OCR Text |
Show A View From The Top: Actor Bruce Davidson by Anne L. Burnett Record Staff Veteran actor Bruce Davidson David-son has one of those faces that prompts people to say, "I know that person. I've seen him on television or in the movies somewhere. It's whats-his-name." Not that Davidson seems to mind this partial recognition. He appears ap-pears to be one of man established actors who enjoy their privacy. Davidson was being filmed in the office of Park City's Utah Power and Light Company as a co-star in the CBS movie of the week, "Lady With A Badge" when I caught up with him and he couldn't have been more gracious. "I love Park City," he told me, "this is like a vacation for me." And indeed, to onlookers it mav have appeared that this unassuming unassum-ing artist wasn't really working that hard but the camera will show differently. Davidson's job was to play a deputy to actress Eileen Brennan's sheriff which he said he enjoyed. "I'm a big fan of hers," he added. Davidson spent a lot of time sitting in the sun on Main Street talking to townspeople, townspeo-ple, tourists, fellow actors and extras. But he had to be t' ! ' "i , -i & , I i !t ! "I know that face!" It's actordirector Bruce Davidson. ready at a moment's notice to go before the cameras and become the Wyoming deputy depicted in the film's script. Few knew the training and experience that Davidson has been through in order to get to the point of being able to create a character in a few seconds on film. Davidson's film acting ability" abi-lity" comes home strongest in the film "Short Eyes". The film was a deep, personal look into the personalities and relationships that exist wherever there is a prison atmosphere whether it's a maximum security facility or a county jail. Davidson's performance was critically acclaimed nationally but the : movie did poorly at box offices. Still, it was a good part and Davidson said, "good parts are difficult to find." Which may be one of the reasons he has become active in live theatre. Davidson is currently current-ly directing (between film assignments) a play at the Matrixx Theatre in. Los Angeles and he previously taught at Duke University. Both accomplishments have allowed him to come in contact with new actors. Davidson talked about the differences in acting styles between theatre and film. He said acting in a play is more of a "sustained performance." perform-ance." He ought to know what he's talking about. Davidson appeared on Broadway for six months as John .Merrick in "The Elephant Man". The part calls for the actor to assume a distorted posture in order to convey Merrick's severe deformity about which the play reolves. "'It was the most demanding part I've ever done but not the most difficult," said Davidson, "the really hard part is Professor Treves." What narts does Davidson find difficult to do? "Chekov -is very hard and Shakespeare is always hard to do," responded Davidson. He's probably best known by the public for his part in "Willard" but Davidson said, "I try to do characters I enjoy but I usually get stuck on the other side of the law." His advice for would-be actors in theatre or film? "Find another way of making mak-ing a living, seriously, but probably most important, be able to accept rejection." Being able to accept rejection reject-ion is probably the most difficult part about a career in show business said Davidson. David-son. "You have to learn to deal with things you have no control over. For instance, I ws up for this part in a film and I really wanted it. I felt badly when I didn't get it but later I found out they liked my screen test but they wanted someone with dark hair. So you really have to find other things to depend on and not try to depend heart and soul on acting as a career." In addition to "Lady" what other productions can we look forwrd to seeing Davidson David-son in? He said he was especially proud of an afterschool special he completed com-pleted called "The Wave". It has now been rescheduled for prime-time television, to be seen probably early next year. He's also just finished a not-so-far-feteched story concerning test-tube babies called "Tomorrow's Child" also for television. Suddenly, our time was up as assistant director Yudi Bennett called "we're ready, Bruce". as left with the thought ot iiow nice it would be if all the actors at the top .'cia as down ; -;arth and easy to talk with as Davidson. David-son. Who knows, maybe the ones who come to Park City will be. |