GOING FOR BROKAW
Tcollege professor played by hunky in the new film “Carrie Pilby” was inspired by Alist Republican political consultant — and mentor — Confidential has learned that
who wrote the popular 2003 book upon which the film is based, was a student of Luntz’s at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was an adjunct professor from 1989 to 1996.
Though the film is about a Harvard student, a source close to the story tells us that the introductory classroom scene was ripped straight from an experience that Lissner had as a student of Luntz’s.
In that scene, “Prof. Harrison” asks each student to introduce themselves and gives the main character, played by
(photo inset), a seductive smile when her turn comes around.
Lissner’s heroine, a 16-year-old prodigy, soon falls in love with her much older professor onscreen. But that’s where truth and fiction part ways, we’re assured.
When called for comment, Lissner confirmed — and clarified: “The ‘introduction’ is based on him,” but she says there was no real-life romance. “Frank used to have each student introduce himself or herself in class the same way.”
Luntz — who had no knowledge of the book or film — tells us that he remembers Lissner by name, but probably wouldn’t recognize her 25 years later.
“It makes me more interested in seeing the movie,” Luntz said, adding that he was “at my happiest” as a teacher and has considered returning to academia.
Luntz certainly has a way with words. He’s credited for dubbing the inheritance tax the “death tax” and also branding global warming “climate change” to help make unpopular Republican policies more palatable. His 2007 book, “Words That Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear,” was a New York Times best seller.
Lissner’s “Carrie Pilby” sold more than 50,000 copies when it was published by Red Dress Ink. In 2010, it was rereleased by the imprint Harlequin Teen.
The film opens Friday and also stars and Former NBC anchor doesn’t miss the business that came with doing the nightly news. “I was on ‘Meet the Press’ yesterday so they bring me in when they want me to make some observations,” the veteran journalist (inset) told us at the Lincoln Center premiere of Netflix’s “Five Came Back. “I don’t have to be there every night, which is fine. I’ve been a political reporter for NBC for 50 years so I still have something to say and still have an opportunity to do it.”