Cutting up with Mr. Borden

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:08 am

Jay and I were sitting down to eat at a well-known neighborhood diner right around the corner from West 72 St in Manhattan before going to the opera Saturday afternoon. As if in answer to a prayer (I think of him every time I'm in the area, having met him many years ago), in walked venerable character actor FRITZ WEAVER and a lady I believe to be his wife, Rochelle.

I went over to intoroduce myself and to mention to him that we had met years ago, out on 72nd Street (and that I didn't expect him to recall it). I told him about my status as a Bordenian, and I told him how I hold him dear in my heart for not only all his work over the years, but especially his Andrew Borden in the wonderful TV movie. "I got pretty butchered in that, didn't I? Fall River, right?" he said. "I think we won an Edgar award or two for that!" I added, "And at least one Emmy, as well, for costume design!"

"He KNOWS!" Mr. Weaver said to his companion.

I also got to speak with him about his role as Creon in a PBS production of ANTIGONE, and about the release of the OBC of BAKER STREET, the flop musical in which he starred as Sherlock Homes, on CD. However, as I told him, "I have the original LP!"

He's a delightful and approachable man, and he's looking the best I've seen him in some years, being a bit over 80 years young.

william · Post by **william** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:23 am

Hello Bob:

Didn't see the play, but have the original 33 - the musical sounds pretty good to me!

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:14 pm

What a great evening you and Jay had, Bob ! Thanks for sharing that.

(I love eating the cheescake at Maxie's)

Tracy...

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:43 pm

Sounds like a fun evening, Bob! What diner were you at? My favorite afterhours diner in the city was the Empire diner, great place to eat outdoors in the evening during the summer to watch the rich pageant of life go by.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:45 am

<<<SIGH!>>>

1bigsteve · Post by **1bigsteve** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:08 am

Kat @ Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:45 am wrote:<<<SIGH!>>>

"Sigh" is right! All this talk about dinner in NY and Operas and eating cheese cake and I haven't even been in NY. Bummer.

It's good to hear Fritz is a pleasant man, Bob. So many film people are real grumps. I'll have to delve into his work. I'm glad you had a pleasant experience with him.

-1bigsteve (o:

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:02 pm

I can honestly count on two hands the unpleasant experiences I've had approaching celebs over the years. The pleasant, wonderful and funny experiences I've lost count of!

For those who care, it was the Utopia diner at which Fritz (and many an actor who live near 72nd Street) is a "regular."

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:31 pm

Thanks, Bob. I've never eaten at the Utopia before. Have you ever been to Julius' down in the Village? Is it still even there? I recall that there was all sorts of graffitti carved into the benches and tabletops by actors and actresses from days gone by. Really good hamburgers there.

Bob Gutowski · Post by **Bob Gutowski** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:47 am

The Julius' that was also the famous old literary gay bar? Sure, but I haven't been there in years! Or is there a Julius' diner I've missed?

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:19 pm

Yes, the gay bar, it definitely wasn't a diner. I haven't been there in eons, last I was there was in the 1980s. I was just curious what remained of the New York I used to visit. When you say literary, Bob, do you mean that the place was a hang-out for writers? Instead of what I was told with actors?