If the City of Hollywood – California, that is – ever decides to build a version of their Mount Rushmore for film directors alongside the landmark sign erected in 1923, they will need to make room for the likeness of Steven Spielberg. He’ll have to be up there with the images of John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese and Federico Fellini.
Few could have predicted such an unlikely occurrence 44 years ago when the 27 year old Spielberg was beginning his directing career. He started out making smaller, interesting films, nothing at all like the boffo hits he would become known for.
It was one of these early productions which brought me into contact with him. I was working as an Account Executive at WWOK Radio, which broadcast from the third floor of the Southeast Bank building on Coral Way in the Miami neighborhood known as Shenandoah.
One day our News Director, Jack McCoy, came to me with an idea: he noticed that I liked discussing movies and asked me if I would like to double as the Entertainment Editor at the station. I would attend movie screenings and write reviews of current films and plays.
And, once in a while, I’d have the opportunity to interview a movie luminary passing through town on a publicity tour. It made sense for me to take on the additional assignment, as I was already working with film exhibitors like Florida State Theatres (FST) and Wometco Theatres for their advertising schedules.
MattyTylek, the publicity man for FST was my “go to” guy. He looked the part of a film flack, talking the movie lingo, always nattily attired and smoking big cigars. It was Matty who arranged for an interview at our radio studios with the serious, young film director, who was in Miami to promote his first theatrical film with a wide release, The Sugarland Express starring Goldie Hawn.
So one day in 1974 the relatively unknown Mr. Spielberg showed up at our station with Matty in tow. He had a full shock of jet black hair and was casually dressed in khakis and a knit shirt. No Kate Capshaw, no Harrison Ford and no Dreamworks Studios. It was just me and the movie wunderkind. He was friendly, serious-minded and went into great detail about some of the complicated shots involved in the film’s 150 mile car chase.
Richard Zanuck, the movie mogul who took a chance on the young director for this film, was worried the cast and crew wouldn’t accept the new kid. so he showed up early the first day to ease things for his protégé. He found Spielberg already in conference with the cinematographer planning shots.
Sugarland was well received by critics and earned a modest profit for Universal Pictures. Two years later, Spielberg directed Jaws and went on to direct an unprecedented 12 films which earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture or Best Director. Two generations of filmgoers have enjoyed the work of this great American artist. No less than seven of his movies are listed in the National Registry of Film, including E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Schindler’s List. I have a favorite Spielberg film of my own and it’s one you may not be familiar with: Catch Me If You Can, a whimsical adventure movie starring Leonardo Di Caprio.
Mr. Spielberg has had an amazing career and is still going strong. His movies tackle weighty subjects and you can always expect authenticity. To give you an idea how authentic, in preparation for filming Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg required his actors (among them Tom Hanks, Ted Danson, and Matt Damon) to go through Army basic training.
About the Author
Bob Goldstein is a retired broadcaster and advertising executive who has lived in South Florida for more than forty years. He is a veteran political activist (dsdcfl.org) and a member of the South Florida Writers Association. If you would like to comment on Bob’s columns, send your response by email to robertgrimm62@yahoo.com.
