Judith Martin makes a comeback – as a character in Steven Spielberg’s 2017 movie The Post. As a side-story to the decision by the Washington Post to print the Pentagon Papers in 1971, Martin is banned from attending Tricia Nixon’s upcoming wedding because … well … she might have crashed the previous wedding of Julie Nixon. Or at least slipped by security with the bridesmaids instead of waiting in the cordoned room where press were to be briefed by a staff member.
Is it true, Judith Martin is asked as the interview winds down, that she was banned from Tricia Nixon’s wedding?
After a pregnant pause: “Yes.”
“I was banned from Tricia’s wedding,” Judith Martin says, recalling her days as a Washington Post reporter. “But I have to go back to Julie (Nixon)’s wedding.”
“You crashed Julie’s wedding,” Bina adds.
“I crashed Julie’s, but I didn’t (really) because I had (media) credentials. The White House East Wing social secretary gathered all the reporters who had credentials and said we were not allowed in, but she was going to tell us what happened. Well, no self-respecting reporter would accept that! We had credentials, and we went in.”
“Tell the story, though,” Bina says. “You hid out in the bathroom, right?”
“Another reporter and I were in the bathroom. We started talking with some of the bridesmaids, and we just walked back in with them.”
Bina Martin grins: “Isn’t that awesome? She was also on the Nixon enemies list!”
“No, I was on the ‘deep freeze’ list.” (1)
Martin is portrayed by Jessie Mueller, well-known on Broadway and making her screen debut.
(1) “To the manners born,” The Columbus Dispatch, Posted Mar 14, 2010
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Judith Martin (née Perlman), is better known by the pen name Miss Manners. since 1978 she has written an advice column, carried in more than 200 newspapers worldwide. her advice regarding politeness is pithy and often humorous. a few of her notable quotes that solidify the aristocratic image of Judith:
- Indeed, Miss Manners has come to believe that the basic political division in this country is not between liberals and conservatives but between those who believe that they should have a say in the love lives of strangers and those who do not.
- It’s far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.
- Most people who work at home find they do not have the benefit of receptionists who serve as personal guards.
- Parents should conduct their arguments in quiet, respectful tones, but in a foreign language. You’d be surprised what an inducement that is to the education of children.
- We already know that anonymous letters are despicable. In etiquette, as well as in law, hiring a hit man to do the job does not relieve you of responsibility.
- We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.
- When a society abandons its ideals just because most people can’t live up to them, behavior gets very ugly indeed.
- You do not have to do everything disagreeable that you have a right to do.
- You glance at an e-mail. You give more attention to a real letter.
yes, the title says my name is "Judith, to you." and it's as arrogant as it sounds. that's what happens when a giggley little girl is bestowed a heavy-weight name like Judith. but it's time to own my name. to be Shakespearean and wonder "What's in a name?" to learn about the artwork inspired by the name. to contemplate how a widow in a gleaming gown can decapitate a brute - and not muss her nails. join me in the bumpy ride through history and art and social change, all in the name of Judith.