Hi twyacht,
I did work with Chuck Heston on one movie. That was the first Planet of the Apes. You may not like my whole answer, but here goes.
To begin with, most actors are exceptional people in many ways, and Chuck was no exception. He was very serious about his profession and his work, but had a great sense of fun and humor. I think there were times when he might have felt a bit overwhelmed by the roles he was asked to play - Michelangelo, Moses, El Cid, Ben Hur . . . Who wouldn't be? He did mention to me one day that probably his favorite role was the Mexican policeman that he did in the movie with Orson Wells. Funny - I can't remember the name of the movie right now, but I'm sure you know it. ". . . something . . . Evil".
I've got to preface the next bit with the following. Up to the year I retired, I NEVER heard any talk touching on politics on the set. This divisive - us v. them mentality - is a very new thing. Actors found grounds for respect, and even friendship, in the talents of their coworkers. That common ground made for some strange combinations at times - when seen from hindsight (or from these polarized times). One of the movies I worked with Duke Wayne on, also starred Rock Hudson (who preferred being called Roy). Now, Rock was a name given to him by his agent, who ONLY represented gay men. Roy's sexual preference was no secret in the business, and Duke and Roy got along famously. They were about the same size and were like two BIG kids. I'm sure that the same was true when Duke worked with Monty Clift on the classic, Red River. Just a lot of respect between acting peers.
The lack of political, or personal, differences intruding on the work was unknown - except in the case of strong feuds, such as between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford - and explains half the observation I'd like to make in regard to Chuck Heston. I felt bad for him because I think he was sandbagged from both sides, by two different groups. First the NRA - then Michael Moore's film crew.
Let me explain the second side of that statement. I've had a couple of close friends who have gone down the same path to oblivion that struck both Heston and Reagan. It is not an easy ride. One friend never drank, but as his mind and memory began to go he drank more and more. It was his excuse, or rationalization, for the loss that he could not reconcile. I had no contact with Chuck Heston in these years, but I understand from friends who did, that he began to lose the fun and humor as he concentrated so hard to find the present.
I've owned guns my whole life, except for the years I lived in England, and am an NRA member. But I'll never remember Chuck Heston as representing any group. I think of him representing all of us through his work as so many unforgettable characters, and representing himself, as the funny, balanced and artistically fulfilled man that he was. A nice guy, seeking continued growth.
Someone asked me about Bill Holden, but I never met the man. Saw him around a few times, but never met him.
Please don't add any undeserved validity to my anecdotal musings. I'm just an artist who fell into a pretty decent way for one of my ilk to make a living. The only difference between my work and that of a brick layer is that a number of the folks I worked with are known to the public. I just love living on this Mud-Ball, and my art and my children are keys to that.
I did not add a website to my sign-up info for this site, because I have a few. One aspect of my life can be viewed at
www.mcallisterpaintings.com. My whole life, I've thrilled at taking sheets of blank paper and changing it forever with puddles of pigment. I've also loved placing sheets of paper down range and tearing them up with bits of lead and copper.
Im better at the first than the later.
Later,
Bill (k39noodles)
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