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175 Chapter Twenty-Six AS TIME GOES BY Throughout the 1980s, Lew was becoming more outspoken in public on the issues. This included his concerns over his long held environmental and antinuclear concerns, often giving speeches on the subjects. In a speech delivered before a civics organization, he spoke of the relatively new idea of conservation and drew a connection between economics and environmental resources, stating: The important point is that for a brief period during the oil crisis we had an opportunity to reform our environmental habits and attitudes . The mental climate was right. People were seriously ready for a changeover, but our tiger by the tail economic dependence upon consumer gratification must forever force us to promote and encourage consumer desire.1 True to his statements, Lew himself lived a life of thoughtful conservation , committed to driving an economical and fuel efficient Honda CVCC and use scratch papers for notes.2 Even Lew’s final feature film role, as Bill Atherton in Damien:฀Omen฀II, commented on agricultural ethics through an extended scene about the immorality of mass agriculture over local, private farming. Although the film was criticized as being only a step above the standard horror sequel, the connection drawn between morality and corporate responsibility made for an interesting subplot. Although his appearance in a horror film like Damien seemed surprising , Lew was far more liberal than many imagined. For him, such films were a demonstration of a freedom of expression, a right he considered to be of vital importance. He reflected, “There may be too many four-letter words now in films for some people, but out of this grows a freedom that I believe is healthy.”3 But Lew had little patience for films As tIme goes By 176 with graphic violence and the desire of modern audiences to watch it in theaters. He even spoke on the topic at a symposium on the roots of violence , saying, “Movies don’t use violence without reason; they are there to make money.”4 Despite Lew’s success and the fact that he had been an actor for fifty years, he was still periodically haunted by his choice of a career, and expressed regret that he had chosen acting over medicine or missionary work: “If I had to do over, I don’t think I would have been an actor.” And yet, his regret was steeped in conflict, as it was acting itself that had opened so many other doors for him, as he acknowledged: “It has given me the wherewithal to learn about many things that interest me. I have always been interested in religions and have searched for a greater knowledge of things of the spirit. I wanted to verify and validate the teaching of different religions against the fact of my own life . . . I have a deep abiding conviction in the presence of God in the universe, and I see that spirit working through mankind. The spiritual search is the most exciting adventure of mankind.”5 As he neared seventy-five, aging was not an issue that seemed to bother Lew. He appeared to take joy in finally being the “old man” that Ida Lupino had teased him about being half a lifetime before. In 1982, he wrote: The old saying spoke of life beginning at forty. I honestly think sixty or seventy is more like it, and I mean that with all my heart. Isn’t it possible that the day we die will be the best day of all? Oh, not because we’ll be leaving for what our faith thinks may be freedom from the incessant concerns of this life. I don’t want to escape from anything . . . not even for heavenly serenity. In fact, I think it quite possible that hereafter may find us more involved with problems than ever before. Well, after all, if we hope to be with God we had better be prepared for that hadn’t we? His are never-ending for the slightest moment. What could possibility be a greater reward than the opportunity to help in some small way with this overwhelming wonderful creative projection which, up to now, you and I have only stated or glimpsed? But I must stop theorizing or it will go on too long . . . and sound like I’m getting ready to take off. Believe me, I’m not. I’m pleased to stay as long as possible or longer . . . except that it would not be possible. Our battle...

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