Patricia Neal is a highly acclaimed and accomplished actress with a distinguished career that lasted from the 1940s to the 1990s and beyond. She has had great success in theatre, films, and television. Neal starred in her share of cinematic masterpieces, such as “A Face in the Crowd,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” “The Fountainhead,” and of course "The Day the Earth Stood Still.”   

Neal received nearly every conceivable honor as an actress. Of course, she won an Academy Award in 1964 as best actress for her performance alongside Paul Neumann in “Hud.”  She also received a Golden Globe Award in 1972 for best TV actress for her stirring performance in “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story.” In addition, she garnered three Emmy nominations, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rhode Island Film Festival. Near the start of her career, Patricia Neal won a Tony Award, in 1947, as best supporting actress for her role in “Another Part of the Forest.” In 1986, she received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award. 

Over the years she worked with many of the top Hollywood directors such as John Ford, Elia Kazan, Martin Ritt, King Vidor, Michael Curtiz, Blake Edwards, Robert Wise, Otto Preminger, Douglas Sirk, and even the recently deceased Robert Altman. 

In addition, she also wrote a best selling autobiography, “As I Am” (1988), and a biopic of her life was released called “The Patricia Neal Story” (1981). 

She went through many hardships and credits a strong positive attitude with helping her get through tough times.  She once said, “A strong, positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.”  

(see http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Patricia_Neal.) 

She will appear at the Movieside Sci-fi Spectacular Film Festival on Saturday, May 5 (at the Music Box Theater in Chicago) to discuss her career after a showing of “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” considered by many to be one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. 

Vito Carli: How did you get into acting? 

Patricia Neal: Well, when I was 11 years old, I heard someone do a dramatic monologue. I immediately decided that’s what I wanted to do. I was living in Knoxville, Tennessee. I went to the Barter Theater and started doing plays there during the last year of WW II. Of course you’re probably too young to remember the war (laughing). I was one of the Tennessee Valley Players. The critics loved me as Regina in “Another Part of the Forest” (Tallulah Bankhead played the same part at an older age in “The Little Foxes”). After the play closed, I got all kinds of Hollywood offers. I was asked to be in some movies, but I wanted to keep doing plays. I wanted nothing to do with films at the time. But Warner Brothers eventually signed me up.  My first film was “John Loves Mary (1949),” and my co-star was a young Ronald Reagan. We both stayed at the Savoy Hotel.  We were also both in “The Hasty Heart” (1949).  

Were you surprised when he later became president? 

Well I think we all were. But he was a very good man and a fine president. 

Was Hollywood a big change from Kansas? 

I only lived in Hollywood for around five years, with my then husband. He was a well-known author. You’ve probably heard of him. His name was Roald Dahl. He wrote “James and the Giant Peach” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” We were married for thirty years. 

Was it gratifying to win a best actress Oscar for your performance in “Hud”? 

Well, it was a mixed blessing because during that period I had many health problems, and I had suffered a stroke, which put me in a wheelchair. 

You’ve had your share of bad luck haven’t you? 

Oh yes.  A taxi in New York City struck my son, Theo Dahl, when he was four months old, and he was badly injured. Then in 1965, when I was pregnant with Lucy, I had three burst cerebral aneurysms. She was our fifth child together and Roald took great care of her. She had to completely relearn how to talk and walk. 

“The Day the Earth Stood Still,” which is playing at the Music Box next week, is seen by many  as a quintessential ‘50s  sci-fi classic. Did you know you were doing something special?  

Well , I knew it would be good. I liked working with the director, Robert Wise. I knew that because we had previously done “Three Secrets” together. He was talented. I just loved him. 

You also were in “Breakfast at Tiffanys,” which has one of the best Audrey Hepburn performances. What was she like? 

Well I didn‘t really see her all that much. We did run into each other on the street. She was always charming. 

You played Olivia Walton in “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story.” Were you a fan of the subsequent Waltons TV show? 

I liked the TV series very much, and I especially loved working with all of the children in the film. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see the children much later because of the distance. 

Can you discuss your TV work, such as your your appearances in “Kung Fu” and  “Ghost Story?” 

Well, I didn’t want to do “Ghost Story,” and I think I was in two episodes of “Playhouse 90.” I don’t remember much of the “Kung Fu” episode. It was a minor role in only one episode. 

What was it like to work with John Wayne? 

Well, when we did our first film I didn’t like him. But when we did “In Harm’s Way” he was fabulous and we got along superbly. I also simply adored the director, John Ford, but I think sort of gave up on the film after the stroke. I worked on his last picture, “Seven Women” (1966), but I had health problems. 

I admired “Cookie’s Fortune” and I thought it was very underrated. 

It worked very well. I got to work with Robert Altman and Glenn Close on that one. It's a pity that poor Robert Altman just died. 

Do you prefer theatre or film? 

Well, it doesn’t really matter at this point. After the stroke there are many things I can’t do anymore. 

Did you have any favorite leading men?  

Yes, but I won’t tell you who. 

Which directors did you especially like working with? 

There’s too many to name.  Well, of course, there’s Martin Ritt, who I did “Hud” with, as well as Elia Kazan.  I thought it was terrible when he won the lifetime achievement Oscar and half the audience didn’t even stand.  

Did you see Glenda Jackson's portrayal of you in The Patricia Neal Story, and how accurate is the film? Did you feel the actress emulated you well? 

Well, I’ve always liked Jackson’s work. At first I didn’t like the idea of her playing me. It was strange to see someone else play me. But she did a very good job and she is a lovely person. Now she has a great career in politics. 

How was Gary Cooper to work with? 

I adored him. We worked well together in 'The Fountainhead." I also admired Ayn Rand’s work so that was a great film to work on. 

Can you tell me about your upcoming projects? 

Well, there’s a hospital named after me called The Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Institute in Knoxville, Tennessee (http://www.hospitalsoup.com/hospitals/Patricia-Neal-Rehab--Center.asp). I’ll be going there, and then I’m doing some traveling. I’ll be in Chicago on May 5 for the Music Box screening.