Pivot Point: Here’s why Harrison Ford must be a good guy

I like to think I know Harrison Ford.

I never saw the Indiana Jones or “Star Wars” sequels, but he’s over-the-top cool when he finds the murder weapon in “Presumed Innocent.” My wife also had “The Fugitive” on a running loop in the ’90s.

He’s MY Jack Ryan.

IMDb.com tells me he has 74 acting credits, so we all probably think we know Harrison Ford.

And every time he visits Wichita, we certainly know the man is a damn saint.

In town to have his plane serviced annually, Ford has been making his usual rounds to restaurants and retail spots. Each stop brings photo requests from fans, restaurant owners and staff. The photos reach social media and local media outlets, including our own Denise Neil’s rundown of his whereabouts — close-but-not-quite stalkerish — updated daily.

Every photo shows Ford with what I’ll call a patient smile. There have been no discouraging words about his visit — pleasant, generous tipper, accommodating. He also must find us hospitable and worth being around. It would be easy for a Hollywood star to hunker down in his hotel room and avoid the requests and stares.

We look forward to your next visit, Mr. Ford. In fact, you’d know better than us, but doesn’t this annual visit have the makings of a screenplay? Hollywood legend adopted by Plains city one week a year? It would need added high jinks and a love interest, but it has potential.

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 11:13 AM with the headline "Pivot Point: Here’s why Harrison Ford must be a good guy."