Tough Guys Don’t Dance’s Wardley Meeks, John Bedford Lloyd Recalls Norman Mailer
By: John Bedford Lloyd
In the winter of 1986: I was lucky enough to spend several months with Norman Mailer trying to get my head around one of his delightfully-twisted characters. Wardley Meeks, was a troubled millionaire from Tampa who found his true calling selling cocaine, beheading gorgeous Southern belles, and chasing after his old school chum, Tim Madden — for whom he had more than a little affection.
Throughout filming Norman was always a warm, welcoming presence as a man and as a director. He was completely supportive of our work and more than willing to discuss potential “tinkering” with his wild and original screenplay. I always felt we were standing on firm artistic ground during the shoot, despite the extraordinary and delightfully surreal world he had created. His words were magic for an actor and I am still so grateful to have been able to speak them.
The most vibrant memory I have from that time was the first two days when we all met at the Provincetown Tennis Club on Bradford Street to read through the script and try to nail down the particulars of what was a very complicated story. We sat around a big table: the entire cast, Norman, and Ira Lewis, who was assisting Norman on dramaturgical issues. This particular part of rehearsal is always my favorite because you get to pick apart the story, the characters, and the themes — you get to determine what needs to stay in and what we could stand to lose. It’s when you really get a look at the mountain you’re about to climb. And to do this with Norman Mailer, one of the most muscular, vital intellects I have ever encountered, was a complete joy and a great privilege. I was blessed by being able to witness and participate in a unique process: a brilliant writer adjusting, shading, and shaping his work. I sat at that table in awe. I relished in being able to listen to Norman speak and create.
