The two-day media feeding frenzy over a pro-Hitler quote allegedly uttered by California gubernatorial front-runner Arnold Schwarzenegger was based on an account that has been disputed for nearly a month by several eyewitnesses to the episode.
George Butler directed the movie "Pumping Iron," in which outtakes allegedly show Schwarzenegger saying that he admired Hitler. He later put the quote in a book proposal widely cited by the mainstream press on Thursday.
But Mr. Butler actually recanted the story last month, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, which reported Friday morning:
"Contacted by telephone on Sept. 11, however, Butler had said the story was 'not true.'"
The Chronicle explained:
"Butler confirmed to the New York Times Thursday putting Schwarzenegger's statements on Hitler in his book proposal, but he could not immediately provide a copy of the transcript of the movie interview. He said he would look for it."
Others cited by the Chronicle also disputed the Hitler quote:
"Geoff Bartz, one of the editors on the picture, when asked about the Hitler quote, said from New York on Sept. 30, 'My memory is, absolutely not. He said nothing about Hitler.'"
The Chronicle continued:
"Bartz said he and five others who worked on the movie 'watched all the dailies (the rough cuts of the previous day's work) for a month,' and he could not remember anything about Hitler."
"Pumping Iron's" other editor, Larry Silk, told the Chronicle that he didn't remember Schwarzenegger's talking about Hitler, but he had a nagging thought that there might be something there.
"It doesn't ring a bell," Silk said, "but it rings a shadow of a bell."
No wonder Arnold can't remember praising Hitler. Apparently nobody else can either.
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
California Governor's Race
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