European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 05, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse Profile Gary Grant always the gentleman by Patrick Tackert Cox Newt service the phrase is utterly bankrupt of course a casually of misuse and overuse. It May never have been a very fair Way of describing someone important. To a a person a living legend is to invite an argument to the contrary especially from those who see life in matters of degree and not in absolutes. But when one considers Cary Grant the words assault the mind relentlessly no matter How hard one tries to beat them Back. He really is just that. A gifted actor when he was making films he charmed men and women in equal measure with his Grace wit and easy urbanity. That would have been enough but he further elevated the legitimacy of his Case As legend when he retired at the height of his career. His last films include charade and father Gonic Good films that reveal a Success rate As impressive As it had been 30 years earlier. That he has remained terribly attractive and Active on the boards of directors for Faberge and my a studios has t Hurt. A matinee idol in his younger years he is now an exemplar for senior citizenship. Out of films As he has been since the mid-1960s, he is not out of Public life. He is frequently seen at some Public function on television such As the Academy awards ceremony and less frequently at personal appearances such As the one he recently had at the performing arts Center in Austin Texas. In a recent interview Grant said he has taken his conversation with Cary Grant on the Road Only 10 or 12 times in the last three years. The show is informal and begins with an eight minute film clip of several film performances. He then Speaks from the stage and ukes questions Cary Grant with his fifth wife Barbara. From the audience. He is invariably asked Why he quit films or if to Ever considered returning to them. This Lime the question was put this Way if director Milos Herman could induce James Carney out of a 20-Yejr retirement for ragtime could t someone else just possibly gel Cary Grant Back in Emo Vic i doubt it he said in the tone was Resolute. To go Back to films of my god i can t think of a greater disappointment to see in actor who is 81 years old when you hat1 seen him last when hews 57 or 58." he was a swayed when told that this did not seem to be the View of his Many fans. Well those people Are deceiving themselves or living in the past. They would be in for a great disappointment and it might remind them that time has passed for them Par of his reluctance to return to film May Stem from the knowledge that the parts he used to play the Debonair witty world traveler barely exist anymore. It would be difficult to himself which he insists he always did although he contends that the quote i play myself to perfection is inaccurate. Never said that but who else can i play no one can play anybody else but themselves Bui i did t say to perfection. Somebody added that to round out the Lino i he was asked if he Ever wondered if he so uld have sought a broader Range of parts roles that would have perhaps proved More challenging if you re talking about the Larry Olivier Type of acting or what he is known mostly for no i have no inclination to dress up and put on costumes and carry on like that. There Are actors who do it and do it splendidly and certainly Larry does i just come on straight. If other people want to dress up 20 and hide behind the character that s up to them. So Long As the character is understandable and portrayed Well Well that s Fine. That s another form of of All the great films which include bringing up baby his ctr Friday the Story on through to catch j thief and North by Northwest he refuses to name a favorite or even to say which was most satisfying. No i really can t say that although i m often asked the question. They were All satisfying for one thing or another. By satisfying i mean enjoyable to make. Some were tremendously satisfying because of working with hitch Alfred Hitchcock or a leading lady or if the part was very Good. There Are Many reasons for making a film but the one thing that should be examined is the script and perhaps the director. And if you re attracted to them you should make however the Preat actor admits that he very Seldom sees a film. It s not that modern films repel him. It s that he s done All that and does t care to spend much time watching what he used to do. My wife his fifth who enjoys film will say please see this and i will see it. Otherwise i m not interested in non reality. I was interested for years in making the things because that is reality. But i m not interested in watching i know who s going to get the girl the billboard told me that. I could be Reading a Good Book he backed off a Little bit to add that he did t mean people should t Sec films. That s not meant for Young people because there is a whole world for them there. I certainly Don t advocate not going to films. It s a great escape possibly the Best escape and Cary Grant one of the Best practitioners of filmed escapism Ever ought to know. Stripes a Augizine december 5,198s
