March 2004
Report
by Moira Purnell
Photographs by Moira Purnell excluding "Bob With Nancy" which is by Amy Mintzer
Williamsburg,
Virginia is one of the most beautiful old colonial cities in the United States.
It exudes history at every turn - from the beautiful redbrick houses and
the visitor guides dressed in traditional period costume, to the colorful
carriages that give its many visitors a gentle ride back in history.
Every
March, a small group of local inhabitants who are themselves historians, turn
the clock back even further and bring the Wild West to this peaceful colonial
community.
The
Williamsburg Film Festival has its roots imbedded in a small group of western
film and TV fans that used to gather together four times a year at a friend’s
home to watch their beloved childhood heroes from both the small and silver
screen. After about 15 years, they decided that they wanted to share
their passion with others and so began what has grown into the Williamsburg Film
Festival.
The
first festival was held in1997 in limited facilities and only a handful of
celebrities could be invited. It
was such a success that the group of enthusiasts were inspired to hold it again
the following year and then the next and the next, until the event became so
popular and large that they had to move venues to its now permanent home of the
Holiday Inn Patriot. Attendance
this year was estimated at between 400 and 500 and people come from all over to
reminisce about missed childhood days long since past.
This
year’s guest celebrities included among others, John Alderson, an Englishman
by origin hailing from a small 
town just outside Newcastle.
I had the privilege of escorting Mr. Alderson during Friday of the event
and what a pleasure it was to spend time with this marvelous man, who at 88 has
a remarkable memory of both his childhood and career. You will remember him for his part in “Run To Tumavaca”,
from Laramie’s first season.
Alex
Cord and William Smith were also in attendance, both wonderful gentlemen to meet
and only too willing to share a joke or two, especially those that concerned
their good friend Robert Fuller.
There
were some other great names, such as Betsy Palmer, Kay Linaker, and
Kim Darby,
who still has the same quiet sweet little girl nature as her character in
“True Grit”. Joe Canutt shared stories of his life as a stuntman and also
talked about his famous father, Yakima Canutt.
One of my favorites was Mr. John Calvert, who at the age of 92 can still
keep us spellbound with his wonderful world of magic. There were so many excellent guest artists that this report
would be pages long, thus I have only mentioned the few that touched me
profoundly during the three days.
So what does the festival provide for the western enthusiast? Firstly, there is a “Dealer’s Room”, where you can find dealers in western memorabilia selling their little pieces of history. You should see the things I found. Also in this room you will find the guest stars, meeting fans and signing autographs. All in all, the entire atmosphere is electrifying.
The Dealers Room
Then
there are two convention rooms set aside for film showings and this goes on all
day. Another room is set aside for the different panel discussions where fans
can ask questions of their favorite celebrities and also take photographs.
One such panel was on Thursday evening and consisted of Bob, Alex Cord and John Alderson. Each shared stories of both humorous and serious experiences during their long careers. The discussion concluded with John Alderson saying how much he admired and enjoyed working with these “two young gentleman here next to me”.
Q
and A Panel
Joking
after panel
On
Saturday evening, the festival concludes with the most wonderful Dinner Show.
The hotel outdid itself by providing a superb buffet style banquet and I
noted how a certain Mr. Fuller paid at least two visits to the “fried
chicken” (one of his favorites) – yes Bob, I saw you and Alex.
There
was some wonderful entertainment, after which each of the guest stars was
presented with a personally engraved memento.
William Smith recited one of his poems, my favorite as it happens, called
“Cowboy”. Lucky Bill Parrish,
who had been entertaining us with live music in the Lounge at lunchtime, sang
for us. His final song consisted of William Smith’s poetry set to music.
You should have seen William Smith’s face it was wonderful.
He was almost crying, I know his wife probably was and he was singing
along. It was a touching and heartwarming moment, not only for
William Smith but all in the audience. Just
another magical moment, then followed by Mr. John Calvert and his world of
magic, which ended our wonderful evening.
So you may be asking: “what about Bob and his fans?” All right, I’m getting there.
Angelika
and I arrived on the Wednesday and settled ourselves into the lovely old hotel.
We met Bob and enjoyed a quiet hour of chatting before he had to head off
for a meeting with the festival organizers.
Thursday morning came bright and early and Bob arrived in the Dealer’s Room to set up his table. Actually, as you will see from the photographs, the job actually got handed off to Angelika and what a great job she did. Then it began. No sooner had Bob sat down than a line-up formed in front of his table and it did not seem to end for at least two hours. He was very popular. My photographic skills were definitely honed over those three days. If Bob is at an event and you want a picture taken and I am there, just give me your camera, I can use almost anything now.
I
spoke with several fans but there were three sets of fans that really touched me
with their stories of their childhood hero – Jess Harper.
One
such lady was Donna Odom from Norfolk, Virginia.
She had been an ardent fan of Bob’s since her youth and had brought her
wheelchair bound mother with her to spend a lovely mother daughter weekend. I passed them in the hallway after Donna had met Bob and she
was taking her mother shopping. Picture
taking was abundant and we took one of Donna and Bob with her digital camera.
Technology is a wonderful thing because the very next day, Friday, Donna
came up to me while I was at Bob’s table and she had an 8 x 10 of the picture
we had taken only the day before. Donna
presented it to him and he was thrilled to sign it for her.
That is a real keepsake, to have the actual picture taken at the festival
and signed there as well. Donna is
a wonderful person and I am happy to say she has now looked at the website and
keeps in touch with me. One thing I
should tell you about Donna’s Mom - she said that this kind of thing was not
really her “cup of tea” but she was there for Donna.
Moms are great, aren’t they? Oh!
and Donna’s Mom’s name is, now get this – Carrie Grant!!
Another
wonderful couple I spoke to on many occasions during the three days was Pat and
Tom Sheppard from Bracey, Virginia. Tom
is actually the western enthusiast, though I know that Pat is hooked on westerns
too. Well, on Bob’s anyhow!
Pat was actually meant to attend a large realtor’s convention that
weekend but Tom likes to attend Williamsburg every year and said how much more
special it was going to be this year since Bob was going to be there.
So Pat, being the devoted wife, conceded her big weekend away and gave
the trip to Williamsburg to Tom for his birthday.
Way to go Pat!
Last
but not least were Bob’s “Fishermen”, a nickname Angelika, Amy and I came
up with during the festival. Amy, a
member of the Robert Fuller Fan Club Yahoo Group, surprised us by arriving on
Thursday afternoon. It was so
lovely to finally meet her after emailing back and forth for months. Back to my fishy story!
Bob’s
Fishermen included three friends - Edward “Bubba” Powers, who despite his
size is a wonderful dancer, and Ray and Joe May, the twins.
All the guys hail from Louisburg, North Carolina and are great fans of
Bob’s and also enjoy fishing. I
can assure you that I saw some fishy tales being shared between Bob and the guys
during the three days. Of course, I
chatted with the guys and what wonderful people they are.
I asked them candidly what it was about Bob that prompted them to be fans
and Bubba came up with something really profound.
His answer – “He’s a fan’s actor.”
Of
all the fans I spoke with, 99% were Laramie – Jess Harper fans.
My conversations with all of them revealed something we all know to be
true. I would ask the same question
at the end of each interview – “What is it about Mr. Fuller that you
like?” The answer was worded
differently but always pointed to the same conclusion.
They
always liked the fact that the parts Bob played were believable and would draw
them into the character. And,
meeting him they found they were actually talking not just with Bob Fuller but
Jess Harper too. They found him to
be funny with an obvious love of life and that he truly enjoys being with his
fans, something they feel is vastly lacking with the modern day celebrities. Each one commented on the fact that he took time for each and
every one of the fans he spoke with and made them feel special as well as how
gracious he was to each, regardless of their age. This I saw for myself and it was very touching.
Let me tell this short story.
On Saturday afternoon, there were a few fans still wanting to see Bob. As he walked to the steps up to his table, there was a darling elderly lady in a wheelchair at the bottom of the steps accompanied by her daughter. He stopped and knelt in front of her and they spoke for several minutes, all the time he held her hand. Then he stood up and said, “May I give you a picture?” and he went to his table to get one for her.
Her
daughter approached me and asked me if I was connected to Mr. Fuller, she’d
seen me taking pictures all day and we chatted.
Her mother’s health was very poor but she never complained.
Her mother has long admired Bob’s work but never dreamed she would ever
meet him. Nancy is 92 and I can
tell you there wasn’t a dry eye in the surrounding area when Bob came back and
presented her with her personally autographed picture.
The most touching of moments, and one that I couldn’t spoil with film.
Besides I couldn’t have taken the picture even if I had wanted to, as I
couldn’t see. Next time I’ll
remember to pack Kleenex with my camera.
Another
touching moment for me especially was when a dear friend of mine from the fan
club arrived to meet Bob for the first time and me too.
We have been working together on fanfiction for many months now but had
never met. She is a writer and
helps me with my fanfiction. She
met Bob, I took pictures, and never a tear was spilled until she turned around
and looked at me. I was the one
crying and that was it. Kleenex
time again. Dreams really do come
true and I was so very privileged to have shared in hers.
All
in all, Bob’s endearing fans summed him up in one short sentence.
He is a genuine human being and a true gentleman.
The
festival ended for us in a relaxing evening in the lounge discussing the past
three days. Would I recommend you attend the Williamsburg Film Festival
and would I go again – “Hell Yes!” (sorry it’s an inside joke from the
festival) but my favorite cowboy would have to come too.
No
honestly, it is a wonderful festival, small and intimate, like a family reunion
as there are many people who attend each and every year.
I want to thank everyone involved in the festival; they were all so kind
and gracious and went out of their way to help us.
To
name but a few – Thelma and the girls who took care of the
registration/information table. If
you wanted to know something, they were the ones to go see.
Thanks girls for not letting Angelika and I get lost.
Bill Sasser, the President of the Festival for his commitment to this event and I have to mention a couple of other cowpokes who ingratiated themselves into our hearts. Ray Smith, who was meant to have been Bob’s escort and was told he would probably have his hands “full” with Mr. Fuller but was glad that Alex Cord took over and Bobby McCorkle.
Thank
you guys.
So
what did the guest stars think of the event – John Alderson told me he had a
lovely time and was actually going to stay until the Tuesday as he was being
taken sightseeing. Bob said he had
a great time with the fans and that everyone involved in the festival was so
gracious. He endorsed it as a very
well run festival and, let’s face it, Bob should know - he attends enough of
them.
My
report on the Williamsburg Film Festival 2004 comes to an end.
Take the time to visit their website which you can find linked here.
If you love westerns and want to spend a wonderful three days in one of
the most beautiful historical cities around, head to Williamsburg in 2005.
Williamsburg Film Festival March 2004 Photo File
Click Logo above to visit Williamsburg Film Festival website