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Posted: |
Feb 1, 2019 - 9:57 AM
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By: |
Flip
(Member)
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I wrote this on October 17, 2018, to commemorate what would have been Margot Kidder's 70th birthday.
I fell in love with Margot Kidder on Sunday, February 7, 1982. Or maybe it was Monday, February 8. On those two nights, ABC presented the network television premiere of 1978's Superman, and I finally got to see it for the first time. Even though I watched it on my little 13-inch black and white portable TV, I was captivated. Christopher Reeve was of course perfect as both Clark Kent and the Man of Steel, but it was Margot's performance as feisty, vivacious Lois Lane that made the movie for me. ABC also aired a documentary on the making of the film. In it, there was a very telling behind-the-scenes moment where director Richard Donner instructed everyone to take a break from filming the balcony scene. As Margot walked away, Richard pulled Chris aside and informed him that Margot was stealing the scene from him, and Chris sheepishly agreed. I feel that Margot stole every scene in the movie. She had an indefinable something that I found totally charming. The only fan letter I ever sent to a celebrity was to Margot. I just had to tell her how much I admired her performance in the film. I never received a reply, but that didn't lessen my appreciation for her. A few years later, I drew her portrait, which I consider to be one of the best drawings I ever did. I've seen many of her theatrical films (Trenchcoat, Sisters, Black Christmas, Willie & Phil, Keeping Track, and Heartaches among them), early TV appearances (Banacek, Baretta, Nichols), and later TV movies (Vanishing Act, Picking Up the Pieces, Pygmalion, Louisiana, and The Glitter Dome to name just a few). She also starred in a terrific short-lived TV series called Shell Game in 1987. I loved them all. I was heartbroken when I heard that she had passed away in May. Even more tragically, I discovered just a few days ago that her death has been ruled a suicide. It seems especially sad that she will miss two milestones this year: her 70th birthday today and the 40th anniversary of her most iconic film in December. She will always be my Lois Lane and one of my favorite actresses. Rest in peace, Margaret Ruth Kidder.
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I may have posted this previously, but back in the day my not-for-profit employer worked with the Broadway producer, Marty Richards, and his wife, Mary Lea, to create Gala fundraising events. Mr. Richards and his wife helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for our mental health and housing programs. One of our initiatives, spearheaded by Gwen Verdon, was the creation of a program that specialized in providing support services for those struggling in the performing arts (actors, dancers, musicians etc).
Through Ms. Verdon, Bob Fosse, and the Richards, we were able to contact several celebrities to help us promote the new program. This would have been, as best as I can recall, in 1983. Among those who supported our work with publicity were Rod Steiger, Michael Bennett, Liza Minnelli, and of course, Ms. Verdon (she generously gave numerous interviews that promoted the program).
At one point my boss sent me to an apartment building in Greenwich Village where I was supposed to drop off some material for Mr. Steiger to review. I was told that an assistant would meet me and get the envelope.
I remember getting to the small apartment building and ringing the only buzzer I could see. I was buzzed in and went into a lobby accessed by a winding staircase that went to upper level apartments. After a minute or so, who should start coming down the stairs but Margot Kidder who started to ask me why I was there. Just at that moment, Mr. Steiger shouted from an upper level, "Margot, he's here for me! I'll be down in a second." Ms. Kidder smiled at me, waved, and went back to her apartment, and Mr. Steiger came down from his apartment and picked up the material. I was beyond starstruck.
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In one of the craziest "you can't make this up" bits of foreshadowing the future, Margot was once on an episode of "Banacek" and when he introduces himself to her by just saying his name is Banacek she answers, "is that just one name, like Superman?"
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" After a minute or so, who should start coming down the stairs but Margot Kidder who started to ask me why I was there. Just at that moment, Mr. Steiger shouted from an upper level, "Margot, he's here for me! I'll be down in a second." Ms. Kidder smiled at me, waved, and went back to her apartment, and Mr. Steiger came down from his apartment and picked up the material. I was beyond starstruck."
Wow, a two-fer sighting! Did she have the same scratchy voice and no-nonsense demeanor she was known for?
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Just to respond, Ms. Kidder was exactly how one would imagine her to be: raspy voice, those incredible eyes -- she made an indelible impression on me. She was unmistakable. Mr. Steiger was also exactly what I imagined. He spoke to me briefly while he looked at the material in the envelope -- it contained a photo and a blurb quoting him to be used in a mass mailing to promote the services we were offering. Back then he was studying psychoanalysis and had a true interest in mental health issues. I was so glad that his assistant was out so I got a one-on-one encounter!
I met a lot of celebrities and performers when we ran our Galas, but meeting Ms. Kidder and Mr. Steiger in such a cool situation is a really fond memory.
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