‘Postman’ Came And Local Actor Delivered Lines
At least one local man is getting his shot at fame in “The Postman,” now filming at Metaline Falls.
Marvin Winton, 71, of Spokane, has just finished filming his nine-word role as the pipe-smoking “Old Man” in this futuristic thriller.
Winton had no previous acting experience, but apparently he looked the part of a wise old man. He answered a classified ad and was chosen through auditions arranged by Big Fish NW Talent, a Spokane agency which is helping Kevin Costner’s production company with the casting.
Winton reports that he ate like a king in the VIP dining tent. Costner himself (he’s the director as well as the star) coached him on how to smoke a pipe and then walked the nervous Winton through the scene.
The Old Man is standing on a hotel balcony when he sees Costner and says, “It’s just around the corner.”
Costner whirls around and asks, “What is?”
The Old Man replies, enigmatically, “What you’re looking for.”
After the scene was finished, Winton thanked Costner for being patient with him and then said, “Most of all, I want to thank you for teaching me to smoke.” Costner laughed and replied, “Better you than me. I don’t smoke either.”
Winton said he was paid Actor’s Guild union scale for the work, “an obscene amount.”
“I would have done it for fun without pay, but will take the money anyway,” said Winton.
I’m sure he’s just one of many area residents who will become big-screen stars, thanks to “The Postman.”
Sunshine Shelly
Shelly Monahan, former KREM-2 weathercaster and Spokane radio D.J., has hit the big time.
She has just signed a $2-million-plus deal with WMAQ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Chicago. She will move there from Sacramento, where she had established herself as a popular weathercaster.
She was known as “Sunshine Shelly” here in her radio days back in the ‘80s.
Ty Ray cut loose Sportscaster
Ty Ray knew that KHQ-6 wasn’t renewing his contract, but he thought he had a job at least until Aug. 15, when his contract ran out. Even the memo announcing that he was leaving said he would “remain with Q6 during the summer.”
But Ray said he went to work on Monday and was told that would be his last day. Attention, news directors: He’s available.
Don’t overlook the Umo Ensemble
Sure, everybody’s heard of the Doobie Brothers and Booker T. and all of the other big concerts at the Festival at Sandpoint this summer.
However, one of the low-priced family events at the festival might be worth a look. It’s the Umo Ensemble, a group of performers from the west side of the state who will perform a show called “Masks!” a theater piece with masks.
I saw a videotape of an Umo performance, and all I can say is - well, you have to see it to believe it. It is not your typical cutesy kids’ show. The costumes and masks are phantasmagoric.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. Aug. 3 show are $6 each, or $20 for a family of four. Call (888) 265-4554 for info and tickets.
Luis and the Cookie Monster
Speaking of kids’ shows, Tuesday will be “Sesame Street” night at the Spokane Indians game at Seafirst Stadium.
The Cookie Monster will be there, welcoming kids at the gate. Then at 6:30 p.m., Luis (the character played by Emilio Delgado) will host a pre-game show with songs and activities. Luis is one of the best-loved humans on “Sesame Street.”
The game starts at 7:05 p.m. This event is sponsored in part by KSPS-7.
Spotlight is weekly column of news and commentary on the arts and media. To leave a message on Jim Kershner’s voice-mail, call 459-5493. Or send e-mail to jimk@spokesman.com, or regular mail to Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.
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