A living legend

She was the loving but tough-talking housekeeper in "Hud," for which she received an Academy Award for Best Actress. She also received an Academy Award for "A Face in the Crowd."

She acted in "The Fountainhead" and "Bright Leaf" with Gary Cooper, in "John Loves Mary" and "The Hasty Heart" with Ronald Reagan, in "Diplomatic Courier" with Tyrone Power and "Operation Pacific" with John Wayne.

She also performed in other classic films, including "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and received an Academy Award nomination for "The Subject Was Roses."

"Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand both won (Best Actress) that year," Neal says. "That was the year, the only time two women have ever won the same award."

Her performances in TV's "The Homecoming," "The Lou Gehrig Story" and "All's Quiet on the Western Front" brought her three Emmy nominations.

In January, Neal will be inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame for her stage work.

But on Saturday, Nov. 8, the Marco Island Film Festival will honor the 77-year-old Neal with the Lifetime Achievement Award following a special showing of "Hud."

"I wanted to be a stage actress, I had no idea about being a film actress," Neal says. "I was at a Methodist church, and I was 11, and I saw a glorious woman giving monologues. And that's what I wanted to do, give monologues."

So she asked for acting lessons, and her father gave them to her for Christmas.

"My father's boss, his daughter, just came back from New York, from speech school, and she was teaching drama," Neal recalls. "She's still alive, and I love her. She's in her 90s. Her name was Emily Mahan -- now Emily Mahan Faust."

But after Neal saw her first play, she decided she wanted to do plays, not monologues.

"I saw a play, and I fell in love with the actor," Neal says. "When you're young, you fall in love with everybody. I decided I would try out for the play, and I got the part. It was a beautiful experience. I got great notices. And that's when I knew I wanted to be an actress. I was 15. I did two plays for the Tennessee Valley Players. One of plays was by Noel Coward."

Neal then want to Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., to study acting. After two years she left for New York City.

"When I arrived in New York, I was on the streets always looking for a job," she says. "I think it was about two and a half months before I got a job understudying for the two main female roles in 'Voice of the Turtle.' "

She accepted an offer from Lillian Hellman to play Tallula Bankhead's role of Regina in "Another Part of the Forest," for which she received the Tony and the Drama Critic's Award for Best New Actress.

Hollywood took an interest in Neal, and she went West, where she made 13 movies in four years for Warner Brothers.

Other films for various other studios followed.

"I loved doing 'The Fountainhead.' It was gorgeous," Neal says. "I loved Gary Cooper, as you know. I loved Gary. We did 'Bright Leaf' together, too."

But, Neal says, "I think the most famous film I will ever make is 'The Day the Earth Stood Still.' I thought it was hysterical when I did it. I could hardly keep a straight face. But it's really good, not at all dated. I really love it. I think it's delicious."

Neal, who'd been married to children's book author Roald Dahl, had more than her share of struggles. Her infant son was struck by a taxi when he was being pushed in his pram and suffered severe injuries. And her eldest daughter, Olivia, died from the measles when she was 7.

	IF YOU GO
	"An Afternoon with Patricia Neal" What: A screening of "Hud," followed by Q&A with Patricia Neal When: 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 Where: Marco Movies, 599 Collier Blvd., Marco Island Cost: $25 Information: 642-3378 or go to www.marcoislandfilmfest.com

"What else is there to do but carry on?" she says. "One has to carry on. One has children. I was a little angry a lot of times, but I'd never give up. I'm too stubborn."

When Neal returned to the silver screen, she received an Academy Award nomination for "The Subject Was Roses."

And in 1978, Fort Sanders Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn., dedicated the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center in honor of her dedication in making the center the best rehabilitation center in the southern Appalachian region.

Neal's autobiography, "As I Am," was published in 1988. She continues to participate in the Theatre Guild's Theatre-At-Sea programs, performing on board. Next year, she plans to travel to the Amazon.

After a decade-long absence from film, Neal was the title character in Robert Altman's "Cookie's Fortune."

"'Cookie's Fortune,' that was great to do," Neal says. "I was the first shot; they got rid of me fast," she jokes.

"I'm getting on now, it's about five years since I've had an offer. You know, the young take over from us, and I do not have to say 'I can't do it' because I do not have a lot of offers," she says bluntly.

And then she adds the words that is the prayer and hope of every actor: "I just want a good part."