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CNN Live Today

Ride of a Lifetime

Aired July 30, 2003 - 11:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: "Seabiscuit" came out of the gate fast at the box office. The movie took in $20 million during its opening weekend. The film tells the tale of a scrappy racehorse that captured America's heart during the Great Depression, and the three men who made him a legend. Well, Jeff Bridges plays Seabiscuit owner Charles Howard. And how he came about the part is a very interesting story unto itself.
Jeff's joining us this morning from Los Angeles, and he brings along some cousin. That's his cousin Kathe Flinders who is with him.

Cousins, good morning.

Quite a pleasure to have you with us. We love getting the story behind the story.

JEFF BRIDGES, ACTOR: Yes.

KAGAN: So, Jeff, we're going to have you hold on a second.

Kathe, I want to start with you. Go back three years. You are reading the book "Seabiscuit," and you have this great inspiration. Tell us about that.

KATHE FLINDERS, JEFF BRIDGES' COUSIN: I read the book about three years ago, and fell in love with the story of Seabiscuit, and immediately knew that the character of Charles Howard, the owner, was a perfect part for Jeff. So I started calling Jeff, maybe once or twice a month, saying, you have to do this movie, you have to do this movie. I just knew intuitively that this was a part for him. And part of that was because our grandfather used to go to the racetrack all the time and he would take us to the racetrack. So we saw race horses. And he also, our grandfather, Fred Simpson, has seen Seabiscuit run, and he used to talk about Seabiscuit to us all the time. So I just knew this was a great part for Jeff.

KAGAN: Yes, and for folks who are not familiar with the story, if they haven't read the book or haven't seen the movie, "Seabiscuit" is a true story, and these are real characters.

And Charles Howard, the character, Jeff, that you play, was a real man, a real millionaire back in the '30s, and an interesting character in California history.

BRIDGES: Oh, yes, he was probably one of the wealthiest fellows in the country at this time. He -- ironically, he owned the largest automobile dealership west of the Mississippi. And because of the tragedy in his life, he switched his focus to horses.

KAGAN: Now you must get career advice left and right when you go to the market, when you answer your phone. What do you think when cousin Kathe is calling you and saying, have I got a part for you?

FLINDERS: Well, that's great, Kathe. That's fine. It was so much fun for me. Years later, maybe four years after she started her calls to me to say, Kathe, your prophecy is coming true.

KAGAN: Now, Kathe, the other part of this and for people not familiar with the "Seabiscuit" story, it is a very inspirational tale about a horse that a lot of people bet against and never thought would really make it. And you find inspiration in that because of your own personal story as a cancer survivor.

FLINDERS: That's true. Being a cancer survivor of seven years, Jeff has always been very, very supportive and encouraging me in my battle against this disease. And he's much like Charles Howard, who never gave up on his jockey, and he never gave up on his horse, and he never gave up hope on them. And so, in a sense, they never stopped trying, and that's how I feel with Jeff. He's so much like Charles Howard. I never stopped fighting. I never stopped trying, and he's always very supportive and encouraging to me.

KAGAN: Well, Let's give our viewers a little look at your cousin, Jeff Bridges, as he plays Charles Howard, the owner of "Seabiscuit."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIDGES: Do you want to see a match, right?

CROWD: Yes!

BRIDGES: You do?

CROWD: Yes!

BRIDGES: You want to see this young fellow ride that horse?

CROWD: Yes.

BRIDGES: Seabiscuit!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Jeff, the buzz has been very good. I'm even hearing possible Oscar nomination. I know it's a little early, you don't want to jinx things, but are you pleased with your performance in the movie?

BRIDGES: Yes, I'm pleased with everyone's performance, and Gary Ross, especially the writer and director, did a wonderful job in bringing Laura Hildenbrand's well-loved book to the screen. That's what makes me feel good. Fans of the book, like Kathe, are loving the movie, and that's a real sign of success for me. KAGAN: So she's batting 1,000 with the "Seabiscuit" recommendation. What's her next idea? What's her next role in mind for you.

BRIDGES: I don't know, but I'm going to keep my ears open.

KAGAN: Congratulations on a great performance and on the movie doing well. Kathe, congratulations on your battle with cancer and for having an excellent eye on a good part.

Fun to have the whole family along. Jeff Bridges and his cousin, Kathe Flinders. Appreciate your time.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired July 30, 2003 - 11:47   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: "Seabiscuit" came out of the gate fast at the box office. The movie took in $20 million during its opening weekend. The film tells the tale of a scrappy racehorse that captured America's heart during the Great Depression, and the three men who made him a legend. Well, Jeff Bridges plays Seabiscuit owner Charles Howard. And how he came about the part is a very interesting story unto itself.
Jeff's joining us this morning from Los Angeles, and he brings along some cousin. That's his cousin Kathe Flinders who is with him.

Cousins, good morning.

Quite a pleasure to have you with us. We love getting the story behind the story.

JEFF BRIDGES, ACTOR: Yes.

KAGAN: So, Jeff, we're going to have you hold on a second.

Kathe, I want to start with you. Go back three years. You are reading the book "Seabiscuit," and you have this great inspiration. Tell us about that.

KATHE FLINDERS, JEFF BRIDGES' COUSIN: I read the book about three years ago, and fell in love with the story of Seabiscuit, and immediately knew that the character of Charles Howard, the owner, was a perfect part for Jeff. So I started calling Jeff, maybe once or twice a month, saying, you have to do this movie, you have to do this movie. I just knew intuitively that this was a part for him. And part of that was because our grandfather used to go to the racetrack all the time and he would take us to the racetrack. So we saw race horses. And he also, our grandfather, Fred Simpson, has seen Seabiscuit run, and he used to talk about Seabiscuit to us all the time. So I just knew this was a great part for Jeff.

KAGAN: Yes, and for folks who are not familiar with the story, if they haven't read the book or haven't seen the movie, "Seabiscuit" is a true story, and these are real characters.

And Charles Howard, the character, Jeff, that you play, was a real man, a real millionaire back in the '30s, and an interesting character in California history.

BRIDGES: Oh, yes, he was probably one of the wealthiest fellows in the country at this time. He -- ironically, he owned the largest automobile dealership west of the Mississippi. And because of the tragedy in his life, he switched his focus to horses.

KAGAN: Now you must get career advice left and right when you go to the market, when you answer your phone. What do you think when cousin Kathe is calling you and saying, have I got a part for you?

FLINDERS: Well, that's great, Kathe. That's fine. It was so much fun for me. Years later, maybe four years after she started her calls to me to say, Kathe, your prophecy is coming true.

KAGAN: Now, Kathe, the other part of this and for people not familiar with the "Seabiscuit" story, it is a very inspirational tale about a horse that a lot of people bet against and never thought would really make it. And you find inspiration in that because of your own personal story as a cancer survivor.

FLINDERS: That's true. Being a cancer survivor of seven years, Jeff has always been very, very supportive and encouraging me in my battle against this disease. And he's much like Charles Howard, who never gave up on his jockey, and he never gave up on his horse, and he never gave up hope on them. And so, in a sense, they never stopped trying, and that's how I feel with Jeff. He's so much like Charles Howard. I never stopped fighting. I never stopped trying, and he's always very supportive and encouraging to me.

KAGAN: Well, Let's give our viewers a little look at your cousin, Jeff Bridges, as he plays Charles Howard, the owner of "Seabiscuit."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIDGES: Do you want to see a match, right?

CROWD: Yes!

BRIDGES: You do?

CROWD: Yes!

BRIDGES: You want to see this young fellow ride that horse?

CROWD: Yes.

BRIDGES: Seabiscuit!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Jeff, the buzz has been very good. I'm even hearing possible Oscar nomination. I know it's a little early, you don't want to jinx things, but are you pleased with your performance in the movie?

BRIDGES: Yes, I'm pleased with everyone's performance, and Gary Ross, especially the writer and director, did a wonderful job in bringing Laura Hildenbrand's well-loved book to the screen. That's what makes me feel good. Fans of the book, like Kathe, are loving the movie, and that's a real sign of success for me. KAGAN: So she's batting 1,000 with the "Seabiscuit" recommendation. What's her next idea? What's her next role in mind for you.

BRIDGES: I don't know, but I'm going to keep my ears open.

KAGAN: Congratulations on a great performance and on the movie doing well. Kathe, congratulations on your battle with cancer and for having an excellent eye on a good part.

Fun to have the whole family along. Jeff Bridges and his cousin, Kathe Flinders. Appreciate your time.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com