Douglas Claims Pudding Pot

Actor Michael Douglas turned the tables on his hosts, roasting the roasters at the Hasty Pudding Theatricals Man of the Year ceremony last night.

The Academy Award-winning actor entered the theater with a glass of champagne and during continued to display bubbly spirits during the presentation by Pudding Producers Amy E. Samsel '93 and Larry M. Rhein '92.

The student theatrical group has honored made celebrities with the annual "Pudding Pot" presentation and show preview since 1967, when Bob Hope claimed the honor.

Joining recent recipients Clint Eastwood (1991) and Kevin Costner (1990), Douglas added some flair to their hallowed ranks.

Douglas, the star of War of the Roses and Fatal Attraction, began his career with less well-known films like Spartacus and Champion, Rhein said.

"He doesn't look like the guy from Spartacus, though," Rhein said.

"I am Spartacus!" said Douglas, lifting his fist.

Rhein and Samsel peered forward with a set of binoculars to see if Douglas was indeed Spartacus. The actor obligingly got up, turned around, and showed the producers the seat of his pants.

"Hey, this might be fun," said one reporter in the audience, who moments earlier had been muttering about "Meaningless ceremonies" and "snotty Harvard kids."

"Amy, Larry, don't give up your day jobs," Douglas said as he sauntered on stage. "You remind me of a production I was involved in recently called Flatliners."

Douglas paused for applause, and then continued on a more traditional note. "Seriously, folks, I'm happy to be here."

Members of the black tie crowd, who had paid $150 per seat, punctuated the evening with applause, including several standing ovations, as Samsel and Rhein gave an overview of Douglas' career.

Despite Douglas' punchy comebacks, Samsel and Rhein bravely plowed on, presenting the actor with a glitzy, showgirl style bra.

Douglas put it on, shook the tassels, and kept it on as he accepted his gold Pudding pot.

"I know the real reason I got this was that you found out my mother was Bermudian," said Douglas, referring to the Pudding's annual Spring Break week in Bermuda.

"I've been watching the Hasty Pudding downthere for years and I think they typify thiscollege," he said.

Last week, Hasty Pudding Woman of the YearJodie Foster said that she would place her goldPudding Pot in her bathroom, next to her tub.

Douglas continued the plumbing motif. "We justgot a little house in Spain," he said. "It's afunky kind of house, doesn't have a bathroomupstairs--'nuf said."

But at a press conference that followed thepreview of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals show "UpYour Ante," Douglas was more reflective.

"It made me feel good to see students devotingthis much time to something," he said. "I'm reallyimpressed with the sense of fun, the sense ofsacrifice."

`Be Joyful'

"This is a time to encourage the arts," hesaid. "This is a time to be joyful."

Douglas said it is much more difficult to be anactor after leaving college, citing an 85 percentunemployment rate among members of his union.

"You gotta love to be an actor," Douglas said."You can't become an actor to be a movie star oryou'll be disappointed."

Douglas has produced and acted in more than 70films. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,which he produced in 1975, won five AcademyAwards. He received the 1987 Academy Award forbest actor for Wall Street.

"I've been watching the Hasty Pudding downthere for years and I think they typify thiscollege," he said.

Last week, Hasty Pudding Woman of the YearJodie Foster said that she would place her goldPudding Pot in her bathroom, next to her tub.

Douglas continued the plumbing motif. "We justgot a little house in Spain," he said. "It's afunky kind of house, doesn't have a bathroomupstairs--'nuf said."

But at a press conference that followed thepreview of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals show "UpYour Ante," Douglas was more reflective.

"It made me feel good to see students devotingthis much time to something," he said. "I'm reallyimpressed with the sense of fun, the sense ofsacrifice."

`Be Joyful'

"This is a time to encourage the arts," hesaid. "This is a time to be joyful."

Douglas said it is much more difficult to be anactor after leaving college, citing an 85 percentunemployment rate among members of his union.

"You gotta love to be an actor," Douglas said."You can't become an actor to be a movie star oryou'll be disappointed."

Douglas has produced and acted in more than 70films. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,which he produced in 1975, won five AcademyAwards. He received the 1987 Academy Award forbest actor for Wall Street.