PORT TOWNSEND — Cloris Leachman, the very special guest of the 10th annual Port Townsend Film Festival, looked out over the bluffs of Port Townsend on Thursday afternoon from the home of a film festival volunteer and onto the bay where sailboats were slowly making their way in the evening breeze.
She had two questions.
“Where are the margaritas?” she asked, only to hear that there was no Cointreau in the house.
“Well, fine, but how can no one like that ferry? I mean, look how cute it is.”
The Steilcoom II — a 50-car ferry that is standing in for the two larger car ferries that once plied the Port Townsend-Keystone route — was passing by.
And Leachman, the 83-year-old, Academy Award winning actress in film, television and the stage, was far more interested in the story of why such a little boat is servicing Port Townsend’s ferry run than talking about any of her movies.
“Look at the top, and how cute that is,” she said Thursday. “Honestly, how could no one like a ferry like that?”
She shook her head and smiled, admitting she was a bit tired as she was still operating on Boston time, which she left Wednesday night for the film festival in Port Townsend that continues through Sunday.
She was considering taking a nap, but thought that a margarita might save her from needing any rest.
Still, there isn’t any Cointreau.
“And that is how you make a real margarita,” Leachman said, “fresh limes, vodka and a splash of Cointreau.
“No matter, we can get it at tonight’s gala, maybe five or 10 of them, who knows,” she said, smiling and laughing aloud as she referred to Thursday night’s gala for pass-holders, a celebration of the Port Townsend Film Festival’s 10th anniversary, at the new Northwest Maritime Center.
‘Wonderful town’
Leachman said she is thrilled to be in Port Townsend and is already having a good time before the festival begins.
“What a wonderful town,” she said.
“This is such a wonderful place to have a festival like this.”
Leachman has worked in film and television for more than 60 years.
She has won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, a Daytime Emmy Award and eight Primetime Emmy Awards — a record for a female performer in television.
It’s Leachman’s role as Ruth Popper in 1971’s “The Last Picture Show” that will be celebrated at this year’s festival.
“That’s her Oscar-winning role,” said Terry Tennesen, festival director.
“And it’s our feature movie this year as well.”
Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Leachman will watch a screening of “The Last Picture Show” at the Uptown Theatre during A Very Special Evening, which is sold out, and answer questions after the show.
The Mel Brooks’ comedy-thriller “High Anxiety,” which features Leachman as Nurse Diesel, will also be played during the festival. It will be screened for free at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Taylor Street Outdoor Cinema.
“I like ‘High Anxiety’ more, but they are both such good films,” Leachman said.
“Honestly, my favorite I ever did is ‘Young Frankenstein.’ That is a perfect film. It’s really a truly great film.”
Leachman was to be the special guest at last year’s festival but canceled to take part in the reality television show, “Dancing with the Stars, ” which she described as “a great experience.”
“I didn’t know what I was going to do ever on that show,” she said.
“I think I got out of hand. In fact, I know I got out of hand.”
Leachman is quick witted and her humor sharp. During her “Dancing with the Stars” routines, she often performed risque dance moves and hammed it up for the camera.
After all, when you have been a successful actress for 60 years, you get to do what you want.
So what’s next?
Dreams of ‘American Idol’
“The question of what I was going to do next with my career came up after ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ and I said I wanted to go on ‘American Idol.’
“My son reminded me that I had to be younger than 28, so I think we are going to get Gloria Allred to sue them for age discrimination so I can get on there.
“They wouldn’t want me to win, but I can sing.”
At that, Leachman bursts into an impromptu — and beautiful — rendition of a song from the 1972 musical “Of Thee I Sing.”
“I sing every decade or so,” she said.
“I could do all right on Idol.”
Leachman will be meeting and greeting members of the community in a handful of events this weekend.
Leachman meets public
Today, she will speak to students at Port Townsend High School about acting and working in the film industry.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, all are welcome at an informal gathering with Leachman on Taylor Street where people may ask her questions about her career.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
