MovieChat Forums > The Keeper (2004) Discussion > Gerald Sanford

Gerald Sanford

posted 14 years ago by EllieJ1961
66 replies | jump to latest

Why the need to keep reminding people that you wrote the film? It's fantastic that such a revered writer would comment on IMDB, but again, why the need to keep reminding people who you are and what you wrote.

We already know!

:)

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

C'mon, I'm just having some fun. Lighten up. Life's a ball! Besides, it frees me from writing this stupid script I'm working on now! Enjoy. gs

[–] WinstonNephron 14 years ago

What sort of story are you currently working on?

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

One that as of today, just doesn't work! I've really been writing a long, long time. And it doesn't get any easier. Or as a very good writer once called it, "A thousand false starts". I write small, intimate, dark stories about scarred people, when everyone wants '17 AGAIN'. Hah, I hope one of my closest friends, Jason Filardi, the guy who wrote it, reads this. gs

[–] WinstonNephron 14 years ago

You mean you didn't write Big Mamma's House or Kick-Ass? Come on, GS, get with it. One has to wonder if quality productions such as the Quinn Martin programs would even get a look in today's 'crap is king' environment.

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

I truly doubt it, but Quinn was the best. And when I decided to go back to New York, and went to him askin' for an episode to write there to make ends meet for awhile. He said, "Gerald, I'm a business man, too. And if I give you one script to write what do I get out of it?" So I thanked him, started out, and he added, "That's why I'm going to give you 3 episodes and a pilot."
Okay, I know, I told this story dozens of times, hundreds! but it's worth tellin'. They don't make 'em that way anymore. gs

[–] WinstonNephron 14 years ago

Awesome.

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

That's it -- 'AWESOME'! I write lines of pure poetry...and get back "AWESOME"?! Oh, well, better than nuttin'! gs

[–] WinstonNephron 14 years ago

I was searching for one term that would aptly sum up my impression of both your story, and of QM's action. Not wanting to push the boundries on style and wit, I chose to forgo employing "yup".

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

I have no idea the meaning of what you just wrote, but I can't stop laughing! Actually, the great ventriliquist Edgar Bergen had a character called "Mortimer Snerd" who no matter how esoteric Bergen's remark, would answer, "Yup!" My hat off to you, WN!

[–] GretaF 14 years ago

Well if it matters, ever since I came across you on the Dennis Hopper board, I really enjoy your comments, and although I am not on this site everyday, when I do pop in, since reading you, I occasionally review some of your posts, and your insight, stories, and memories are stellar entertainment! Really enjoy them.

Better than "AWESOME"??

Hey, keep on writing and have a great week!

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

NOW! Here's someone who knows talent when she sees it! Not like some others I could mention. "Greta F" an interesting name. I knew a Greta once in Venice. Actually she was from Munich, and I was there having just finished a rewrite of a script. Sitting at the hotel bar, having just arrived, and she came up to me and said, "You look lonely, mind if I join you?" And where are you now my beautiful Greta? And have all your dreams come true? And do you ever think of that night in Venice? I, for one, do. gs

[–] GretaF 14 years ago

Oh my...and here I expected a scolding for a run-on sentence! You surely do know how to fill a woman's mind full of rosebuds and lace, don't you! I think I am going to have to pick up some General Foods International Coffee, sit, hearing the sound of my cup being stirred, cup with a saucer that is, and just have a moment where I dream of being your beautiful Greta, and my life being much more than that of a common housewife. Ahhh...

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

You don't know what a "run-on" sentence is until you've read one of my scripts. Or as Dennis said to me at the "read-through" (which I'm sure I've already mentioned), "Sanford, you write more f-n dialogue than any writer I've ever worked with. Fortunately, it's good dialogue." Asia, however, didn't share his feelings. Actually, I saw Greta one last time about 4 years later when a model I was going with had a shoot there and I went with her. P.S. There's no such thing as a "common housewife". Or a "common woman" for that matter.

P.S. If I repeat myself it's because I just finished about 4 hours of writing -- or trying to write -- a new script, and my mind is still inside the pages. gs

[–] GretaF 14 years ago

P.S. There's no such thing as a "common housewife". Or a "common woman" for that matter.

I am going to take that as a compliment. Thanks sanwords!

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

And that's exactly how I meant it. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

It was meant in a very lighthearted way. I enjoy your comments - they make me smile xxx

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

And that's how I took it! The great writer, Truman Capote, once said, "A good laugh is worth an hour of sitting up exercise!" Stay "lighthearted". It's the only way to fly. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

I must be the fittest person I know! I will now forthwith take myself off to a party where no doubt I will be partaking of a lot of exercise with the aid of good friends and plenty of alcohol.

My new motto "laugh - it keeps you off the exercise bike".

xxx

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Obviously it's a lot later where you are than here. Unless, of course, your parties just get started sooner. Enjoy. gs

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

You have something against lurkers?

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Wait a second! How did I get in the middle of "lurkville?' I'm just a simple writer trying to make an honest living. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

Lurville or Lurkgate? You choose.

Hmm - why does everything "wrong" now get tagged with "gate".

My favourite latest is "chaingate" in the Tour de France (Schleck).

Watergate has a lot to answer for.

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Hey, as a kid in St. Louis I used to live on Eastgate! You might be onto something here! gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

Now you have to tell us the guilty secrets of Eastgate. Spies, intrigue, governmental conspiracies and broken bike chains.

Gardengate doesn't quite have the same ring.

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Hah! Spies, yes! Also intrigue, but all in my mind. I was but a child on Eastgate, living with my grandparents for the most part. But even then I'd make up little stories as I'd walk the streets pretending I was someone else, somewhere else. 'THE KEEPER' growing inside me. By the way, EllieJl961, you have a nice style to your writing. "Governmental conspiracies and broken bike chains." Love it, gs

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Remember, William, beauty's in the eyes of the beholder. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

You obviously know me well - you have me down to a T.

Thank you :)

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Beware of those you know well, for they have the power to hurt you the most. And especially on Friday the 13th. gs

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

"Down to a T." An interesting position. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

Even more interesting is the original expression - "down to a tittle". The English language is weird and wonderful.

And it's far more interesting than "down to a P"!

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

That is marvelous! "Down to a dot!" Never knew that, but love it! Can hardly wait to impress it on someone. Of course, if asked, I'll give you full credit. Yeah, right! That'll be the day! Piddle! gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

Newsflash: Famous writer on plagiarism charges.

"I thought it up first" commented the injured party, EllieJ, "and yah boo sucks to anyone who says I didn't".

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

All right, I'll give you this one. But as for "famous writer" you must have me confused with someone else. I merely write little stories about little people trying to make it through the night. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

Semi-not-so-famous-writer-of-little-stories-that-nobody-ever-heard-of in plagiarism charges ..... etc etc

I'd like compensation of £3.45 please! (That'll buy a G&T :P)

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Wow! Haven't encountered (pounds and pence) since living at #6 HERTFORD STREET, overlooking Shepherd Market! gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

!!!! Are you kidding me?

You'll be telling me next you went to the Curzon Cinema and drank in the Shepherds Tavern.

Half Moon Street ring any bells?

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Never went to the Curzon Cinema, although if memory serves me right -- which it's doing less and less -- I do remember getting lost on Curzon many times. But, of course, I'm notorious for getting lost even in my own neighborhood. In fact, this is how (or maybe why) I became a writer. I escaped my childhood in St.Louis, my home-life, by taking long walks, so long, more often than not, I'd find myself on streets, in neighborhoods, I'd never ventured in before, and fear I'd never find my way out of. But somehow always did. Strange, but I have these same feelings today.

At the far end of Shepards Market there's a big tavern where I'd drink on occasions. Don't forget, in those daze you had those strange "drinking laws".

As for "HALF MOON STREET", always loved the name, went there, but not sure anymore if it was for any particular reason. In fact, there was only one thing I didn't like about London...and that was finding a place to drink on a Sunday! I made some good friends there -- the director, Clive Donner, whom I traveled with for a month or so looking for places to shoot a movie of mine, and the director Val Guest, whom I met at a party given by Ariana Stassanopolis -- as she was known then -- and niether Val nor I knew at the time that I had been sent over there to rewrite one of Val's own scripts that he was also prepping to shoot in South Africa in a couple of weeks. Have I told you more than you wanted to know yet? gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

Well, first things first.

The drinking laws are even stranger now! Pubs choose when to close - or not as the case may be. At least we knew where we were in those 'daze' - freudian slip? Actually, I'm not complaining - far better now that we don't have to go out at 7pm and be leaving at 10.30 - frustrating days to say the least - ha.

I lived on Half Moon Street many moons ago. (Maybe not that many, but enough). The Shepherds Tavern was my choice of drinking hole due to the very short and easy wobble home.

So the question is - what year(s) were you there?

I'm afraid I had to google Ariana Stassanopolis! Ariana Huffington now, that's a different story. She wrote Maria Callas' biography - good girl.

You moved in high circles eh? :)

One of my favourite pastimes in a strange city is to walk and walk and walk without checking where I'm going - never get lost either no matter how hard I try. One of these days ...

Why does "childhood in St.Louis" sound so much more glamoorous than "childhood in Manchester".

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Starting backwards, I went with a girl from Manchester. Barbara Cohen...many years ago. That's right -- Huffington now. You know, I forgot she wrote the Callas bio. She has a sister -- Agapi, who stayed with us for a short time in L.A. She's still here; I get invitations from her for...various functions I don't quite understand so we haven't seen each other for about 5 years. What a great name, "HALF MOON STREET". And how can you beat "THE SHEPHERDS TAVERN". But those long Sundays when the pubs were closed. Pure Hell!

Yes, I, too, love to walk. And daydream, pretending I'm not myself but someone else. Someone different almost every day, which is basically how I started writing at the age of...about ten. Little plays, that I'd put on in my grandparents garage, hiring little actors -- mostly girls (I'm not stupid), and paying them with MOVIE MAGAZINES that my two aunts -- whom I lived with -- collected, and couldn't understand where they disappeared to.

And no, at least to me, St. Louis was never glamorous, but a very lonely and even somewhat frightening experience. Joined the Navy at 18, and never looked back. Not even in anger. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 14 years ago

Work work work and more work.

I will return with a vengeance!

I need a holiday.

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Have a pint on me. gs

[–] flowers_in_my_hair 14 years ago

San? Are you being all flirty with another gal on here? Ok, well if your buying the pints all 'round, include me!!

It matters more what's in a woman's face than what's on it. -Claudette Colbert

[–] sanwords 14 years ago

Bartender! A pint for Flowers In My Hair, too! gs

[–] EllieJ1961 13 years ago

PS - what did you make of Guy Fawkes night when you were here (aka Bonfire Night).

Officially it was on Friday, but most bonfires and fireworks displays were last night (Saturday) and I went to see a local display and of course with Britain being so diverse now, there were a lot of foreign accents around and I was dying to ask what they thought of it but didn't quite dare (dammit).

So, my "foreign" friend who lived here - did you ever get to see a Guy on a bonfire?

PPS - 2 toffee apples, treacle toffee and a slice of Parkin cake made for quite a sickly girl ! The pint and G&T in my local was a nice "cure".

[–] EllieJ1961 13 years ago

Pint had (amongst many) - I thank you.

Back home now - been travelling with my job a little (lot). All terribly exciting though. A new, huge, contract which is going to keep me very very busy but hopefully at home for a while.

I had a quick mooch around our old stomping ground while I was in London. It's amazing how little it changes. It's absolutely recognisable you'll be glad to hear and I swear my old house is exactly the same. I could still have been living there and wouldn't have been one bit surprised to see me walking out the door!

I have a trip coming up to Manchester - I know THAT'S completely different. I barely know it now and can't find my way round - ha.

Now I need to somehow wangle a trip to St Louis and our reminiscences (reminscings? eek) will be complete.

How is life treating you?

[–] sanwords 13 years ago

Wondered where you went, and glad the pints went with you. May I ask what is it you do? If not, I'll simply imagine something which I do, anyway, for a living...as well as fun. I told you I went with a girl from Manchester for quite awhile. "Barbara". And recall to this day hearing her voice when angry with me... "Jerairrolddddd!" Heard it a lot, come to think of it.

Yes, I, too, would like to "wangle a trip to St. Louis", I could've gone for my mother's funeral, but didn't which naturally turned what few relatives remain there against me. My sons went, and my sister, and told me all about it. Seemed like they had a ball. And why didn't I go? I once left London where I had been doing a script for several months, and a day after I returned to L.A. got another script to do there, and returned a few days later. And yet saw no reason to return to St. Louis, where I grew up, for my mother's funeral. Needless to say, my relatives have never forgiven me. Although my sons, as well as my sister, merely dismissed it having long ago accepted the fact I'm a bit strange. They're very kind.

And lastly, "How is life treating me?" Otherwise. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 13 years ago

I should think your imagining is far more interesting than the reality - I'm a Civil Engineer, mainly environmental and within environmental, mainly water and waste water. Well I love it anyway.

For some reason, I keep hearing "Jerairrolddddd" in my sister's voice. Unfortunately she's not called Barbara but she certainly screeches! Did you go to Manchester? It's changed beyond all imagination, apart from the accents!

Coincidences and more coincidences? I didn't go to my mother's funeral either. Why? I overslept and only had an hour to get to Manchester. I figured I'd be in less trouble not turning up than I would be by turning up late. I was very very wrong. But then I never did like her so .... Anyway, relatives are overrated (apart from the ones who will forgive you anything - they're fine) :)

"A bit strange" sounds very similar to "a bit eccentric", I get that quite a lot. All I need now is a bunch of cats and I'm well on my way (although I'm not certain I'm yet at an age where I can be an old eccentric cat woman, nice as it sounds).

This old eccentric is off to bed - an early morning and a late night is not conducive to meeting friends in the pub tomorrow - I'm sure my priorities are a bit skewiff! Sleep well oh strange one.

"Meet me in St Louis, Louis"

[–] sanwords 13 years ago

Without a doubt Civil Engineer never got anywhere near my imagination! In fact, when I lived there I doubt "environmental" even existed! "Let the bloody waste flow into the stream! How much harm can it do?"

No, never got to Manchester except via Barbara which was always a great ride. (Can't believe I actually said that!)

It's Wednesday, perhaps that's it, what more can you expect from a day named for a German God, and I've been answering some e-mail from new writers wanting me to read their scripts, also trying to come up with a new script of my own, even writing a few scenes before realizing it's *beep* and deleting it! It's what's known as "A thousand false starts!"

Take care, and you, too, sleep... well? gs

[–] EllieJ1961 13 years ago

It would also make sense to look at "Page 2" on forums!

"Let the bloody waste flow into the stream! How much harm can it do?"

Do you really, really want me to answer that ! :P

Isn't deleting "beep" writing like deleting "beep" photos? One day you might regret it.

I think it was Stephen King who wrote a script (on a typewriter luckily) and, thinking the same as you that it was crap, put it away in a box somewhere. Years later he sort of recalled it and wondered where it was so off he went hunting, and guess what? It wasn't as crap as he thought and with a few tweaks here and there it was published and became a best seller.

Now if only I can remember which one ! ha. I blame my nose for my forgetfullness (and bad spelling).

Tell all about the new scripts.

No, never got to Manchester except via Barbara which was always a great ride. Can't believe you said that either - but very funny x

[–] EllieJ1961 13 years ago

Now I know civil engineering is not everybody's cup of tea - but did it rattle you so much? :P

Latest news is - I did a complete "face plant" when I went over the handlebars of my bike. I am now endowed with 2 beautiful black eyes, a "trout pout" and a slightly skewiff nose.

What exciting things in your life?

[–] sanwords 13 years ago

Now totally confused! What's "Page 2" on forums? Or even page one on Forums? Actually, I'm not even sure you're talking to me or someone else. And I don't want the bloody waste to flow into the stream. I suddenly feel I've fallen into 'NIGHT GALLERY'! gs

[–] sanwords 13 years ago

Didn't "rattle" me at all. In fact, just the opposite, as I wrote in my instant reply which I'm pretty sure I posted by CLICKING ON "POST REPLY". On the other hand, I might've hit ENTER on my computer instead. And now you've got me totally confused as I wonder how many others haven't got my e-mails over the years! Or my scripts for that matter! No wonder I haven't had a movie made in 5 years!

As for what's exciting in my life? I'm starting a new script for the 5th time this month alone, and hope to get past page 15 before tossing it. And...that's about it. Is it the new year yet? Sure hope so. Oh, yes, today I start a new script...one that I've started a dozen times before...this month alone. Take care, have fun, live, live, live. gs

[–] EllieJ1961 13 years ago

My fault - we have now managed to get this diatribe onto 2 pages - and I didn't notice so I sort of re-answered your post before noticing the glaring "2" and your latest response. Bloody computers - bring back the days of penpals !

What's the new script about? Have you got to page 14 yet? Why not ignore 15 and go straight to 16?

[–] sanwords 13 years ago

I replied to this, but now can't find it. Shouldn't it be on 'the keeper' site?

[–] sanwords 13 years ago

I'm pretty sure I replied to this already, but can't find it anywhere myself. The new script is about 14 pages long, and won't see P 15. I tried several different versions, and come to a stop at the same point. As for what it's about -- a retired cop who lives in a small house that is quite a mess, spends his days in a jacuzzi that is pea-green, in a yard filled with chunk, and left-over dreams, and one morning discovers that the McMansion across the street, that all the neighbors complained about has been sold to someone like Meryl Streep...and thus begins a love-story between these 2 different characters. The cop by the way, Jack Nicholson, of course, has lost the will to live after his young son, also a cop, wanting to be like his old man, was killed in a shoot-out that Jack feels partly responsible for because he didn't talk his son out of being a cop, etc., etc., etc. And bye-bye!

Think it's easy writing this *beep* gs

[–] EllieJ1961 13 years ago

Bearing in mind I couldn't write a shopping list, I'll pass on commenting whether it's easy or not to write this or any other sh&t ! :)

Is it now filed under R for Rubbish or have you kept going?

Love Meryl Sheep - but why Jack Nicholson?

Ready for Christmas? (boo hiss). I'm going to my sister's house - in which there are a hoard of stroppy and bad tempered teenagers - you're a celebrity, get me out of there ! Is it wrong to pray that it snows so hard you get stuck at home!

Nose, teeth, mouth, forehead etc are all healing nicely and I don't seem to be scaring small children anymore :) How about you? (well, I mean, not the scaring small children part).

[–] EllieJ1961 13 years ago

Reading previous post back, I have just managed to make it look like I was saying your script was rubbish!

I meant from your point of view naturally bearing in mind your phobia of page 15s x

[–] sanwords 13 years ago

Are you kidding, compared to my critics, 'RUBBISH' is a compliment! gs

[–] butchuberalles 13 years ago

Quinn Martin didn't think that your scripts were rubbish though! The Keeper wasn't marred by the script or the acting, I just wish it had a more imaginative DP, Gerry. DH,Asia and Company did a fine enough job but the production elements that surrounded the production were lacking.

[–] sanwords 13 years ago

Quinn Martin was the best! They just don't make them that way anymore! I'm afraid, however, for several reasons I was a bit trying for him. Or as he put it on several occasions, "I don't know what to do with you, Gerald." As for 'THE KEEPER', it is what it is. A small movie, which is all I write, really; I thought Dennis was terrific. Asia, in spite of not liking me from day one, nor the script, really, eventually became part of the team, even going out of her way to call me at the airport, when I was leaving, with her concern that her hair would be longer after having spent a year in her cell -- and should they add extensions. My reply, "Asia, you're so beautiful, no one's going to be looking at the length of her hair." There were things lacking in the production, I agree, but there's also things lacking in the production of life itself. Yet we go on. gs

[–] jaywolfenstien 12 years ago

Out of curiosity, if Asia did not like the script, why did she make the movie?

---
Truffaut: Do dreams have a bearing on your work?
Hitchcock: Daydreams, probably.

[–] sanwords 12 years ago

Good question. I believe she liked the fact that it was closer to a two character play than a movie. Actors like to be seen, and she was in almost every scene. (No pun intended.) Also, she liked the idea of working with Dennis. And what actor didn't? He was simply brilliant! And don't get me wrong, even a difficult Asia is well worth the price of admission. Enjoy. gs

[–] jaywolfenstien 12 years ago

Like I said, I was just curious.

And don't get me wrong, even a difficult Asia is well worth the price of admission. Enjoy. gs

Oh, I know. I'll watch any movie with Asia in it. =)

---
Truffaut: Do dreams have a bearing on your work?
Hitchcock: Daydreams, probably.

[–] sanwords 12 years ago

And I appreciate it, gs