MORE THAN A ‘FACE IN THE CROWD’

By Judy Normand/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

“The event, the guests, the supporters ... it’s just classy,” said Joe Glass, head of the Arkansas Film Commission. “And none of it would happen if not for Kathy Majewska.”

Glass was referring to the annual Pine Bluff Film Festival, sponsored by Majewska and the Old Towne Theatre Center — the 13th such event held at the historic Community Theater in downtown Pine Bluff. The festival culminated Sunday with a brunch at the Royal Arkansas Hotel and Suites in honor of this year’s guest film star, the legendary Patricia Neal.

A hotel banquet room was beautifully decorated in a black-and-white movieland motif by the Royal Arkansas’ manager, Lisa Jackson, and her staff, and photographs of Neal and her co-stars in dozens of her memorable movies were scattered on the long, elegantly appointed banquet table.

The photos were furnished by folks from Piggott, who were guests for the brunch and happen to own bragging rights for being residents of the town where one of Neal’s movies was filmed.

“A Face in the Crowd” (1957) starred Neal opposite Andy Griffith, with Anthony Franciosa, Walter Matthau and Lee Remick. The “swimming pool scene” in the movie was filmed at Piggott on the former estate of the Carl Pfeiffer family and what is now the site of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center, directed by Don Roeder. Author Ernest Hemingway was the husband of Pauline Pfeiffer and the photographs were from her personal collection.

Neal, accompanied to the brunch by her “partner, driver and just a wonderful person,” Warren Langton, with whom is shared, she declared with a grin, “no romantic involvement at all,” immediately seized a few of the photographs, remarking on particular co-stars, “Oh, I just loved him” or “I like that one,” or long-ago scenes from her remarkable films, such as her Academy Award-winning role in “Hud” with Paul Newman. Some of the photographs, however, were difficult to place.

“Oh, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this one,” Neal said. An album of movie memorabilia was also brought along and was shown to Neal by Gerald Morris, mayor of Piggott, and his wife, Gwen. Flipping through the pages of memories, Neal said, “I don’t have any albums of my own, or I don’t know where they are. I don’t know where anything is in my life anymore!”

Dr. Foster Hirsch has been a supporter and organizer of the film festival since its inception in 1994. He was also a guest at the brunch and commented that the whole thing began as just a one-time project.

“Now, it’s been 13 years and it’s actually been the beginning of my secondary career. I have found, over the years of interviewing dozens of stars at Pine Bluff, that I have a talent for interviewing, and it’s such a pleasure to have interviewed Ms. Neal. I know we all could listen to that voice all day.”

Hirsch said many people may not be aware that Pine Bluff’s film festival has received national, if not international recognition. He explained that, while in Italy some years back, he had occasion to hear Fay Wray (the female lead in 1933’s “King Kong”) say, “I wouldn’t be here if not for a young woman from Pine Bluff, Arkansas,” referring to Majewska, who had twice welcomed the actress as a guest during the film festivals.

Neal said Hirsch was the catalyst in making the decision to attend the festival at Pine Bluff.

“I’m here because of that nice man, Foster. I know him and would do anything he asked me to do. I want to work with him again,” she said.

Pine Bluff Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr., along with his wife and young son, presented Neal with a proclamation from Gov. Mike Huckabee naming her an “Arkansas Traveler.” Neal said she was “honored to accept the honor.”

Mayor Morris offered appreciation to Majewska, Hirsch and Dr. John Beatty for their work on the film festival and thanked the organizers for involving the town of Piggott.

“Piggott will be a-buzz for a few weeks and this event will be front-page news in our newspaper,” Morris said.

Neal shared stories with the group about her Hollywood life and times and revealed plans to travel immediately to Cleveland, Ohio, for another “gala with friends.”

“But, I have had a beautiful time here,” Neal said. “And where we’re staying — a hotel or whatever it is — is fabulous! We’re sorry to be leaving.” Neal was hosted by Wanda Bateman at Margland Bed & Breakfast during her stay and was “chaperoned” and officially hosted by Juvenile Court Judge Thomas Brown and his wife, Susan.