Paul Cook, an author and composer from Geneva, had a bit part in the classic film "Somewhere in Time," starring Christopher Reeve. At 80 years young, he's again on Mackinac Island, Michigan this weekend for the film's annual reunion.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Source: http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=244948
October 26, 2008
Somewhere back in time, Paul Cook, of Geneva enjoyed a memorable acting job that still resonates today.
That moment - unlike so many that are, once experienced, gone forever - gets to be relived yearly at the annual "Somewhere in Time" convention at the famous Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan.
The Grand Hotel is the setting for the movie, a fan favorite starring the late Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour as time-crossed lovers. Reeve stays at the hotel during what was then modern times, but manages to go back in time to 1912 to be with Elise, played by Seymour.
At movie's end, when the modern-day Reeve character is dying, there is Elise waiting for him, just as he remembered and where they can remain together ... beyond time, a romantic ending which has captured the hearts of many since.
Production photo from "Somewhere in Time," starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour,
File photo
Cook plays Dr. Hull, who is summoned at the end of the movie.
Critics basically panned "Somewhere in Time," which was released in 1980.
Today, it's a cult classic.
"I had absolutely no idea it was going to amount to anything," said Cook, still somewhat surprised at the movie's draw and staying power. "People will tell me, 'It's my favorite movie.' You can't believe how often I hear that."
Some years after the movie was released, he ran into another actor from the film. She told him, "We've been looking for you. They've started a "Somewhere in Time Weekend."
That first weekend, bringing together cast and crew and devotees, was held in 1991. Cook and his wife are enjoying their 18th "Somewhere in Time" weekend. "They fill the place up," Cook said of the weekend's popularity. "People come from everywhere. It's amazing."
The movie is shown, of course, and there are parties and other gatherings with many donning the costumes of the past.
"It's fun, and I've gotten to know some people over the years," Cook said. "It's still exciting to hear people say, 'That's Paul Cook.' "
This year, there's even a tribute to Cook and his career. "It's because I've lived so long," joked Cook, a very young -at-heart 80.
Accidental career
And that career goes far beyond "Somewhere in Time," with small parts in several other movies, including "The Untouchables" and "Damien - Omen II."
Besides movies, he's been in hundreds of industrial films, plus commercials for "Gosh, you name it, all the major automobile companies, the cigarette companies when they were still doing them, all the major banks, Campbell Soup." He did print advertising, as well.
He got into acting by accident. He was working in the promotions department of Columbia Records and ran into a former co-worker, who had gone into agency work in downtown Chicago. She asked Cook to come in to register - and from there, his commercial career took off.
"I kind of sneaked into acting via the back door," he said.
He had done some community theater before that, so did have both interest and experience in the world of acting.
It was a wonderful living, and he enjoyed it immensely. "It was just a lot of fun, and I wasn't bad at it," he said. "I was the type of guy who a plumber one day, then a salesman the next, then a father. Then I turned into the grandfather," he joked. His wife Susan Knutsen was in the business, as well, with Knutsen Casting, which supplied extras for movies and commercials. "I lasted a long time because I could fit many roles, I think."
Health issues prompted a retirement from acting. But he finds other ways to satisfy his creative streak.
He's also a composer and a writer. His books include "Sally! Sally! Sally! Sally!" - short stories of four different Sally's and the men who loved them, plus "A Change in Plans," a love story set in Chicago and Texas, where he was born. He also has a CD out, "Jazz Buffet." He composed the music, which was orchestrated and performed by Kent Wehman.
He even has a Web site, paulcookbooksandmusic.com. On it, you can see some of the ads in which he appears, fun for looking back to see if any ring a bell.
Although he did cigarette ads, Cook was NOT cast as the Marlboro Man.
All have been great moments, all cherished, all not forgotten. All moments, somewhere in time.
