For me, when someone talks about Jaws I dont think of the big fish. I had the opportunity to meet Richard Kiel about ten or so years ago in of all places, a used car lot in Bakersfield. I was driving back home to San Luis Obispo when I heard on the radio that Jaws would be signing autographs...and while Im there I should check out all the great bargains on the lot. Virtually no-one was there when I showed up. A salesmen in a bad suit took a visual inventory. I wasnt a buyer, he saved his breath. Richard was sitting at a table outside the showroom covered by a make-shift awning. No banners, no advertising.....no event...just Richard Kiel sitting on tiny white plastic folding chair that was managing to somehow hold his weight. As there was no line, I went up and shook his hand - it was huge. I said hello and the exchange was on. I couldnt help but thinking, had it really gotten so bad? It was my impression that perhaps he was thinking it too. He gave me a cheap xeroxed picture that the car dealership had provided; it was a little faded - their name was on it too. He had signed it for me ... and had even drawn a little toothy Jaws figure on it. I explained to him that as a kid, the first James Bond film my Dad took me to see was The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)...and that he scared the s@it out of me. I let him know too that when we saw his subsequent portrayal of Jaws in Moonraker (I was 9, older and wiser) it was much more to my liking; a kinder gentler far less murderous psychopathic predator Jaws. He laughed and asked if that was the first movie I had ever seen him in. (His acting career started in the early 60;s - mainly TV). I said yes... I think he was disappointed. Anyway....though he was clearly uncomfortable - he had his cane by his side, seemingly a little disillusioned, signing autographs in the heat at a used car lot in Bakersfield....Richard was pretty damn cool. There ya go. Ill never forget those Bond films with my Dad. R.I.P. Richard Kiel Its you ... then the big fish.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 11:27:55 +0000
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