Treasures Beyond <i>Diamonds</i>

Kirk Douglas is the stuff Hollywood legends are made of. Son of poor Russian immigrants, Douglas has spent more than half a century on the silver screen. Four years after he suffered a stroke, Douglas is back with a new movie, Diamonds.

Douglas plays the role of Harry, a former champion boxer who has had a stroke. Harry, his son, and his grandson set out on a road trip to track down a long-lost set of diamonds. While on their search, they also discover a few things about their relationships.

In the spirit of the film's title, CBS News Early Show's Mark McEwen spoke to Douglas at the Harry Winston's jewelry store.

"I think Diamonds is my most important picture because it brought me back to working," says Douglas.

During the movie shoot, Douglas naturally became the resident "stroke expert."

"I was the only one that had a stroke, so of course I knew what it felt like and what it meant," explains the actor.

Because the stroke affected his speech, Douglas says, "I assumed I would not be making any more movies unless silent films came back. So when they presented the picture to me, it was about a man with Alzheimer's. Then I thought about it and said, 'Why can't we make the character a man with a stroke?'"

He recalls that he was apprehensive on the first day of filming, because he was afraid he would not be able to talk. But his wife, Anne, reassured him, "Kirk, when the cameras are rolling, you will talk!"

Diamonds is the 83rd movie in which the 83-year-old Douglas has appeared. Topping the list of his own favorites is Lust For Life (1956), in which he played the central character of Vincent Van Gogh. He was nominated for an Oscar for that performance.

"Lust for Life is a very interesting character study of a genius who never knew the success he would obtain in life and then died," Douglas observes. "He had sold only one picture."

Douglas made seven movies with Burt Lancaster, including the western Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957).

"You know in those days, if we shot a person (in a movie), we used one bullet," says Douglas. "Today, they use about 100."

Three of his favorite movies that he is not in are projects of his son, actor and producer Michael Douglas: Romancing the Stone (1984), Fatal Attraction (1987), and Wall Street (1987). "He is very talented, my son," says the proud father.

In Diamonds, Douglas stars with Dan Aykroyd (who plays his son) and Lauren Bacall, who has been his friend since they studied acting together in the '40s. Although they both appeared in the movie Young Man With a Horn (1950), they never were seen onscreen together at the same time. So Diamonds marks their first onscreen encounter.

In addition to his work in the movies, Douglas is an author who has written two memoirs. He has a new book on the market, Youg Heroes of the Bible, which he wrote for children. It tells the story of five biblical characters who became heroes at an early age.

Although he has continued to work against all odds after suffering his stroke, Douglas says he doesn't view himself as especially courageous.

"I'm lucky to be working in the craft that I love, writing some books and expressing ideas that I have," he explains. "So I think I'm lucky, and God has been very good to me."