You know. Sometimes I hate being me. I know that just moments ago this hit the wire service. If I were a regular 'joe' I would have had an extra 4 hours where George C Scott would be alive... But no... No... I had to get Moriarty's letter which informed me that Bert Gordon passed away. That was the first thought I had when I saw Moriarty's subject line "GEORGE C SCOTT...dead". The character of Bert Gordon in THE HUSTLER. Perhaps my favorite character and film to contain the amazing talents of George C Scott. But for now... Now I will listen to the snare drums of PATTON and the score of Jerry Goldsmith... while one of the most cinematic images of the 20th century plays out in my mind...
Hey, Head Geek...
"Moriarty" here.
I know everyone has their own memories of actors, of certain roles, certain moments, and as George C. Scott shuffles off this mortal coil, film fans the world over are no doubt remembering any of a dozen indelible film images involving that great, blusterly force of nature. For me, I flash on the searing brilliance of that classic, iconic addressing of the troops in PATTON, but I also flash just as quickly on his hysterically, endearingly, howlingly awful EXORCIST 3 work. I loved George C. Scott for both ends of the extreme. I never once held a FIRESTARTER against him. How could I? He was magnificent when surrounded by mediocrity.
There is one character, though, that will always live largest in my heart when I think of Scott. I love him beyond words in his portrayal of Gen. Buck Turgidson in DR. STRANGELOVE. When I hit "send" on this e-mail, I plan to walk into the viewing chamber of The Labs, put in my DVD of STRANGELOVE, and bask in a full handful of the finest comedic performances ever committed to film. Scott stands tall opposite Peter Sellers at his absolute finest, and even Sterling Hayden and Slim Pickens can't blow Scott off the screen. It's something no one could do.
George C. Scott was 71.
"Moriarty" out.
