...and here's to you Mrs. Robinson

I was at work yesterday when the word came down the wire that Anne Bancroft had died. She was one of my favorite actresses. I was also very sad for her husband of over 40 years, Mel Brooks. A living comic legend in his own right.

While everyone remembers Anne Bancroft for The Graduate and The Miracle Worker, I remember her for another movie. Not well known, but it has become a cult classic.

84 Charing Cross Road is a book about life and literature. The true story of a woman, who desperate for some real literature to read, writes to a London book seller in the days after the second world war. Enquiring for a particular title, she is happy to find that they do indeed have it and at a great price. So begins a correspondence with the manager and staff of the book store that lasts for over 20 years. The book itself is actually the correspondence back and forth!

The movie is available on DVD and I highly recommend it. Funny story how the book became a movie....

Bancroft was relaxing on a beach one day when a fan approached her and handed her a book. "You will find this a wonderful read", she was told.

She did!

For her birthday, Mel Brooks bought the movie rights to the book and it was made into the movie as well as a play.

Read the book first, then watch the movie.
84 Charing Cross Road
by Helene Hanff

The link is to Amazon.com, but you might find it cheaper at a local book store.

The bookstore itself is sadly no more, but the building it was in still sits on Charing Cross Road in London. The street is still dotted with book sellers. A historical marker on the wall of building tells fans that they have found the site. I found it on a cold January night in 2000 after a long walk north from Trafalgar square. Thousands follow my footsetps each year.

While Anne Bancroft will be remembered most for the role of Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, I think 84 was her most touching screen appearance.

Later,
Dan