JULY 2017 | SCENE 63 on the town Finish the following sentences: When I go to the movies I’m looking for… An experience (chuckles). I know a film is good when… When there is silence in the theatre. Working with my wife Katharine Ross always teaches me… How much I love her. Good acting usually consists of… Hard work. It’s a wonderful performance, Sam. Thank you for putting it down on film. Thank you. Thank you. You’ve worked with Brett Haley on two films now — The Hero and I’ll See You in My Dreams. How good a director is he and how good can he become? I think that Brett’s got it all ahead of him. I think he’s brilliant right now. I think he was brilliant when we worked on Dreams. I got to know Brett when I was on the film and promoting that film. He and I went out together and spent a lot of time together and got to know each other really well. He and his writing partner, Marc Basch, wrote this script for me. And you know, he gave me a gift that no one has given me in the 48-plus years I’ve been in this business. He’s a real smart kid. He writes. He directs. He edits. And he’s a collaborator. He just loves film. He understands film and he loves film. I think he’s got a magnificent career ahead of him — if there’s any justice in this game — and I think there is. Aside from The Hero, what is one film you’re most proud of? That’s a tough one. I’m going to say Conagher. It was Katharine and I, and it was a labor of love. It was based on a Louis L’Amour novel. For a lot of personal reasons, that’s my favorite. It may not be the best film, but it’s one of my favorite experiences. One of my favorite films of yours is Mask. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Mask? Watching Peter Bogdanovich work, as well as his cinematographer, Laszlo Kovacs. That was, right off the top, the most impressive thing for me. That, and working with Eric Stoltz and Cher. It doesn’t get any better than that. It’s a beautiful film. It’s a great story. A great tale. What part of the business still gives you a thrill? Oh, boy. I just think…the work. It’s the work that gives me the thrill. That’s the one constant that’s always thrilled me. The work. How was working with Jimmy Stewart? Incredible. Just incredible. He was doing a TV show called Hawkins. It was right at the end of his career, and I was lucky to spend any time around him. As you said, a great American. Not only was he a great actor, but also a great American. Mr. Stewart said he treated his audience like a partner. What is the one thing you feel you owe your audience? My best. The best that I can give them. Who is the one person whose talent surprised you the most? I’m not even going to venture into that one. (Laughs) I can’t answer that one. Many years from now, when the name Sam Elliott is uttered, how do you want to be remembered? Oh, God, I don’t know. As a good guy. A decent human being. Well, you are that, sir. You were very kind to me on the red carpet many years ago when I over-researched a question, to which you, in your quintessential voice, said, “Brother, you’ve been misinformed.” (Laughs) I look forward to promoting The Hero in Sarasota, and I hope to hear some buzz during Oscar time. I think you deserve it. Thank you, Gus. I appreciate it very much. I’m not even thinking about that. I don’t even want to go down that road, but it’s kind of you to say so. You and Katharine remind me of Jimmy Stewart and his great love, Gloria. They had one of those great marriages. You seem to have that too, so you’re blessed. I’m a blessed man. No question about it.
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