Last week was the passing of a special man in Film. The one and only Robert Osborne, the 20-year host of Turner Classic Movies.
I had the privilege of spending a few moments on the red carpet for the first film festival in Hollywood 6 years ago, as well as the first TCM film cruise the following fall, sharing in the excitement of honoring legends in film history.
Robert Osborne was one of the most authentic, knowledgeable and passionate people I had ever met. But more than anything, he was a gentleman. He hugged and kissed me with the same enthusiasm, as he would have with a movie star.
This weekend TCM is doing a 48-hour tribute to him with some fantastic interviews. I was in the front row of his interview with the great Louise Rainer, who won the Academy Award for the Good Earth. The following year the second Academy Award for "Ziegfeld". She was a hundred years old for the interview with a crisp and clear mind. A tiny wisp of a woman. Still beautiful. A true Diva. She flew in from London to do the Interview at the Grauman's Chinese Theater. Her hearing aid broke just as she sat down after a long standing ovation; she could not hear his questions. The theater was packed. It looked as though the interview couldn't continue. Well there I was in the front row because I had a press pass, so I rushed up with my pad and pencil, the old fashioned way, I was taking notes for an article I had hoped to write. I whispered, "Bob, right down your questions and write big so she can read it". . "oh, thanks", looking at me ever so grateful, and the interview was a great success. It will air today around 2:30 and if you catch it and look closely you will see my fat tush as I climbed the stage, handing him the pad. Oh dear lord, I had hoped they had edited me out. My moment I will forever remember with the great Robert Osborne. RIP
This weekend TCM is doing a 48-hour tribute to him with some fantastic interviews. I was in the front row of his interview with the great Louise Rainer, who won the Academy Award for the Good Earth. The following year the second Academy Award for "Ziegfeld". She was a hundred years old for the interview with a crisp and clear mind. A tiny wisp of a woman. Still beautiful. A true Diva. She flew in from London to do the Interview at the Grauman's Chinese Theater. Her hearing aid broke just as she sat down after a long standing ovation; she could not hear his questions. The theater was packed. It looked as though the interview couldn't continue. Well there I was in the front row because I had a press pass, so I rushed up with my pad and pencil, the old fashioned way, I was taking notes for an article I had hoped to write. I whispered, "Bob, right down your questions and write big so she can read it". . "oh, thanks", looking at me ever so grateful, and the interview was a great success. It will air today around 2:30 and if you catch it and look closely you will see my fat tush as I climbed the stage, handing him the pad. Oh dear lord, I had hoped they had edited me out. My moment I will forever remember with the great Robert Osborne. RIP
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