Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Hollywood Collectors Show July 2011

I really wanted to meet Ernest Borgnine, so I attended the Hollywood Collectors Show last Saturday. He's in so many of my favorite movies: The Dirty Dozen, Flight of the Phoenix, The Vikings, The Wild Bunch, among many others. He popped up in my favorite movies more often than my "favorite" actors did! And I can't think of a time when he wasn't part of my movie-watching experiences. So, I got to meet him and thank him in person for all the wonderful years of performances he has given us. He was very nice, gracious, and funny. He laughs a lot! I know he's 94 now, but he sure doesn't act it! I got his autograph on his biography, which I'm really looking forward to reading. It was an honor to meet him in person.

I also chatted with Ed Asner, who was also very nice, gracious, and very funny. He cracked me up. I think I laughed more waiting in his line than any other time that day! He was eating lunch when I stopped by, and he would growl, "Whaddaya want?" to people in line -- but he couldn't keep a straight face, and he would break into a smile. I told him the first thing I ever saw him in was Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and that he made such an impression on me that I never forgot his character's name (Alexi Brynov). Probably because his bad guy character died nastily by drinking sea water, and a gruesome, unusual death was guaranteed to make someone memorable in my young mind. I got a pic from Up signed for my nephew. Mr. Asner was a very cool guy.

It was a fun day.

4 comments:

Robby Cress said...

Sounds like a great day - to meet Borgnine and Asner, both in the same day. I'm glad to hear that both gentlemen are still doing well and able to make these kinds of appearances - and to have such positive attitudes! How nice you were able to get both of there autographs.

barbara (one of Bill Holden's hopeless swooners...) said...

Wow--two of the great guys in one day! I'm filled with envy; and as "Mr. Grant" once said,"I like you--you've got spunk!"

barbara said...

(oops, got cut off, I see) --yes, I'm a card-carrying member of the forever besotten and hopeless Holden Swooners...

Laura said...

I loved reading about both this and your recent Hollywood Bowl experience -- two great events in a short time frame! What a great chance to meet those actors. Thanks so much for sharing. :)

Best wishes,
Laura