<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18pt"><div><p>Mary Faktor is a local actor, comedienne, speaker, life coach,
workshop facilitator, energy practitioner, minister, business owner, and
classic movie fan. You may have seen her perform her popular original
one-woman comedy show, <i>The Six Ages of Woman</i> at the Akron Civic
Theatre or other venues around the country. A member of the Screen
Actors Guild, Mary has had speaking roles in current films such as <i>American Splendor</i>
(with Paul Giamatti) and And The Winner Is (with Jerry Springer.)
Almost two decades ago, Mary worked as an extra with Charles Grodin and
Mary Steenburgen in <i>A Summer Story, </i>the little-known sequel to the much beloved classic, <i>A Christmas Story (1983.)</i></p>
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<p>When asked which classic movies were her favorites, Mary has an impressive list: <i>Pride of the Yankees, Sergeant York, Love In The Afternoon, </i>any Cary Grant movie<i>, The Quiet Man, It Happened One Night, Three Came Home, Gone With The Wind, Stalag 17, Titanic</i> ( the 1953 version with Barbara Stanwyck and Clifton Webb “the real story”), <i>A Night To Remember, It's A Wonderful Life</i>,
and any musical that includes Betty Hutton, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire,
Ginger Rogers, Howard Keel, Judy Garland, or Van Johnson. She is
strongly drawn to movies with stories of survival, and where
protagonists overcome obstacles and adversity.</p>
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<p>I sat down with Mary Faktor yesterday, to talk further about her love of movies.</p>
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<p><b>Tim: Do these classic films influence the theatrical or film productions in which you get involved? </b></p>
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<p><b>Mary: No, not really. We actors definitely try to adapt to
whatever role we are lucky enough to land. As a middle aged-woman, it’s
hard enough to get cast in film and stage productions. More often than
not, the best female roles are for women under 30 or over 65. You either
have to be young, firm and slim or aged and wrinkled. Really great
parts comedic roles for middle-aged women often wind up to be cast with
men in drag. </b></p>
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<p>In a preliminary interview, Mary talked a lot about her belief in
metaphysics and spirituality. She has found herself drawn to classic
movies, especially stories of survival. Interestingly enough, through
most of her adult life, she has been told how much she looks like
Shirley MacLaine, a classic movie living-legend who is also drawn to
metaphysics and spirituality.</p>
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<p><b>Tim: Do metaphysics influence your career also? </b></p>
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<p><b>Mary: Yes, very much so. I am a firm believer in Divine Order,
“whatever is meant to be, will be.” When I go out for a role, I prepare
for it as well as I can, look upon the audition as a change to perform
for five minutes, and leave saying a prayer to the universe, “If being
cast doesn’t mess up the Divine Plan in any way, I would love this role.
But, you know better than I what is right for me. My philosophy is
“THIS, or something better.” Then I move on and wait for the next
opportunity. </b></p><div class="dart-ad dart-ad-300x250" id="dart-ad-3-3-308135423">
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<p>Of the modern movies she prefers, Mary loves Forrest Gump and the
Shawshank Redemption. She loves that Forrest is met with obstacles at
every turn; always does the right thing for the right reason, triumphs
with every test, and pays it forward to make the world a better place.
She finds these films very metaphysical this way.</p>
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<p><b>Tim:</b> <b>Do classic movies motivate you in any way? </b></p>
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<p><b>Mary: Many definitely inspire me, but I am especially motivated by
the autobiographies about classic movie and television stars. There is
this myth about mega-stars who were discovered and became an ‘overnight
sensation.’ Mary said, “When I read memoirs of mega-stars, that’s simply
not true. They all struggled for years, “paying their dues.” This has
given me the inspiration to pursue in continuing my career despite
rejection and tough times. I’ve performed my show from church basements
to the lobby of the Ritz Carlton to the Akron Civic Theatre. Classic
movies that showcase this reality of the struggles of show business
struggles include: </b><i><b>Singin' In The Rain, Funny Girl, and There's No Business Like Show Business. </b></i></p>
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<p><b>Tim: From these classic movies, what inspiration do you get from them? </b></p>
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<p><b>Mary: I developed a “never give up” kind of attitude. Honestly, I
get upset when I hear about people committing suicide, because they
don’t believe in what exciting adventure might be waiting around the
corner. You never know what is out there for you. You’ve got to “keep
on, keeping on.” Another philosophy of mine is that I don’t perform in
hopes of big money or fame. Just being involved in doing what I love is
my reward. I do what I do because I truly enjoy doing it. I feel I’m
making a difference in the world with my acting, speaking and comedy. </b></p>
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<p><b>Tim:</b> <b>Are you drawn to story or character? </b></p>
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<p><b>Mary: I’m drawn to a combination of both story and character. They
intertwine when done properly. Like mixing vanilla and chocolate
pudding into a swirl, story and character go hand in hand. I’ll always
be attracted to a meaningful story with interesting characters of depth.
You can keep the car chases, blood, gore and special effects. Classic
movies don’t need special effects. </b></p>
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<p>For more information about Mary Faktor, please check out her website:</p>
<p><u><a href="http://www.maryfaktor.com/userfiles/file/" rel="nofollow">http://www.maryfaktor.com/userfiles/file/</a></u></p><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br>Continue reading on Examiner.com <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.examiner.com/classic-movies-in-akron/classic-movie-fan-profiles-mary-faktor#ixzz1S71Tkeip">Classic Movie Fan Profiles: Mary Faktor - Akron Classic Movies | Examiner.com</a> <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.examiner.com/classic-movies-in-akron/classic-movie-fan-profiles-mary-faktor#ixzz1S71Tkeip">http://www.examiner.com/classic-movies-in-akron/classic-movie-fan-profiles-mary-faktor#ixzz1S71Tkeip</a><br><br><br><font size="3">If you are a classic movie fan and are from the Greater Cleveland area and work in the theatre, and you have story to tell, please email me @ <a
href="tc71087@hotmail.com">tc71087@hotmail.com </a></font><br></div></div>
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