11
A New Yorker made to feel right at home
Greetings from NYC and please accept my apology for not posting sooner. My recovery time after jetting to LA and back in 36 hours was a bit longer than I expected.
This was an overwhelming, once-in-a-lifetime event on many levels. I continue to be honored to be associated with this amazing club, where people take care of each other the way I wish more people did. Thanks to Bret, Rocky, and Mike for making me feel right at home (and to Mike for giving me the benefit of his "home court" knowledge of how to get to Hollywood from Irvine during rush hour). I'm sure Steve McQueen smiles from "up there" thinking not just about his association with Mustangs but how his unique Mustang has attracted such a fine group of people. I wish I could have spent more time with you guys, but - since I now have a girlfriend in Irvine - "I'll be back".
Lu and I arrived a few minutes after 7 and were greeted by Bret, who appeared to have everything he'd been dealing with under control and helped me calm down from the adrenaline rush I was feeling. And since the event was supposed to be under way, Lu and I hustled ourselves inside to figure out where to sit (but not before a nice guy who seemed less busy took Lu and my picture).
Inside, the place was packed. And since I had no idea where the other IMBOC members were, I focused on finding two seats in what was a very crowded VIP seating area. We wound up sitting in the center in the last VIP row, which was great for watching "Bullitt" but meant the stars on stage were pretty far away. (Sorry for all those wondering how Jacqueline Bisset looked.)
But once the show got started (after a few technical difficulties), it didn't matter where we were sitting. It was just wonderful to hear Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Vaughn, and Don Gordon share their memories.
Jacqueline talked about how easy Steve was to work with during her audition (and how hyper he was during the filming of the movie) and how she spent something like 10 weeks in San Francisco before filming of her scenes began getting used to what living there was like (including how to drive without slipping backwards). She talked about being the only woman in a film full of tough guys, and I got the feeling she didn't really appreciate the importance of her role in balancing out all those guys in the film. She also talked about how she had to drive with Steve as her passenger in one scene, and how he really didn't like being the passenger. But I think she said he did complement her on being a good driver "for a woman".
Robert talked about having made three movies with Steve - "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Towering Inferno" being the others - which spanned most of his career. He shared some great stories about Steve's competitive side when it came to filming scenes with Yull Brynner (who apparently had a fancier gun and bigger horse) and how he (Robert) didn't really like the "Bullitt" script at first. But as the salary Steve offered him went up, his impression of the script improved. And he also found someone to make suggestions for improving it, all of which were rejected. Robert also said he hadn't ever seen "Bullitt" on the big screen. Personally, I think the overall film is very good; and Robert's scenes with Steve showcase a key aspect of Lt. Frank Bullitt's personality (and Steve's)... how they deal with authority figures they don't respect by basically ignoring them and doing what they know must be done.
Don talked about his close friendship with Steve and how he hadn't watched any of Steve's movies since Steve died. That made the evening even more special for me, thinking about how Don was finally going to watch his close friend at his prime after so many years.
The final part before the movie began involved Chad being recognized for keeping his dad's spirit alive, especially through his support of the Boy's Republic school (which I learned also has a Girl's Republic sister school). A Proclamation for the LA City Council was presented, the veterans in the audience were recognized, three Marines came on stage as well, and then all the people associated with "Bullitt" came on stage one last time... including the composer, Lalo Shifrin.
After the film - which looked and sounded great in a new print specially made for the celebration - I managed to work my way to Lalo Shifrin, who was kind enough to autograph my limited edition CD of the "Bullitt" soundtrack.
Once outside, Lu and I met Rocky and Mike - who also looked great in what I think should be the official IMBOC "dress uniform" of dark blue turtleneck and sports coat - and off we went, not having had any real dinner but needing to get back to Irvine.
My apologies to Bret, Rocky, and Mike for not hanging out more at the end.
Below are some pics, including of the event's program. I particularly like the one where the Cinerama sign is reflected off the Bullitt's parked out front.
Thanks again, guys, for making me feel so at home. And Mike, it was great talking to you on Friday while I drove to LAX.
I had hoped to be with the California Bullittheads last summer, and am real happy I got to meet some of you this time!
Steve
P1010139 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010140 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010144 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010145 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010146 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010157 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010204 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010205 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010207 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010211 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010210 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
Greetings from NYC and please accept my apology for not posting sooner. My recovery time after jetting to LA and back in 36 hours was a bit longer than I expected.
This was an overwhelming, once-in-a-lifetime event on many levels. I continue to be honored to be associated with this amazing club, where people take care of each other the way I wish more people did. Thanks to Bret, Rocky, and Mike for making me feel right at home (and to Mike for giving me the benefit of his "home court" knowledge of how to get to Hollywood from Irvine during rush hour). I'm sure Steve McQueen smiles from "up there" thinking not just about his association with Mustangs but how his unique Mustang has attracted such a fine group of people. I wish I could have spent more time with you guys, but - since I now have a girlfriend in Irvine - "I'll be back".
Lu and I arrived a few minutes after 7 and were greeted by Bret, who appeared to have everything he'd been dealing with under control and helped me calm down from the adrenaline rush I was feeling. And since the event was supposed to be under way, Lu and I hustled ourselves inside to figure out where to sit (but not before a nice guy who seemed less busy took Lu and my picture).
Inside, the place was packed. And since I had no idea where the other IMBOC members were, I focused on finding two seats in what was a very crowded VIP seating area. We wound up sitting in the center in the last VIP row, which was great for watching "Bullitt" but meant the stars on stage were pretty far away. (Sorry for all those wondering how Jacqueline Bisset looked.)
But once the show got started (after a few technical difficulties), it didn't matter where we were sitting. It was just wonderful to hear Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Vaughn, and Don Gordon share their memories.
Jacqueline talked about how easy Steve was to work with during her audition (and how hyper he was during the filming of the movie) and how she spent something like 10 weeks in San Francisco before filming of her scenes began getting used to what living there was like (including how to drive without slipping backwards). She talked about being the only woman in a film full of tough guys, and I got the feeling she didn't really appreciate the importance of her role in balancing out all those guys in the film. She also talked about how she had to drive with Steve as her passenger in one scene, and how he really didn't like being the passenger. But I think she said he did complement her on being a good driver "for a woman".
Robert talked about having made three movies with Steve - "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Towering Inferno" being the others - which spanned most of his career. He shared some great stories about Steve's competitive side when it came to filming scenes with Yull Brynner (who apparently had a fancier gun and bigger horse) and how he (Robert) didn't really like the "Bullitt" script at first. But as the salary Steve offered him went up, his impression of the script improved. And he also found someone to make suggestions for improving it, all of which were rejected. Robert also said he hadn't ever seen "Bullitt" on the big screen. Personally, I think the overall film is very good; and Robert's scenes with Steve showcase a key aspect of Lt. Frank Bullitt's personality (and Steve's)... how they deal with authority figures they don't respect by basically ignoring them and doing what they know must be done.
Don talked about his close friendship with Steve and how he hadn't watched any of Steve's movies since Steve died. That made the evening even more special for me, thinking about how Don was finally going to watch his close friend at his prime after so many years.
The final part before the movie began involved Chad being recognized for keeping his dad's spirit alive, especially through his support of the Boy's Republic school (which I learned also has a Girl's Republic sister school). A Proclamation for the LA City Council was presented, the veterans in the audience were recognized, three Marines came on stage as well, and then all the people associated with "Bullitt" came on stage one last time... including the composer, Lalo Shifrin.
After the film - which looked and sounded great in a new print specially made for the celebration - I managed to work my way to Lalo Shifrin, who was kind enough to autograph my limited edition CD of the "Bullitt" soundtrack.
Once outside, Lu and I met Rocky and Mike - who also looked great in what I think should be the official IMBOC "dress uniform" of dark blue turtleneck and sports coat - and off we went, not having had any real dinner but needing to get back to Irvine.
My apologies to Bret, Rocky, and Mike for not hanging out more at the end.
Below are some pics, including of the event's program. I particularly like the one where the Cinerama sign is reflected off the Bullitt's parked out front.
Thanks again, guys, for making me feel so at home. And Mike, it was great talking to you on Friday while I drove to LAX.
I had hoped to be with the California Bullittheads last summer, and am real happy I got to meet some of you this time!
Steve
P1010139 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010140 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010144 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010145 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010146 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010157 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010204 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010205 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010207 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010211 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
P1010210 by SteveBrant, on Flickr
