FOUND THIS AMAZING VIDEO ON YOUTUBE:

ANOTHER AMAZING PICTURE:

The cast from That Championship Season.

A GREAT AUDIO THEATRE PIECE:

I just bought a cassette of the Star-filled update of Norman Corwin's celebration of the Bill of Rights, updated by Corwin himself, and Directed by David Ossman. The audio theatre piece is called We Hold These Truths, and has an incredible cast: Richard Dysart, James Earl Jones, Jill Eikenberry, Esther Rolle, Lloyd Bridges, Brenda Vacarro, Rene Auberjonois, Harry Hamlin, Jesse White, Nan Martin, Edward Asner, Richard Masur, Pat Carroll, Tom Bosley, Fess Parker, Phil Proctor and many more. This production won 4 major awards plus a special Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association.

GREAT NEWS FOR US SWEDISH FANS:

TV4 Guld will start airing L.A. Law tomorrow! So watch it, people! After all: this is the greatest TV show all times!

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION: L.A. LAW IS NO. 1!

Found this in L.A. Times:

"The verdict is in from a 12-member jury of the American Bar Assn.: L.A. Law bested Perry Mason as the best legal drama in television history. Despite a testament to Perry Mason by U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor during her confirmation hearings last week, the TV drama starring Raymond Burr came in second to the series depicting the fictional Los Angeles firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney & Kuzak. The L.A. Law lawyers are deemed 'smart, driven, fallible, sexy and as varied as the rest of humankind,' according to the rankings in the August edition of the ABA Journal. A jury of nine lawyers, two academics and a TV critic ranked the Top 25 legal shows as a follow-up to last year’s judging of the most iconic films depicting the legal profession."


THE TOP 25:

1) L.A. Law

2) Perry Mason

3) The Defenders

4) Law & Order

5) The Practice

6) Ally McBeal

7) Rumpole of the Bailey

8) Boston Legal

9) Damages

10) Night Court

11) Judging Amy

12) Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law

13) JAG

14) Shark

15) Civil Wars

16) Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law

17) Law & Order: Criminal Intent

18) Murder One

19) Matlock

20) Reasonable Doubts

21) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

22) Judd for the Defense

23) Paper Chase

24) Petrocelli

25) Eli Stone

SOME OF MY PICTURES I LOVE MORE THAN OTHERS:

Diana Muldaur and Richard Dysart preparing to do one of the most classical scenes on L.A. Law.

RICHARD DYSART HAS BEEN INTERVIEWED IN A NEW BOOK ABOUT THE THING!

Writer Michael Doyle is currently working on a book about The Thing. Last Thursday, he did an interview with Richard Dysart over the telephone. Today, I got an email from Mr. Doyle:

"[Eva, you have my permission to publish this email on your website if you so wish.]

Dear Eva,

Thanks again for helping to arrange an interview with Richard Dysart for my book on the making of John Carpenter's The Thing. It was greatly appreciated. Last Thursday, Richard and I spoke for two hours on the telephone as he shared his memories of filming the greatest sci-fi/horror film of all time back in 1981.

Richard recalled several amusing anecdotes about the shoot, several of which involved a gentleman named Joe Carone, a double amputee who had lost both of his arms in an industrial accident, and who briefly doubled for Richard in the scene where both of his arms are bitten off by a toothy maw on Charles Hallahan's chest.

Richard also remembered his wife, Kathryn, asking him what it was like to watch himself die so gruesomely in a movie - a question that I actually wanted to ask him myself! Richard also commented that he knows how to die well in movies having been eaten alive by a mutated bear in Prophecy and been burnt alive in The Hindenburg!

Richard discussed working with his fellow actors who he remembered fondly and offered his thoughts on director John Carpenter who he said had the difficult task of figuring out a way to kill twelve men in under two hours! Richard also discussed working with special make-up effects and exclusively shared some very amusing memories of his 'experimental' time on location in Stewart, British Columbia. To hear the rest, I'm afraid you are going to have to read the book!

After the Thing interview was completed Richard and I spoke for a further 20 minutes about Being There, another favourite movie of mine that he appeared in. Richard relayed his recollections of working with Peter Sellers and director Hal Ashby. It was great stuff and Richard was an extremely patient and gracious man. In short, it was an absolute pleasure talking to him.

Thanks again, Eva for all your help. Take care and good luck with the website. I'll get back in touch when a publication date for the book is announced.

Best wishes,
Michael"

This is all very exciting! I can't wait for the book to be released!

ASK EVA ABOUT RICHARD

Yeah: It's that time again!

C M asks: - Do you have any favourites among his co-stars in L.A. Law?

Eva: - Diana Muldaur, Amanda Donohoe, Michele Greene, Corbin Bernsen and Alan Rachins.

Tina asks: - Which L.A. Law scene is your absolute favorite?

Eva: - The "Christmas scene"!

Magnus asks: - Are there any shows or movies that you think Dysart was miscast in? Any that he was just too good for?

Eva: - Richard Dysart is too good for a lot of things - but especially for The Gemini Man and The Sporting Club.

Rimbo asks: - How many photos of Richard Dysart do you own?

Eva: - Hahaha...60...70? I really don't know.

Nina asks: - What is Richard's favorite colour?

Eva: - I hope it's mossgreen. But I would guess it's blue. I could be wrong...

This was the last Ask Eva About Richard. But if You have any questions (or something specific that You want me to bring up) - just send me an email!

ASK EVA ABOUT RICHARD

Nina asks: - Did Mr. Dysart behave on Saturday Night At The Movies?

Eva: - He sure did! It was wonderful seeing him in a new interview! I've watched it about 20 times already!

Irene asks: - What is your favorite Dysart movie?

Eva: - I have several favorites: Being There, The Day Of The Locust, An Enemy Of The People, The Thing. I also love the TV movie Malice In Wonderland (aka The Rumor Mill). But my favorite Dysart role all times is, of course, Leland McKenzie on L.A. Law.

Tom asks: - When did you first "discover" Richard Dysart?

Eva: - In October 1988. I was ten years old.

Susanna asks: - What is your favorite storyline with Leland McKenzie, and what is your least favorite?

Eva: - My favorite storyline is the "Leland and Roz era". My least favorite is the "Jennifer Keppler era".

Peter asks: What was the first movie you bought with Richard Dysart in it?

Eva: - The Thing. But I had already seen L.A. Law and Pale Rider on TV.

That's all for now. I hope you'll have some more questions in store for me next week!

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT RICHARD DYSART?

For the next two weeks, I'm going to have an Ask Eva About Richard session. You can email me, any day of the week, and ask me anything you want (see my email address to the left). I'll then pick out about 5 questions each Friday, and post the answers on this blog. So email me, Folks! Email me!

LET ME WISH RICHARD DYSART...

...A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

FINALLY!

On Saturday the 14th, SNAM will air the Richard Dysart interview! This is HUGE!

REMEMBER THIS EPISODE?

If You do remember it, I'm sure you think that Leland McKenzie's the greatest softball player you've ever seen!

THIS BLOG...

...has a new email address (since I've had some complaints about emails not reaching my old address). Please check the line under my picture.

LET ME WISH RICHARD DYSART...

...A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

IT ARRIVED TODAY!!!

click to enlarge

NOW THIS IS...

...an amazing theatre ad! Or is it a brochure with real articles? I guess I'll know for sure when it arrives on my doorstep in a couple of days...

18 YEARS!

Today it's been 18 years since NBC aired "The Christmas Scene" for the very first time. If You People havn't seen that scene yet, You havn't seen anything! Unfortunately I don't own a picture from that episode, so this one will have to do (how could it not do?!).

I know that many fans were upset to discover the affair between Rosalind and Leland, but I certainly wasn't. There's something about that famous scene, and either you get or you don't. It was ranked as the 38th greatest moment in television history, in an issue of EGG magazine. If you ask me, it should have been ranked as the greatest moment of them all!

FIRST YOU CRY

Really: You just need to take one look at this picture to understand that First You Cry is a great TV movie. In fact, I would say that Dr. Brennerman is one of the 5-6 most funny characters that Richard's ever done. There's a quiet humor between Dr. Brennerman and his patient (played by Mary Tyler Moore) that I really appreciate.

This movie is well-written and directed. It chronicles the physical and emotional roller coaster a woman goes through after being diagnosed with breast cancer. But it's also a story about a woman's triumph. It's a movie really worth watching, and it's a shame that it's so hard to find it online...

LET ME WISH RICHARD...

...A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A MOUSEPAD!

Sometimes I buy the most amazing things...

A QUOTE FROM A STEVE MCQUEEN BIOGRAPHY:

"Dysart also remembers having a beer with McQueen in his trailer. Says Dysart, 'I was in my hippie phase then, with long hair and a beard, and I'd wear sandals. ' McQueen joked, 'You know, Richard, there's only one thing wrong with your image. You drive a Volvo. You'd look good in a truck'."

Wow: he drew a Volvo! It makes me kind of proud to be Swedish...

REAL LIFE QUOTES FROM THE L.A. LAW ERA:

"Diana acted so well. She had the whole country talking." Richard Dysart

Diana described Richard as "a great actor" and "wonderful" in an interview from 1993.

"Dick Dysart is...some sort of an old hippie...yeah, a little bit. And he came in to us wearing a suit, which is not Dick Dysart -and it was perfect! It was everything I could...Just perfect!" Steven Bochco

"The L.A. Law cast were the closest family." Diana Muldaur

QUOTES FROM THE L.A. LAW BOOKS:

"Although their relationship was comparatively recent, and had been undertaken with a certain stealth and secrecy (in an effort to escape the inevitable censure of Leland's colleagues in the office), it was not without passion, even love."

"They were blissfully happy together. What was more, they'd discovered, quite early on and to their shared surprise, that they were well suited in bed."

" She was happy with Leland, and he was happy too. More than happy, he was ecstatic, and for weeks now, he'd been feeling ten - even twenty - years younger."

It's sad that he didn't tell her so - isn't it?!

LET ME WISH RICHARD...

...A VERY HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN TO ME...

...and asked when the SNAM interview will be aired. Unfortunately, I don't know. Five minutes can seem like an eternity when you're waiting for something good, and when you're waiting for something as great as an interview with Richard Dysart...well...time passes extremely slowly. I hope that the people at SNAM know this...

THE UNOFFICIAL L.A. LAW BOOK

Does anyone know where I can get my hands on this book? It was written in the mid 90's by Aileen Joyce. I've been trying to find it for many years know. I'm also looking for E! True Hollywood Story: L.A. Law, Entertainment Tonight Presents: L.A. Law - Secrets Of The Firm and an episode of The Phil Donahue Show with the L.A. Law cast. So if any of you other fans happen to have this book or these shows on tape - please send me an email:

richarddysartismyreligion@yahoo.se

I'VE HEARD THAT...

...Kathryn and Richard are celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary today! I've celebrated them with cake!

KATHRYN JACOBI DYSART:

Richard has this gorgeous wife, named Kathryn Jacobi. If You People havn't checked out her website yet, it's bloody time that You'll do so! Unfortunately it hasn't been updated in a year, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. Personally I'm especially fond of her Landscape Paintings and the DreamDance Series, but believe me: There's something for every taste on this website!

http://www.kathrynjacobi.com/main.html

L.A. LAW: THE MOVIE

The other night, TV4 here in Sweden aired L.A. Law: The Movie. This movie may not feel like L.A. Law in it's highlight years (season 1-5) - but it's still L.A. Law! It's still Leland McKenzie (although the character looks more like Richard Dysart nowadays). So there's really no reason not to buy it!

RECEIVED THIS FAN CARD TODAY:

And a fan I am. A big one.

FOUND THIS IN THE SNAM BLOG:

"It's hard to shake off the image of Leland MacKenzie, the dedicated attorney Dysart played on the hit series L.A. Law. But then again, some of us might remember him instead as the kind, level headed, but ultimately doomed,Dr. Cooper in John Carpenter's remake of The Thing. 'The biggest problem Carpenter had on that film,' Dysart recalls, 'Is having to find 12 different ways to kill off 12 different men.' Carpenter saved the most inventive and gruesome death for Dysart's character who's arms are bitten off while trying to revive a heart attack victim. 'His stomach grew shark teeth!' Dysart remembers, relishing the moment all over again.
But Dysart is more than just horror films, big screen doctors and television lawyers. He's played President Eisenhower, studio head Jack Warner, and both Harry Truman and J. Edgar Hoover, twice. He's also worked with some of the great, socially minded directors of his generation. He worked with Hal Ashby on Being There (Peter Sellers was always Chauncey Gardner, even in the make-up room). He was a tormented father who watches helplessly as his son declines into drugs and espionage in The Falcon And The Snowman. ('It was a very difficult film for director John Schlesinger. His father was ill and Sean Penn was not easy.'). He was Cher's estranged father in Peter Bogdanovich's Mask. ('With just one look you knew there was 'history' between us. What that was doesn't matter, you just knew it wasn't good.'). And he was there to witness Michael Douglas'' unforgettable "Greed is Good" speech in Oliver Stone's Wall Street."

DICK ON SNAM!

A couple of months ago, a person who works for SNAM needed to get in contact with Richard Dysart to ask him for an interview. As the HUGE Dysart-fan I am, I was able to help her (I'm very proud of that).

This evening, I found this lovely picture on SNAM's web site: Apparently Richard was interviewed by SNAM in April! I can't tell you all how happy I am that he agreed to do this interview (and that he's looking so well: he sure doesn't look like he's 79 years old)! I'm only a little nervous that I'll never be able to watch it. So: If there's someone out there who's reading my blog and knows where I can get my hands on this interview - please send me an email!

PROPHECY

If you're a fan of political correctness you'll enjoy this movie! I know that I enjoyed it, and I don't even like the horror genre in general. This is a movie that combines entertainment with a sensitive social message. It moves between some stereotypes of 70's horror films and the environmental caution warning. The monster of this movie is a very angry grizzly bear, one of the many victims of genetic mutations due to toxic industrial resides poured out in the waters of the supposedly protected woods of Maine (the beautiful state where Richard Dysart grew up). Director John Frankenheimer takes advantage of the plot to introduce a political intrigue. The conflict between the Native Americans and the loggers is also very well done.

Robert Foxworth, Talia Shire and Armand Assante are all good actors. But it's Richard Dysart who really stands out in this movie (but of course: he stands out in every movie he's in): His role, Isley, is a horrible man but at the same time so much fun to watch! And his death is a classic!

So: Buy this movie, Folks! Buy it now!

THIS AND THAT'S ABOUT RICHARD DYSART:

He likes to watch cooking shows on TV.

ONE OF THE FIRST DYSART- PICTURES I EVER BOUGHT:

LELAND MCKENZIE...

...is The Shit!

NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL ART!

"THE FIGHT YOU'VE WAITED ALL SEASON FOR"

What an episode it was!

I'VE BOUGHT SOME L.A. LAW-CLIPPINGS ON EBAY...

...so I hope I'll have something interesting to share with you in a week or so!

THE MOST FAMOUS MOMENT IN "THE THING"!

I CAN'T FIND THE WORDS...

LELAND & ROSALIND IN HER SECOND EPISODE:

I've said it before, but I'm gonna say it again and again: I'm crazy about Leland & Rosalind!
That chemistry! I love the way she's bossing him around right from the start! He needs that! That couple is The Shit!

THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

The play was a huge success, and ran for a total of 988 performances (1972-1974). It won numerous awards, including a Tony Award, a New York Drama Critics Award, a Drama Desk Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

THE KEY TO AUGUSTA!

"AUGUSTA — More than 50 area business and civic leaders gathered at a reception at Ken’s Katering and Conference Center, the former site of Delia’s Restaurant, in downtown Augusta on Sept. 13 to recognize Augusta native Richard Dysart, the Emmy Award-winning actor who starred for eight seasons as Leland McKenzie on the hit series L.A. Law. Dysart was in Augusta with his wife, the artist and illustrator Kathryn Jacobi Dysart, to attend the 60-year class reunion of his graduation from Cony High School in 1947. Augusta Mayor Roger Katz presented Dysart with the Old Fort Western Key to the City in recognition of his successful career and in appreciation for his willingness to support projects in his hometown such as Team Cony’s fund-raising efforts for the new high school and The Friends of the Flatiron’s effort to preserve the historic former high school building."

LELAND AND DOUGLAS

I love the chemistry between Richard and Alan! L.A. Law wouldn't be L.A. Law without them!

MORE GOODIES FROM THE THEATRE-MAGAZINE:

FROM THE THEATRE-MAGAZINE I BOUGHT THE OTHER WEEK:

Just look at writer Lillian Hellman's face: Does she smilie like that at the other actors? No! There's only one person who can make you smile like that, and his name is Richard Dysart!

WINNERS: A GUIDE TO COPING WITH CANCER

I've just watched this documentary. It's really an uplifting film. It's a documentary full of important info, wisdom and encouragement. It tells you that life doesn't have to be over just because you are diagnosed with a terrible disease. It tells you that you should make each day count.

Richard absolutely shines like the sun through the whole film. I never thought I would love a documentary about cancer, but now I do!

THE MEN OF L.A. LAW:

The picture is from season 6, and the man at the front is the greatest male actor in history!

HARD RAIN

I'm not going to tell you anything about this movie: I'll just let this picture speak for itself! I mean: How cute can a person be?!

I sure hope that the cookie tastes good: Dick deserves it!

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THESE ADDS?

FOUND THIS PROGRAM ON EBAY:

I sure hope I'll win this auction: It would be a great addition to my Richard Dysart-collection!

JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PICTURE AND YOU'll ALL UNDERSTAND...

...that this man is L.A. Law!

Sure I made it a practice: A practice to love and adore Richard Dysart!

LET ME WISH RICHARD DYSART...

...A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

I LOVE THIS ADD:

I wonder where the "Roz & Leland" picture comes from. I mean: The clothes are from the "Forgive me father, for I have sued"-episode (I'm such a geek), but the picture is not from a scene. I really love their pose!

I'VE FINALLY DONE IT:

I've ordered the documentary Winners: A Guide to Coping with Cancer hosted by Dick! I hope it will get here soon!

It sure feels special ordering these kind of rare stuff! I mean: It feels great when you're buying a movie with your favorite actor, but when you find things like Your Alcohol IQ or this documentary - that's HUGE!

NOW THIS...

...is what I call ATTITUDE!

LET ME WISH DICK AND ALL HIS FANS...

...A VERY HAPPY EASTER!!!

THE RISE AND RISE OF RICHARD DYSART:

(click to enlarge)

I'm sooo proud of him!

LIKE I'VE SAID BEFORE:

I want Dick and Michael to have their own talkshow!

FROM 1991:

(click to enlarge)

GOD how I wish that he'd been right...

PALE RIDER

The Gold Rush in nineteenth-century California attracted all types of people seeking their fortunes. I'm sure glad that it attracted Coy LaHood! This load and greedy man is one of the funniest characters I've ever had the pleasure to watch! The way he gets up on his horse, yelling and screaming, is absolutely fabulous!

I don't think I have to tell you this, but: Dick, of course, steals the show from Clint Eastwood! This could have been a pretty boring movie, but thanks to Dick it's one of the greatest and funniest films ever!

DICK ABOUT HIS ROLE IN BEING THERE:

Dysart: I enjoyed playing Dr. Robert Allenby in Jerzy Kosinski's Being There with Peter Sellers. To this day that it's a brilliant, brilliant film. It got squashed a bit at the time. It was made, what, in 1979, we made it 78-79, It was a dark comedy that was so against television, or at least the people who ran television thought so, thought it to be a great threat, and within the film industry as well. They did not give it fair shift. Didn't treat it to its best advantage. Because, we know why. Also the writer, Jerzy Kosinski created a troubling situation for himself by agreeing to have an additional writer brought in to put some humor into the script. Then, after the production was finished and the film was being put together, he demanded that only his name appear in the credits as the writer. He won, money, of course, being the factor. And the other individual, who did marvelous things for that script, withdrew. Of course all the writers in town, in the industry, were aware of what had happened, and they were not about to vote Kosinski for best screenplay. Mr. Kosinski's ego would not allow him to think ahead.

Interviewer: It was certainly one of the more individualistic films, not like other films.

Dysart: It's true. And Kosinski himself did not think it could be filmed. Sellers talked him into it. Persuaded him. Followed him three years almost. Anytime they were in the same city, Paris or London or wherever, Sellers would find out if he was there. He'd send him a small gift and say, "hi, anytime you say!" I enjoyed working on that film. I enjoyed creating that character because it was only mentioned in the novella. He was made pivotal to the film. They realized that the audience, the viewing audience in the movie theater, might not accept this "black comedy." They needed somebody present in the story that the audience could trust and go along with. And Dr. Allenby, you know, let the audience know that it was okay to laugh at this. Just a little smile can release them, to say, "this is funny," and to go with it. I enjoyed that challenge very much.

DICK'S RECOMMENDING BOOKS:

Collected Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

So now you all know what you should read this summer!

RICHARD DYSART!

Welcome to this fabulous blogsite!

To watch L.A. Law is to love LA. Law. I was 10 years old when Leland McKenzie (Richard Dysart) entered my life, and 14 when Rosalind Shays (Diana Muldaur) entered the law firm with much fanfare. I fell madly in love with them! I'm still in love: I'm in love with the characters and I'm in love with the actors. The "christmas scene", where Leland and Rosalind's affair is discovered, is soooooooo wonderful! It was ranked as the 38th greatest moment in television, in an issue of EGG magazine. It should have been ranked as the greatest moment of them all!

Richard Dysart, veteran stage and film actor, made his debut as a primetime series star in the hit show L.A. Law in 1986, portraying Leland McKenzie, the paternalistic surviving member of a prestigious law firm's original partnership. Richard Dysart earned one Primetime Emmy Award and three more nominations for his portrayal of Leland McKenzie.

Born in Boston in 1929, and raised in Maine's Kennebec Valley, Dysart earned a master's degree from Emerson College (many years later he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law by his alma mater). He served four years in the USAF. Richard Dysart's theatrical career was launched in 1957 selling tickets at New York's legendary Circle in the Square Theatre (in the sixties he worked with future L.A. Law actress Diana Muldaur at the same place - but now he was a star). Dysart's firts major role was in Jose Quintero's revival of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. After that, he began appearing regularly on the N Y stage. His Broadway debut was in the British comedy All in Good Time. His other Broadway credits include a 500-performance run in That Championship Season, in which he originated the role of The Coach, and Mike Nichols' revival of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes. Dysart and Hellman became friends and later, at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, Dysart starred in her sequel to The Little Foxes, Another Part of the Forest. Other Los Angeles stage productions include Black Angel at the Mark Taper Forum. Richard was also a founding member of the American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco. Richard Dysart's extensive feature film credits include The Lost Man, The Hospital, The Terminal Man, The Day of the Locust, The Hindenburg, An Enemy of the People, Prophecy, Being There, The Thing, The Falcon and the Snowman, Mask, Pale Rider, Warning Sign and Hard Rain. He has also starred in many made-for-TV movies, such as Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, It Happened One Christmas, First, You Cry, The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd, The People vs, Jean Harris, Malice in Wonderland, The Last Days of Patton, Six Against the Rock, Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair, A Child is Missing and L.A. Law: The Movie. During the fourth season of L.A. Law, Dysart also appeared in War and Remembrance and Day One, cast as President Harry S. Truman in both of them. He's also played Dwight D. Eisenhower twice - and the same goes for J. Edgar Hoover!

Dysart described himself as "good friends" with Diana Muldaur (Rosalind Shays) in an interview in 1998. He is a certified open water diver. He enjoys dogs, art, writing, cooking, ocean swimming and backpacking. In 1987, he married his third wife, artist Kathryn Jacobi.