He’s used to me being not present, even if I’m in the room.Ī: At an Oscar party at Jerry Lewis’ house. Q: How does your husband help your writing?Ī: Well, he puts food on the table, literally and figuratively.

Q: What relationship prompted you to write “Beaches?”Ī: My cousin Sandy once said to me, “When one of us dies, I hope it’ll be me first, because I couldn’t live in a world without you in it.” That inspired “Beaches.” I remember the song in “Mame”: “Who else but your bosom buddy will tell you the stinkin’ truth?” It requires enormous honesty, a great sense of humor and a lot of compassion.

Q: What does it take to be your girlfriend?Ī: I’ve got a lot of girlfriends. Petite as a demitasse and large on laughs, the Jewish daughter of poor Russian immigrants (Ratner) andthe mother of two settled into the breakfast nook and opened her mental closets. One day, in the midst of writing a musical, she took the manuscript to the hospital where she sang, danced and acted out all the parts for her ailing friend. And in Cee Cee Bloom (Midler) style, Dart was by her side all the way. In a poignant experience similar to the movie, her dearest friend died several months ago. It’s about the healing power of human relationships.” That’s what ‘Beaches’ was about - and my new one and everything in between. “To me, that’s the theme of every book I write: meaningful human contact. I wanted to dispel myths about mental illness.”Īt the core of her life and writing is love. She’s doing fund-raising for an organization that aids people recovering from mental health problems. Such as her upcoming book, “Some Kind of Miracle,” prompted by a cousin with schizophrenia. Hundreds more framed photographs grace the awesome 1926 Mediterranean home that she shares with her husband, Stephen, whom she praises as the wind beneath her wings.ĭart doesn’t mince around about the characters in her books. Proof positive is a large “Beaches” poster in Dart’s writing room: a splendid nest, overlooking the ocean at Pebble Beach, filled with well-worn books and photos. She freely admits it boosted her career and she was wowed by the lead character, played by Bette Midler.

Granted, the script doesn’t follow the book exactly. “I nearly fell off my treadmill when I was watching a Barbara Walters show and a woman asked The Rock what would really get to him.” Out of the blue, he said, “I cry when I watch ‘Beaches.'” Author Iris Rainer Dart, 59, says even wrestler The Rock succumbs. Ditto with the book on which it is based. Raise your hand if you can watch the movie “Beaches” and not cry.

Beaches by iris rainer dart