to herd us around from shot to shot, just to make it look like we were a big crowd
The sailors who did participate wound up having a pretty good time with it, but making videos is tedious, hard work. We listened to that song over and over and over, filming take after take after take! Little did we know that the Navy would catch a lot of flack over the whole thing. See why by viewing it here if you like; just remember that MTV wound up airing it only after 9pm since it’s pretty racy. One good thing that came from it was the Mighty Mo always had a perfect breakaway song for underway replenishment that was used until the ship was decommissioned.
I know what you are thinking, and no I never could see my face in the final video. The only thing I have to prove I was there that night are these few photographs, and since I was behind the lens instead of in front of it, even they don’t even prove anything either. But you still believe me, don’t you? Remind me and some time I’ll tell you about the time I was cast as an extra in the Hunt for the Red October movie.
12 responses so far
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I remember being at Grandma and Grandpa Genereux’s house and turning on MTV to watch the video that was shot on cousin Bill’s ship. It was a big deal. Grandpa thought it was pretty funny, but Grandma thaought it was a little too racy!
Yes, a lot of people agreed with Grandma on that one. However, you should know that Grandma also lived on a farm and was so proper, she wouldn’t let her kids utter the word “bull”. Instead, they had to call it “the animal.”
Too funny! Thanks Marty.
Your Gma Vivian was correct. The test as to whether a video is too racy as compared to racy is to ask yourself, is this a role model you want your daughter to emulate? And then be honest with your reaction.
Carolyn,
I see how you are, dragging my daughter into the discussion and turning my light-hearted, silly post into one of a meaningful discussion!
I would be hard-pressed to find ANY role model from Hollywood for my daughter to emulate. Somehow our country has gotten the idea that fame automatically equals authority and credibility.
“I make movies you find enjoyable, so you should buy the product or vote for the candidate that I endorse.” Bull-oney.
Our obsession with fame explains in part the current popularity of “reality” tv programs, and people’s willingness to do anything to become famous.
I think Cher is a great entertainer, and has long been known for her over-the-top costumes. Right or wrong, on the day she reached the height of her costume craziness; the day she made the video that immediately comes to mind when you say “Cher Video,” I happened to be there in person and I will never forget that day.
(By the way, Cher is much shorter than the impression I got growing up with the Sonny & Cher show. Sonny must have been about 4 ft. tall!)
I was just ’standing up’ for Gma Vivian’s understanding of the term racy. Even today almost 20 years later I would imagine the video would be rated PG13, which should be shown after 9:00. It is hard to find a good role model for young daughters today. Even history has only a very few.
The only one I can think of is Oprah in today’s world and she chooses to live with a man rather than get married. My kids tell me I’m too old fashioned with my point of view but I like to consider it a wise way of thinking instead of old fashioned.
Your photos of the Cher experience are your claim to fame.
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I was on the same battleship and I know your favorite car was a 1990 Nissan 300 ZX.
PS Did you ever go back to the Philippines??
I did love that car. I was just looking at them not too long ago. They are finally getting into my price range.
We visited the PI on our way to the Persian Gulf in 1991. That’s the last time I was there.
Do you still have the autographed cd of cher?
My CD was stolen on the ‘Mo. I purchased another copy, but no autograph. I even had to by the international edition on e-bay since they pulled the original “Skull” album off of American shelves.
I’ve thought about trying to contact Cher to plead my case for a new autograph, but figured it probably isn’t worth the trouble.
[...] because of circumstances beyond my control. I was also present at the filming of the infamous Cher video on the USS Missouri, but I’m not visible in that either. I’m somewhere in a California landfill, swept from [...]