I was going to write something about Pat for Father's Day but just a few days ago I received this email from a lady I met a couple months ago. I thought it was a coincidence that we sat next to each other at the Director's Guild Annual Meeting but later when she told me part of this story, I realized it must have been meant to be. How else would we have ever heard her thoughts on Pat?
And after reading her story, I realized again how Pat found his way into so many people's lives, whether a father or a friend, he is remembered by such simple yet amazing moments. It's hard not to miss Pat every day but these stories keep his memory alive. This seems to be a perfect Father's day memory. Here's the story, enjoy. And Happy Father's Day.
Thanks Vicki. Thanks a lot.
Love,
Xochi
Dear Xochi,
Here's my story about Pat, as promised.
I was excited and nervous, I had finally moved up to Key 2nd with a First AD, David Sosna, who was at the top of his game, on a major motion picture at Universal. "Dragnet" with it's all-star cast was a daunting project and I hoped I was up to the task. In prep I met a tall, sandy haired man who seemed to have just wandered in from the beach, Hawaiian shirt, shorts and all. You could tell from the way he took things in that he was sizing up just how to approach each person in the room and put them totally at ease. But there was a twinkle in his eye that was unmistakable, hidden inside this frame was a mischievious imp. He introduced himself, Pat Blymyer, and he was the Gaffer. The Gaffer? But most of the Gaffers I'd worked with were a little more tightly wound than Pat so this was going to be an adventure.
One day we were using a large room at Inglewood Park Cemetery for the studio of Rev. Whirley, played by Christopher Plummer, for his televangical show. As we were getting close to shooting, I noticed a faint lighting effect on the back wall of the set. I found the source and the electrician carefully adjusting the cross cut-out on the light and adding a golden gel. I asked what it was for, but he wouldn't say, just nodded over to Pat. I sidled up to him and said that I loved the subtle touch of the effect and he quickly took me aside and said not to say anything. This was his little project and he was going to put little lighting "effects" in where ever he could. If attention was paid to them, he'd have to stop and he wanted something for his own private amusement.
Game on! I was now on duty to find the next lighting effect and if I found it, Pat got the extra benefit of having a private joke that could be appreciated even before the movie came out. He may have even put more in than he originally planned just to keep me amused. He put a little red heart in the window of The Virgin Connie Swail's house. A brown derby in front of The Brown Derby Restaurant. Silver handcuffs in the police station. I can't remember them all but I thought they were fantastic and showed such a great sense of wonder and fun. They're like the Easter Eggs we have on video games now, but originating with Pat in 1986. I love when people can do their jobs well and also be able to have a good time doing what we do. It's not ever easy, but as the saying goes, it's not brain surgery either.
When my birthday rolled around in 1987 and we were winding down on the show, the crew surprised me with a round of "Happy Birthday" and a cake. A great day, or night if I remember correctly. Then Pat pulled me aside and said he had something for me. He gave me a yukata from a little inn he owned. He told me that he went to Japan and they all had these robes you could wear when you were sitting around and he thought that was the best thing ever and had them made up for his inn. He said he rarely gave them away but he wanted me to have it because I was special.
I have treasured those memories of Pat, working with him day in and day out on an enormous production and never seeing him get angry. I remember him introducing you to everyone when you came to visit one day, as proud a papa as there could be, as if you were standing there with a Nobel Prize hanging around your neck. I remember Pat as someone who took each day and said "What fun are we gonna have now?". I truly wish I had worked with him again, and that I had had the opportunity to know him even better, but he will always be a shining light in my life.
I know this is too long to include on your blog, you can cut it down as you see fit, but I wanted you to know the whole story. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell it.
Sincerely,
Vicki Rhodes
