Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sean Connery on Michael Crichton



When Sean Connery was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille award at the 1996 Golden Globes, Michael Crichton was one of the presenters. He was the one who handed Connery the award.

Connery then mentioned Crichton in his acceptance speech:
(audio track is a bit garbled in places)

It’s a special honor receiving this award from Michael. You know, multi-talented is a much-abused term in our profession. But Michael is the only man I know who can write bestsellers with one hand and take out your appendix with the other hand.
At the press conference afterwards, Connery said of the occasion:

I get the chance to get in the same room as lots of friends. I’m always trying to catch up to Michael, who I adore.

Later in the video clip, Connery says of Michael Crichton:

He’s got a very big influence on my life….I’m interested more in writers and directors than I am in actors as a rule. I really have a terrific measure of affection for Michael here because I wasn’t joking out there when I say he can write bestsellers and take out your appendix. Because he reminds me so much of Umberto Eco in that he’s got all the elements that I adore. Terrific mind, good writer.
Crichton shares some thoughts about Connery during the press conference:

He’s had an enormous effect on my life. He’s one of the few people that I can remember things that he said in passing while we were walking down the street 25 years ago.
I haven’t been able to find a clip or a news story of what Crichton said about Connery before presenting the award. I remember seeing it on TV when it happened. If anyone knows, please let me know.

In the chapter “Ireland” in his autobiography Travels, Crichton writes about directing Connery in the film version of his novel The Great Train Robbery. Crichton recalls:

He’s one of the most remarkable people I have ever met, lighthearted and serious at the same moment. I have learned a great deal from being around him. He is at ease with himself, and is direct and frank. (p. 183, hardcover edition)
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(Thank you, Ingrid for discovering the YouTube clip from the Golden Globes!)

2 comments:

Narayan said...

I share the views of Mr. Connerry. After all he and i were born on the same day..he in 1930, me in 1977....and with my developing baldness- day is not so far away when i truly willlook like Sir. SC :) :)

Marla Warren said...

And I’m sure you will be just as charming, Narayan! :-D

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