Summer doldrums, Part I

escapism --n. tendency to seek distraction or relief from reality.
While the rest of the world was mired in political upheavals and storms in the Atlantic and forest fires in far southern British Columbia and nearby Washington State, the Ol' Columnist found himself "lost" in the late '50s. That's right, 1959, to be exact.
It surprised me to learn that my three favorite flicks of all-time were released that year: "North By Northwest," "Room At The Top," and "Some Like It Hot."
But "NbyNW" was showing on the small screen this weekend, and there I was stuck with Cary Grant in Lincoln's Nose.
While savoring the stylish "spy" thriller, there was so much I didn't know about the Alfred Hitchcock-directed flick, so I went searching for trivia.
Little did I know that there were two working titles: "Breathless" and also "In a Northwesterly Direction."
A bit of trivia told me that while the flick was in pre-production, Hitchcock had jokingly called it "The Man in Lincoln's Nose," a reference to the finale at Mount Rushmore.
On my research tour, here's some of what I found:
* James Stewart was very interested in starring in this movie, begging Alfred Hitchcock to let him play Roger O. Thornhill. Hitchcock claimed that 'Vertigo' (1958's) lack of financial success was because Stewart "looked too old." MGM wanted Gregory Peck, but Hitchcock cast Cary Grant.
* It was journalist Otis L. Guernsey, Jr. who suggested to Hitchcock the movie's premise of a man mistaken for a nonexistent secret agent.
Incidentally, Hitchcock had certain logistic problems. For instance, he couldn't get permission to film inside the UN, so he used a hidden camera to get the exterior shots and then Hitch recreated the rooms on a soundtstage; and then I learned the final chase wasn't shot on Mount Rushmore. Hitchcock couldn't get final permission to shoot an attempted murder on the national monument itself, so the director shot the scene in the studio on a replica of Mount Rushmore.
In the 1990s, the Missus and I traveled to Mount Rushmore and found the roads leading to those magnificent faces carved in the rock were clogged with advertising billboards. It was a major disappointment.
Before going on to the second and third "all-time" flicks in future musings, I wondered what the title meant: The trivia blurb said "the title might refer to Hamlet's line, "I am but mad north-northwest," where he tried to convince people of his sanity. The airline that they travel on (westbound) is called "Northwest Airline."
Of course, Hitchcock had to get in a cameo in the flick, which starred the masterful Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason, and it came during the opening credits. "Hitchcock arrives at a bus stop, but gets there a second too late and the door is closed in his face, He misses the bus," according to the blurb.
In the $$$ department, Grant fared well, receiving $450,000 for the movie and another $315,000 in penalty fees because he had to stay nine weeks past the time his contract called for. Of course, that's small compared to today's salaries, but remember this was 1959.
Finally, another bit of trivia: While at the Mount Rushmore location, Eva Marie Saint uncovered the fact that Grant charged 15 cents for his autograph. Well, a movie star has to pick up some extra cash somehow.
Incidentally, the Ol' Columnist once had movie aspirations.
In 1981, I was "The Viking" in "Running Brave," starring Robbie Benson and Pat Hingle. It was shot outside the federal pen in Drumheller, Alberta and in Edmonton and it told the story of a young Sioux Indian track star, Billy Mills, and how he conquered adversity and later went on to win at the Tokyo Olympics.
In my scenes, Billy's father played by noted actor, August Schellenberg, battled "The Viking" in a carnival ring. I ended up with a concussion and a few coins in my pocket.
Next time, if there's a next time, I want a more sensitive and sedate role.
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS: The elite NCAA, south of the border, are in a rush to oust "hostile" and "abusive" American Indian nicknames during post-season tournaments. Here are a list of offensive mascots: Alcorn State University (Braves); Central Michigan University (Chippewas); Catawba College (Indians); Florida State University (Seminoles); Midwestern State University (Indians); University of Utah (Utes); Indiana University-Pennsylvania (Indians); Carthage College (Redmen); Bradley University (Braves); Arkansas State University (Indians); Chowan College (Braves); University of Illinois-Champaign (Illini); University of Louisiana-Monroe (Indians); McMurray University (Indians); Mississippi College (Choctaws); Newberry College (Indians); University of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux); Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Savages). Will such political correctness affect the pros as in Cleveland (Indians), Atlanta (Braves) and Washington (Redskins)? Nicknames which appear safe from any activists are: Toronto (Blue Jays), St. Louis (Cardinals) and Miami (Dolphins). However, in this day and age, and heightened sensitivity, you never know.
IN THE GRRRRRR! DEPT: Overloaded, speeding logging trucks on Highway 97 (between Vernon and Kamloops) swerving around corners, nearly toppling their loads onto unsuspecting vehicles.
NOW YOU KNOW: (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): In ancient Inca weddings, the bride and groom weren't considered "officially" married until they had taken off their sandals and traded them with one another.