The Daily Sheet - Larry McMurtry Profile

[Ellen (tellyouwhat)]

The Daily Sheet
Special Edition

October 13, 2006

BROKEBACK PROFILES -- MEET THE CREATORS

Larry McMurtry

Today we are privileged to feature Pulitzer Prize winning novelist and Academy Award winner Larry McMurtry.  We know him best for his famous collaboration with Diana Ossana that produced the screenplay of Brokeback Mountain, but that is only one highlight on his long list of achievements.  He has enjoyed a unique career telling stories and enlightening readers about the American West. McMurtry grew up on a ranch outside of Archer City, Texas, the location that inspired his early novels, including The Last Picture Show.  In addition to his reputation as a highly-respected literary writer, McMurtry is also well-known for the film adaptations of his work, especially Hud (from the novel Horseman, Pass By); The Last Picture Show; Terms of Endearment, (which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture in 1984); and Lonesome Dove, his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel which became a popular television mini-series.  Film adaptations of his novels have garnered 18 Oscars and 34 Oscar nominations.  The Academy Award for Brokeback Mountain is McMurtry's first Oscar.

One Man, Two Careers Most of us mortals would be content with the success McMurtry has achieved in books and films, but he had yet another dream to pursue.  As a child in Archer City, with no bookstores and no public library, he had to read the same books over and over. “I had a tremendous desire to read,” he said in an article from  University of North Texas' Alumni publication, “But the only books I had were a few given to me by my cousin.”  As a result of his love of books and his desire to bring more books to his home town, McMurtry started his 2nd career as a bookseller.  The result is his book store called “Booked Up,” located in Archer City.

Ever the rugged individualist, at the 2006 Academy Awards, McMurtry wore jeans and cowboy boots along with his dinner jacket.  Of course by that time, he had already influenced men’s fashion in 2006 as a result of the success of Brokeback Mountain. Larry McMurtry’s latest novel is Telegraph Days.  Look for Larry's and Diana's upcoming mini-series versions of his novel Comanche Moon, to air on CBS in February 2007.  Their screenplay Pretty Boy Floyd will be produced as a feature film, and the duo recenty adapted McMurtry's novel Boone's Lick for Playtone, to star Tom Hanks and to be directed by Barry Levinson.

Profile Q and A: 1. Currently listening to?   Coyotes in the wash. 2.  Currently reading?    James Lee Milne, Diaries, 12 Volumes 3.  Biggest challenge?     Life. 4.  Your perfect day?   110 Degrees, no clouds. 5.  What’s your indulgence?    Reading. 6.  What’s you inspiration?    Women, if slightly grubby. 7.  Last major Purchase?     One hundred boxes of books from Serendipity Books, Berkeley California. 8.  First job?     Cowboy. 9.  What do you know for sure?    That I’m not dead. 10.  Favorite Movie (Besides BBM)?    No favorite. 11.  If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?    I’d rather He kept quiet. 13.  Favorite Brokeback Mountain Scene?    Final scene between Ennis and Alma Jr. in the trailer. 14. Any final words for our Ultimate Brokeback Forum members?    None. (Editorial note:  see question number 11.  If God should keep quiet, I guess it's okay for Larry McMurtry)

Women, if Slightly Grubby

In view of the answer to question #6 (What's your inspiration?) I sneaked in another question to Diana Ossana, Larry McMurtry's long-time writing partner, who graciously assisted in obtaining this profile.  I commented that Larry must have liked Eileen Brennan's portrayal of Genevieve in The Last Picture Show.  Ms Ossana replied:

"He liked Eileen Brennan, and was very taken with Ellen Burstyn's portrayal of Jacy's mother.  But he admired nearly all the women who translated his female characters to film.  He was particularly impressed with Patricial Neal in Hud.  Sometimes his fictional characters felt prescient, since the actresses who played them were so much like the characters he had imagined in his novels -- as was Cybill Shepherd, who played Jacy in The Last Picture Show."

Members who participated in our August book club discussion of The Last Picture Show will be happy to take note of this added insight.

Special thanks to Diana Ossana



Books and DVDs in the Ultimate Brokeback Store

Larry McMurtry won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel Lonesome Dove, an epic Western novel that exposes what really lies behind two heroic figures on a cattle drive.  Get the book or the DVD of the popular mini-series starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones from Amazon through our Ultimate Brokeback Store.

McMurtry’s latest novel, Telegraph Days, and all of his novels are featured in our Ultimate Brokeback Store. Visit this link to New York Times reviews of novels by Larry McMurtry

Links to Forum Discussions about Larry McMurtry

Forum members have discussed Larry McMurtry’s works in the Larry McMurtry thread in the Books Section, and in the Book Club thread's August selection, The Last Picture Show, which also contains discussion of Texasville and Duane’s Depressed.

Previously in
"MEET THE CREATORS":

Diana Ossana, Acadamy Award winning screenwriter, with Larry McMurtry co-wrote the screenplay of Brokeback Mountain, the upcoming Comanche Moon, and much more.

Annie Proulx, author of Brokeback Mountain (from Close Range:  Wyoming Stories), The Shipping News and much more.

James Schamus, Brokeback producer and President of Focus Features

Other Notable Profiles:

Dave Cullen, author and founder of The Ultimate Brokeback Forum.



James McMurtry Wins Album of the Year, Song of the Year

Larry’s son, James McMurtry, co-wrote the lyrics and music to "Water Walkin' Jesus" with his good friend, Stephen Bruton.  (Annie Proulx is credited as well, because she invented the title of the song in the BBM short story.)  Of course we love Jake Gyllenhaal's performance of the snippet of the song that made it into the movie, but perhaps one day we can look forward to a performance of the song on a future CD from James, who is also a singer.

In September, James McMurtry was awarded Album of the Year and Song of the Year by the Americana Music Awards in Nashville.  The winning album is titled  "Childish Things."  The winning song, "We Can't Make It Here Anymore," is a pointed commentary on the economy, war and other issues. The Austin, Texas-based singer credits his father with exposing him to country music as a boy.  He is currently on tour. Visit the official website for James McMurtry.

Fanart Feature of the Day

by gnash

Click for a full size version and sepia tone sketch of gnash's drawing, as seen in BBM Fan Art.

Calendar

• 17 Oct - Melbourne, Australia - BBM Screening
  at the Astor Theatre

• 19-21 Oct - Casper, WY - Equality State Book
  Festival

• 7 Nov - Pinecreek, WY - Toast to Jack and Ennis

The Daily Sheet is a production of The Ultimate Brokeback Forum at www.davecullen.com/forum Editors:  Ellen (tellyouwhat) and Jan (CactusGal) Assistant Editors:  elle_ann and kmich Columnists:  cynical21, Jim Bond, michaelflanagansf, Sparky Proofreader/Researcher:  Gonzo (twistedboy), gnash and Sparky Today’s edition produced by Ellen Raff (tellyouwhat) ellen@davecullen.com Contributors:  Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana, gnash We count on you to send us your news items, questions, and nominations for posts of the day. To subscribe to The Daily Sheet, press the "Notify" button at the top of the page. When a new TDS is posted, it will be forwarded to your email address. Previous issues of The Daily Sheet. Response thread for The Daily Sheet.