Meeting Mr. Grant

(I had this picture taped in the middle of my closet door when I was a teen.

He was surrounded by Duran Duran and C. Thomas Howell Pictures.)

Merry Christmas! We woke up to a light blanket of snow this morning. I love it when that happens. I had the funniest dream last night. I dreamt that Brandon and I were seeing some countryside with a man who had been an agent or something in Hollywood back in the day. He was just a new acquaintance of Brandon's and had taken us out for a drive, to show us some places we hadn't seen. We pulled into a long drive to a small ranch and drove up to a sprawling hacienda-style home. I asked who lived there, and he said, as we walked up to the courtyard and he led us around, that I probably wasn't familiar with the actor, but this was one of the homes of Cary Grant. Well, I stopped dead in my tracks and my jaw dropped and I was just amazed. I was starting to say, "Of course I know who Cary Grant is!", when we heard people coming into the home, talking comfortably. Well, in walks Cary Grant, circa "Charade", a little gray on the sides... just perfect. So, our friend introduces us to Cary Grant, and I am just dying... I can't breathe and my heart is pounding and I am trying to talk, but can't. Then Brandon says, "Mr. Grant, my wife is a huge fan of yours." And then the dam explodes and I start talking very fast, loudly, and I say, "Cary Grant...Mr. Grant, I love your work! I have seen most of your movies and I just can't tell you enough how exciting it is to meet you!" And he is looking a bit dubious, I think because of my age, so I try to convince him. "No, really, I remember when I was little and watching "Houseboat", with Sophia Loren, with my Mom while she folded laundry, and from then on I was hooked! And I loved "Bringing Up Baby" with Katherine Hepburn..." At this point he nods a bit, puts his head in his hand and sits down on the arm of the couch, and I realize something (keep in mind this is a dream and Cary Grant really was in "Bringing Up Baby") so I say, "Oh, wait! "Bringing Up Baby" starred Dick Tracy, not you!" (which I think I said given the link between Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, who, obviously, shared the same last name with the fictional comic book detective, Dick.) So, Mr. Grant nods his head and my credibility as a true fan has been blown to pieces. But do I stop? No. I go on, panicky. "But, you were in Charade, with Audrey Hepburn, oh, that was magic! And the one with the pink submarine...what was that called? And "My Girl Friday" (which was actually called "His Girl Friday"), and of course, Debrah Kerr or Karr or however you say it in "An Affair to Remember",and the Hitchcock movie with the blonde! And I saw the last half of one with Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart, and I promise someday I'll watch the first half, and there was one with you on a roof...you were a thief!" And as I am going on Brandon is gently leading me to the entrance and I am just pulling against him, trying to redeem myself. Ugh. So I finally yank my arm from Brandon and walk to Mr. Grant and after a deep breath, say, "I'm sorry, Mr. Grant. It is just a thrill to meet you. Your movies have meant a lot to me through the years. I admire your quick banter, especially with Katherine Hepburn. Your comedic timing was always perfect, and the chemistry between you and your leading ladies was palpable. You were a "Leading Man" in every sense of the word. Even if your character was shady, I just knew you wouldn't hurt Audrey Hepburn. I am a busy mom of 4 kids. Although I don't watch daytime television much, if I do happen to come across one of your movies, the world stops. I just wanted to thank you for that." And Cary Grant takes my hand and says, in his Cary Grant voice, "Well, Mrs. Jensen, it has been a pleasure. Thank you." Then, he kisses my hand, and Brandon leads me away, and I wake up. Wow. Hee hee.