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Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, December 18, 2014, Page 1
Hightshoes attend Swank premier
Hilary Swank hosts aunt and uncle
in Hollywood
Bright lights ... limousines ... beautiful gowns ... a walk down the red carpet ... flash bulbs popping ...
screaming fans ... While a normal evening in Ringgold County doesn't normally evoke these images, Shirley and David
Hightshoe of Mount Ayr were able to experience them all when they recently attended a Hollywood movie premiere as
special guests of their niece, two-time Academy Award winning Hilary Swank. The Hightshoes spent a whirlwind
five days in early November with Hilary as she prepared for the premiere of her latest film, "The Homesman." Staying
at the home of the actress, they accompanied their niece as she participated in a number of events leading up to the
November 11 premiere held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, the home of the annual Academy Awards presentation.
"Aunt Shirley and Uncle Dave," as they became known by everyone they met in Hollywood, accompanied Hilary to the
make-up room prior to her series of 130 five-minute media interviews at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The Hightshoes
watched several of the interviews and met several of the stars of the movie, including Tommy Lee Jones, who not
only stars but also co-wrote, produced and directed the film. (Meryl Streep also stars in the film but was unable
to attend the premiere.) Shirley related the pre-premiere publicity was so demanding that Hilary lost her voice
that night. In their spare time they said they enjoyed playing cards at Swank's home along with her father,
Steve Swank from Maloy, who is staying with his daughter as he awaits a lung transplant. (Steve Swank is Shirley's
brother.) "I'm just proud of the way she handles herself," said Shirley. "She's just so down-to-earth you'd never
know she was a movie star." The Hightshoes also spent considerable time in the home and studio of Phil Giffon, one of
Hilary's close friends and music orchestrator of several well-known films including two of the "Die Hard" series, two
of the "Lethal Weapon" series and Disney's "The Little Mermaid" as well as episodes of "The Simpsons" television
program. The day of the premiere Shirley was treated to the full Hollywood hair and makeup treatment by Hilary's
personal hairdresser and beautician. The premiere itself was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the Hightshoes.
Arriving by limousine at the Dolby Theater, they walked the red carpet with the stars to the shouts of fans and the
paparazzi. "You cannot imagine the noise, people screaming and yelling," said David. "You can hardly see with the
flashbulbs going off." Once inside the theater the couple was ushered backstage where they mingled with the actors
and crew members associated with the film. After watching the movie from their specially reserved seats, the
Hightshoes accompanied Hilary to a by-invitation-only cocktail party held at another Hollywood hotel. "Like I
told Hilary," said David,"you watch TV and see all these pictures of the rich and famous from the outside, but you
never dream you'll ever be on the inside looking out." The trip to Hollywood was the third for the Hightshoes, and
Shirley plans a return when her brother has his surgery. They said Hilary has offered them an open invitation
to stay at her home any time they want to, so it's a safe bet that if the bright lights of Mount Ayr ever get too
much for Aunt Shirley and Uncle Dave, they can always escape to the peace and quiet of Hollywood and a good game
of cards around their niece Hilary's kitchen table.
Hilary Swank (center) prepares for the Hollywood premiere of her latest movie,
Homesman," with her aunt and uncle, Shirley and David Hightshoe, and her father Steve Swank (far right).
Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2015
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