Actor Bryan McClure joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about his role in the new HBO original movie, The Great Lillian Hall.
The film centers on Lillian Hall (Jessica Lange), a beloved Broadway star who, after pouring her heart, soul, and time into preparing for her next big role, finds herself blindsided by confusion and forgetfulness. Battling against all odds to make it to opening night, while holding on to her fading memories and identity, she must navigate a tumultuous emotional journey — balancing her desire for the spotlight and the stark demands of the real world.
Hi Bryan, what interested you about the story for The Great Lillian Hall?
Bryan McClure: Several things interested me in this project. In addition to the normal excitement of having an opportunity to do what I love; I had the opportunity to work with some of the legends of cinema – Jessica Lange & Kathy Bates. Also, I got to work with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner, Michael Cristofer, as my Director.
On a personal note, my grandfather had dementia at the end of his life, so the story really has a personal resonance with me.
Can you tell us about your character and the role he plays in this story?
BM: I play the role of Keith, a member of the press creating an electronic press kit with Lillian Hall about her body of work on Broadway. Additionally, Keith is a documentary filmmaker.
What was your collaboration like with this amazing cast?
BM: It was a highly rewarding experience. Working closely with actor David Vaughn, who played my cameraman was a blast. And getting to play opposite actors who’ve won Oscars, Emmys, and Tonys was incredible. To not only watch their work up close, but to play alongside them and collaborate with them to create this masterpiece was an incredible joy.
What will be your standout memory from working on the movie?
BM: Honestly, I have several. One of them, audiences will never get to know because it was a scene that was cut from the film. It was a scene with just me and Jessica Lange where I discover that she’s suffering from something more than she’s leading people to believe. Working one on one with her was incredible.
The second one for me would be seen that has me, Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and David Vaughn. in the scene, me and David are interviewing the legendary Lillian Hall. You can see the scene in the trailer. During the filming of the scene, I had an idea I wanted to try that I pitched it to Kathy Bates. She liked the idea, so we tried it in the next take. Afterward, she told me, “That was a great idea.”
Also, you hear my voice periodically throughout the movie while people are being interviewed. The scenes are in black-and-white to separate them as kind of a documentary style interview. When we filmed these scenes, all the main actors in the story sat across from me and my cameraman (David Vaughn) and shared their stories / did monologues to us. So many times in this industry, actors who are starting out have to do monologues to professionals for various reasons. Maybe it’s for a job in front of writers, directors or producers, maybe it’s to get an agent, maybe it’s to attract the attention of casting Directors. And here I was having legends in the industry do monologues to me. It was crazy!
I understand you’re in post-production for a comedy short you wrote and producer. What can you tell us about that?
BM: My film, Roast Pork Butt, has been completed and has been submitted to film festivals. This story is the story of my worst date. Everything that could go wrong did.
It’s my first step into being a creator. It’s been a great learning experience and I’m excited about the other things I’m currently developing as I grow more as a creator. I look forward to sharing RPB with you all.
You’ve worked on some really big projects lately, including Haunted Mansion and The Summer I Turned Pretty. How do you reflect on those experiences?
BM: To be honest, this is something I need to get better at. Sometimes I get so focused on what I’ve got to do next that I forget to look back and see how far I’ve come and reflect on what I’ve done. I certainly am thankful, and I thank God for each and every one of them.
What are your plans and ambitions for the future?
BM: My goals and dreams are to keep growing and evolving as an artist. So much to do and learn. I want to keep developing my own projects. I want to be involved in projects that are interesting and stimulating. Projects that make people think. Projects that make people grow. Projects that make people smile and laugh and feel. Projects that inspire.
Title photo by Tara Gulledge
