Q and A with John Lithgow: Succinct, not Soporific

His theatrical and entertainment career spans four decades, through Broadway, Hollywood and back, garnering countless accolades, including a Tony, Oscar nominations, Golden Globes, some Emmys and four Grammys.

He has the capacity to make families laugh with eccentric roles like those from Harry and the Hendersons and Third Rock From the Sun, yet he can disturbingly induce the fear in his latest role as a murderer in Dexter and just as easily write seven endearing children’s books.

With all that, it’s safe to say this living legend transcends the “triple” requirements of being a triple threat.

And among those accomplishments, for the second year, Emmy-award winner John Lithgow will act as host for Turner Classic Movies (TCM)’s Essentials Jr., a summer movie showcase which highlights a lineup of iconic family-friendly films.  Set to run each Sunday throughout the summer, TCM’s Essentials Jr. includes films such as Old Yeller, To Kill a Mockingbird, Swiss Family Robinson, among others.

The other week, as part of his media rounds promoting TCM’s Essentials Jr., I had the chance to sit in on a short conference call to speak to Lithgow.

His voice resonated a little more than I expected it would.  And the phrasing of his speech was just as succinct as you’d imagine. In our short interview with the actor, author, singer, songwriter and performer, find out which films made an impact on him, what character he thought was brilliantly portrayed as a midwestern hick and why he thinks ‘soporific‘ is so fantastic.

Another caller asked:  What film was memorable and had an impact on you?

I’d have to say Old Yeller.  I had a very curious childhood; I grew up in a very grown-up world.  Last year I was a part of the (TCM Essentials Jr.) selection process.  And I think TCM may have made a mistake because I chose movies that I loved as a child, but were distinctly films for adults, notorious for gaslights and have and have nots—This year they clarified the mission for Essential Jr. selections, which are much more family friendly, and a lot of them I missed all together because of my very peculiar childhood.

So, as a result, I’ve gone back and watched them in my old age–what discoveries to see a film like The Secret Garden, which I missed as a kid, and is a fantastic film for young people, even films like Swiss Family Robinson.  I was a great Disney fan; I remember loving the Wildlife Adventures.  I think it’s interesting that the Disney films that are included in this summer’s affair make great use of animals, Old Yeller and Swiss Family Robinson, most notably, they were like characters in the film.  I also loved Duck Soup because I just think those silent film comedians were great entertainers.

 

NKT:  What movie or character from the TCM lineup do you most identify with?

JL: I loved the way John Ford turned Abe Lincoln into a real person, not just a figure from of history.  He was portrayed as a midwestern hick; I was sort of a midwestern hick growing up in Ohio.  I had not seen that film as a kid, so I when I sat down to watch it, I viewed it from start to finish.  I just loved that view of Lincoln; he was a very simple and canny guy.  If you think of John Ford films, you think of the strong, silent types–cowboys, John Wayne, Jane Fonda in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.  It was really a nice touch to make Abe Lincoln into one of those.

NKT:  You’re an accomplished author of children’s book, and since it’s children’s book week, I’d like to know, what are some of you favorite children’s books? (it was children’s book week when I conducted the interview)

JL: I love children’s books that make wonderful use of language.  Beatrix Potter are my favorite lines of children’s literature.  One of the lines from The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies has one of the best in children’s literature.

“It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is soporific.”

What a fantastic way to start a children’s book, to throw in a word like that.  Back then, and even now, I love children’s literature that makes children curious about language.

And we think so too, John.  Great language makes for great books, and great books and films illuminate childrens’ minds.

 

Check it

This year’s Essential Jr. is set to begin Sunday, June 6, with Old Yeller (1958).  The following is a complete schedule.  All films begin at 8 p.m. (ET):

June 6             Old Yeller (1958)
June 13           Duck Soup (1933)
June 20           To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
June 27           The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953)
July 4              Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
July 11            Speedy (1928)
July 18            Beauty and the Beast (1946)
July 25            Buck Privates (1941)
Aug. 1            The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939)
Aug. 8            Road to Morocco (1942)
Aug. 15          The Secret Garden (1949)
Aug. 22          Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
Aug. 29          Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)

 

Giveaway

Lithgow has penned seven New York Times best-selling children’s books, created two activities books for parents and children, developed readers for use in elementary schools and compiled 50 classic poems aimed at young people.  He has earned two Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Awards and four Grammy nominations.  Simon & Schuster recently released his newest children’s book, I Got Two Dogs.

Want to win John Lithgow’s I Got Two Dogs, “a musical ode to two prized pooches who pack a crowd-pleasing wallop of theatricality?”  Just comment below with any film from TCM Essentials Jr. lineup.

 

For extra entries:

• each film title counts as an entry
• feel free to tweet about this Q&A w/ John Lithgow, be sure to include @jenrab
• share on any social networking site
• fan NKT on Facebook, if you’re already a fan, hit Share This

 

This giveaway ends on June 6.  Winners will be chosen by random.org and notified via email and Facebook.  Good luck!