Dave Magarity -- Tennessee Bronx Tale

It appears that many of my colleagues were apprehensive to respond to my recent request for their favorite actor and actresses. Apparently they believe that they might become a target in one of my upcoming columns.

I cannot imagine where they would get an idea like that, unless perhaps they were talking to my friend Billy Donovan at Florida.

But knowing how superstitious my fellow coaches are, I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Donovan would continue to welcome my Eddie Munster references, as his team has been scary to the opposition.

However I still fully expect Mr. Donovan to seek me out at the Final Four to share his views on my movie review columns. Somehow I think that he won't be the only one.

But all of those brave enough should remember that while I might look "large but not in charge" I am really in tremendous shape. This is 299 pounds of solid tissue.

In Knoxville, Tennessee there is another young coach who seems to share a similar attitude and approach. CollegeInsider.com's Joe Dwyer has tabbed him as young and "slim" version (he emphasized much slimmer) of myself.

For those of you unaware, I am referring to the very dapper Tennessee assistant, Kerry Keating.

I understand that Mr. Keating is a frequent visitor to my movie review section and I believe it is important to recognize those who actually take the time to read some of my tremendous contributions to the world of film critiques.

Coach Keating is a big fan of the classic, "A Bronx Tale" and recently had an outstanding line when he stated, "Sonny had five players, but he only used three." Those of you that have seen this moving tale of life in the Bronx, during the decade of the 1960's, will completely understand Mr. Keating's clever line.

Terrific job coach Keating. It appears that you may have a future in film review.

By the way, the young and "thinks-he-tough" Keating has a little Joaquin Phoenix in him. He looks like he is ready to battle alien invaders in the movie, "Signs."

Thanks for the email Mr. Bronx Tale and remember the next time Buzz feels like he didn't get the right call from the referee tell him, "we've been mushed."

ACTORS AND ACTRESSES

What a person watches often tells a lot about the person. Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins names "Patton" as his all-time favorite movie. Anyone who knows him knows that there is a lot of George Patton in Bob Huggins.

Last season I started writing about the favorite films of coaches, which was very well received by fans. A favorite film, actor or actress can reveal a lot about a coach's character and personality. Thus, I felt we would continue with that theme, this time putting a focus on the actors and actresses.

Let's begin with Marquette assistant coach Trey Schwab. For those of you not familiar with his story, I urge you to read Angela Lento's excellent feature on his fight for his life. Coach Schwab's courage and fighting spirit is an inspiration to all of us.

Coach Schwab names Al Pacino and Glenn Close as his favorites.

Pacino, who is one of the great actors of our time, was born in East Harlem, New York, but was raised in the Bronx. After winning a Tony Award on Broadway, Pacino got excellent reviews in three films and got the attention of Francis Ford Coppola who cast him as Michael Corleone in "The Godfather."

Pacino won best supporting actor for that role and would get nominations for "Serpico" and "The Godfather Part II." One title that is not talked about much is "Sea of Love," which I would highly recommend renting. An Excellent film.

Glenn Close is a truly gifted actress who became a recognized named following the release of "The World According to Garp." She was nominated for an Oscar for her performance.

Many remember her as the love interest of Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) in "The Natural." She also played the first lady in "Mars Attacks," which was an entertaining satire of the 1950's science-fiction films.

This film was quite entertaining. Unfortunately Close doesn't live to see the films conclusion, as she is overrun by the Barry Hinson-sized or dwarf-sized Martians.

Illinois' Bill Self is another big Pacino fan, but he differs with his choice of favorite actress, naming Julia Roberts.

No actress is more sought-after than the lovely "Pretty Woman" Ms. Roberts.

Julia made a name for herself in the movie, "Mystic Pizza," which jump started her career. By the way, you can find Mystic Pizzas now in the freezer section of your local grocery store. Tremendous for those late night snacks.

In case you didn't know, Julia's brother is Eric Roberts. It's safe to say that the acting talent resides with the female half of the brother-sister duo.

Moving right along, William & Mary's head coach Rick Boyages is a big Clint Eastwood fan.

Eastwood got his early fame courtesy of Sergio Leone's Spaghetti westerns. "A Fistful of Dollars," "For a Few Dollars More" and the classic "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," better known as "Magarity, Zebras and Jeff Ruland."

And of course everybody knows the character, "Dirty Harry." The original is still the best, as Inspector Callahan battles to find the ruthless killer, "Scorpio." There are some tremendous lines in this film including, "when I see a man with intent to commit rape I shoot the bastard, that's my policy."

It's hard to believe that Frank Sinatra was the first choice to play the toughest cop in San Francisco.

From the west coast to the east coast and Jamaica Queens, where "Team Jarvis" was very concerned about my recent request for their favorite films. In particular, "Deuce." I have a lot of respect for the elder Jarvis, who is a good friend and a tremendous coach, but the younger Jarvis is an easy target.

He made it real easy for me selecting Chevy Chase as his all-time favorite actor and "Fletch" as his favorite film. All I can say is that I really feel sorry for his father.

As for Jarvis senior, Tom Hanks and Halle Berry are his choices.

There is no question that Tom Hanks is one of the premier actors of today and Ms. Berry has both talent and beauty.

The man who began on television's "Bosom Buddies" also made appearances on "Taxi" and "Family Ties," before making his splash in "Splash," with Daryl Hannah. But in 1993 he shred the label of comic-only roles when he won the Oscar for best actor in "Philadelphia."

Ms. Berry is perhaps the biggest actress at present. At 17, she won the Miss Teen All-American Pageant and landed her first role in Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever."

Another Spike Lee joint, "He Got Game," featured cameos from a number of college coaches, including Lute Olson.

Coach Olson's favorite actor is Harrison Ford, a tremendous choice.

Ford made appearances on "Gunsmoke," "Ironside" and "The Virginian" during the 1960's. He finally got his first break when George Lucas cast him as Bob Falfa, in "American Graffiti."

Ford would next appear, four years later, in "Star Wars," as Han Solo. The following year he starred in the final film of Robert Shaw's great career, "Force 10 from Navarone." And if you watch carefully, you will see his small role in "Apocalypse Now."

Coach Olson, like Bill Self, also names Julia Roberts as his favorite actress.

One of my all-time favorites is "the" favorite for Purdue's Gene Keady. Mr. Keady, who is having an outstanding season at Purdue selects Sean Connery has his favorite actor.

Connery was a relative unknown when he was cast in "Dr. No." It was the first of seven appearances as James Bond. While "The Hunt for Red October" is a well-known classic, Connery has starred in some less publicized films that are well worth going out and renting.

If you have free time go rent "The Wind and the Lion," "The Russia House," "The Offence" and "Just Cause." All very good films.

For this week's final look at favorite actors and actresses, we go back to Knoxville, Tennessee.

Head coach Buzz Peterson had some interesting, if not odd, choices. His favorite actor is Don Knotts. I can only assume that Peterson envisions himself in the role of Sheriff Andy Griffith, with Kerry Keating playing the role of the Barney Fife.

Knotts, who played Mr. Furley in "Three's Company," starred in such classic titles as "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" and "The Shakiest Gun in the West."

Peterson's choice for actress is Frances Bavier. Does that name ring a bell with anyone?

Well, Ms. Bavier starred in the Sci-Fi classic, "The Day the Earth Stood Still," but she is better known for her role as Aunt Bee," in "The Andy Griffith Show."

It's a good thing that Buzz is MUCH BETTER at coaching (nice win over Georgia, coach) than he is at selecting film stars.

Hey Keating, put him in the bathroom.

There is no way that we can touch on all the submissions we received, but those not mentioned today will be featured in a future column.

Tennessee's Kerry Keating responds to Magarity's column