Friday, July 19, 2013

Encounter with the movie stars

 
A few posts back we were talking about name dropping, and some of you mentioned famous people you had encountered.
 
Twenty-five years ago I was teaching at a summer day camp K-6th graders. I supervised four staff members and 50-75 kids per day. We had a lot of fun. Spontaniety was the name of the game. We had a daily routine, divided into four age groups, rotated every forty-five minutes, and attended scheduled field trips.
 
But the day we saw one tractor trailer after another roll through the neighborhood and park on a tree-lined residential street, I had to go investigate. The following day I told the children I had a surprise for them. I walked them two blocks. First we passed a semi-trailer with back and side door open. It looked like an overstuffed closet filled with old clothes. One of the men standing around, invited us up the steps and into the interior. My students were always well-behaved and had been warned to keep their hands to their sides and their mouths quiet. The movie set wardrobe woman almost had a hissy-fit. By the time she saw us traipsing through in single file, it was too late to turn back. "Don't touch the costumes!" she fretted. I assured her the children would not, and they did not.
 
We proceeded quietly on to an old home in the neighborhood which served as the movie set for A Will of Their Own. The children, school staff and I stood on the sidewalk. One of the film crew notified the actors that we were outside. Lea Thomson walked onto the porch briefly, waved and hurried back inside. We were disappointed that she wasn't more friendly.
 
Then, the door opened and out bounded Thomas Gibson (of Dharma and Greg fame....my favorite sit com). He greeted us jovially. He made his way down the front steps and as he walked into the crowd, his hand accidentally brushed my bottom. HE was unaware.
But oh my! For years I would tease Bill and say, "He touched my butt!"
 
Actually, not only was he gorgeous and very "Hollywood", he was also very friendly. He told one of the props guys to show us the bottle of whiskey, and then he proceeded to explain to the children that actors don't really drink booze on the set. He had the props guy demonstrate how they made it with watered down tea. He gave a brief comment about drinking being a no-no, and then he smiled that million dollar smile and waved good-bye. I was awe-struck, but the kids were not so much.
 
I filmed that made-for-TV period movie on two VCR tapes and lost one when we moved. I sure wish I had that movie again. It really was excellent, and so easy on the eyes :)  
 
Thomas Gibson
 
Lea Thomson

12 comments:

Rae said...

That sounds very exciting. I've never had an encounter with a celebrity actor, although I have met a number of basketball sports stars. My son-in-law played in the NBA for awhile and that gave me the opportunity. Just as you describe, some are friendlier than others.

Bookie said...

He is a handsome man and I watch him on Criminal Minds. I don't watch much tv, but I do like this team of FBI...just wish he would smile more on that show!

Chatty Crone said...

That is so great - I have never met a star!!!!!!!!!

Sioux Roslawski said...

I think he knew exactly what happened. I think he was well aware that he had brushed your butt, he was quivering inside with excitement and it forever changed his life...

(I agree. I loved Dharma and Greg. I think Jenna Elfman--spelling? is a doll of an actress.)

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Maybe it was HIS dream to touch a teacher's butt, and you were in the right place at the right time!

If it's part 1 of the VHS set, I see it for $5.99 on ebay (plus shipping). If you want it on DVD, tower.com has a used copy for about $15 (plus shipping).

Val said...

I was going to say this wasn't your typical wackadoodle encounter, but then that allegedly unnoticed butt-brush gave me pause.

I'm sure he's a very nice gentleman, and I am crossing my fingers that I don't read about any posterior-fondling in the tabloids.

Susan said...

Sounded like that was quite an experience for the children (and their teacher!)

Thanks for telling us the story, Linda. Susan

Pat Wahler said...

He's a looker, alright. And if you're going to have a "brush" with fame, that's the way to do it!

Pat
Critter Alley

Merlesworld said...

I've come across a few famous people mainly sports people and they are only known here but no movie stars.
Merle......

noexcuses said...

What a great experience, for you, as well as the kids! And, what a great guy to make time for the kids! I've been lucky to come across a few celebrities during my temp jobs during the 70's in Los Angeles.

Karen Lange said...

What fun! :) That would be exciting!

My sister and I attended Bobby Sherman and David Cassidy concerts when we were preteens, does that count? Then there were the hockey players' autograph sessions we attended with our kids. We met Ron Hextall and a handful of others. And my daughter saw Bobby Flay in the Cincinnati airport about 3 years ago.

Connie said...

That sounds like so much fun! Isn't it funny how some celebs are so willing to be friendly and are down to earth while others are not.