I once had a drink in the same room as Ron Leibman. I say in the same room because at the time I was under strict orders not to speak to the actor. The command came from my best friend, who at the time was the entertainment editor of the Salina Journal. Leibman was in town to star in “Up the Academy,” a movie about a boys’ military school. We were in our favorite after-work place, the Inn Club at the old downtown Hilton Inn.

Not to brag, but “Up the Academy” may have been the worst movie ever made. Thus Leibman’s reluctance to be associated with it and his desire not to be recognized. You won’t even find his name on the credits, forcing anyone who watches the movie to spend two hours mumbling, “Isn’t that Ron Leibman?” “I’m almost sure that’s Ron Leibman. But his name isn’t on the credits.”

That said, those of us not worried about a future in show business had a great time when the Academy crew was in town. The cast also included Tom Poston and Ian Wolf, who were both exceptionally nice. And Barbara Bach, later married to Ringo Star. Much of the movie was filmed on the St. John’s Military School campus and producers added locals to the script as needed. Ottawa County Sheriff Ken White made the cut. So did several regulars at the Salina Community Theatre.

The movie may have been a bust, but it’s still fun to see the locals, many of them now gone, and the scenes that were shot around town.

I recall all of this because Ron Leibman passed away recently. He was 82. His film resume was filled with impressive accomplishments, including a Tony Award for Best Actor and a Golden Globe. There was no mention of “Up the Academy.”

LMD

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