Fame comes knocking on his door [Bill Porter of 'Door to Door', starring William H. Macy]

The Oregonian ^ | July 18, 2001 | Steve Woodward

[Silly]

I'm surprised to find no threads about the remarkable movie that aired on TNT recently. It was one of the best things I've seen on television in a long, long time.

[Silly]

More stories about Bill Porter:

Remarkably moving 'Door to Door' is an easy sell

'Door to Door' brings tears to Porter's eyes

A salesman's Christmas parable

[Fred Mertz]

I thoroughly enjoyed the made-for-TV movie about Bill Porter. I never heard of him before last Sunday night.

[Silly]

I hadn't heard of him, either. What an amazing story! One of the most poignant moments was when he was trying to make a sale to a mother holding a baby, soon after the death of his mother. The scene was so underplayed (the whole movie was, actually) but heartwrenching.

Macy is a shoo-in for Best Actor at the next Emmy Awards.

I also loved it when he told the woman she needed stain remover for her couch. "It's appalling!" I hadn't laughed so hard in a long time.

[shadowman99]

Hmmm...

Shouldn't this man be on welfare? Or disability? How could he be self-sustaining? I've been told by many people with disabilities milder than his that they cannot work? Is this Bill Porter guy just some sort of showoff troublemaker?

No wonder he hasn't been on Larry King.

[HAL9000]

It was an interesting movie, even though parts of it were fictionalized (like the customers and the shower scene).

[Silly]

Yes, you're right. I think the customers had traits of the many he's had in his life.

William H. Macy said they tried very hard to show him "selling something" in every scene.

Here is what Bill Porter himself said about the movie, on his Web site:

I loved the movie. Bill Macy did a tremendous job! Sometimes I thought I was looking in the mirror. I can't get over how Helen Mirren and Kyra Sedgwick portrayed the two most important people in my live. I felt as though I were watching my own mother and dear friend Shelly. I have great friendships with my customers. Even though the customers in the movie were fictionalized they reminded me of many of the people I have sold to over the years. I cried when Kathy Baker's character died as I thought of so many of my customers and friends who are now gone.

Oh, one more thing . . . the Bradys did buy my house because my back went out in 1993 and I asked Shelly and John to help me out. I have been living in my home since the 1960s and live there still . . . I never moved out like the movie suggested. I was concerned that people might be worried about where I was living.

I love ! my job as a salesman and I think it was a great! movie about a guy who loves to sell! I hope you enjoyed it!

Be sure to read Shelly's book and don't forget to browse through all of the wonderful Watkins products on my website.

His enthusiasm even comes through in his writing.

[Republicus2001]

have they announced a rerun?

[Silly]

It has been playing on TNT several times since the first airing. Go to gist.com and do a search...

[miss marmelstein]

Some of this movie was absolutely hilarious! It was very unsentimental, very Coen Brothers.

[varina davis]

It may indeed be the best thing television has ever produced.

[Silly]

I found the listings; TNT has announced only ONE MORE rerun (there have been several as recently as July 20):

Sunday, July 28th @ 10:15pm (ET)

Mark your calendar and set your VCR!

[Silly]

See previous post for information on the upcoming re-airing of the movie.

[onedoug]

Thank you for posting this.

Also recall Porter's resentment when a disability counselor told him about all the "benefits" he could've been receiving. "I'm working!" he protested. "I have a job."

Wow!

So powerful too was the scene at Shelly's college by the statue of the mother and child. Oh, God....

See it, by all means. Even with a couple of Kleenex, guys.

[Benrand]

Funny how we think the Winnicks and Corzines of the world have the art of sales down...

[Silly]

To everyone on-line tonight:

TNT is airing this show for the last time (at least in a while) tonight. If you have cable, I highly recommend it. You will love it.

If you know someone else who should hear about this show, ping them tonight. You'll be doing them a favor.

And keep this thread pinged!

Silly

[RedBloodedAmerican]

My dad spent a good part of his life living in the West Hills (near Council Crest) and Porter would frequent his neighborhood. He was somewhat of a blue/white collar hero to that area.

[Silly]

Wow! I guess in a community this large, someone is bound to know him, right? Six degrees of separation and all that...

[baseballfanjm]

Interesting. I usually avoid made-for-tv movies. I'll try and catch this one.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

His enthusiasm and love for life reminds me of David Ring, and the obstacles (from others POV) he has overcome.