A HARRISON FORD STORY FOR YOU
A HARRISON FORD STORY FOR YOU: On January 14, 2010 Richard hosted a screening of Extraordinary Measures the new medical drama starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell. Backstage before the intro Ford jokes to Richard, “If you say nice things about me in the intro I’ll say nice things about you.” Richard nodded enthusiastically. “What would you like me to say?” Ford continued.”Say whatever you want,” Richard joked back, but if you can use the words ‘brilliant’ and ‘beloved.'”
On stage Richard read the intro for Ford: “Our guest tonight is a master carpenter, a licensed pilot and ranked #1 in Empire magazine’s “The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time” list… his films have grossed approximately $5.65 billion worldwide… he has a species of Central American ant and spider named after him in honor of his conservation work (Peidole harrisonfordi) (Calponia Harrisonfordi)… but you know him better as CIA man Jack Ryan, as Indiana Jones, as Rick Deckard and Han Solo… tonight in Extraordinary Measures, a film he executive produces, he plays the gruff Dr. Robert Stonehill, a real life doctor who saved countless lives with his discovery of a treatment for Pompe disease… Would you help me welcome one of our favorite movie stars… Harrison Ford!”
Returning the favor Ford began his speech with, “Before I talk about my film I want to thank Richard for his ‘brilliant’ introduction… I know he is the most ‘beloved’ film critic in Canada… what he doesn’t know about films ain’t worth knowing…” then continued into his regular speech about film’s ability to create a “common humanity” before wrapping things up with another joke about his “real” reason for making the film. “I’m in this,” he said, “as always… for the money…” Awesome. Thanks Han Solo…