3 guys pickin'

Campbell, the best (almost) famous actor

by RICHARD DRAKE
columnist

It is so completely apparent that 3 Guys Pickin' has taken The Parthenon by storm. By doing that, 3 Guys Pickin' has also turned countless numbers of readers on to numerous movies and actors which are often never given the attention they deserve. 3 Guys Pickin' Presents: Ogres have Layers, OnionÕs have layers. While it's enjoyable for me to endlessly banter about flicks with those who traipse across the campus of Marshall University reading the greatest articles ever written about movies, it's equally satisfying to see my colleagues are taking cues from me. Over the fast few weeks, I have read many articles in The Parthenon that were obviously inspired by something written here in 3 Guys PickinÕ.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not pointing fingers or calling for a foul, I'm merely applauding those who see a good thing and run with it. It's like movies with characters named Zeke. If you're in a flick and your character is named Zeke, you're gonna get whacked (for an example, check out "Pitch Black"). There's nothing wrong with offing a character in a movie named Zeke, it's a tried and true, time-tested effective tool for a flick. If I ever get to make a movie, I'll make sure to have someone named Zeke tragically perish in a bizarre gardening accident or an ice-skating incident or something. Just like using the Zeke-factor, being inspired by a 3 Guys Pickin' article is not only applauded, but encouraged.

One such article appeared last week. The wonderful piece of writing was dedicated to the glories of the "Evil Dead" trilogy. Faithful readers of this column will instantly realize that I have long sung the praises of Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi's epic classics. In the 3 Guys Pickin' article titled 'TPS Reports,' I listed the "Army of Darkness" (Evil Dead part 3) Limited Edition DVD as a must have also given the appropriate props to Sam Raimi and his post-"Evil Dead" flicks, such as "Darkman" and "The Gift." So a hearty high five, grin and wink goes out to those who have picked up the 3 Guys Pickin' ball and run on with it. Well played.

All along, I had planned to use this week's article to glorify a certain blue collar, working-stiff actor. That man being Bruce Campbell, the Grand Poobah of blue collar, almost famous actors. Ol' Bruce has a slick little autobiography in the bookstores now, it's almost a how-to guide on coming from Nowheresville, Mich., to becoming one of the most famous "cult movie" actors of all-time. "If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a 'B' Movie Actor" is a great read and awesome doorway into the mind of a guy too intelligent to be mired in the realm of middle-of-the-road actor.

Before I get into a pseudo-review of this book, you need to be aware of the incredible relationship shared between Bruce and 3 Guys Pickin'. Senor Campbell appears on Chicago's 3 Guys Pickin' television show this season in a series of interviews. The only thing that rubs wrong is the interview was conducted by the co-producer/director of the show and he clearly is not as good an interviewer as this author. Bruce clearly wanted to talk with me, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. All I was able to take away from the encounter was a signed copy of his book, the knowledge that he's be on my show and the hope he wouldn't pass along his complimentary 3 Guys Pickin' T-shirt along to his dog. Well, the interview did take away another thing; the confirmation that Bruce Campbell is a super-cool dude.

Bruce's story is a wonderful tale of rags to nicer rags. If you haven't seen him as Ash in the "Evil Dead" flicks, chances are you've seen him somewhere else, you just didn't know it. He starred as the title character in the most popular one-season television show in the history of said type shows, "The Adventures of Briscoe County, Jr." You may also have caught him in episodes of "Homicide: Life on the Street," "The X-Files," "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and most recently "Jack of all Trades."

Now if you are one who doesn't watch a lot of television (and shame on you if the case is such), it's certain you've marveled at his skills in a myriad of motion pictures. He's popped up in a couple of Coen Brothers flicks (Joel Coen had been an assistant editor on "Evil Dead") such as "The Hudsucker Proxy" and "Fargo" (yep, he's in an Oscar-winning flick, but you gotta look really close). He's also done time for John Carpenter in "Escape from L.A." and served with Tom Arnold in "McHale's Navy."

"If Chins Could Kill..." is a witty an interesting look at how and actor has done his best to make it. Bruce shares intriguing stories and musings on how his flicks came to be and how he earned, or didnÕt earn his many acting parts. If you're a movie fan, you'll dig this book. If you're a Bruce Campbell fan, you'll love this book. If you're neither, you oughta be, so see his flicks and then love the book. And while we're not on the subject, what's the deal with making Robin Hood and his Merry Men French in "Shreck"? Oh, and go see "Monster's, Inc." It's my pick for this year's Oscar for Best Animated Picture, plus they show a teaser trailer for "Star Wars: Episode II."

Richard Drake can be reached at parthenon@marshall.edu.