Remembering two men with grit, 'True Grit'

Watching the Academy Awards two weeks ago rekindled memories of a movie, which holds a special place in my heart and always shall.

The movie is “True Grit.” And no, I’m not referring to the current remake by Joel and Ethan Coen.

I mean the original movie, the one starring “The Duke.” You know, John Wayne. The actor whose career spanned five decades and more than 175 films.

The movie legend who became an American icon.

Well, the movie opened in theaters in June of 1969, premiering in several cities throughout the country. Dallas was one of them.

My aunt Merle, who lived there at the time, asked me if I would like to attend. Of course, she knew all along my answer would be an emphatic, “Yes!”

Subsequently, she purchased four tickets for our small entourage, comprised of my mom, my best friend Michelle, herself and me.

The movie premiered in downtown Dallas at the Majestic Theater, one of a few which had a stage. Built in 1921, the theater not only featured films in the past but also traveling vaudeville acts.

Another facet of this grand old theater, besides its stunning architecture, was an awe-inspiring organ, which rose up through the floor and perched itself at the foot of the stage.

None of us can recall the exact date of the premiere, but we know it was on a Saturday, about the middle of June.

Michelle and I, both 15 at the time, had teen crushes on Glen Campbell, who, in his first movie role, played Texas Ranger La Boeuf. Campbell was one of the hottest celebrities in 1969.

Not only was he a crossover-singing star, with numerous number-one hits, but also he was starring in his own TV show, “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.”

We arrived at the theater early to stake our claims on the best — closest to the stage — seats  possible.

Inside, Merle led the way, with my mom, Michelle and me following behind. This procession allowed me to end up on the aisle seat, which later on turned out to be the perfect spot for what was about to transpire.

The master of ceremonies came on stage and announced that the car chauffeuring Kim Darby, who played Mattie Ross, had been in a minor traffic accident.

He said she was not injured, but she would be late.

Then, he introduced Glen Campbell.

Everyone in the audience began looking around to see where he was.

All of a sudden, I realized he and his wife Billie were walking arm-in-arm down our aisle, and on my side, too.

Campbell, dressed in a western-cut, mossy-green-colored suit, had his right arm bent, as he walked past me.

I very gingerly placed my left hand on his forearm, resting it there for a fleeting moment. I’ll never forget the velvety softness of his cashmere jacket.

To my amazement, Campbell stopped, turned around, looked back at me and said, “Well, hello there, young lady.”

I beamed at him, as he turned, continuing on his way to the stage.

I sat there frozen in utter disbelief.

Then, Michelle and I started whispering about what had just happened until the announcer called out Wayne’s name.

I craned my neck to see him and hoped I’d get a chance to touch him, too. But, ah, it wasn’t meant to be.

Unfortunately for me, he walked, as only he can, down the middle of the aisle unescorted, just beyond my arm’s reach.

As he passed by, he seemed to be 10-feet tall although he was only 6 feet 4 inches.

I really don’t remember much after that, except the announcer asked Wayne and Campbell questions about the movie.

Michelle said they sat on the front row during the showing of “True Grit,” and the audience applauded when Darby arrived late and took her seat.

It wasn’t until we were in the car I learned the truth surrounding my encounter with Campbell.

I was in the process of telling everyone about how I had lightly touched his arm when Michelle spoke up.

She said she had reached around behind me and had grabbed his elbow.

That explains why he turned and spoke to me because he thought I was the one who grabbed him.

Michelle and I talked about this experience for months and were delighted when Wayne received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Marshal Rooster Cogburn.

Then, in April of 1970, I watched the Academy Awards, keeping my fingers crossed that Wayne would win the Oscar.

I was ecstatic when Barbra Streisand called his name and presented him his award.

“If I’d known that, I would have put that eye patch on 35 years earlier,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes.

As for me, I cried, too.