Meeting Dean Stockwell recently … I had a couple of moments, eerie little ghost-like moments … when he was dancing and whooping it up, when he put his arm around my waist as his friend tried to introduce us for the 20th time, the way he focused in on my face when I talked … that I saw that other little face peeping out. The face I’ve known since I was a little kid myself, watching his old movies on Channel 56. This double-vision didn’t go on all the time … I was obviously dealing with the man as he is now, 71 years old, major bolo tie, black jeans, cigar … but sometimes … I would take a moment and remember. That other little person. With the squeaky mouse voice, and the tears on his face, sobbing at Gene Kelly in Anchors Aweigh, “I thought you forgot about me!”
Kinda moving. To see the continuum.
Same dude. Same dude as the little dude in the first photo. With the mouse voice and the pudgy little-boy fingers. Wild!
Oh, and I will be getting back into the Quantum Leap swing of things. What with going to New Mexico – and getting sick (I’m still sick, gonna go to Ye Olde Doc this week because I’m a bit worried) – and buying a car – and some personal shit that’s been going on … I just haven’t had the time. But Episode 3 calls to me. I can hear the drums, Fernando!
I just wanna pinch his little cheeks there. And that upward swoop of his hair! Hahaha. Like little waves pounding against the shore …
OHHh…..those eyes….
The best thing about him as a child actor is that he seemed unaware of being cute. You know how nauseating little precocious kids can seem when they’re in a movie? They are already TRADING in on their cuteness – and it makes me uncomfortable to watch.
Stockwell never had that. He was remarkably photogenic as a small child (still is, I suppose) … and is remarkably adorable … but he seems unaware of it – he’s just playing his scenes.