When it comes to actor/author John Lithgow (it’s pronounced “Lith-go” and rhymes with “ho-ho”), some people expect Roberta Muldoon from The World According to Garp, Cain from Raising Cain or Dick Solomon from 3rd Rock from the Sun. These conflicting types of characters may explain why such a variety of people (philanthropist Trammell S. Crow, journalist Bob Wilonsky, Jr. Leaguer Elizabeth Gambrell, socialite Tanya Roberts, etc.) attended the Dallas Film Society’s The Art of Film on November 18 at the Hall of State.
Which one of the Lithgow characters did they get? They got the 66-year-old, 6’4” tall, multi-award winner, Fulbright scholar who proved to be articulate, gracious and totally invested in his onstage chat with Elvis Mitchell, as well as in the sold-out crowd.
But before that conversation took place, the red carpet and VIP reception were on the agenda. The red carpet was not rushed. No, siree. Lithgow talked with each of the media at length as if they were the most interesting person he’d met.
Also on the red carpet was Peter Weller, John’s co-star in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. The two actors were also due to be interviewed the next morning by Unfair Park’s Bob Wilonsky just prior to the showing of Buckaroo.
Still another notable on the carpet was Arthur E. Benjamin, whose foundation was The Art of Film’s title sponsor. At his side was Erin Foley. Arthur had had a busy week. Earlier in the week he was on FOX and NBC Nightly News about his efforts to transport Afghanistan dogs that had been adopted by American service people. So far the program has been able to reunite 15 dogs with 15 soldiers. Thursday night he was in Florida having dinner with Gov. Rick Scott. In his spare time he’s been involved with Smiling Dog Farm, a dog sanctuary in Wharton. But Arthur wasn’t slowing down for the holidays. He hinted that he’s got something brewing as the holidays get underway. But it was still too early to discuss and besides he was here to support his love of film.
And while the hinted attendance of Larry Hagman proved to be naught, the celebs were still present. Ali Faulkner, who plays Bianca in the new Twilight move, Breaking Dawn – Part 1, was eye catching especially by the younger crowd.
Handlers eventually got John into the VIP reception where a very well-organized meet-and-greet with one-and-all took place. It went so well that time lost on the red carpet was made up and the schedule was right on place. That is, except Honorary Chair Faye Briggs who arrived just as the guests were moving downstairs to the auditorium for the talk. Oops. Seems traffic had held up the diminutive philanthropist and her entourage. Not to worry. That situation would be handled.
Once downstairs the sold-out audience was privy to a conversation between two film industry professionals.
Prior to the program, Elvis kept his distance from John on the red carpet. As he puffed on a stogie outside, Elvis admitted that he didn’t like talking with a subject prior to their onstage appearance. If they hit it off beforehand, they just may be talked out by the time they face the audience.
To prepare for the evening, Elvis had made a point of reading John’s book, Drama: An Actor’s Education. Highlights of the conversation included:
Elvis pointed out Lithgow’s specialty (as in Dick in 3rd Rock from the Sun) playing characters who have a misplaced sense of self.
Elvis’s favorite Lithgow character: Baudelaire from “Master Thespian” on SNL with Jon Lovitz.
Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock: John said Dick was a combination of Errol Flynn and Bugs Bunny. . . “He is clueless, but thinks he knows everything!”
Regarding “Misperception of yourself”: All comedy and drama comes out of duality/series of misperceptions. The play M. Butterfly is the essence of this self-deception.
Unusual characters: “I’m on the short list for all the freaks,” Lithgow says. “Producers say, ‘Lithgow can handle this!’”
Rev. Shaw Moore in Footloose: John found an Assembly of God preacher in Provo, Utah, in the Yellow Pages and talked with him for 45 minutes. Wound up respecting him. John then told about an actor from Louisiana on the 3rd Rock set who told him that he had been the first of six kids in his family allowed to attend senior prom because his parents saw Lithgow in that movie.
Kids: Young kids are honest and will laugh you off the stage. 3- to 8-year-old kids have suspension of disbelief that adults don’t have.
Types of roles that interest him: A good guy who does bad things and bad guys who surprise you like Burke, the serial killer in Brian De Palma’s Blow Out.
His father: Lithgow’s father did classical repertory theater. In 1973 John’s career took off, while his father was let go from a job, at the age of 57. And yet his father was proud, delighted and encouraged John’s success. “I’ve had a lot of success, but certainly know it can end at any time,” he says. He learned that from father.
After the conversation ended and John was given a couple of plaques (DALLAS Star Award, plaque from Gov. Rick Perry and a proclamation from the city of Dallas), everyone adjourned for a seated dinner upstairs.
Remember how Honorary Chair Faye had missed out on the VIP reception due to traffic? Well, dinner proved to make up for the “darn-it-missed-reception.”
Not only did DFS Chairman of the Board Lynn McBee present Faye with a “thank you gift,” she joined Faye for a photo opp with John. As an added treat, country-western music loving Faye got to have a one-on-one with one of her favs, Randy Travis who was tableside with his girlfriend Mary Beougher, her brother Stubbs Davis and his wife Holly and Anne and Steve Stoghill.
For Dallas Film Society President/CEO Tanya Foster the evening was filled with mixed emotion. It was her swan song as the head of the DFS, but what a finale. But it wasn’t all an exit. While the announcement of her successor will be made VERY soon, Tanya is staying put to help in the transition.
yvonne says
love this write up.. i am smiling and just love reading it…