Play That Funky Movie, White Boy

John Derbyshire proves himself to be a true Renaissance man with this paean to "Saturday Night Fever" at National Review Online:

For proponents of the theory that everything in the world exists for some good reason, disco music must present a conundrum. What higher purpose could possibly be served by this vapid, thrumping, affectless sound, dragging in its wake a subculture of narcissism, pill-popping, promiscuity both straight and gay, cheesy light shows, and the worst male clothing styles since slashed doublets and neck ruffs went out? Disco was so mockable it had barely got started before it was mocking itself--remember "Disco Duck"?

The answer to the first of those questions will readily be given by any of us Seventies survivors. Disco came into the world so that producer Robert Stigwood and director John Badham could create Saturday Night Fever, one of the dozen or so best movies of all time.

After reading this piece, I now look forward to seeing Mr. Derbyshire cut a rug at one the 2008 National Review convention parties in town.