Howard Beale

Howard Beale may refer to:

See also

Howard Beale (Network)

Howard Beale is a fictional character from the film Network (1976) and the central character therein. He is played by Peter Finch, who won a posthumous Oscar for the role.

In Network, Beale, the anchorman for the UBS Evening News, struggles to accept the ramifications of the social ailments and depravity existing in the world. Beale's producers exploit him for high ratings and avoid giving him the psychiatric assistance that some (especially his companion Max Schumacher) think he needs.

The image of Beale in a beige coat with his wet, hair plastered to his head, standing up during the middle of his newscast saying, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" is often listed as one of the most iconic in film history, with the aforementioned line ranked #19 on the American Film Institute's 2005 list of the 100 greatest American movie quotes.

Beale's career as "The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves" is sparked by his half-joking offer, after receiving his two-weeks' notice, to kill himself on nationwide TV. He subsequently apologizes to his viewers, telling them he "ran out of bullshit." Viewers respond positively and Beale is given his own show where he can say whatever he likes. Unfortunately for the network, he exposes the ties between CCA, the corporation that owns the network, and business interests in Saudi Arabia. Arthur Jensen, CCA chairman and chief stockholder (played by Ned Beatty), thunderously explains to him his belief that money is the only true god, whereupon Beale completely turns his message around; before, he told people their lives had value and meaning, but after his meeting with Jensen, he says the opposite. His ratings drop, but Jensen orders him kept on; network executives order him to be assassinated. The film concludes with the murder of Beale on national television; a voiceover proclaims him "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings."

Howard Beale (politician)

Sir Oliver Howard Beale KBE (10 December 1898 – 17 October 1983) was an Australian politician and Ambassador to the United States. He was the father of Liberal Party of Australia politician Julian Beale. Beales's granddaughter, Debbie Beale, was married to Labor party politician Bill Shorten.

Beale was born in Tamworth, New South Wales and educated at Sydney Boys High School and at the University of Sydney. He became a barrister in 1925 and established his own practice. In 1927 he married Margery Ellen Wood. In 1942 served as a sub-lieutenant on anti-submarine duties with the Royal Australian Naval Reserve.

Beale was elected as the Liberal Party of Australia member for Parramatta in 1946 and became a member of the House Standing Committee on Public Works in 1947. With the election of the Robert Menzies government he became Minister for Information and Minister for Transport in the Menzies Ministry until 17 March 1950, when he became Minister for Supply, a position he retained until his retirement from parliament in February 1958. He was immediately appointed Ambassador to the United States and held that position until 1964.