You can see her in a smallish role in the very serious 1968 film The Swimmer, based (very freely) on a Cheever story, starring Burt Lancaster, directed by Frank Perry, at least officially. There were conflicts, and some of Perry's work was replaced, with one scene recast and newly directed by Sidney Pollack. Still, it's a strange and fascinating film. Rivers had already made a good number of TV appearances as a comedienne and personality, but I guess she hadn't quite yet become really famous when she was cast in a smallish but noticeable role in this very serious and intentionally odd and disturbing movie.
Regarding, "She seems to have loved the theatre and attended productions big and small as much as her busy schedule allowed." She was seated behind me when I saw Urinetown at ATA before Broadway. Or was she in front of me? Now I can't remember. Henry Winkler was also seated near me and the friend I was with. When I returned to my seat during intermission, my friend was in a friendly conversation about the show with Winkler, who was there alone and had started the conversation with my friend. |
