December 2nd, 2015

So ironic - the "Strangers" phenomenon - they can't forget Bard now; hah!!! Spielberg! Hanks! And now, a 2nd run for "Strangers." What could possibly be cooler than Janet Ann walking through O'hare airport, stopping at a news/book store and picking up a physical copy of "Strangers On A Bridge," finding the acknowledgements page, and pointing out to Bard's granddaughter Geneva --"here, see, your grandfather wrote this book! And now it's a movie with a famous actor and director/producer, and that's why it's in this bookstore!!!"

He was a fierce devotee to Quality. He worshiped it. Worked at it; sweat over it. Pushed us towards it, never compromising. Didn't matter what it was: basketball layups, shagging ground balls, mowing the lawn, raking leaves, washing the car, writing an essay. Ironic, 'cause I don't think this literary giant could have even spelled the word "Zen." But he embodied it. Lived it.

None of us needed it of course, but 51 years later, searing evidence that a fanatical devotion to Quality is always worth it. Even if there's no "payday." Even if it's posthumous. It's Zen. It's the journey.

We love you Dad, and are especially proud of you this December 2nd. BTW, relax, it's official now old man: you're immortal :-)

--Pistol

55 Years Later - The Movie: Spielberg and Hanks do Strangers on a Bridge

In keeping with publication tradition, particularly in 1960, the highly acclaimed work Strangers on a Bridge was listed as written by James B. Donovan, principal character in the work. In fact, the book was ghostwritten by Bard E. Lindeman, who travelled to Donovan's office at the end of each work day in the high powered law firm, and proceeded to conduct hundreds of hours of in person interviews. Having collected all the essential facts in person, Lindeman then wrote what would eventually, approximately 55 years later, go on to be a major cinema release starring Tom Hanks, produced by Steven Spielberg. From the inside pages of credits, from the 1960 Simon & Schuster publication of Strangers on a Bridge: