A tribute to Ernest Borgnine! On Saturday-Sunday August 4th-5th at 2:00pm, Cinema Classics presents the made-in-Oregon film Emperor of the North! Advance tickets are here
Emperor of the North (1973) Driven to desperation by the Great Depression, a subculture of hobos hop freight trains to search for jobs. The hobos are truly hated by Shack (Ernest Borgnine), a ruthless railway conductor who swore that no hobo will ride his train for free. Well, no-one but “A” Number One (Lee Marvin), who is ready to put his life at stake to become a local legend – as the first person who survived the trip on Shack’s notorious train. Shot in Cottage Grove and loosely based on Jack London stories, this is a gripping action-adventure. Directed by Robert Aldrich (The Dirty Dozen)
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Just Trying to Make a Buck
by Dave Paull*
When I read that Ernest Borgnine was going to screen his movie “Marty” on April 5th of this year in Portland I instantly wanted to be there, but I’m not sure why. Although I’d seen several of his movies and enjoyed the sincerity he brought to his many roles, I wasn’t a big fan. It felt like a bit of a challenge to see if I could land an interview with this iconic movie actor.
A colleague at the radio station where I work (FM News 101 KXL) loaned me his digital audio recorder and I walked the few blocks up to the Portland Art Museum’s Whitsell Auditorium, where The NW Film Center was showing “Marty” that evening. I found the room downstairs where Borgnine was greeting a select group of fans, but the door was locked. After loitering conspicuously and asking repeatedly, I was invited into the inner sanctum by Kevin Wood (with Turner Classic Movies.)
And there he was. Borgnine was alternately sitting and standing with his fans, posing for pictures, laughing and talking with everyone in line. He was a barrel chested man with silver hair and big teeth, wearing a dark navy suit with a tie and sweater.
While waiting for a break in autograph signing, I spoke with Borgnine’s press agent, Harry Flynn. From him I learned that Ernest Borgnine was a 33rd degree Mason and an ex-Navy man who had signed up for active duty in 1935. After being discharged he re-enlisted after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. After he got out of the Navy for good, Borgnine said he didn’t know what to do with his life. It was his mother who encouraged him to pursue his interest in acting.
Borgnine told a story about filming with Montgomery Clift in “From Here to Eternity.” The two had to stage a realistic looking fight scene, which ran for about 3 minutes in the movie, but took 12 hours to shoot. Ernest said that he and Montgomery Clift were black and blue with bruises after punching and fighting each other for so long.
Then it was my turn to sit down and ask some questions. When I referred to Borgnine as a legendary actor, he wouldn’t have it. He said “what’s this – legendary? I’m just a guy trying to earn a buck.” He told another story about working on the film “Flight of The Phoenix.” Borgnine said he learned a lot about acting from the star of the film, Jimmy Stewart, who showed up on the set early and left late, always working on the craft of acting. That was Borgnine’s style, too.
It was picture taking time and we stood up for a snap shot (by photographer Jeff Freeman). Borgnine beamed at the camera and laughed. He seemed tireless and always interested in whoever wanted to talk with him. That’s what I remember most – the energy and cheerfulness of this 95 year old man. It surprised me how sad I felt when I heard of his passing. But, of course, Ernest Borgnine will live on as an Everyman – legendary or not - in the many movies he made.
Borgnine interview here: http://www.kxl.com/common/global_audio/418/57178.mp3
* Dave Paull is a freelance journalist and writer who lives in Portland, Oregon.