I'm reading film critic, Roger Ebert's book Life Itself. It's a great book. His writing is engaging and it's full of terrific stories and a feel of joie de vie.
Of course he mentions encounters and relationships with movie stars and other celebrities. An interview with Dolly Parton intrigued me and has me wondering.
In 1980 he was at a press junket for the movie 9 To 5. Here's what Ebert had to say. "In Dallas for the premiere of 9 to 5, I had an uncanny experience and on the plane home to Chicago I confessed it to Siskel: I had been granted a private half hour with Dolly Parton, and as we spoke I was filled with a strange ethereal grace. This was not spiritual, nor was it sexual. It was healing and comforting. Gene listened, and said, 'Roger, I felt the exact same thing during my interview with her.' We looked at each other. What did this mean? Neither one of us ever felt that feeling again. From time to time we would refer to it in wonder."
Now I began to think about interviews I'd seen with her on TV. The only ones that come to mind are with David Letterman. These aren't private like the one Ebert had but if you watch you'll see what he may be talking about.
Parton is one of those guests that Letterman always seems to be captivated by. And I'm not talking about an attraction to her breasts, though that's hard to avoid. Watch Parton. She's so charming and at ease. I can easily see falling under her spell.
I'm convinced she has that sort of magnetic personality. As if she's there for only you. Ebert and Siskel felt it and I'll bet Letterman would attest to it as well. In other words, Dolly Parton could be a cult figure. Lucky for us she uses her powers for good.
