On the homepage, I detail how the decades-long process that made Hollywood dependent on access to the Chinese market for its movies seems to be reversing. The New York Times account describing the initial process identifies Joe Biden as one of its key drivers: “When Joseph R. Biden Jr. was vice president, he helped Hollywood win greater access to Chinese cinemas, which were opening at breakneck speed.”

But the Times does not mention Biden’s good friend Chris Dodd. When Dodd retired from his post as senator from Connecticut, he became head of the Motion Picture Association of America (now the Motion Picture Association). As MPAA head, he was essential in bringing Hollywood and China together. A 2017 Hollywood Reporter article gave Dodd credit “for helping Hollywood studios open up the rapidly growing Chinese market with agreements reached in 2012 and 2015 that now let 34 Hollywood films per year into the country.” So you can thank Dodd for helping the American film industry into its corrupting dependence on the Chinese market, which it is only now beginning to undo.

Add it to Dodd’s impressive legacy. In 2020, he was a member of Biden’s vice-presidential selection committee, which gave us the unique talent that is Kamala Harris. Those with longer memories might remember that, as senator, Dodd proved himself a financial wizard, skillfully securing a favorable mortgage from Countrywide Financial that had nothing to do with his political position as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. Those with even longer memories might recall allegations regarding Dodd’s talent as a preparer of a particular kind of sandwich. Dodd’s contributions to the American film industry should be held in the same regard as these other accomplishments.