Forget About Rush Limbaugh-Let's Talk About Steven Spielberg and Goldie Hawn!
Posted: Tuesday, March 03, 2009
by Ken McCreless
RMS1437
Greetings Fellow Travelers...
The following is a true story and also a sneak peek at my book in progress.
There I was, just barely 12 years old in the first part of the Year of Our Lord 1973. Looking out over the terrain that surrounded my childhood home my family and I couldn't help but notice that the farm-to-market road 1518, which intersected Highway 87 about a mile from our house, was saturated with Department of Public Safety, Texas State Trooper, squad cars with their lights on and stopped along the side of the road.
No one knew what was happening. A few thought there had to have been a huge accident or some other type of catastrophe to have called for so many law enforcement officers. None of us knew at all what had happened. We had not heard any kind of crash or explosion and calls to the neighbors did not bring forth any fruit of knowledge by any definition. So, it was up to me. And my sister.
We rode our bikes down the then slow and relatively safe highway 87 to the intersection. There was no accident, though the area was thick with troopers and various law enforcement entities along with their respective vehicles, all with their lights twirling away. Then, once we got to the mom and pop grocery store, the Lone Oak Grocery, that sat at the corner of the two roads, we knew. We couldn't believe it for a while, but there it was.
A movie set.
Parked at the old- even then- gas pump was a Dodge Polara painted up to look like a DPS car. In it were three actors. Michael Sacks, William Atherton, and Goldie Hawn. Riding a camera boom was a young Steven Spielberg.
I knew who Goldie Hawn was, from the tv show Laugh In, but did not recognize anyone else. The movie they were filming was "The Sugarland Express."
I have read that this was Spielberg's breakthrough film, the movie that made a name for him in Hollywood. Of course he would go on to do "Jaws" and many others. I just saw some guy looking through the biggest camera I had ever seen.
I wonder if he would remember me?
After a while of filming and re-filming, they do that a LOT, the actors had a break and got out of the car and sat on the trunk lid. Of course I moved around to get a better view, because I still could not believe I was looking at Goldie Hawn. People look so different in real life than they do on tv. But there she was- tv star- right in front of me.
I wonder if she would remember me?
The following is a true story and also a sneak peek at my book in progress.
There I was, just barely 12 years old in the first part of the Year of Our Lord 1973. Looking out over the terrain that surrounded my childhood home my family and I couldn't help but notice that the farm-to-market road 1518, which intersected Highway 87 about a mile from our house, was saturated with Department of Public Safety, Texas State Trooper, squad cars with their lights on and stopped along the side of the road.
We rode our bikes down the then slow and relatively safe highway 87 to the intersection. There was no accident, though the area was thick with troopers and various law enforcement entities along with their respective vehicles, all with their lights twirling away. Then, once we got to the mom and pop grocery store, the Lone Oak Grocery, that sat at the corner of the two roads, we knew. We couldn't believe it for a while, but there it was.
A movie set.
Parked at the old- even then- gas pump was a Dodge Polara painted up to look like a DPS car. In it were three actors. Michael Sacks, William Atherton, and Goldie Hawn. Riding a camera boom was a young Steven Spielberg.
I knew who Goldie Hawn was, from the tv show Laugh In, but did not recognize anyone else. The movie they were filming was "The Sugarland Express."
I have read that this was Spielberg's breakthrough film, the movie that made a name for him in Hollywood. Of course he would go on to do "Jaws" and many others. I just saw some guy looking through the biggest camera I had ever seen.
I wonder if he would remember me?
After a while of filming and re-filming, they do that a LOT, the actors had a break and got out of the car and sat on the trunk lid. Of course I moved around to get a better view, because I still could not believe I was looking at Goldie Hawn. People look so different in real life than they do on tv. But there she was- tv star- right in front of me.
I wonder if she would remember me?
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write, and was born to do so. He is a freelance writer with several projects ongoing, including books and magazines. A huge fan of both irony and history, Ken has dedicated his life and his writing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)What a wonderful story, I love Goldie Hawn.....and yes, forget about Rush Limbaugh!!. I have been in those kind of movies as a stuntman, and I know what you are talking about, it is exciting, and thrilling to see "real live stars" that you have always seen on the big screen....It is great....I think your book sounds interesting, and I as well have one in progress...has to do with the depression/recession, and a successful business man, ruined, with a stroke, family left him, and he ends up having to live on the streets etc, It will be a tear Jerker.....great article you wrote, and I look forward to the book!!!! Great read, You pal, and fan, and friend in pen.....Gary.Wow, Gary, you have had quite a life! Any relation to Admiral Halsey? Thanks for reading and commenting. Your support means more than you know.Ken, Yes indeed, 3 cousin to Admiral William "Bull" Halsey. I went to his funeral way back when....it was quite a site to see.......I'm impress that you remember him in history...there are still those that do. Thanks buddy......your fan and friend in pen.....Gary.When I was a kid I was really intrigued by WW II. I read and re-read books on Pearl Harbor, Midway and the entire Pacific Theatre. I became a "fan" of Admiral Halsey and Admiral Chester Nimitz. Wierd kid, right? We are fortunate enough to have the USS Lexington permanently "anchored" in Corpus Christi Bay as a museum, and there is a lot of stuff about Admiral Halsey. A much feared and respected leader, indeed.
hi ken,that must have been a neat experience for a couple of young kids.i'm glad you are writing a book. i hereby call one of the first copies, signed, sealed, and delivered.i'm routing for you,my best regards,sueWow, Sue, the rush of blood to my ego was amazing! Thank you so much and I would be honored for you to have a copy...
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