Petrelis Files

'Harold's Real, Still-Living 'Maude'
Appears at Castro Theatre

A packed house of "Harold and Maude" fans were at San Francisco's historic Castro Theatre on Thursday night, January 22, for a screening of the classic cult black comedy, with an on-stage appearance and talk with "Harold" himself - Bud Cort.

It was so fabulous to see this favorite film, for I believe my 48th time, with close friends and more than a thousand other fans, relishing the fabulous print shown up on the big screen. I could sense everyone else anticipating every line of dialogue, or hear others singing along with the Cat Stevens tunes, over my own low-key singing.

After the film, Cort came on stage for a talk with a leggy straight blonde woman, and he was rather droll and entertaining.

However, he had a hired goon with him, loudly and forcefully attempt to stop anyone in the front left section of the theatre from standing near the stage and snapping a few pics. Unlike other, more luminary stars of the big screen who've come to similar tributes at the Castro who bask in being asked to smile for the cameras of fans and don't have goons blocking the people-razzi from their appointed idolizing tasks, Cort sniffily put on airs.

Cort's interview was entertaining enough, but, for me, the highlight of his remarks was when he pointed out the real-life inspiration for Maude was in the house - Colin Higgins' mother!

Higgins, who was openly gay during his Hollywood career and life, tragically cut short by AIDS in 1988, based Maude on his mother, who received rousing cheers from the audience. If anyone knows her first name, please let me know. I Googled 'colin higgins mother' and never found a hit with her full name.

As the theatre was emptying out, I got closer to Mrs. Higgins to shake her hand and tell her how much joy her gay son brought into the world with his screen work. Higgins also wrote and/or directed "Foul Play," " Silver Streak," "9 to 5," and "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." She lit up when I mentioned the other films her son made.

Standing on her left was another son, who piped up that he played one of the ambulance workers wheeling Maude into the ER at the end of the movie. Her adorable young 20s grandson said, "Grandma, this was the best evening for us."

It was also a the best evening for "Harold and Maude" fans. What a great present I was given, days leading up to my 50 birthday - meeting the real Maude - Mrs. Higgins.

My friend Todd Swindell, whose birthday is one day before mine.
He was born on January 25.

Forehead of anti-pic-snapping goon for Bud Cort,
on stage in profile.