18 Chp 18 : First Appeareance?
10th June 1982, TCL Chinese Theatre
Al is walking through the red carpet in <E.T.> premiere. With a sunshine smile, he was photographed by some media reporters.
"Mr. Alphonse, this is the first movie you ever starred in, not only that your debut is a lead role of Steven Spielberg's film, how do you feel about that?" Peter Butler, a reporter from Los Angeles Times asked this.
(*Respect to author Hunting Hollywood)
"I'm feeling excited now with my first film being directed by Mr. Spielberg, he is a great director," Al said this with formality, although the paparazzi will let go of Al because of his age, any words or jokes he said could become a weapon for them in gossip entertainment.
After a few Q&As, the reporters start to find another hot news like interviewing Harrison Ford, some gossipable actress like Jodie Foster who is a hot topic year before.
Not only Reagan shooting scandal in the early 80s but also the gossip which accused her as gay. She denied this gossip as baseless rumors.
In the future, she most likely can openly declare herself as gay but in the 80s, it's a big no. 70% of the Americans are traditional Christians who openly reject gays so if you are a public figure who declare yourself as gays in the 80s, you lose 70% of the American audience.
Al saw her making ugly face to the reporters and she quickly escape from the red carpets and meet Al at the end of it.
Al greeted her and talked with her. "Good evening Miss Foster, Thank you for coming to our film premiere."
Jodie had no bad impression of Al and gladly replied to him, "Oh thank you, you must be Mr. Brandt, the actor in this film, I can't wait to see your performance. I also a fan of your book, <Toy Story> is my favorite."
Al got excited heard her praise his books, but when he saw her smiling and making eye contact with him, he was in trance.
'That was the most beautiful smile and eyes I have ever seen.' But he saw Jodie Foster who opened her mouth and seemed to say something but only air could come.
Al suddenly got a cold sweat and his face start to redden because of embarrassment, "Uhm Miss Foster, Did I just said that out loud?" Unable to make eye contact with her.
"Yes Mr. Brandt, yes you are. But wait until you are 18 then you can come and court me." She said with a beaming smile radiating her beauty even more.
Jodie Foster was still 19 years old this year and she never lacks men who compliment her. But heard a compliment without any mean for something, made her heart flutter.
She thought maybe because he was still a kid so his compliment is the truth, without mean to get into her pants so she disregards this feeling and hold Al's arm and take him to the cinema.
Al's face became redden, while Jodie Foster gave him a teasing smile.
'Shit, she was same as Mary, no even more dangerous!' he thought.
In the theatre front hall, he saw Steven Spielberg who lining up with the producers and crews of <E.T.>
All of them saw Al who is coming with Jodie Foster in his hands, they give a teasing smile with IYKWIM face.
'Just wait for all of you for my revenge, especially you Miss Foster.' Al said while giving Jodie Foster a stink eye and she replied with a more beautiful smile.
'Oh God, she is really beautiful.... no Al, she just deceiving you!'
Al parted ways with her and also line up beside Drew who carried an alien <E.T.> doll.
"Why are we lining up like this Steve?" He asked Steven.
"Well, they said Princess Diana of Wales agreed to attend the premiere, so we must welcome her."
"Wow, you got a class Steve for gamer nerds."
"Don't forget I also beat you in Donkey Kong yesterday."
"Wha, you were cheating, no humans supposed to do that!" Al retorted
"Shut up boys, she's coming." Kathleen really didn't understand how these big boys with 20 years age difference can become BFF.
Princess Diana was coming alone with some royal bodyguards. Drew gave her the alien doll and Diana kissed her forehead.
She also greeted Al and pinched his cheek. She said Al and Drew are the cutest children she has ever seen and hoped she could meet with them someday outside the premiere.
She really is fond of children, an angel who was born in a wrong time and wrong family.
After greeting the Princess of Wales, the premiere begins.
The opening of Universal Picture MCA has appeared first but no Amblin logo, although created in 1970 they just officially established in 1981.
(I know most of you guys have watched E.T. and I'm not really good at writing a film scene so this is just my half-assed attempt)
The film was the same as Al has watched in his previous life.
Audiences laugh at ET's funny movements and personalities, Elliot's gesture of luring ET with candies, how intoxicated Elliot screwing up the biology class, and the quirky and cute attitude of Gertie.
Most find that Drew is so adorable when she repeated the words others said.
"Drewie, you are so adorable, here let me pet you." He said to Drew, "No Al, keep watching, the fun part is almost here!" Drew puffed her mouth and scold Al.
Different from the rigid acting that Henry Thomas who just a newcomer at that time do.
Al's acting was smooth and fluid. Even the famous critics, Roger Ebert from Chicago Sun was praised his acting, the boy version of Jodie Foster he said in his heart.
When ET was dead, Al also takes over the stage and make the theatre flooded with tears.
The last scene when ET is saying farewell to everyone, Al give himself a heartwarming performance that screwing the audience emotion again.
Drew also almost steal the show by doing the legendary ET kiss.
After the screen darkens and the credit role appeared. All of the audience gives standing applause.
"Best film this year!!"
"Another classic by Spielberg production!!"
"Rise of child star Alphonse Brandt and Drew Barrymore!"
Everyone singing praise to <E.T.> and Spielberg with other crew come to the stage and giving the audience a speech.
After delivering a speech, Spielberg gives time to answer all of the reporter's questions.
"Mr. Spielberg, I really like your new work, how does it feel to direct your first children movies? How about your box office prediction?" Reporters from Hollywood Press asked this.
"Thank you for liking my films, I am really happy to work with all of the <E.T.> crews. Unlike my previous films, the set was full of mischievousness and fun like we do in a theme park. Especially with these two, Al and Drew, their banter and pranks always brighten the set atmosphere. I predict the box office is no less than $100 million and will be open in more than 1,000 theatres across the US."
So confident! All reporters thought of this.
Another reporter from L.A. Post also asked, "Is there any news for your next film this year Mr. Spielberg?"
"Hahaha, the <E.T.> even has not released yet but you already asking my next work." Spielberg amused but answered. "I won't direct anything this year but I will become a producer for horror movies. This film will be directed by my friend, Robert Zemeckis and Mr. Brandt here is also the screenwriter and the actor in this film. This will be a cooperation between Amblin Entertainment and Muspelheim Films, we also in search of distribution and I hope Universal is kind enough to give us the honor."
What!? a horror film? The screenwriter is Alphonse Brandt? Directed by Robert Zemeckis?
The theatre was on fire, the youngest screenwriter and also a director who screwed up the box office 2 times.
"Did you say Alphonse Brandt is the screenwriter, are you just overhyped the news? And are you sure Mr. Zemeckis won't make another box office flop?"
Spielberg only said, "No and no, now guys the session is finished, today is <E.T.>'s moment, and I won't explain anything besides this film." He said.
then they got out of the stage while hearing reporters saying "Mr. Spielberg!"
Al was also being questioned but he just ran away with Drew and leave everything to the professionals.
Outside they meet a lot of Hollywood celebs who praise them and greet them.
The most special one is Jodie Foster who praised him for his acting. Al didn't t go to the celebration party because Spielberg forbids any children to join any of his night party and he really grateful to him for forbidding them.
Party is not his thing.
After saying farewell to everyone, Jodie Foster came to him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"You did great today, good luck in your next film, champ."
Al was agape and could not speak any words, just open his eyes and mouth widely and touch his kissed cheek, while everyone who saw this just gave a teasing smile and laugh.
'I am SO gonna ask her hand in marriage in the future.' he said unconsciously.
To Be Continued...
