Ruthie & Beth With Billy Comments
The biggest summer season in the Boardwalk's 100-year history is under way!
A SPECIAL OUTDOOR SHOWING OF THE MOVIE LOST BOYS.
An outdoor movie on the beach - featuring one of the most popular movies ever filmed at the Boardwalk. This special event was sponsored by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's. All were encouraged to bring beach chairs for the 8:45 p.m. show time on Wednesday, July 25, 2007.
I arrived in Santa Cruz at approximately 7:30 p.m., and was cruising Beach Street looking for parking when I caught sight of Billy Wirth, the handsome dark haired vampire of the famed Lost Boys movie. He was talking on his cell and about to enter the Beach Boardwalk with other members of the cast. Billy wore levis jeans, an aqua colored t-shirt and a long black velvet jacket.
I had invited my girlfriend Joanne and her daughter Sara to this last minute adventure and they readily accepted even though Jo had to be back at work the next day at 6:00 a.m.. Sara who has been recovering from a serious surgery just wanted to get out of the house for a while. We found parking, unloaded our gear and headed for the beach to set-up our viewing site.
As we arrived at the beach about a 1/3 of the crowd was already set to wait for the movie. We set up our chairs at the back of this group and watched as the sea of people filled the sand from Ocean to Boardwalk in front of the large blow up screen. The air was electric.
I made my way down to the three pop-up canopies set up with movie posters, t-shirts and photos of the Lost Boys. Billy, Brooke and Chance were interacting with the crowd which had gathered to mill around the tables of movie paraphernalia. Billy was busy signing autographs, posters, DVDs, t-shirts, and posing for pictures with fans. I stood and watched from a distance as he smiled and talked with the fans. He seemed the most busy of the group.
At one point a mom and her twin daughters got to the front of the crowd and Brooke looked from one girl to the other and says to the mom. Twin? The mom smiles and says: Yeah, I wanted them to meet Billy. Brooke: Yeah, manys the time Ive wished I was Billys twin. They laughed and Brooke called out to Billy and pulled him away from what he was signing to get him in a picture. Billy readily accommodated them. They were all most gracious thanking the fans and telling them, that if it werent for the fans they wouldnt be here.
Two women approached the canopy and asked to speak to Billy. They told him Max had sent them and a bright smile broke out as he hugged them and offered to take a picture with them.
Later, at a quieter moment there was a slim break in the crowd, and I watched as Billy glanced over the crowd and did a slight double-take as he sighted a petit dark haired woman standing amidst all the teenagers. As he stared quietly and directly at her, a deep smile begins to form across his face, as he says to her: I know you. She smiles back. He motioned her closer, they exchange words. She handed him an envelope. He promised not to lose it. As he had no place on his person to put it, he called out to a young man with the group, handed him the envelope and told him to keep it for him and not lose it.
The woman and he spoke a bit and as the crowd begin to press, she made to leave but he called her back. He asked her to take a photo with him or if she wanted a photo or anything. She smiled and politely declined. It was almost as if he was not used to someone not wanting or taking something from him.
I made my way back to my seat as dusk began to set in. The sea of attendees had grown to twice its original size. The movie began and the crowd booed and cheered in all the appropriate places.
Billy took out his camcorder and recorded the scene where he gets fried with an arrow death by stereo. He seemed to get a kick out of that. Billy would have been about 25 years of age when he made that movie.
Announcements and the Q & A were difficult to hear over PA system with the noise of the amusement park in the background. All in all it was an exciting evening and now I sit back at my desk amidst the cover of daylight and none the wiser about where I was the night before. Hmmmm, almost like a vampire.
Once again.... U.C. Ruthie
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What a wonderful few days we had together. I'm still feeling vacation hang-over. :} It's a good thing.
Billy the Magnificent
I first felt him, not saw him. Strange as that sounds. He was behind us and had just arrived for the movie showing. I turned and there he was. I then turned to Penny and said, "He's here." She was already aware of him as well. So we encouraged Max to go and introduce herself. OK, so I threatened to kick her butt if she didn't get over there. Max didn't want to intrude but I knew Billy would want to meet her and felt we should let him know that we were here. Didn't want to surprise him later on. I was so glad to see her reception. It was impressive, fans, I must tell you. I was so excited for Maxine. All she said was her name and he suddenly changed. He seemed to engulf Maxine and was so genuine that my heart soared for Max. This Fans, was one of the greatest moments of the trip for me. I'm so proud of Max and all her accomplishments. Then to have that kind of unexpected reaction from Billy was... Mind blowing. Just HAD to share that with all of you. It was like his whole body changed. His face spread in a huge and loving smile as he said her name. I think he hugged her right off the ground for a moment or two. Wow, really am impressed with this guy.
He then came over with Max and she introduced us to him. Right away he remembered our names. Fans, it was freezing outside standing and waiting. It had snowed earlier that day and the nights in Taos are that of the desert, cold and clear. I had stayed in an earthship on Weds. night and had to tease Billy about building one on his land grant. Not sure he realized I was teasing but he seemed interested, for a moment anyway. :}
The folks from the Liz Taylor Q & A came out and offered to allow a bunch of us inside to warm up and see Liz. What an unexpected treat. Billy and Liz all on the same night. Somebody pinch me.
Liz's Q&A was interesting. She's a neat lady and was comfortable with the questions and audience. It was nice to see that Hollywood has a few genuine people left in her.
Diva Liz had made a grand entrance and her Q & A pushed Billy's film back a hour. All Billy had to say to that was, "It was great to have Liz Taylor open up for us." With that irresistible smile of his to follow. I thought that was a great line, another cool moment to keep with me.
After the film was shown we met up with Billy again. He came over to Max and Penny while I got the car. Yes, fans, I just HAD to hop out of that car and get a hug. Man, he is a great hugger. Such a cool dude.
After that we saw him briefly at the next showing but had to run and get ready for the Awards Gala. OK, so Penny and Max had to get ready. They actually put make-up on me. I'm such an all natural girl. :}
At the Awards Gala, we walked around and had some munchies. When it was finally time to announce the winners, Billy arrived with Stacy and Maricel. They came over and stood with us after Stella approached them and let them know where we were standing. More about Stella and Margaret to come- true Billy fans. Fans, they came and spent time with us at the Gala. We had hoped only to see him and watch him receive an award but instead they spent time with us. Stacy was great, he was comfortable with us and Maricel is amazing. Intelligence abounds in that group and it was fascinating to be included.
At the last showing we met up with Billy and friends again. Stacy was great about signing our shirts as was "the Boss", as Max now calls him. Lovingly of course. :} He was gracious and giving of his time. He had other engagements but was in no hurry. We took pictures with Billy and of Stacy and Maricel. I must say they were wonderful to put up with all the flashing we sent in their direction. Unfortunately my camera was not working well and most of my pictures never turned out. Thank God for Penny and her awesome cameras and patience. We felt terrible for snapping so many shots but knew you all would want to see the man in his element.
Billy, thanks for a wonderful time and a great movie. I am most impressed by all that surrounds you.
Beth------ Taos Film Festival 2001
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