Steve and Anne and pea gravel

It's unfortunate that films are generally shot according to the available light. At least here in DC, where, frankly, the only reason a Hollywood studio comes here is to get those iconic shots of the monuments. That means shooting in the summer, competing with the tourons, and when DC is at its muggiest. The good news was when "Get Smart" came to town, and I wound up as on-set dresser, there really wasn't much to do. Still, a man can work up a sweat standing around.

Yeah. "Get Smart." I guess every other 1960's sitcom had already been optioned, so this was the last one left. Heaven forbid we should ever try a new idea. I didn't write it, I just moved the street signs...

I've always found Anne Hathaway adorable. "Devil Wears Prada" was a marvelous film. But in person, she looks a bit strange: Her eyes are too big, her mouth is about double the side of a regular person. Steve Carrell's nose is on the same scale as Anne's mouth. But on film, they look great. Weird. Steve was polite, a good sport, and a hard worker. Anne was wonderful; after her scene on East Capitol Street was wrapped, she waited around and signed autographs and posed for photos with the little girls from the neighborhood. Only after all were accommodated did she head out. Classy.

One final note: The most amazing view of the US Capitol can be had from the roof of the Hubert Humphrey building. But it's not easy to get there: A phalanx of security guards, two elevators, two flights of stairs, and a creaky roof covered with pea gravel, and no railings on the side. Still. It was worth it.