Posted by Silent Michael at spider-wb054.proxy.aol.com on October 28, 1999 at 01:58:10:
Today I returned home from what in the past has been a typical "movie biz" convention in Atlantic City. But this trip was made special due to a great series of circumstances. First, upon my arrival I was stunned to see that the attendees would be given a special midnight showing of "DOGMA." Not since I saw Jack Nicholson walking towards me down the street at the premiere of "Tommy" on Broadway did I shout "Oh My God" to my traveling partner. Needless to say, I was at the theatre by 1130 (actually leaving the "Decadent" Desert Party early) to make sure I got a good seat. Early that morning, through no effort on my part, I had won a beautiful mounted poster for "DOGMA" and all day I had thought of nothing but having Kevin autograph it for me (my reasoning being that since he only lived an hour away, surely he would attend this screening.) During the days proceedings, I met John Frankenheimer, the director, and Michael Clarke Duncan ('Bear' in "Armageddon"), but they did not compare in my mind with meeting Kevin. Since "Clerks," I had been a real fan. In fact, when "Mallrats" did not play in Baltimore, for my staff Christmas party I paid for a print of the film so we could finally see it. When I arrived at the theatre, with the "Mallrats" DVD (purchased that morning) and poster in hand, I was met by someone from the production company who asked me if I was there to display the poster. I told him I had won it and was hoping that Kevin Smith would be there to sign it. Alas, Kevin was back in Red Bank and not feeling well. He did tell me that he would let Kevin know I was there.
To sum it up as a lifetime Catholic (not easy to achieve with a Jewish mother!), I found "DOGMA" to be not only hilarious, but, as usual with Kevin's films, incredibly well written. It is very rare in this business for someone to devote that much energy to the written word, especially when movies like "Deep Impact" make $100 million, and that is the main thing that impresses me about Kevin.
When the convention ended Friday, I begged my friend Ben (in who's car we were riding) to head up the road to Red Bank. I had gone there last year, but since then I knew that the "Secret Stash" had moved to a bigger location, and, "besides, maybe Kevin would be there." Upon my arrival, I saw that tho the store had moved, Walt was still in his familiar place behind the counter..............T.V. playing and his face in a comic! I had picked out a "Davy and Goliath" tape and a few "DOGMA" trinkets when a door opened and out stepped Kevin. I instantly thought about dropping to my knees, ala Wayne Campbell, and exclaiming "I'm not worthy," but realized that Kevin would see through such a cheap ploy and probably step on my back as he walked past. I introduced myself and was surprised to find out that the production guy had actually kept his word and told Kevin about me and my poster. Tho he was on his way to lunch and still probably under the weather, he was gracious enough to wait until I had retrieved the poster and DVD from the car and signed them for me. He also posed for a picture and told me the "JAWS" homage he had cut from "DOGMA." Needless to say, the rest of the ride back to Baltimore was a blur. Thank you Kevin. I have been fortunate in the business I am in to meet many of the people I have admired (Ron Howard, Rob Reiner, Martin Scorsese, etc) and they have all been kind enough to accomodate my questions. But you truly went out of your way to make a complete stranger happy. I look forward to playing "DOGMA" and hope it does the business it deserves to do!