June 14, 2000

Thank you so much for providing this vital service to Austin area residents. I wanted to share my own Harry-spotting experiences. (By the way, Austin locals frequently refer to Harry as the most powerful man in Hollywood who still can't afford a word processor with a spell-check feature).

Two years ago (around May, 1998), I was eating at the original Threadgills with my fiancee and her brother when I realized that Harry was sitting in the booth right behind us being interviewed by some odd Entertainment Tonight journalist. We eavesdropped while Harry told this guy about leaving Ron Howard on hold. The interview wasn't that memorable, but an editor friend at the Statesman confirms that Harry's favorite local junket is Threadgills. Harry is shameless about asking someone to pick up the tab.

At one Statesman interview, Harry went to Threadgills and proceeded to order the "vegetable" plate because he's watching his weight. Harry's menu choices? Macaroni and cheese, a double order of mashed potatoes with white gravy, and deep-fat fried okra. Yum! And of course, Harry got seconds.

Remember when Star Wars Episode II came out? The Lucasfilm juggernaut hit Highland Mall and the place looked like it was Christmas. Every store in the mall had a Star Wars tie-in. I'm sure other Austinites will back me up on this. Even Dillards had a Star Wars theme. Hell, the saddest little store at the mall had a Star Wars display.

Two days after the movie came out, who did I spy at the mall? Harry and his dad, shuffling around K-B Toys with armloads of Queen Amidala dolls and talking Jar Jar Binks plush toys. We happened to leave as they did, and ran into them again at the (now sadly deceased) Learningsmith store where they were pricing Testor's models of Star Wars ships.

Another sure spot to see Harry is at any sneak preview at Lincoln 6 or the Barton Creek Cinema (the one across the street from the mall).

In closing, I wish all Harry-spotters good hunting. Based on personal experience, I would say that anyone who goes to previews or hangs out at the mall has a better than average chance of seeing Harry. I hope these hints prove useful.

ANONYMOUS TIPSTER