Our town isn't accustomed to movie premieres, but on this particular day we got the Hollywood treatment. Jimmy Smits movie, The Price of Glory, was holding it's premiere here instead of in a larger city. The only major star that was supposed to show up was Jimmy Smits himself, which was awesome news. At this particular event you could buy tickets to watch the movie, but it was at a steep $150 bucks a pop. That was just way too much for a movie, so figured we would go and wait outside in the cold like dogs, in the hopes of meeting Mr. Smits.
Earl arrived on the scene first and waited for Sterling to show up. As Earl was waiting, up pulls a limo and Jimmy Smits gets out and walks right into the theatre. Earl didn't have a chance to ask for an autograph, but it was really cool seeing this celebrity in person. Sterling arrived soon after and we both went inside to see if he was close by. As people were getting seated, the promoter walked out and started giving away tickets because at $150 bucks not many people were going and they didn't want an empty theatre. So both of us got some free tickets and were able to see the film! How cool is that? Well it is very cool in case you can't figure that one out.
Once inside we still didn't see Jimmy Smits anywhere, until the sneak previews hit the screen. Sterling spotted Jimmy Smits standing by the exit waiting for the movie to start. Earl talked Sterling into going down to ask Jimmy for an autograph and he headed down there. After asking, Mr. Smits grabbed Sterling around the shoulder and nicely said he'd sign after the film. He didn't get an autograph, but at least we had the hope he would sign afterwards. The film was pretty good, but we just kept hopping that he would keep his promise and sign after the film.
After the credits rolled a guy went up and thanked everyone for coming and also to inform us that Jimmy Smits and some other individuals involved in the project were going to be meeting everyone in a tent next to the theatre. We quickly got up and ran down the hall, hoping to beat the crowd there. Soon Earl turned around and Sterling was nowhere to be seen. Earl thought Sterling had probably already beaten him to the tent, so he made his way there as well. Sterling was still nowhere to be seen, but Earl took this opportunity to get a good spot in line.
Jimmy Smits came in and started signing and Earl was getting worried because Sterling still wasn't there yet. It was finally Earl's turn to meet Jimmy Smits and he happily approached the table. Jimmy was a really nice guy and signed a poster and picture for Earl. Even though he was sitting down to sign for everyone, Jimmy got up to pose for a picture with Earl, which was sure nice of him. Sometimes these autograph lines can be very impersonal and make you feel like cows being led into a slaughterhouse, but Mr. Smits made sure to make each fan feel at ease. He didn't mind signing whatever was put in front of him and really wanted to know what each person thought of the film.
Not long after Earl got his autograph, Sterling finally showed up and evidently didn't know where to go (follow the crowd of people!). He couldn't find the big white tent that was beside the theatre. Fearing he was going to miss out on Jimmy's autograph he waited in line, while Earl went and got the other celebrities autographs (read Johnny Tapia, Danny Romero stories to find out more about the day of autographs).
When Earl came back he told Sterling to go ahead and get the other autographs while he saved his place in line. When Sterling was getting the producers autographs a man next to Jimmy Smits said to Sterling, "Have you met Jimmy Smits yet?" and the man ushered Sterling in front of the line where he got Jimmy Smits autograph, but no picture. It was a weird situation because Sterling had no idea who this guy next to Jimmy Smits was, but he let Sterling cut so that was really cool.
Since Sterling didn't get a picture with him we decided to stay in the line. Jimmy's line was cut off before we could get to the table and it looked like he was about to leave. At least Sterling had his autograph, but having a photo-op would sure be nice. Before Jimmy Smits could walk out we pushed our way up to him and Sterling managed to get a picture with him. We thanked Jimmy Smits once again and were delighted that this autograph hunt turned out so well.
