Jordan, R.T. 1960–

views updated

Jordan, R.T. 1960–

(Richard Tyler Jordan)

PERSONAL:

Born April 1, 1960, in Chicago, IL; son of Benjamin Pitman (a bank executive) and Patricia Elizabeth (a nurse) Jordan. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Attended University of California, Los Angeles, 1980-82. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Christian.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Walt Disney Studios, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, CA, senior publicist and writer, 1984—.

WRITINGS:

(As Richard Tyler Jordan) But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame!, Capra (Santa Barbara, CA), 1998, updated edition published as But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame!: The Amazing History of the World's Favorite Madcap Aunt, introduction by Jerry Herman, Kensington Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Remains to Be Scene (mystery novel), Kensington Books (New York, NY), 2007.

Also author of the novel Suffer Fools. Author of the screenplay Goodbye to the Buttermilk Sky, an adaptation of a novel by Julia Oliver. Author of quarterly column, Musical Stages.

SIDELIGHTS:

R.T. Jordan has published both fiction and nonfiction works. In But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame!: The Amazing History of the World's Favorite Madcap Aunt, Jordan explores the storied history of the venerable character that has "ascended from character to archetype, the grand old dame who initiates her young nephew into the joys of life in the big city," observed a Publishers Weekly contributor. Jordan traces Auntie Mame's evolution from a character in a novel by Patrick Dennis, to the main character of a stage play, and to the protagonist of a film, Broadway musical, and a film version of the Broadway production. He covers the details of the many versions and formats of the Mame story; he also provides biographical information on those who have played Mame herself, from Rosalind Russell to Angela Lansbury, whose theatrical careers were revived by portraying the vivacious character, to Lucille Ball, a towering figure in entertainment whose film version of Auntie Mame was not well received.

Jordan's debut mystery novel, Remains to Be Scene, centers around Polly Pepper, an aging screen legend who once commanded the undivided attention of audiences and producers but who now finds jobs harder to get. When character performer TrixieWilder is murdered while filming a new movie, Polly is offered the role. Upon arriving at her agent's office, however, she finds that her bitter personal and professional rival, Sedra Stone, has actually secured the part. Unfortunately for Sedra, she is the next victim of murder on the set, which leaves the role open for Polly again. Looking into the murders, Polly soon discovers that Sedra was thoroughly disliked by everyone involved in the movie, from the director to the other stars to the security guards. Even though Polly finds her abilities validated when the secures the movie deal, she may well find herself in as much danger as the previous holders of the role. MBR reviewer Harriet Klausner remarked that Jordan "has written a very funny amateur sleuth tale."

Jordan once told CA: "The primary motivation for my writing comes from a need to learn more about the world in which I live and to research topics that interest me. For the nonfiction book But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame! I simply wanted to know more about the multiple incarnations of this popular fictional character and why she remains a cultural icon.

"My personal nonfiction work (as opposed to my Disney duties) is influenced by such writers as Edmund White, J. Randy Taraborrelli, and Anne Edwards. For my fiction I may never come close to achieving the eminence of Julia Oliver, James Salter, or Carolyn See, but they are contemporary authors whose craft I most admire.

"With a full-time career at the Walt Disney Studios it may appear impossible to find time to write for myself. However, I work on my personal projects from 6:00 to 8:30 in the morning, during lunch hours, evenings, and weekends. A wise woman once boxed my ears, saying ‘Mr. Jordan! Everybody has twenty-four hours a day! You can certainly find some of that time to write!’ I have the same counsel for anybody who complains to me that he can't find the time to write.

"Finally, write because you have no other choice. Find a topic or theme for which you have a passion, and write from the gut. The potential monetary rewards or notoriety cannot be your primary motivation if you want to honor your gifts."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Advocate, November 10, 1998, review of But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame!: The Amazing History of the World's Favorite Madcap Aunt, p. 64.

Publishers Weekly, June 29, 1998, review of But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame!, p. 47; October 5, 1998, Kevin Howell, "Life Is a Banquet for Publicist Turned Author," profile of R.T. Jordan, p. 28.