LIZ CARPENTER – PARAMOUNT THEATRE BOARD MEMBER

100th Anniversary Countdown Paramount Theatre – In early 1982, I had a brainstorm to have the world premiere of the motion picture, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at the Paramount as a fund raiser. I had learned that the then CEO of Universal/MCA, Lew Wasserman, was a close friend of President Lyndon Johnson’s family.  We called Liz Carpenter to get our foot in the door. Liz was Ladybird’s press secretary during the White House years.  She said, “Write a good letter and I’ll send it to Lew”. Within about a week, Universal/MCA gave us a green light.  WOW!  On July 11, 1982 it all happened.  Burt, Dolly, Charles Durning and Jim Nabors all came to Austin for the premier.  The event was broadcast to 156 countries.  The Paramount netted $180,000 via fund raising parties due to Liz and the Johnson Family’s generosity of spirit.  That translates to $442,000 in today’s money. By hook or crook me laddies!  Thank you Larry King, Peter Masterson, Tommy Tune, Melvin Thorpe, Miss Mona and La Grange, Texas!

P.S.  Liz once invited me to her house for a dip in her Jacuzzi with Jane Sibley one night.  These occasions had become legends. That moment in time was an out of body experience (HA!).  Liz was a blast and bigger than life.