David Landis-Theatre Artist
Landis as Norris

Produced by Camille Steed

[David Landis] For me when I'm putting on the makeup and getting into this white-haired character is the need to do two things. First to slow down. He's an elderly man I represent and when I normally do him as a live presentation, I slow his rhythm down. I let him pause.
[Landis as Norris] I would rather go down to my political grave with a clear conscience than ride in the chariot of victory as a congressional stool pigeon.
[Landis] I try to deepen him. I try to think of him as a man who has little time left and therefore, doesn't have time to waste.
[Landis as Norris] There is in reality no difference between a Republican political machine and a Democratic political machine. Gradually it became clear to me that the evil in American life, the corruption that takes its toll on the American people uses political parties for its convenience.
[Landis] So he has to get right to what he means and to say it for all it's worth because he's not going to get a second chance to say it.
[Camille Steed] In re-creating this role for the documentary form, Landis found drama and historical fact a surprisingly effective device for bringing to life a more personal side of George Norris.
[Landis] I was concerned when I first read the script because you're moving between a historically active George Norris portrayed in many photographs and then this dramatic George Norris, a man of 47 playing a man of 75, let's say, and I thought you kind of get lost between those two but when I saw it I thought it worked very well to move through this dramatic recreation to give some fire to the words and thoughts of the person to even a sort of human dimension.
[Landis as Norris] My mother would turn in her grave if she thought I ever failed to do my duty by my flag.