February 1999 Issue

On the Cover

Picture Perfect

Why Peter Bogdanovich filmed in black and white, who discovered Cybill Shepherd, which onetime soap opera diva read for the role of Jacy, and other secrets of the making of ‘The Last Picture Show.’ Plus: A few words from the late Ben Johnson.

Features


The Getaway

There’s something romantic about a jailbreak, even when the escapee is a cold-blooded killer on death row. That’s why our feelings about Martin Gurule were more than a little complicated.

Feature

Thanks a Million ’98

Make that around $275 million. A roundup of last year’s top Texas philanthropists, from Tex and Buzz to Manny and Heavy Cat.

A Strike Against You

If your family has a history of cancer, are you doomed? Even though many of his relatives—including his famous father—succumbed to the disease, Mickey Mantle, Jr., didn’t think so. Then he got sick.

Columns


Education

Ebony and Ivy

How an African American from Houston’s Fifth Ward rose to become the president of a mostly white, exceedingly

A Tribute to Me

Why did Willie, Lyle, and other big names pay homage to me by recording my songs? Because I asked them to. You got a problem with that?

Reporter


The Ex Files

The Ex Files

David HalberstamMy father was stationed in El Paso at Biggs Field, which would later become a huge air base. You could see all these planes that were lined up, the bombers that were going to be used. I loved El Paso; it was so different from growing up in New

Debbie Rice

Watch out, World Wrestling Federation. The famed Roller Derby is back, and Houston native Debbie Rice may prove to be its “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. The 31-year-old holds five national in-line skating records, and clocking in at 61 miles per hour, she’s the fastest downhill female speedskater in the world.

CD and Book Reviews

Hot CDs Steve Earle Steve Earle’s The Mountain (E-Squared) is a set of bluegrass originals that joins the San Antonio-bred bad boy with pickin’-and-a-grinnin’ veterans the Del McCoury Band. Earle’s liner notes pay tribute to Bill Monroe and express the hope that at least one of his

Music to Our Ears

Texans (natives or onetime residents) have quite an impressive record when it comes to the Grammy awards. Most years we’ve practically dominated—big surprise—the country music category, but we chalked up our share of wins in other classes too. Here’s the score:• Total number of Grammys awarded to Texans from 1958

No New Tax Cuts

The first obstacle in George W. Bush’s drive for president is a Republican woman—not potential GOP rival Elizabeth Dole, but a member of his own Texas team, state comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander. Some Bush insiders were peeved aplenty when Rylander slashed $700 million from prevailing estimates of how much money

Web


Recipe

Chocolate-Almond Sweetheart Cake

Recipe from the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston.Pan Preparation1 nine-inch heart-shaped cake pan parchment paper 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 tablespoons high-quality cocoa powderCoat sides and bottom of pan with softened butter. Then place a parchment liner on bottom of pan and butter it too. Sprinkle with

Miscellany


State Fare

State Fare

As Valentine’s Day desserts go, this one from Houston’s Houstonian Hotel takes the cake.

The Inside Story

Dandy, Don

“When The Last Picture Show came out, everybody was talking about how bleak it all looked, but it just made me kind of homesick,” says Don Graham, who grew up in Collin County. It was 1971, and the then 31-year-old was living in Philadelphia and teaching a class on westerns

Roar of the Crowd

All-American Troy

All-American TroyTHANK YOU, SKIP HOLLANDSWORTH, for showing who Troy Aikman really is: a fierce competitor, a team player, and most of all, a human being [“The Real Troy Aikman,” December 1998]. What he has done on and off the field has made him the best quarterback in the NFL

Around the State

Around the State

Take stock at four of the state’s best rodeos (El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio). Plus: Matisse and Picasso go brush to brush (Fort Worth); remembering the Alamo yet again (San Antonio); Luciano Pavarotti, small man on campus (Austin); and classical piano movers and shakers (Houston).THE MAIN EVENTCut ‘n’

Explore the Archive

See all issues
Magazine Latest