Written on September 4, 2016. Triggered by a late-night movie on WOWOW, the author reflects on Warren Beatty and his sister Shirley MacLaine. This essay contrasts the fading memory of film lovers with the instant clarity provided by the internet, affirming it as the greatest library in human history.

Warren Beatty, and his sister, are none other than Shirley MacLaine.
2016-09-04
The night before last, when I switched channels on WOWOW, a film starring Al Pacino was being broadcast.
As one of the more devoted film viewers, I have seen most of his starring roles.
At first, I thought it might be one of those films strongly colored by his presence, and I was not quite in the mood for that kind of work that night, but as I watched, readers already know how much I adore the great actress Annette Bening.
I also recalled thinking that when Hollywood’s legendary playboy Warren Beatty married her, it was, indeed, no ordinary event.

At that moment, having completely forgotten his name, I asked a close friend beside me, who is also a serious film enthusiast, but he too had momentarily forgotten it, though, as expected of a true cinephile, he said, “He is that actress’s younger brother.”
I was taken aback.
For that actress is also one of my most beloved great actresses.

That I have repeatedly stated that the internet is the greatest library in human history was once again proven here in an instant, needless to say.
It has been only some thirty years since the age of the internet began.

In a book by a renowned film critic, there is an episode describing how, while drinking with someone, he simply could not recall an actor’s name, so he took a taxi home, looked it up, and then contacted the person later.
And this happened more than once.

Now, needless to say, one can simply search on a smartphone on the spot and instantly know everything, just as I did.
That Warren Beatty’s sister is none other than Shirley MacLaine.

To be continued.