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Robert Duvall Delighted And Enlightened Booker T Students, Nasher Salon Patrons

When Spencer Tracy died in 1967, Robert Duvall was 36 years old. By then Duvall had appeared on screen as Arthur “Boo” Radley, Capt. Paul Cabot Winston, Edwin Stewart, and in a number of television shows including  Route 66, Playhouse 90, Naked City, The Untouchables, The Virginian, and The Twilight Zone. His brief appearance as the pivotal character Boo Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird was memorable, but there were no lines and he had to rely purely on his body language to sell the part to the audience. It was a deal closed immediately.

As if the passing of Tracy allowed an opening for a new generation of great American actors, Bobby was among the first of the young bucks in line. But what a lineup it was including Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Steve McQueen, Alan Arkin, Ben Gazzara, James Dean, Martin Landau, and Rip Torn to name a few. Within five years of Tracy’s death, Duvall’s performances in Bullitt, True Grit, MASH, and The Godfather had placed him as a leading contender as Tracy’s heir to film’s every-man character.

This past week the 79-year-old Duvall (pictured above) brought to Dallas lessons that he had picked up along the way and was youthful enough to learn some “stuff” from his audiences at Booker T. Washington and the Nasher Salon Series.

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON COLLABORATION

First a comment. I know how you dread these pulpit diatribes, but bear with us on this one. The nonprofit Nasher Salon Series is a remarkable program. Organizers have arranged for legendary experts to take part in an open conversation in small gatherings about their experiences and philosophies. A little-known nugget of the Nasher program is the “Booker T. Washington Collaboration.” The Nasher folks have arranged for some of the speakers (like this season’s Duvall and Stephen Sondheim) to include an interaction (and a true interaction it is) with the BTW students and faculty. Opinion: Brilliant! Dallas’ nursery of creative artisans is ripe for embracing and absorbing the incredible talents of Dallas’ Arts District. The Nasher Salon not only provides but encourages a “collaboration” for the students to learn from these experts. As Nasher Board of Trustees President David Haemisegger put it, “These are legends who have proved the test of time.”

Now let’s check out what Bobby Duvall did in Dallas during the days following Jeff Bridges capturing a Golden Globe for his performance in Duvall’s production of Crazy Heart, and on Duvall’s way to winning kudos at this weekend’s Sundance Film Festival for his performance in Get Low. (Early reports from Sundance about Duvall’s performance — the movie’s about a man who goes to his own funeral — keep including two words: Academy Award.)

Bobby arrived Wednesday with his petite, luscious wife Luciana (pictured), who shares his January 5 birthday . . . just 41 years apart. Bobby handles the age difference with Augustus McCrae-style humor: “When I met my future father-in-law, he was at a lost whether to call me ‘son’ or ‘father.’”

Following a Wednesday interview at the Nasher Sculpture Center with the media, Bobby and Luciana dined at Phil Romano‘s Nick & Sam’s before heading to their hotel.

Thursday afternoon the couple toured BTW. Luciana, dressed all in black, trailed behind looking like one of the students, while Bobby was led around by the BTW students and faculty. Like a concerned parent Bobby looked into each classroom, tapped some of the students on the back, and chatted it up with everyone from Principal Tracie Fraley to the janitorial crew to students passing in the hall. It became apparent that Duvall’s fan base was multi-generational and well-deserved. Whether he’s a 24/7 actor or just a genuine human being, he talked with each person about their parents, their motivation, and how life was treating them with the truest of sincerity. If someone was hesitant or stood back, he approached them as easily as Scout’s reaching out to Boo Radley in the final scene of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Then the Duvalls were whisked away to the BTW green room for a time out and to catch their breath.

In the meantime, the BTW auditorium (pictured) was filling up like Black Friday at Best Buy. Just when the auditorium seemed to be filled to capacity, a whole new flood of students flowed in. The students were everywhere — bunched up along the upper balcony, seated on the floor in front of the stage, lined up along the back of the auditorium. One faux student admitted that he had managed to get a friend to get him in “for this moment.” As soon as Bobby entered the stage to a standing O, the faux student scrambled to the edge of the stage front center, sat on the floor, and started recording Bobby’s interview.

Note to Jerry Jones: If you ever, ever need a group for a pep rally, book the BTW students. Such enthusiasm has not registered on the Richter scale yet. Personally, if I’d been Duvall, I would have fled the stage in fear of a student tsunami.

But Duvall clad all in black stood his ground. Like Lt. Col “Bull” Meechum, he didn’t waiver. For those who have not participated in the BTW program with the Nasher folks, the VIP is interviewed by a student and faculty member. In this case, Amir “The Student” Razavi not only handled the majority of the interview, but had also been the tour guide for Duvall in showing off BTW. Theater Coordinator Karon Cogdill served as interview referee, just in case. But no need. Amir was charming, inquisitive, and respectful.

The questions ranged from the expected (“What is your favorite role?”) to the youthful (“Should a student go straight to work or attend college?”).

And how did Duvall handle this interrogation? Like Mac Sledge? Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore? Tom Hagen? Nope, he handled it like Robert Duvall — philosopher, teacher, artist, sage, living legend of a theatrical era who is still practicing his craft.

For nearly an hour, he lobbed questions with Amir. Always involved and intent; never all-knowing nor egotistical. One almost got the feeling that Duvall was as much a student learning from the young interviewer as any in the audience. With cheers and interplay with the audience, Duvall kept them captivated and they rewarded him with another standing ovation.

Then Bobby and Luciana were driven away to their hotel for a brief rest and change of clothes for the Nasher Salon.

THE NASHER SALON

At 6 p.m. people starting lining up on the sidewalk outside the Nasher Sculpture Center for the possibility of seeing or even meeting Duvall upon his arrival. They weren’t going to be disappointed.

Inside the Nasher staffers Jane Offenbach (pictured) and Brett Moore, like the Center itself, were perfection. Sleek, elegant, and gracious, they made all the arriving guests feel right at home but also made sure no crashers sneaked in. Each guest was checked in as if going through vetting at D/FW Airport. The staff knew how many people had been turned away and had to protect the lucky few’s entrance.

Dress ranged from Lonesome Dove casual (blue jeans, cowboy boots, and sports jacket) to cocktail glitter with long dangly earrings and oh-so pointy high heels.

David Haemisegger (pictured) arrived early to make sure all was up to snuff. No worry. Perfection as usual. David chatted with the staff and guests checking his smartphone every now and then.

When asked about the stellar list of Nasher Salon speakers, he sounded more like a father than a driving force of the arts. “I take my children to Rolling Stones concerts,” he said. “They asked me why and I tell them these artists have proven themselves by passing the test of time.”

At 6:50 Nasher Sculpture Center Director Jeremy Strick (pictured) arrived to check things over for any last minute questions. No need. Like a general knowing that all the troops were in place, he smiled.

On cue, the limo pulled up with Bobby in black and Luciana looking like a petite snow angel emerging to a crowd of people seeking autographs. The staff didn’t waiver despite the delay. They knew that Duvall’s allegiance to people was absolute.

Finally entering the Center, the Duvalls were directed to the Green Room, but stopped momentarily to eyeball the “Jaume Plensa: Behind the Scenes” exhibit (pictured) which was being installed.

After a brief stopover in the Green Room, the Duvalls headed to the jam-packed Patrons Reception. The all-knowing Luciana knew that her husband was the focus of attention and suggested that he handle the photo sessions solo. Like the Booker T. Washington appearance, Luciana gracefully eased into the background but never out of sight or mind of her husband.

As Nasher staffer Kristen Gibbins set up the photo sessions, each patron was photographed chatting with Duvall. After the last one was shot, Luciana and Bobby headed to the Green Room for one last stop before the interview with Gary Cogill (pictured with Duvall).

Just as the Duvalls were heading to their last Green Room visit, Nancy Haemisegger arrived knowing that all was being handled beautifully. Someone suggested that it would be appropriate to have a photo taken of the Haemiseggers and the Duvalls together in the Green Room. David hesitated because he was concerned that it would delay the talk, but once assured that they were ahead of schedule, the H’s headed to the Green Room.

Inside the salon downstairs, row after row of guests anticipated their evening. Once again the room was filled to capacity and, while not as youthful as the Booker T. Washington crowd, the enthusiasm was equal.

Nancy (pictured with Luciana) and David took their seats with Luciana on the front row near Jeremy and Wendy Strick.

Upon entering the room with Cogill, Duvall was greeted by his third SO of the day. Taking their seats on the stage, they settled down for Duvall’s favorite exercise — listening and talking. He regaled the crowd with stories including such names as Gregory Peck, Marlon Brando, Horton Foote, John Wayne, and the like. At one point he voiced concern over the remaking of the 1969 True Grit, (Joel and Ethan Cohen are slated to do their version of the western tale.)  Cogill and the crowd murmured agreement, but Duvall quickly recovered, adding that his bad-guy Ned Pepper role in the original was going to be played by Josh Brolin, whom he admires. (Trivia: Duvall’s lady love “Lorie Darlin” in Lonesome Dove was played by Diane Lane, aka Mrs. Josh Brolin.)

Speaking of Lonesome Dove, which was one of Duvall’s favorite roles, it also provided him with one of his favorite lines: “The older the violin, the sweeter the music.” (Can you recall the other Duvall line that will go down in history?)

While Duvall voiced great praise for young talents within the movie industry, he was also disappointed that the “beautiful proposed script” for The Hatfields and McCoys was in danger. It seems that Brad Pitt‘s production company has owned the rights to the movie since his days with Jennifer Aniston. Now Brad wants to “rewrite it, to control it.” Duvall shook his head as if he had just learned of the death of a dear friend.

But Bobby seemed hopeful about “La Linea,” a proposed TV mini-series for Duvall and Caan about “tick riders.” (Don’t know what a tick rider is? And you call yourself a Texan! Why, there are less than 100 of these highly-skilled cowboys who are Department of Agriculture soldiers in the war on tick eradication. They lead solitary lives as they daily ride the Texas/Mexico border “apprehending” smuggled or stray livestock with ticks.) But the “fly” in the ointment for the project is the financing. Duvall had just recently met with potential backers. . . “the room was worth four million dollars and you couldn’t get $50,000 out of them. One man was interested, if we included his wife . . .” Duvall shook his head about the state of movie-making negotiations.

But he didn’t let the somber moments linger too long. He told about a visit to Dallas decades ago when he went to a place called Elan. (For newcomers, Elan’s was THE hottest spot in Dallas in the ’70′s, located  where Office Depot on Greenville is now. Think the best night at the Ghost Bar when it was hot but only bettah.) Duvall entered the nightclub, he recalled, and a guest approached him excitedly announcing to the world that he knew who the celeb was. . . “Terry Bradshaw.” Duvall winked at the audience as he stroked his follicle-challenged pate.

But Duvall was also educated by the audience. He was surprised to learn that his Lonesome Dove co-star Tommy Lee Jones had once lived in Dallas and attended St. Marks. More surprising was that Duvall thought To Kill A Mockingbird author Harper Lee was dead. The audience almost rose in protest to correct his misunderstanding. (Harper, we need to hear more from you, gal.)

Needless to say, Duvall’s tales mixed humor, sage wisdom, reflection, and hope for the industry, but it did not include any off-color items. Why? Well, at one point Duvall teased the audience with this little joke that “isn’t dirty, but”. . . But after a quick eye check with Luciana, he backed off and left the audience wanting. Daddy knows Mommy knows best.

After an hour, Cogill announced that the chat was over and Duvall received his fourth SO of the day.

Upon leaving the Nasher for their final night in Dallas, Duvall was once again greeted by a group of fans, some of whom had been there earlier but hadn’t had their cameras. Bill, Debra, Farouk, Kay Bailey, and Rick should be relieved that Duvall is not a Texas resident. If he were, they wouldn’t stand a chance in the governor’s race.

Oh, are you wondering what else Duvall shared with his audiences? We thought so. Here you go:

Two favorite movies: The Godfather and Lonesome Dove

Best movie of the decade: Hurt Locker — “One of the best all-time movies.”

Favorite character: Augustus  ”Gus” McCrae in Lonesome Dove. “Everyone including the author (Larry McMurty) said I should play the other role.”

Favorite director: Michael Corrente (A Shot at Glory)

Next Project: Don Quixote in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote with Terry Gilliam

Next item on his to-do list: Previewing Get Low at Sundance Film Festival this weekend

Crazy Heart director Scott Cooper: “He’d never even directed a high school play.”

Marlon Brando: When Duvall hung out with his roomie Dustin “Dusty” Hoffman and buddy Gene Hackman in the early days, Brando was the actor that they talked about. . . Jimmy Caan and Duvall played pranks throughout the making of Godfather. Brando was a great actor “but lazy,” so he would put his script on the floor and read from it. Just before the cameras rolled, Caan and Duvall would substitute a wedding invitation for the script. . . . Duvall does a great Brando impersonation.

Directors: “Francis Coppola was special because he listened.”. . .”I worked with a director recently to whom Bill Murray said, ‘You’re not listening to people — like you’re not listening to me now.’”

Friends: “Jimmy Caan’s the only one (from The Godfather) that I keep in contact with. Godfather II wasn’t as much fun because Jimmy wasn’t there.”

Horton Foote: Horton Foote (Tender Mercies, To Kill A Mockingbird) was one of the greatest playwrights.” He, his wife Lillian, director Richard Mulligan, and actress Kim Stanley attended a play in which Duvall was playing a drunken sailor. A couple of years later when they were casting Boo Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird, Lillian suggested the young actor who played the drunken sailor.

On being a blonde Boo Radley: Duvall had dyed his hair (“which I had more of in those days”) for another role and showed up with it.

Advice to young actors: “You don’t need to study under a Lee Strasberg to be a great actor. There are many great young actors today who never studied under Strasberg or Sanford Meisner.” . .  .”Today’s young actors are better than ever. Love Josh Brolin, Viggo Mortensen, and that kid (Jeremy Renner) in Hurt Locker.” . . . “You don’t really become someone else. It’s always you un derneath. Spencer Tracy was grounded in himself. You can’t get ahead of yourself. Stay in the moment.” . . .”Acting is talking and listening. You have to get with a group. It’s tough.” . . . Go to college? “It’s not absolutely necessary, but it’s good to have something to fall back on.”

Being a director: “I like to cast non-actors because they don’t have any bad habits.”

Being a producer: His production company Butcher Run Films has produced The Apostle, Broken Trail, and Crazy Heart.

Hobby: Tango

Trivia: Was offered the role of Brody in Jaws. When asked about it at the BTW engagement, Duvall feigned forgetting the offer saying that he had wanted to play the old Portuguese fisherman. (Think he was talking about Manuel Fidello in Captains Courageous.)

Duvall’s latest visit in Dallas can only be described as, “The older the gentleman, the sweeter the conversation.” Thanks, Bobby, and thank you Nasher Salon Series.