We here at BOP are an eclectic group, and our tastes in movies run from the serious cinephiles to the foreign-film aficionados to niche film lovers. Thus was born the idea for this weekly column, devoted to horror films of all shapes and sizes, but concentrating on those B- and C-grade films that mainstream reviewers disdain, but are the bread-and-butter of every spook movie lover's viewing. So come with me as we venture beyond the slimy wall, uncovering the treasures - and burying the time-wasting bombs - that await those who dare to love the scare.
The Fallen Ones
Horror films, just like any film genre, seem to go through periods of topic convergence. Recently we've seen a resurgence of the zombie film, as well as animals-eating-people movies; a couple of years ago there was a slew of demonic possession and substantiation flicks; before that there was a slasher renaissance; and right around the millennium there were a number of supernaturally-caused apocalypse movies.
Another popular subject of late has been fallen angels, either with or without an accompanying war amongst the heavenly host. Some of these have focused, wholly or in part, on nephilim, which are the offspring of angels and human women and were, according to some of the apocrypha, giants. The Fallen Ones, another from the Sci-Fi Originals stable, follows the giant theory of nephilim, and also throws in an end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it gambit for good measure.
The film begins by helpfully providing the uninititated viewer with a definition of nephilim, and continues to be instructive by showing us its version. It also provides us with details on the apocalyptic prophecy and the more manifest titular fallen one, an angel named Ammon. Ammon is the one who fills the viewer in on the dealio: His child must be put to sleep, but when he is awakened, the world of Man will come to an end and the fallen angels and nephilim will again rule the Earth. Oh, yeah; they'll apparently also keep some human women around as brood mares of sorts, but everybody else goes bye-bye.
As the opening takes place in ancient times - a specific era isn't mentioned - we of course have to fast-forward to the present, and an archeological dig that is ensuring there aren't any artifacts in the path of a planned oil-drilling project. Of course, the archeologist comes upon an artifact - there wouldn't be a movie otherwise - that just happens to be our nephilim, mistakenly classified as a statue. So the drilling project is stopped whilst the find is explored. This set-up also introduces us to the main characters on the side of Humanity, Yea!: the head of the oil company and long-time friend of the archeologist; the new geologist, who will soon be both the romantic interest and damsel-in-distress; the geek who knows tons about nothing of interest to anyone less than 200,000 years old; and a rabbi whose specialty is translating hieroglyphics and ancient languages. We also get the requisite Major Psychological Trauma What Our Hero Must Overcome, this time courtesy of the Demons of Major Guilt, which we know will be exorcised in the process of preserving life as we know it. Add a goodly number of Red-Shirts, a sprinkling of semi-mystical beings who seem intent on appearing and disappearing in the most unnerving manner, the better to whup ass and vanish folk, our aforementioned fallen-from-grace seraphim in his present guise, the old resurrected-true-love ploy and more details on that end-of-days prophecy, then add water and presto! Instant plot!
Actually, I'm making a bit more fun of The Fallen Ones than is warranted, for although the story arc does hew to the time-honored traditions of the wakening-an-ancient being/curse flick - yet another horror sub-genre - it blends together the requisite elements in an appealing fashion that isn't in lock-step with the genre's conventions. The tight plotting, character development - accomplished to a surprising level with an economy of screen time - and smart dialogue lifts The Fallen Ones a notch or six above the formulaic. The script also takes a veiled jab or two at religious fanaticism of all makes and models. The switching of heroic roles that takes place during the climax between the two obvious - and a quite unexpected - champions is a nice touch, as is the twist on one of the hallowed end-scenes of this genre that sends a frisson of chill up the spine of even the most grizzled of spook-movie watchers.
The film is further bolstered by a cast that is almost uniformly excellent, starting with Casper Van Dien as our tortured archeologist, giving a bit of thespic heft to a role that could easily have devolved into little more than a collection of dimpled smiles, chiseled features and convincing evidence of testosterone poisoning. Then there's the redoubtable Robert Wagner - slumming a bit and having a grand time - as the oil company chief who's like a father to Van Dien's character and is a father to our damsel; and a surprisingly effective Tom Bosley as the rabbi and ancient linguistics professor who is the first to discover just what has been unearthed and what will come to pass unless our hero can put a stop to it. I am moved to give special praise here to the method the script selects to provide Our Hero with said crucial info; it's a nice example of utilizing a character quirk that seems at first blush a simple throwaway meant to establish a bit of eccentricity, but is later recalled oh-so-ingeniously to impart that vital save-the-world info. And I've no idea of Bosley's heritage, but his Jewish accent sounded quite authentic and was never dropped, so if it was adopted for this role, my hat's off to Mr C for displaying a hitherto unknown talent. And while the damsel-in-distress could have been picked up from Central Casting, the gentleman who plays the not-very-angelic Ammon, Navid Negahban, combines dark good looks and Continental charm with just the slightest hint of malice, truly a celestial being to be feared.
And since the special F/X budget on most Sci-Fi Originals seems permanently fixed at $1.98, I feel compelled to call out the times when somebody on the production realizes that it's not such a bad idea to spend a shilling or two on your CGI. Not only are the nephilim effects quite good, but the rendering of Ammon as the fallen angel is stunning. Think of the skeletal crew of the Black Pearl decked out with the wispy cloth of your standard-issue wraith and then ratchet up the menace by a factor of ten. Chills-
down-the-spine time on this one.
Plus, stuff blows up real good during the climax. Can't go wrong with a really good explosion, I always say. And while I usually can do without the almost-requisite "It's over now. Or is it?" ending - not to be confused with the false ending of the slasher and AEP flicks, which is not only de rigeur but can be quite cleverly employed - I will give The Fallen Ones extra points for putting a nice coat of shiny paint on the old chestnut, and actually raising a few hackles at the thought.
All in all, The Fallen Ones is one of the better entries in the Sci-Fi Originals stable, and more than worth the two-hour-less-commercials time investment. And while the good-to-horrendous ratio still needs a deal of work, if the production arm of the Sci-Fi Channel keeps putting out quality work like this and the recently-reviewed DinoCroc, I might have to change my stock tone when preparing to review one of their offerings.
Then again, with Hammerhead: Shark Frenzy! on the horizon, I don't think I'll be worrying about that any time soon.
I see by the shadows falling from my bust of Pallas that our time is up. Until next time, then, when we will once again venture Beyond the Slimy Wall.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Friday, June 17, 2005
Little Victim Info
We're pleased to tell you that we finished principle photography (May 21 and 22) on a new short film called "LITTLE VICTIM" starring Robert Wagner and Lori Singer.
The short film was shot in Phoenix, AZ and directed and produced by Arizona's Ronalds' Brothers, Dean and Brian (me). Dean directed the film and
I produced and co-starred with Robert and Lori.
The short film was shot in Phoenix, AZ and directed and produced by Arizona's Ronalds' Brothers, Dean and Brian (me). Dean directed the film and
I produced and co-starred with Robert and Lori.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Natasha Gregson Wagner Joins 'The 4400'
LOS ANGELES - In the opening episode of season two of USA Network's science-fiction series "The 4400," government agent Diana Skouris (Jacqueline McKenzie), who works for the National Threat Assessment Command (NTAC), finalized her adoption of Maia Rutledge (Conchita Campbell).
The little girl is one of 4,400 people who vanished over several decades and then were returned en masse in a single day, apparently as part of a plot by people in the future to save the human race. Maia, who was born in 1938 and abducted in 1946, came back with the ability to predict the future. Not everyone could handle that, but Diana has taken on both Maia's powers and the challenge of being a single mother.
Just about the time Diana thinks she's gotten her new situation under control, chaos intrudes, in the person of her twentysomething younger sister, April (recurring star Natasha Gregson Wagner).
In "Voices Carry," airing Sunday, June 12, the free-spirited April blows into town for a tattoo exhibition and announces she's sleeping on her sister's couch. She also quickly forms an attachment with Maia, which disturbs her brand-new adoptive mother.
"She is the black sheep of the family," says Wagner, the daughter of Natalie Wood and Richard Gregson (and stepdaughter of Robert Wagner). "A lot of times in families, there is one sibling that is the misunderstood one, the rebellious one, the one that dances to the beat of her own drum. That's how I see April.
"April and Diana really do love each other and really are connected, but they are so incredibly different. And Diana has such a strict set of rules for the way she believes April and everybody else's lives should be lived, which is so different from the way April looks at things. But I feel April really misses Diana and sees the fact that she's adopted Maia as a way maybe to repair old wounds between them."
As to the nature of those wounds, Wagner says, "There are a lot of references to the past in the show, so Jackie and I came up with some ideas of what we thought had gone on between them. I have a lot of sisters, so it was interesting for me to deal with all the sisterhood stuff. Having sisters is very intense. It's the greatest kind of relationship, in a way. It's also one of the closest kinds of relationships, and it can be so loaded."
Wagner says, though, that she's not the black sheep of her particular family.
"No, that falls on another of my sisters. I did the right thing. I'm definitely the good girl. I would say I'm more like Diana, and she's more like April.
"It was interesting to delve into the world of April. It made me think a lot more about this one particular sister of mine."
While Maia upsets most people, April warms up to her, even taking her out for ice cream and fake tattoos.
"Maia doesn't freak April out at all," Wagner says. "They're much more of kindred spirits than Maia and Diana. April's younger, and she makes a huge effort to connect with Maia. It's not that hard. They instantly like each other.
"She thinks it's weird that Maia predicts things, but then she realizes it's amazing. And April believes in psychic powers and stuff."
"The 4400" films in Vancouver, Canada, which makes it a homecoming of sorts for Wagner, who filmed the short-lived FOX series "Pasadena" there.
"In fact," Wagner says, "I was just e-mailing last night with Dana Delany. I was saying that I have been thinking about her so much, because we spent so much time in that Sutton Place Hotel together, in the bar, particularly."
Oddly enough, another former "Pasadena" star, Mark Valley ("Boston Legal," "Keen Eddie"), also had a recurring role in season one of "The 4400."
"I love Mark Valley," Wagner says. "I watched the first season, and I was so excited Mark was on it. He's so good. Too bad we didn't wind up on it at the same time."
April doesn't get to have powers, as many of the 4400 do, but Wagner says, "That would be cool, but I kind of exploit Maia's superpowers at a certain point."
The little girl is one of 4,400 people who vanished over several decades and then were returned en masse in a single day, apparently as part of a plot by people in the future to save the human race. Maia, who was born in 1938 and abducted in 1946, came back with the ability to predict the future. Not everyone could handle that, but Diana has taken on both Maia's powers and the challenge of being a single mother.
Just about the time Diana thinks she's gotten her new situation under control, chaos intrudes, in the person of her twentysomething younger sister, April (recurring star Natasha Gregson Wagner).
In "Voices Carry," airing Sunday, June 12, the free-spirited April blows into town for a tattoo exhibition and announces she's sleeping on her sister's couch. She also quickly forms an attachment with Maia, which disturbs her brand-new adoptive mother.
"She is the black sheep of the family," says Wagner, the daughter of Natalie Wood and Richard Gregson (and stepdaughter of Robert Wagner). "A lot of times in families, there is one sibling that is the misunderstood one, the rebellious one, the one that dances to the beat of her own drum. That's how I see April.
"April and Diana really do love each other and really are connected, but they are so incredibly different. And Diana has such a strict set of rules for the way she believes April and everybody else's lives should be lived, which is so different from the way April looks at things. But I feel April really misses Diana and sees the fact that she's adopted Maia as a way maybe to repair old wounds between them."
As to the nature of those wounds, Wagner says, "There are a lot of references to the past in the show, so Jackie and I came up with some ideas of what we thought had gone on between them. I have a lot of sisters, so it was interesting for me to deal with all the sisterhood stuff. Having sisters is very intense. It's the greatest kind of relationship, in a way. It's also one of the closest kinds of relationships, and it can be so loaded."
Wagner says, though, that she's not the black sheep of her particular family.
"No, that falls on another of my sisters. I did the right thing. I'm definitely the good girl. I would say I'm more like Diana, and she's more like April.
"It was interesting to delve into the world of April. It made me think a lot more about this one particular sister of mine."
While Maia upsets most people, April warms up to her, even taking her out for ice cream and fake tattoos.
"Maia doesn't freak April out at all," Wagner says. "They're much more of kindred spirits than Maia and Diana. April's younger, and she makes a huge effort to connect with Maia. It's not that hard. They instantly like each other.
"She thinks it's weird that Maia predicts things, but then she realizes it's amazing. And April believes in psychic powers and stuff."
"The 4400" films in Vancouver, Canada, which makes it a homecoming of sorts for Wagner, who filmed the short-lived FOX series "Pasadena" there.
"In fact," Wagner says, "I was just e-mailing last night with Dana Delany. I was saying that I have been thinking about her so much, because we spent so much time in that Sutton Place Hotel together, in the bar, particularly."
Oddly enough, another former "Pasadena" star, Mark Valley ("Boston Legal," "Keen Eddie"), also had a recurring role in season one of "The 4400."
"I love Mark Valley," Wagner says. "I watched the first season, and I was so excited Mark was on it. He's so good. Too bad we didn't wind up on it at the same time."
April doesn't get to have powers, as many of the 4400 do, but Wagner says, "That would be cool, but I kind of exploit Maia's superpowers at a certain point."
Aspen: Penny Parker
Back in Denver: Aspenites Robert Wagner and Jill St. John brunching at Mirepoix in the J.W. Marriott Hotel.
Friday, May 27, 2005
New on DVD - Broken Lance
Broken Lance
* * * 1/2
1954, Fox, unrated, no extras, $15
Cattle baron Spencer Tracy's sons by wife No. 1 aren't crazy about wife No. 2 (an Indian). Nor do they mind seeing the son of that union — easily the best of the bunch — taking a prison rap for the old man's transgressions. Savvy moviegoers will peg this as an obvious open-spaces transplant of 1949's House of Strangers, in which Joseph L. Mankiewicz directed Edward G. Robinson against a Little Italy New York setting.
Back story: A King Lear knockoff as well, this early stereo/CinemaScope color Western incredibly got the Oscar for best original story, which is otherwise no slam on a yarn well told. This was Tracy's first film away from his long MGM contract, during which he had become a superstar. Richard Widmark plays the rotten oldest brother tormenting Robert Wagner; Katy Jurado, as Wagner's mother, got an Oscar nomination.
* * * 1/2
1954, Fox, unrated, no extras, $15
Cattle baron Spencer Tracy's sons by wife No. 1 aren't crazy about wife No. 2 (an Indian). Nor do they mind seeing the son of that union — easily the best of the bunch — taking a prison rap for the old man's transgressions. Savvy moviegoers will peg this as an obvious open-spaces transplant of 1949's House of Strangers, in which Joseph L. Mankiewicz directed Edward G. Robinson against a Little Italy New York setting.
Back story: A King Lear knockoff as well, this early stereo/CinemaScope color Western incredibly got the Oscar for best original story, which is otherwise no slam on a yarn well told. This was Tracy's first film away from his long MGM contract, during which he had become a superstar. Richard Widmark plays the rotten oldest brother tormenting Robert Wagner; Katy Jurado, as Wagner's mother, got an Oscar nomination.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Qwest for fame
By day, Brian and Dean Ronalds occupy cubicles at Qwest Communications International Inc. in Phoenix.
At night and on weekends, the brothers are on a quest for Hollywood fame and fortune.
The Ronaldses are filmmakers who have their own production company, JuSpan Productions. And they apparently are pretty good at it. They have done seven short films and were recently named 2005 Arizona Filmmakers of the Year by the Phoenix Film Festival.
Last weekend, they filmed their eighth short, Little Victim, in a parking garage along Central Avenue. The stars: Robert Wagner, perhaps best known for the Hart to Hart TV series that ran from 1979 to 1984, and Lori Singer, who played the preacher's daughter in the movie Footloose.
"It took persistence to get them," said Brian, who acts in Little Victim and is the producer. "And we paid them a lot of money."
He said they were lucky to land Wagner because he has had a career resurgence since his role as Number Two in the three Austin Powers movies.
"They don't have to do this," Brian said. "They gave us a break. And they had a great time."
The nine-minute film, to be completed within a month, was directed by Dean Ronalds, written by Bruce Dellis and funded by executive producer Kevin Berman, a Phoenix cardiologist. Brian said it is about two men in a parking garage and something bad in the trunk of a car, "and it is really funny."
The Ronaldses, who are married and have children, next are working on a feature film, but they have no plans to quit their day jobs (Dean is an engineer and Brian is a business-development specialist).
"It's hard to go from being on camera on Sunday to being in your cubicle on Monday," Brian said. "But having families keeps us grounded and very level-headed."
At night and on weekends, the brothers are on a quest for Hollywood fame and fortune.
The Ronaldses are filmmakers who have their own production company, JuSpan Productions. And they apparently are pretty good at it. They have done seven short films and were recently named 2005 Arizona Filmmakers of the Year by the Phoenix Film Festival.
Last weekend, they filmed their eighth short, Little Victim, in a parking garage along Central Avenue. The stars: Robert Wagner, perhaps best known for the Hart to Hart TV series that ran from 1979 to 1984, and Lori Singer, who played the preacher's daughter in the movie Footloose.
"It took persistence to get them," said Brian, who acts in Little Victim and is the producer. "And we paid them a lot of money."
He said they were lucky to land Wagner because he has had a career resurgence since his role as Number Two in the three Austin Powers movies.
"They don't have to do this," Brian said. "They gave us a break. And they had a great time."
The nine-minute film, to be completed within a month, was directed by Dean Ronalds, written by Bruce Dellis and funded by executive producer Kevin Berman, a Phoenix cardiologist. Brian said it is about two men in a parking garage and something bad in the trunk of a car, "and it is really funny."
The Ronaldses, who are married and have children, next are working on a feature film, but they have no plans to quit their day jobs (Dean is an engineer and Brian is a business-development specialist).
"It's hard to go from being on camera on Sunday to being in your cubicle on Monday," Brian said. "But having families keeps us grounded and very level-headed."
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Home opens many doors
Project raising money to help children develop
One house, four days and thousands of kids benefit. It's a mission straight from the heart of Home with a Heart, a charity benefiting the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and Family YMCA of the Desert.
Family Development donated the land, and Home With a Heart gathered volunteers for labor, supplies and food to feed the construction crews. The four-bedroom, 2�-bath that was built over the weekend is located at Shadow Ranch community in Indio. It took 50 hours over four days to build.
The house will be auctioned and the proceeds will go to the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and Family YMCA of the Desert, each of which were presented in advance with a $200,000 check on Monday.
"I want to thank the community here. They've been wonderful," said Sinatra. "Home with a Heart has brought the community together."
The closing ceremony and ribbon-cutting Monday also featured the Palm Springs High School band, which played gracefully despite the scorching 110 degree heat.
"Usually a house gets a heart when a family moves in," said Sabby Jonathan of Family YMCA of the Desert. "But this house got its heart a little early," he said, referring to the fact that it was built in less time than expected.
Family Development, headed by two sets of brothers who founded Home with a Heart, selected the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and the Family YMCA as the beneficiaries of this event because of their focus on families.
The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, founded by the late Frank Sinatra and his wife, Barbara, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping sexually, physically and emotionally abused children.
The Family YMCA of the Desert provides a safe, nurturing environment for kids, in which they are able to learn new skills and build self-esteem.
"We're very proud to be a part of this community effort," said Rudy Herrera of Family Development. "In just four days, we're gong to accomplish something truly unique for a very special cause that is close to our hearts."
Robert Wagner, Gerald Ford, Jerry Vale, Joe Mantegna, Mary Bono, Kirk Douglas, Tony Bennett, Yogi Berra, Tony Danza and Cheryl Tiegs have contributed their artistic touches as well, interpreting the "Home with a Heart" logo that was on display during the four days of construction.
"My heart is filled with love, admiration and thanks," said Sinatra. "In my husband's memory, I thank you very much."
One house, four days and thousands of kids benefit. It's a mission straight from the heart of Home with a Heart, a charity benefiting the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and Family YMCA of the Desert.
Family Development donated the land, and Home With a Heart gathered volunteers for labor, supplies and food to feed the construction crews. The four-bedroom, 2�-bath that was built over the weekend is located at Shadow Ranch community in Indio. It took 50 hours over four days to build.
The house will be auctioned and the proceeds will go to the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and Family YMCA of the Desert, each of which were presented in advance with a $200,000 check on Monday.
"I want to thank the community here. They've been wonderful," said Sinatra. "Home with a Heart has brought the community together."
The closing ceremony and ribbon-cutting Monday also featured the Palm Springs High School band, which played gracefully despite the scorching 110 degree heat.
"Usually a house gets a heart when a family moves in," said Sabby Jonathan of Family YMCA of the Desert. "But this house got its heart a little early," he said, referring to the fact that it was built in less time than expected.
Family Development, headed by two sets of brothers who founded Home with a Heart, selected the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and the Family YMCA as the beneficiaries of this event because of their focus on families.
The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, founded by the late Frank Sinatra and his wife, Barbara, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping sexually, physically and emotionally abused children.
The Family YMCA of the Desert provides a safe, nurturing environment for kids, in which they are able to learn new skills and build self-esteem.
"We're very proud to be a part of this community effort," said Rudy Herrera of Family Development. "In just four days, we're gong to accomplish something truly unique for a very special cause that is close to our hearts."
Robert Wagner, Gerald Ford, Jerry Vale, Joe Mantegna, Mary Bono, Kirk Douglas, Tony Bennett, Yogi Berra, Tony Danza and Cheryl Tiegs have contributed their artistic touches as well, interpreting the "Home with a Heart" logo that was on display during the four days of construction.
"My heart is filled with love, admiration and thanks," said Sinatra. "In my husband's memory, I thank you very much."
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Developer gives nonprofits a hand
Through the generosity of a local developer, two nonprofit agencies will soon receive a significant financial boost to their community service efforts.
Family Development is going to build an upscale home at Shadow Ranch in Indio - in the course of only four days - and will donate the proceeds from the sale of the new home to the Family YMCA and The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. Each organization is expected to receive a check in excess of $100,000.
Family Development's "Home with a Heart" program - which began yesterday and will conclude on Monday - will also include a series of events to spark the public's interest in the project. The public is invited to watch the construction of the home from the ground up. Although construction has already begun, you still have a couple more days to watch hammers and paint brushes fly.
Attendees also have the opportunity to peruse - and purchase - celebrity art. Celebrities such as Mary Bono, Gerald Ford, Kirk Douglas, Robert Wagner and Yogi Berra were sent a line drawing of the Home with a Heart logo along with a box of crayons - and added their personal touches.
Family Development is going to build an upscale home at Shadow Ranch in Indio - in the course of only four days - and will donate the proceeds from the sale of the new home to the Family YMCA and The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. Each organization is expected to receive a check in excess of $100,000.
Family Development's "Home with a Heart" program - which began yesterday and will conclude on Monday - will also include a series of events to spark the public's interest in the project. The public is invited to watch the construction of the home from the ground up. Although construction has already begun, you still have a couple more days to watch hammers and paint brushes fly.
Attendees also have the opportunity to peruse - and purchase - celebrity art. Celebrities such as Mary Bono, Gerald Ford, Kirk Douglas, Robert Wagner and Yogi Berra were sent a line drawing of the Home with a Heart logo along with a box of crayons - and added their personal touches.
Lutherville woman collects mothers' wisdom
There came a time when Lutherville resident Marie True Evans found herself quoting her late mother from time to time. "As my mother used to say, ... " peppered her conversations.
They were simple but helpful truths her mother handed down to her six children - "orchids for the soul," as her mother's mother would have called them.
Evans found them comforting even as she repeated them, as if her mother were still speaking to her.
That led her to start writing down the things her mother used to say and to collecting the things that other mothers used to say.
Evans added her own pearls of wisdom to the necklace and pearls of wisdom provided by friends and friends of friends - from Meryl Streep to Barbara Bush, Betty Ford, Phyllis Diller and Natalie Wood - Robert Wagner wrote her a personal note.
The result was a book, "String of Pearls ... A Mother's Wisdom." Published this year by Graphics Management Press, it is available on www.gmbooks.com or at the Ivy Bookshop in Lake Falls Village for $17.95.
Evans dedicated the book "to all the mothers whose words of wisdom have offered us comfort and guidance through the days of our lives."
Most of the profits from book sales will benefit breast cancer research, she says.
Neither she or nor her mother suffered from it, but breast cancer has touched the lives of so many mothers and daughters and it is one of the biggest fears that women have.
"I used to ask my mother to come with me when I went for a mammogram," she says.
Evans and her husband, John, a retired real estate executive, are home grown - both are Towson High School alumni. But they have residences on both coasts to be able to spend time with their three grown children.
Her mother, Mary True, has been dead six years now. She had been a popular concert pianist when she was younger and charmed audiences at the Hunt Valley Inn and the John Eager Howard Room in the Belvedere Hotel well into her seventies.
"Mother, you've got to get a day job," Evans told her. So her mother charmed audiences by playing at Nordstrom in Towson Town Center when she was nearly 80.
But it wasn't her mother's musical legacy that struck a chord with Evans, a former Miss Maryland and professional dancer and actress who made a career as a fashion consultant.
Her mother may have been a fabulous pianist, Evans writes in the book, "but it is her wonderful words of wisdom that I hear in my mind. I find myself quoting her almost daily."
They were simple but helpful truths her mother handed down to her six children - "orchids for the soul," as her mother's mother would have called them.
Evans found them comforting even as she repeated them, as if her mother were still speaking to her.
That led her to start writing down the things her mother used to say and to collecting the things that other mothers used to say.
Evans added her own pearls of wisdom to the necklace and pearls of wisdom provided by friends and friends of friends - from Meryl Streep to Barbara Bush, Betty Ford, Phyllis Diller and Natalie Wood - Robert Wagner wrote her a personal note.
The result was a book, "String of Pearls ... A Mother's Wisdom." Published this year by Graphics Management Press, it is available on www.gmbooks.com or at the Ivy Bookshop in Lake Falls Village for $17.95.
Evans dedicated the book "to all the mothers whose words of wisdom have offered us comfort and guidance through the days of our lives."
Most of the profits from book sales will benefit breast cancer research, she says.
Neither she or nor her mother suffered from it, but breast cancer has touched the lives of so many mothers and daughters and it is one of the biggest fears that women have.
"I used to ask my mother to come with me when I went for a mammogram," she says.
Evans and her husband, John, a retired real estate executive, are home grown - both are Towson High School alumni. But they have residences on both coasts to be able to spend time with their three grown children.
Her mother, Mary True, has been dead six years now. She had been a popular concert pianist when she was younger and charmed audiences at the Hunt Valley Inn and the John Eager Howard Room in the Belvedere Hotel well into her seventies.
"Mother, you've got to get a day job," Evans told her. So her mother charmed audiences by playing at Nordstrom in Towson Town Center when she was nearly 80.
But it wasn't her mother's musical legacy that struck a chord with Evans, a former Miss Maryland and professional dancer and actress who made a career as a fashion consultant.
Her mother may have been a fabulous pianist, Evans writes in the book, "but it is her wonderful words of wisdom that I hear in my mind. I find myself quoting her almost daily."
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Developer to donate proceeds of new home's sale
You probably know the drill: the video speeds up on "Trading Spaces," to compress two days worth of renovation and redecorating in a recap running less than minute.
Then there's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," where an eyesore becomes a showpiece in seven days.
Combine the two and you'll get a sense of "Home with a Heart," where an upscale home will go up in the Coachella Valley in the course of only four days.
"It's like a dream come true for a non-profit," says Alison Elsner, Public Relations Director for the Family YMCA of the Desert.
Proceeds from the sale of the new home in Indio will be donated to the Family YMCA and The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. Each organization is expected to receive a check in excess of $100,000.
"It's like something we would have never imagined in our wildest dreams," says Elsner of the home builders' generosity.
Family Development, whose projects include Generations and Bella Vida in Shadow Hills, first considered giving away a home as a way of giving back to the community. Then it occurred to them they could help more people and cover more ground with the current concept.
"We want to create enough excitement and interest in people to come out. Hopefully, they'll be inspired to see what can happen … create awareness for the good in people and what we can all do if we work together," says Family Development partner Vince Barbato.
The public is encouraged to check out the construction at Shadow Ranch from start to finish. Bleachers will allow you to see the action in spectator-sport fashion, from carpentry to landscaping and tile to granite installation, beginning at 6 a.m. tomorrow at through the ribbon cutting at 2:30 p.m. on Monday.
Barbato estimates over 500 workers will be on hand to complete a task that typically takes four months.
"It's a fascinating project," says Susan Reynolds, executive director of the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. "It's interesting and educational and rewarding at the same time, which you don't always get in fundraising events."
In the spirit of an old-fashioned barn raising, the project will not be all work and no play.
Clowns and coloring contests are scheduled, DJ's and bands will perform, hot dogs and snow cones are for sale, and one-of-a-kind artwork will be on display.
Reynolds says celebrities were sent a line drawing of the Home with a Heart logo, along with a box of crayons.
You'll have a chance to see how, among others, Kirk Douglas, Tony Bennett, Cheryl Tiegs, Joe Mantegna and Robert Wagner added their personal touches. At the concluding ceremony on Monday, look for giveaways of a Frank Sinatra gift basket and CD collection, as well as a pair of Dodger tickets.
The ultimate winners, though, are the kids in the desert who will benefit from the generosity of the developers and the dozens of sponsors and volunteers participating. "What they're doing helps shape the community," says Elsner.
Then there's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," where an eyesore becomes a showpiece in seven days.
Combine the two and you'll get a sense of "Home with a Heart," where an upscale home will go up in the Coachella Valley in the course of only four days.
"It's like a dream come true for a non-profit," says Alison Elsner, Public Relations Director for the Family YMCA of the Desert.
Proceeds from the sale of the new home in Indio will be donated to the Family YMCA and The Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. Each organization is expected to receive a check in excess of $100,000.
"It's like something we would have never imagined in our wildest dreams," says Elsner of the home builders' generosity.
Family Development, whose projects include Generations and Bella Vida in Shadow Hills, first considered giving away a home as a way of giving back to the community. Then it occurred to them they could help more people and cover more ground with the current concept.
"We want to create enough excitement and interest in people to come out. Hopefully, they'll be inspired to see what can happen … create awareness for the good in people and what we can all do if we work together," says Family Development partner Vince Barbato.
The public is encouraged to check out the construction at Shadow Ranch from start to finish. Bleachers will allow you to see the action in spectator-sport fashion, from carpentry to landscaping and tile to granite installation, beginning at 6 a.m. tomorrow at through the ribbon cutting at 2:30 p.m. on Monday.
Barbato estimates over 500 workers will be on hand to complete a task that typically takes four months.
"It's a fascinating project," says Susan Reynolds, executive director of the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. "It's interesting and educational and rewarding at the same time, which you don't always get in fundraising events."
In the spirit of an old-fashioned barn raising, the project will not be all work and no play.
Clowns and coloring contests are scheduled, DJ's and bands will perform, hot dogs and snow cones are for sale, and one-of-a-kind artwork will be on display.
Reynolds says celebrities were sent a line drawing of the Home with a Heart logo, along with a box of crayons.
You'll have a chance to see how, among others, Kirk Douglas, Tony Bennett, Cheryl Tiegs, Joe Mantegna and Robert Wagner added their personal touches. At the concluding ceremony on Monday, look for giveaways of a Frank Sinatra gift basket and CD collection, as well as a pair of Dodger tickets.
The ultimate winners, though, are the kids in the desert who will benefit from the generosity of the developers and the dozens of sponsors and volunteers participating. "What they're doing helps shape the community," says Elsner.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
The Fallen Ones
Robert Wagner has a role in "The Fallen Ones." The telefilm premieres Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 9 P.M. EST on the Sci-Fi Channel.
The last of the Ethiopian emperors
Thirty years ago, Haile Selassie, Ethiopia's last emperor died after a rule of 45 years. Daniel Dickinson travels to Addis Ababa to visit the emperor's former palace and meets one of his servants.
Seventy-eight-year-old Mamo Haile is a man with stories to tell about British royalty, international diplomacy, famine, film stars and a coup d'etat.
He used to be one of Emperor Haile Selassie's personal servants, a man who was once too scared even to look the emperor in the eye, but who was later trusted with serving Queen Elizabeth II orange juice.
You will find him shuffling around the first floor of Ethiopia's Ethnographic Museum, Emperor Salassie's one-time palace.
He keeps dust from settling on his former employer's regal but not so king-size double bed.
'Trusted servant'
He shows tourists into the once off-limits dressing room and royal marbled bathroom, complete with light blue Italian porcelain bath and his-and-hers washbasin.
These days, the grey-haired Mr Mamo cuts a solitary and serious figure in his threadbare jumper and white porter's coat, but it was not always like that.
His life as one of Haile Selassie's most trusted servants began when he was 17 after the emperor was helped back into Ethiopia by British forces, who had driven away the Italian colonisers.
"I was a poor soldier from the countryside and following the emperor's triumphant return to Addis, he picked me out of a parade to serve him," Mr Mamo told me.
"The emperor told me I was handsome and would work in his palace, but I was very scared of working for him and couldn't even look at him."
Foreign dignitaries
Mr Mamo soon graduated from messenger boy to bed maker, and finally became the man responsible for serving drinks to foreign dignitaries, a position he held for many of the 30 years he spent working at the palace.
And there were plenty of foreign dignitaries.
The fading black and white photographs now lining the halls of the museum reveal a ruler who saw himself at the centre of international politics.
They show him as a man who, during the Cold War, was willing to court both East and West.
Haile Selassie with Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia, with Nikita Khrushchev of the then Soviet Union, with Richard Nixon, the former US president.
There are also pictures of a young Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to Addis Ababa as well as one of the American film star Robert Wagner, of whom the emperor was apparently a big fan.
"My job was to keep these foreign guests happy by serving them whatever drink they wanted," Mr Mamo said.
"I remember Queen Elizabeth, who came with her husband. She wanted orange juice. Marshal Tito wanted hard liquor, whisky I think."
Mr Mamo cannot remember what Nikita Khrushchev ordered, but does say he was a friendly man.
Famine
Mr Mamo talks proudly about just how popular Haile Selassie was, not just with the visitors from overseas, but also his own people, many of whom lived in extreme poverty.
That popularity did not last.
In 1973, an estimated 200,000 Ethiopians died in Wollo province as a result of a famine, a famine which was famously brought to the world's attention by the BBC's Jonathan Dimbleby.
According to his faithful servant, Haile Selassie at first knew nothing of the famine.
"The emperor was shocked and deeply saddened. I went with him to Wollo. He had no idea his people were suffering like this," he said.
It is difficult to imagine Mr Mamo voicing any criticism of Haile Selassie, perhaps that is not surprising given his length of service.
It is also difficult to imagine just how he felt when a group of army officers with a Marxist agenda, calling themselves the Derg, overthrew Haile Selassie in a military coup. It was 1974.
"The emperor took it calmly and as his servant I did the same. It was my duty," Mr Mamo said.
"He wanted to avoid bloodshed, so he gave up power for the good of his people and without fighting."
Preservation
The last emperor of Ethiopia died a few months later from natural causes, according to the Derg who had had him under house arrest ever since he was overthrown.
No-one it seems, including Mr Mamo, knows the real story.
The emperor's loyal servant now wanders the rooms of the palace-cum-museum, surrounded by mementoes of a royal past.
He has worked here for the last 14 years on a meagre salary, remembering better days.
He insists on showing me the life-size tapestry of Haile Selassie as well as his military uniform and collection of medals.
He points proudly to the bed, saying he saved it from being destroyed by the Derg.
As I left the palace, I asked Mr Mamo how Ethiopia would be now if the emperor was back on his throne.
It was the only time he broke into a smile during our meeting.
"I would be more than happy to see him back in his palace," was what he told me.
Seventy-eight-year-old Mamo Haile is a man with stories to tell about British royalty, international diplomacy, famine, film stars and a coup d'etat.
He used to be one of Emperor Haile Selassie's personal servants, a man who was once too scared even to look the emperor in the eye, but who was later trusted with serving Queen Elizabeth II orange juice.
You will find him shuffling around the first floor of Ethiopia's Ethnographic Museum, Emperor Salassie's one-time palace.
He keeps dust from settling on his former employer's regal but not so king-size double bed.
'Trusted servant'
He shows tourists into the once off-limits dressing room and royal marbled bathroom, complete with light blue Italian porcelain bath and his-and-hers washbasin.
These days, the grey-haired Mr Mamo cuts a solitary and serious figure in his threadbare jumper and white porter's coat, but it was not always like that.
His life as one of Haile Selassie's most trusted servants began when he was 17 after the emperor was helped back into Ethiopia by British forces, who had driven away the Italian colonisers.
"I was a poor soldier from the countryside and following the emperor's triumphant return to Addis, he picked me out of a parade to serve him," Mr Mamo told me.
"The emperor told me I was handsome and would work in his palace, but I was very scared of working for him and couldn't even look at him."
Foreign dignitaries
Mr Mamo soon graduated from messenger boy to bed maker, and finally became the man responsible for serving drinks to foreign dignitaries, a position he held for many of the 30 years he spent working at the palace.
And there were plenty of foreign dignitaries.
The fading black and white photographs now lining the halls of the museum reveal a ruler who saw himself at the centre of international politics.
They show him as a man who, during the Cold War, was willing to court both East and West.
Haile Selassie with Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia, with Nikita Khrushchev of the then Soviet Union, with Richard Nixon, the former US president.
There are also pictures of a young Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to Addis Ababa as well as one of the American film star Robert Wagner, of whom the emperor was apparently a big fan.
"My job was to keep these foreign guests happy by serving them whatever drink they wanted," Mr Mamo said.
"I remember Queen Elizabeth, who came with her husband. She wanted orange juice. Marshal Tito wanted hard liquor, whisky I think."
Mr Mamo cannot remember what Nikita Khrushchev ordered, but does say he was a friendly man.
Famine
Mr Mamo talks proudly about just how popular Haile Selassie was, not just with the visitors from overseas, but also his own people, many of whom lived in extreme poverty.
That popularity did not last.
In 1973, an estimated 200,000 Ethiopians died in Wollo province as a result of a famine, a famine which was famously brought to the world's attention by the BBC's Jonathan Dimbleby.
According to his faithful servant, Haile Selassie at first knew nothing of the famine.
"The emperor was shocked and deeply saddened. I went with him to Wollo. He had no idea his people were suffering like this," he said.
It is difficult to imagine Mr Mamo voicing any criticism of Haile Selassie, perhaps that is not surprising given his length of service.
It is also difficult to imagine just how he felt when a group of army officers with a Marxist agenda, calling themselves the Derg, overthrew Haile Selassie in a military coup. It was 1974.
"The emperor took it calmly and as his servant I did the same. It was my duty," Mr Mamo said.
"He wanted to avoid bloodshed, so he gave up power for the good of his people and without fighting."
Preservation
The last emperor of Ethiopia died a few months later from natural causes, according to the Derg who had had him under house arrest ever since he was overthrown.
No-one it seems, including Mr Mamo, knows the real story.
The emperor's loyal servant now wanders the rooms of the palace-cum-museum, surrounded by mementoes of a royal past.
He has worked here for the last 14 years on a meagre salary, remembering better days.
He insists on showing me the life-size tapestry of Haile Selassie as well as his military uniform and collection of medals.
He points proudly to the bed, saying he saved it from being destroyed by the Derg.
As I left the palace, I asked Mr Mamo how Ethiopia would be now if the emperor was back on his throne.
It was the only time he broke into a smile during our meeting.
"I would be more than happy to see him back in his palace," was what he told me.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Jill St. John back to the stage
offBeat with PHILIP POTEMPA
On her feet
My mother, Peggy, who returned home over the weekend after four months of hospitals and rehab following a Jan. 3 car accident, received some special words of encouragement for Mother's Day. Actress Jill St. John and her star husband Robert Wagner performed one show of the hit play "Love Letters" at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet last weekend. The Saturday show marked the first time St. John, 64, has been back on her feet performing since a terrible ski accident at her Aspen home in January. She had multiple fractures to her pelvis and required extensive surgery and the use of a walker for seven weeks and then four more weeks on crutches. The couple gave me notes of encouragement and autographed photos for my mother's homecoming.
On her feet
My mother, Peggy, who returned home over the weekend after four months of hospitals and rehab following a Jan. 3 car accident, received some special words of encouragement for Mother's Day. Actress Jill St. John and her star husband Robert Wagner performed one show of the hit play "Love Letters" at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet last weekend. The Saturday show marked the first time St. John, 64, has been back on her feet performing since a terrible ski accident at her Aspen home in January. She had multiple fractures to her pelvis and required extensive surgery and the use of a walker for seven weeks and then four more weeks on crutches. The couple gave me notes of encouragement and autographed photos for my mother's homecoming.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
El Padrino filmmaker has the stars, but not the advertising
Damian Chapa has taken his new movie, El Padrino, on the road — literally. The gritty gangster flick, which stars Jennifer Tilly, Stacy Keach, Faye Dunaway, Gary Busey, Robert Wagner and Brad Dourif, as well as the filmmaker himself, is opening across the state without a major studio behind it.
Since there's no money for splashy billboards and TV ads, creative marketing has been a necessity. Chapa has been doing local radio spots, making appearances at nightclubs and distributing fliers at gas stations.
And don't forget the Padrino-mobile, a white van plastered with movie posters and equipped with loudspeakers to announce the opening date and credits as it travels up and down Houston streets.
"We had offers from big distributors, like Warner Independent. I'm a bit of a renegade, and I wanted to protect my investors. I wanted to see the value of the hard work. We're very excited. We're getting out there and working hard," says Chapa, chatting over enchiladas at La Mexicana in Montrose.
He's accompanied by his tireless promotion crew, which includes his charismatic father; a pair of cousins; and Pierre Chemaly, director of photography on El Padrino and Chapa's right-hand man.
Chapa chose to unveil El Padrino in this state because of his ties here. The 42-year-old actor, director and screenwriter spent part of his youth in Robstown, a small town just outside Corpus Christi. His father, grandmother and a few aunts still live there.
Chapa currently resides in Marina del Rey, Calif., but he has been in Texas for the past month promoting El Padrino. The movie has opened in McAllen, Laredo, Victoria and Corpus Christi. Oscar winner Dunaway even showed up for the El Paso premiere.
This weekend's opening at local Cinemark theaters marks the film's biggest rollout to date, and it's just the latest in a long line of challenges for Chapa, who wrote and directed the film.
"We're sort of out here without a paddle. We're fighting the hurricane," Chapa says. "It's hard enough being probably one of the few Latin films out there. It's been one city at a time. The grass-roots effort is the only way to do it."
Chapa portrayed Lyle Menendez in the CBS miniseries Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills, and he's been in big-screen movies Under Siege, Street Fighter and Money Talks. He has two sons, ages 15 and 5, and was once married to actress and model Natasha Henstridge (Species).
But he's probably best known for playing the lead in Taylor Hackford's Blood In, Blood Out (also known as Bound by Honor), a violent and controversial Latino epic about three brothers growing up in East Los Angeles. The 1993 film also featured Benjamin Bratt, Billy Bob Thornton, Ving Rhames and Delroy Lindo.
"He was the güero with the blue eyes," says an excited cashier at the Mexican restaurant, referencing Chapa's claim to fame. The film is a cult favorite among Latino audiences.
Soon enough, waiters, cooks and customers are clamoring for an autograph and a photo with "Miklo," Chapa's character in Blood In, Blood Out.
In El Padrino, which delves into the world of drug trafficking, Chapa plays Kilo, who has followed his father into the world of gangs but wants to leave it for a normal family life. Chapa says the issues raised are part of a larger spectrum that Latinos — and all minority groups — can identify with.
"All immigrant groups went through this thing of gangs, drugs, mafia. We all need to look at this more closely, because even though it's the minority of our people, it's the majority of the expression. We need to deal with it, and we need to show the young people that this kind of a life is not what you think it is," Chapa says. "We need to be able to have the freedom to express the diversity of our culture without being politically correct. This film doesn't sweep anything under the carpet."
"Damian is doing in the movie business what we are doing in the record business. He's doing his own thing and not letting anything stand in his way," says La Mafia keyboardist and producer Armando Lichtenberger Jr. The Tejano group is helping Chapa promote El Padrino and is in talks to collaborate on the soundtrack to a sequel.
"Doing independent releases is not easy," Lichtenberger adds. "You've got to have the drive to make something a success."
Since there's no money for splashy billboards and TV ads, creative marketing has been a necessity. Chapa has been doing local radio spots, making appearances at nightclubs and distributing fliers at gas stations.
And don't forget the Padrino-mobile, a white van plastered with movie posters and equipped with loudspeakers to announce the opening date and credits as it travels up and down Houston streets.
"We had offers from big distributors, like Warner Independent. I'm a bit of a renegade, and I wanted to protect my investors. I wanted to see the value of the hard work. We're very excited. We're getting out there and working hard," says Chapa, chatting over enchiladas at La Mexicana in Montrose.
He's accompanied by his tireless promotion crew, which includes his charismatic father; a pair of cousins; and Pierre Chemaly, director of photography on El Padrino and Chapa's right-hand man.
Chapa chose to unveil El Padrino in this state because of his ties here. The 42-year-old actor, director and screenwriter spent part of his youth in Robstown, a small town just outside Corpus Christi. His father, grandmother and a few aunts still live there.
Chapa currently resides in Marina del Rey, Calif., but he has been in Texas for the past month promoting El Padrino. The movie has opened in McAllen, Laredo, Victoria and Corpus Christi. Oscar winner Dunaway even showed up for the El Paso premiere.
This weekend's opening at local Cinemark theaters marks the film's biggest rollout to date, and it's just the latest in a long line of challenges for Chapa, who wrote and directed the film.
"We're sort of out here without a paddle. We're fighting the hurricane," Chapa says. "It's hard enough being probably one of the few Latin films out there. It's been one city at a time. The grass-roots effort is the only way to do it."
Chapa portrayed Lyle Menendez in the CBS miniseries Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills, and he's been in big-screen movies Under Siege, Street Fighter and Money Talks. He has two sons, ages 15 and 5, and was once married to actress and model Natasha Henstridge (Species).
But he's probably best known for playing the lead in Taylor Hackford's Blood In, Blood Out (also known as Bound by Honor), a violent and controversial Latino epic about three brothers growing up in East Los Angeles. The 1993 film also featured Benjamin Bratt, Billy Bob Thornton, Ving Rhames and Delroy Lindo.
"He was the güero with the blue eyes," says an excited cashier at the Mexican restaurant, referencing Chapa's claim to fame. The film is a cult favorite among Latino audiences.
Soon enough, waiters, cooks and customers are clamoring for an autograph and a photo with "Miklo," Chapa's character in Blood In, Blood Out.
In El Padrino, which delves into the world of drug trafficking, Chapa plays Kilo, who has followed his father into the world of gangs but wants to leave it for a normal family life. Chapa says the issues raised are part of a larger spectrum that Latinos — and all minority groups — can identify with.
"All immigrant groups went through this thing of gangs, drugs, mafia. We all need to look at this more closely, because even though it's the minority of our people, it's the majority of the expression. We need to deal with it, and we need to show the young people that this kind of a life is not what you think it is," Chapa says. "We need to be able to have the freedom to express the diversity of our culture without being politically correct. This film doesn't sweep anything under the carpet."
"Damian is doing in the movie business what we are doing in the record business. He's doing his own thing and not letting anything stand in his way," says La Mafia keyboardist and producer Armando Lichtenberger Jr. The Tejano group is helping Chapa promote El Padrino and is in talks to collaborate on the soundtrack to a sequel.
"Doing independent releases is not easy," Lichtenberger adds. "You've got to have the drive to make something a success."
Lied Center - Lincoln, Nebraska
The Lied, which announced its 2005-06 season Friday in Ground Zero, will feature legendary folk artist Arlo Guthrie, Mel Brooks' "The Producers," the Nebraska premiere of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and actors Robert Wagner and Jill St. John in "Love Letters."
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
More 'Letters'
Last month's performance of "Love Letters" by actress Betsy Palmer at Munster High School attracted both praise and applause. If you missed the show and you're a fan of the play, here's an idea for this Mother's Day weekend. Actor Robert Wagner, 75, and his wife Jill St. John, 65, will perform "Love Letters" for one dinner show at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. Tickets range from $32.50 to $65.50 and are available by calling (815) 726-6600. Other famous celebrity couples who also have performed "Love Letters" in the past include Charlton and Lydia Heston, Jayne Meadows and Steve Allen, John Rubinstein and Kathleen Turner, and Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Hotel Opening Is a Big Wynner
May 2, 2005 -- LAS VEGAS — This past weekend, Steve Wynn's $2.7 billion hotel the Wynn opened. So many private planes that they had to fly into the nearby airport of Hendersonville.
May 7, with a hip Brett Ratner party, the younger crowd tests out the place. This weekend was the older money. Not the tattooed navels set. The Tiffany jewels set. Like the Steve Roths. He owns Vornado realty. The Sidney Poitiers. He owns Oscars. The Donald Trumps. You know what he owns.
The Leonard Lauders. He was shop shopping. Checking out the hotel's Dior, Chanel, Brioni, Vuitton, Cartier, Graff stores. She'd gone antiquing. In a town where money goes as fast as marriages in L.A., antique shops and hock shops are a great bet.
It was Elizabeth Taylor in a wheelchair. Steve Lawrence, but Edie Gorme I didn't see. Leslie Moonves and Julie Chen, who said: "I went to work 4 a.m. to do the morning show. I finished 6 a.m., so I'm here to enjoy." Connie Chung and Maury Povich, who said: "It's the last opening where you'll ever see me." I don't know what that means but I wrote it down anyway. Dominick Dunne, trolling for Vanity Fair gossip, was to dine with a couple in the Steakhouse but couldn't remember who, and is probably still standing at the maitre d's desk. Robert Wagner and Jill St. John. She'd suffered a fall skiing in Aspen, had surgery, now has a cane and said: "My healing present, all I want is for my husband to take me for a visit to New York."
Faces like George Hamilton with ex-wife and best pal Alana; Burt Bacharach, who personally escorted his wife to the loo; Barbara Sinatra; Carl Icahn; Barbara Walters, with the Oscar de la Rentas. Charlie Rose who interviewed Steve Wynn. Names like Bud Yorkin, health nut Kirk Kerkorian, who's nearly 90, looks 60 and never had a facelift. Paul Anka who opens mid-August on a four-year deal with Atlantic City's Borgata. Food critic Gael Greene schlepping around the different restaurants. Remember Siegfried and Roy's horrific tiger mauling experience? Hospitalized Roy unable to talk for months and months? Both came, Roy in a wheelchair and speaking to friends.
Shaking all hands, papa President George Bush without Barbara but with Secret Service. On one side of the casino that breaks even on $2 mil a day — Lee Iacocca. Near the baccarat dealers imported from Foxwoods — Tommy Mottola. Chefs Daniel Boulud and Sirio Maccioni. Manolo Blahnik, who, when Mrs. Barry Slotnick asked: "Why aren't your shoes made wider?" blew her off with: "Ask my managers." And two great-looking broads side by side. I don't know about bewitched, bothered and bewildered. About be-furred and be-diamonded Natalie Cole and Patti LaBelle, I know. Sing and bling. Or as Patti put it: "Girl, only Jews and blacks really get it together."
Donna Karan fresh from Bali: "My late husband Steve's sculptures are in front of the hotel. How could I not be here?" Atlantis owner Sol Kerzner sniffing out the competition. Everyone whispering how great Don Johnson looks, and him whispering: "I'm happy to be here. It's our anniversary. My wife and I are married six years."
Paramount movie chief Sherry Lansing and husband Billy Friedkin, off to Israel for five weeks. Said Sherry: "I'm excited. I hear there's a Banana Republic and Gap in Tel Aviv." Steven Spielberg and Kate the missus. He got onstage when Hugh Jackman introduced him, and when he got off-stage he told me: "It was unrehearsed. I didn't know he'd call me, and I was worried I'd trip going up the stairs." Lordy, those amateurs are all the same.
Had anything happened in that ballroom, America's entire entertainment industry would have gone splat. It was songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, moneymaker Barry Diller, record king Clive Davis, Grammy-winning musicman David Foster, George Schlatter, who every four years organizes our Inaugurals.
May 7, with a hip Brett Ratner party, the younger crowd tests out the place. This weekend was the older money. Not the tattooed navels set. The Tiffany jewels set. Like the Steve Roths. He owns Vornado realty. The Sidney Poitiers. He owns Oscars. The Donald Trumps. You know what he owns.
The Leonard Lauders. He was shop shopping. Checking out the hotel's Dior, Chanel, Brioni, Vuitton, Cartier, Graff stores. She'd gone antiquing. In a town where money goes as fast as marriages in L.A., antique shops and hock shops are a great bet.
It was Elizabeth Taylor in a wheelchair. Steve Lawrence, but Edie Gorme I didn't see. Leslie Moonves and Julie Chen, who said: "I went to work 4 a.m. to do the morning show. I finished 6 a.m., so I'm here to enjoy." Connie Chung and Maury Povich, who said: "It's the last opening where you'll ever see me." I don't know what that means but I wrote it down anyway. Dominick Dunne, trolling for Vanity Fair gossip, was to dine with a couple in the Steakhouse but couldn't remember who, and is probably still standing at the maitre d's desk. Robert Wagner and Jill St. John. She'd suffered a fall skiing in Aspen, had surgery, now has a cane and said: "My healing present, all I want is for my husband to take me for a visit to New York."
Faces like George Hamilton with ex-wife and best pal Alana; Burt Bacharach, who personally escorted his wife to the loo; Barbara Sinatra; Carl Icahn; Barbara Walters, with the Oscar de la Rentas. Charlie Rose who interviewed Steve Wynn. Names like Bud Yorkin, health nut Kirk Kerkorian, who's nearly 90, looks 60 and never had a facelift. Paul Anka who opens mid-August on a four-year deal with Atlantic City's Borgata. Food critic Gael Greene schlepping around the different restaurants. Remember Siegfried and Roy's horrific tiger mauling experience? Hospitalized Roy unable to talk for months and months? Both came, Roy in a wheelchair and speaking to friends.
Shaking all hands, papa President George Bush without Barbara but with Secret Service. On one side of the casino that breaks even on $2 mil a day — Lee Iacocca. Near the baccarat dealers imported from Foxwoods — Tommy Mottola. Chefs Daniel Boulud and Sirio Maccioni. Manolo Blahnik, who, when Mrs. Barry Slotnick asked: "Why aren't your shoes made wider?" blew her off with: "Ask my managers." And two great-looking broads side by side. I don't know about bewitched, bothered and bewildered. About be-furred and be-diamonded Natalie Cole and Patti LaBelle, I know. Sing and bling. Or as Patti put it: "Girl, only Jews and blacks really get it together."
Donna Karan fresh from Bali: "My late husband Steve's sculptures are in front of the hotel. How could I not be here?" Atlantis owner Sol Kerzner sniffing out the competition. Everyone whispering how great Don Johnson looks, and him whispering: "I'm happy to be here. It's our anniversary. My wife and I are married six years."
Paramount movie chief Sherry Lansing and husband Billy Friedkin, off to Israel for five weeks. Said Sherry: "I'm excited. I hear there's a Banana Republic and Gap in Tel Aviv." Steven Spielberg and Kate the missus. He got onstage when Hugh Jackman introduced him, and when he got off-stage he told me: "It was unrehearsed. I didn't know he'd call me, and I was worried I'd trip going up the stairs." Lordy, those amateurs are all the same.
Had anything happened in that ballroom, America's entire entertainment industry would have gone splat. It was songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, moneymaker Barry Diller, record king Clive Davis, Grammy-winning musicman David Foster, George Schlatter, who every four years organizes our Inaugurals.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
'Love Letters' starring couple is far from stationary
Rialto performance: Famous husband and wife take stage
Traditionally, it's good luck to tell an actor to break a leg before a live performance.
But Jill St. John wants everyone to know she's recovering well from the February skiing accident that resulted in a fractured hip.
"She's a very lucky lady," said her husband, Robert Wagner, during a recent phone interview.
"Of course," he mused, "being married to her, I'm a very lucky man."
St. John said she was moved by the number of cards and letters she received after her accident.
"I was overwhelmed by all the good wishes," she said. "(Written communication) is very special, so I wrote many letters thanking people for their thoughts."
Letters are what tell the story of a relationship spanning 50 years in A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters," which the couple will appear in May 7 at the Rialto Square Theatre.
The play chronicles, solely through correspondence, the lifelong relationship between a man and woman. The writings follow the characters from their meeting in second grade to middle age.
"It's a beautifully written story," Wagner said. "Good writing is an actor's dream. There are challenges. There's happiness and sadness. There's humor, but there are also missed opportunities. Like the best stories, it's a lot like real life."
In real life, there seem to be few opportunities that Wagner has missed.
His career includes more than 50 years of starring roles in movies and television. He's known for classic television series — such as "Hart To Hart" and "It Takes A Thief" — as well as recent roles in the "Austin Powers" film series and TV's "Hope And Faith."
St. John has appeared in many television shows and more than 30 movies, appearing with Frank Sinatra in "Tony Rome" and Sean Connery's James Bond in "Diamonds Are Forever." She also hosted "Good Morning America's" cooking segment for three years.
Both screen veterans said they enjoy the challenge of performing in front of a live audience.
"It's a privilege to be on the stage," Wagner said. "Whatever you do lasts for just a moment between you and the audience. Once it's in the air, it's gone and you'll never repeat it exactly the same way. Each time is different."
St. John said she found the needed physicality to be the biggest difference.
"If you have a quiet moment on film, they bring everything close to you. On stage you have to project your voice to be heard without losing the emotion of the scene," she said.
Both feel their off-stage relationship helps their performance and vice-versa.
"It's great to work with someone you can trust when you're out there," Wagner said.
"And it's easier off-stage knowing that you're working toward the same goals," St. John said.
In addition to performing, St. John is writing a series of three new cookbooks.
Wagner will be seen in "The Fallen Ones," which premieres on the Sci-Fi Channel on May 14. He's also producing a few upcoming movies.
"We're the quintessential show-biz family," Wagner said. "Our bags and makeup are always packed and ready to go."
For this production, St. John hopes audiences will be able to relate to the characters.
"It's a very personal story, but it shows the human condition," she said. "People of any age, from any level of society will be able to appreciate both the problems and the happiness that they see in the play."
"And," Wagner said, "I hope they fall more in love."
"Love Letters" will be at the Rialto Square Theatre for a dinner theater engagement at 6 p.m. May 7. A limited number of seats are available. Show-only tickets, for the 8 p.m. curtain time, will be sold too.
Tickets are $65.50 for the dinner theater or $42.50 for the show only. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Rialto box office, at 102 N. Chicago St. in Joliet; by calling (815) 726-6600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays or 9 a.m. and noon Saturdays; or by going to www.rialtosquare.com. Tickets also may be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets; call (312) 902-1500 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Traditionally, it's good luck to tell an actor to break a leg before a live performance.
But Jill St. John wants everyone to know she's recovering well from the February skiing accident that resulted in a fractured hip.
"She's a very lucky lady," said her husband, Robert Wagner, during a recent phone interview.
"Of course," he mused, "being married to her, I'm a very lucky man."
St. John said she was moved by the number of cards and letters she received after her accident.
"I was overwhelmed by all the good wishes," she said. "(Written communication) is very special, so I wrote many letters thanking people for their thoughts."
Letters are what tell the story of a relationship spanning 50 years in A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters," which the couple will appear in May 7 at the Rialto Square Theatre.
The play chronicles, solely through correspondence, the lifelong relationship between a man and woman. The writings follow the characters from their meeting in second grade to middle age.
"It's a beautifully written story," Wagner said. "Good writing is an actor's dream. There are challenges. There's happiness and sadness. There's humor, but there are also missed opportunities. Like the best stories, it's a lot like real life."
In real life, there seem to be few opportunities that Wagner has missed.
His career includes more than 50 years of starring roles in movies and television. He's known for classic television series — such as "Hart To Hart" and "It Takes A Thief" — as well as recent roles in the "Austin Powers" film series and TV's "Hope And Faith."
St. John has appeared in many television shows and more than 30 movies, appearing with Frank Sinatra in "Tony Rome" and Sean Connery's James Bond in "Diamonds Are Forever." She also hosted "Good Morning America's" cooking segment for three years.
Both screen veterans said they enjoy the challenge of performing in front of a live audience.
"It's a privilege to be on the stage," Wagner said. "Whatever you do lasts for just a moment between you and the audience. Once it's in the air, it's gone and you'll never repeat it exactly the same way. Each time is different."
St. John said she found the needed physicality to be the biggest difference.
"If you have a quiet moment on film, they bring everything close to you. On stage you have to project your voice to be heard without losing the emotion of the scene," she said.
Both feel their off-stage relationship helps their performance and vice-versa.
"It's great to work with someone you can trust when you're out there," Wagner said.
"And it's easier off-stage knowing that you're working toward the same goals," St. John said.
In addition to performing, St. John is writing a series of three new cookbooks.
Wagner will be seen in "The Fallen Ones," which premieres on the Sci-Fi Channel on May 14. He's also producing a few upcoming movies.
"We're the quintessential show-biz family," Wagner said. "Our bags and makeup are always packed and ready to go."
For this production, St. John hopes audiences will be able to relate to the characters.
"It's a very personal story, but it shows the human condition," she said. "People of any age, from any level of society will be able to appreciate both the problems and the happiness that they see in the play."
"And," Wagner said, "I hope they fall more in love."
"Love Letters" will be at the Rialto Square Theatre for a dinner theater engagement at 6 p.m. May 7. A limited number of seats are available. Show-only tickets, for the 8 p.m. curtain time, will be sold too.
Tickets are $65.50 for the dinner theater or $42.50 for the show only. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Rialto box office, at 102 N. Chicago St. in Joliet; by calling (815) 726-6600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays or 9 a.m. and noon Saturdays; or by going to www.rialtosquare.com. Tickets also may be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets; call (312) 902-1500 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Wishful Shopping
A peek at items in PONCHO's gala arts-benefit auction Saturday at the Seattle Sheraton is like a look at a Neiman-Marcus' holiday catalog on steroids.
PONCHO treasures include the bronze sign off the Bon Marche flagship store (value: ``priceless,'' say auction gurus).
Also up for bid: two tickets for the 2006 British Open Golf Championship (value: $1,800); dinner for 10 at the Schwarz's, with film stars Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, plus blue-topaz-diamond earrings (value: $8,500), and a guitar signed by rocker Elvis Costello (value: priceless).
You may have to battle Mercer Island billionaire and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for that one.
PONCHO treasures include the bronze sign off the Bon Marche flagship store (value: ``priceless,'' say auction gurus).
Also up for bid: two tickets for the 2006 British Open Golf Championship (value: $1,800); dinner for 10 at the Schwarz's, with film stars Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, plus blue-topaz-diamond earrings (value: $8,500), and a guitar signed by rocker Elvis Costello (value: priceless).
You may have to battle Mercer Island billionaire and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for that one.
'Home with a Heart' effort shows valley's good soul
In these uncertain times when negative stories seem to dominate our television and wonderful human interest stories about good people doing good things seem to fall into the cracks - right after the weather and sports - it has been incredibly rewarding to witness so many of our valley businesses stepping up for a common good.
We have been very active in this valley for many, many years. Our company, Family Development, has experienced unprecedented success - building homes for families all over the valley. We have been so grateful to our homeowners. Their expression of confidence in our mission has been humbling.
When we named our new home building company, we knew that the name we chose carried with it a big responsibility. We needed to build homes that families could be proud to call their own. We needed to select locations that would maintain their quality for years to come, and we needed to provide caring customer service. In other words, we were going to build homes as if we were building them for our own families. We believed that the word "family" would guide us, and if we were fortunate enough to be successful, we would find ways to give something back to the community.
About a year ago, the idea came to us; "Home with a Heart" was born and now the time has finally arrived. On Friday, May 20 to Monday, May 23, with a great deal of help from volunteers, we will be orchestrating a four-day, 'round-the-clock home construction, from foundation to completion at our Shadow Ranch community in north Indio.
On Monday, when the home is complete, we will donate all of the proceeds from the sale of the home, a minimum of $300,000, to two local nonprofit organizations. We selected the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and the Family YMCA of the Desert because they do so much for families and children in the valley.
We hoped that we could get people and businesses to help us with the home construction, but we never expected the outpouring of participation that we have received.
The Coachella Valley definitely has a heart for helping others. It started with our subcontractors readily volunteering their time and services and now we have an extended family of over 40 businesses throughout the valley taking part. Local restaurants are donating food, local entertainers are donating their talent; we even have local physical therapists coming out to keep the workers loose and in shape.
In addition, many of our country's finest celebrities have joined the cause. Kirk Douglas, Gerald Ford, Yogi Berra, Jerry Vale, Robert Wagner, Tony Danza and so many more have graciously donated personalized artwork.
As each day passes, bringing us closer and closer to the event, more an more people are coming aboard.
It is our hope that valley residents will come out during the event to witness what can happen when a lot of people come together for a common good. We hope the event proves to be exciting and inspirational.
We want to offer a "sincere thank you" to the community for all their support in the last couple of years and a special thanks to those who will be participating during the four-day construction event. Your enthusiasm for "Home with a Heart" says something great about what can be accomplished when a community works together to make a difference.
We have been very active in this valley for many, many years. Our company, Family Development, has experienced unprecedented success - building homes for families all over the valley. We have been so grateful to our homeowners. Their expression of confidence in our mission has been humbling.
When we named our new home building company, we knew that the name we chose carried with it a big responsibility. We needed to build homes that families could be proud to call their own. We needed to select locations that would maintain their quality for years to come, and we needed to provide caring customer service. In other words, we were going to build homes as if we were building them for our own families. We believed that the word "family" would guide us, and if we were fortunate enough to be successful, we would find ways to give something back to the community.
About a year ago, the idea came to us; "Home with a Heart" was born and now the time has finally arrived. On Friday, May 20 to Monday, May 23, with a great deal of help from volunteers, we will be orchestrating a four-day, 'round-the-clock home construction, from foundation to completion at our Shadow Ranch community in north Indio.
On Monday, when the home is complete, we will donate all of the proceeds from the sale of the home, a minimum of $300,000, to two local nonprofit organizations. We selected the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and the Family YMCA of the Desert because they do so much for families and children in the valley.
We hoped that we could get people and businesses to help us with the home construction, but we never expected the outpouring of participation that we have received.
The Coachella Valley definitely has a heart for helping others. It started with our subcontractors readily volunteering their time and services and now we have an extended family of over 40 businesses throughout the valley taking part. Local restaurants are donating food, local entertainers are donating their talent; we even have local physical therapists coming out to keep the workers loose and in shape.
In addition, many of our country's finest celebrities have joined the cause. Kirk Douglas, Gerald Ford, Yogi Berra, Jerry Vale, Robert Wagner, Tony Danza and so many more have graciously donated personalized artwork.
As each day passes, bringing us closer and closer to the event, more an more people are coming aboard.
It is our hope that valley residents will come out during the event to witness what can happen when a lot of people come together for a common good. We hope the event proves to be exciting and inspirational.
We want to offer a "sincere thank you" to the community for all their support in the last couple of years and a special thanks to those who will be participating during the four-day construction event. Your enthusiasm for "Home with a Heart" says something great about what can be accomplished when a community works together to make a difference.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Couple revives art of letter writing
In the age of faxes, e-mail and on-the-run cellular connections, playwright A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters," starring Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, remains a welcome homage to the intimate, intensely personal and admittedly old-fashioned art of letter writing.
"Love Letters" will be at the Rialto Square Theatre for a dinner/theater engagement at 6 p.m. May 7. Very limited seating is available. Tickets also will be sold to the show only. The show begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $65.50 for the dinner and show or $32.50 to $42.50 for the show only. Tickets can be purchased at the Rialto box office, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet; by calling (815) 726-6600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or between 9 a.m. and noon Saturdays; or online at www.rialtosquare.com. On performance days, the box office remains open until the completion of intermission. Tickets also may be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets by calling (312) 902-1500 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Gurney's charmingly crafted acting exercise, which takes the form of reading, traces the lifelong correspondence between two friends and sometime lovers. And it suggests that the sound of a pen scratching on paper and the secretive folding of a letter into its envelope may foster relationships that are deeper and more meaningful than those dependent on modern technology.
Since its premiere in 1988, "Love Letters" has become a favorite vehicle for show-biz couples. The latest pairing is between Robert Wagner and his wife, Jill St. John, veterans of film and television.
One of the most popular and successful stars in the entertainment industry, Robert Wagner has had a career highlighted by three hit television series, "Hart to Hart," "Switch" and "It Takes a Thief," and a portfolio of movies for film and television. In summer of 1999, Wagner recreated his role of "Number Two," the villainous henchman to Dr. Evil, a cryogenically revived special agent who squares off against the title character in the sequel to "Austin Powers," starring Mike Myers.
He also was in the Sony release, "Crazy in Alabama," directed by Antonio Banderas and starring Melanie Griffith; and TBS's first original movie, "Fatal Error," starring Antonio Sabato Jr. and Janine Turner. In 1998, Wagner was in "Wild Things," starring Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon, for Mandalay Films, playing attorney Tom Baxter. In 1997, he co-starred in New Line's box-office hit "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," starring Mike Myers and Elizabeth Hurley.
Jill St. John is known throughout the world as a film and television star. At the age of 10, Jill appeared in the first TV movie ever made, the Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol." She made pictures with Frank Sinatra, such as "Tony Rome" and Neil Simon's "Come Blow Your Horn," and acted with Dean Martin in "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed." She also played Tiffany Case in the James Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever" with Sean Connery.
She was the host of "Good Morning America's" cooking segment for three years. She is now writing a series of three new cookbooks.
"Love Letters" will be at the Rialto Square Theatre for a dinner/theater engagement at 6 p.m. May 7. Very limited seating is available. Tickets also will be sold to the show only. The show begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $65.50 for the dinner and show or $32.50 to $42.50 for the show only. Tickets can be purchased at the Rialto box office, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet; by calling (815) 726-6600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or between 9 a.m. and noon Saturdays; or online at www.rialtosquare.com. On performance days, the box office remains open until the completion of intermission. Tickets also may be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets by calling (312) 902-1500 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Gurney's charmingly crafted acting exercise, which takes the form of reading, traces the lifelong correspondence between two friends and sometime lovers. And it suggests that the sound of a pen scratching on paper and the secretive folding of a letter into its envelope may foster relationships that are deeper and more meaningful than those dependent on modern technology.
Since its premiere in 1988, "Love Letters" has become a favorite vehicle for show-biz couples. The latest pairing is between Robert Wagner and his wife, Jill St. John, veterans of film and television.
One of the most popular and successful stars in the entertainment industry, Robert Wagner has had a career highlighted by three hit television series, "Hart to Hart," "Switch" and "It Takes a Thief," and a portfolio of movies for film and television. In summer of 1999, Wagner recreated his role of "Number Two," the villainous henchman to Dr. Evil, a cryogenically revived special agent who squares off against the title character in the sequel to "Austin Powers," starring Mike Myers.
He also was in the Sony release, "Crazy in Alabama," directed by Antonio Banderas and starring Melanie Griffith; and TBS's first original movie, "Fatal Error," starring Antonio Sabato Jr. and Janine Turner. In 1998, Wagner was in "Wild Things," starring Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon, for Mandalay Films, playing attorney Tom Baxter. In 1997, he co-starred in New Line's box-office hit "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," starring Mike Myers and Elizabeth Hurley.
Jill St. John is known throughout the world as a film and television star. At the age of 10, Jill appeared in the first TV movie ever made, the Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol." She made pictures with Frank Sinatra, such as "Tony Rome" and Neil Simon's "Come Blow Your Horn," and acted with Dean Martin in "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed." She also played Tiffany Case in the James Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever" with Sean Connery.
She was the host of "Good Morning America's" cooking segment for three years. She is now writing a series of three new cookbooks.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Director to attend opening
South Texas man will appear at 'El Padrino' showing
Damian Chapa, director and star of the new film "El Padrino," hopes his film, which is layered with gunfights, explosions and car chases, captures the reality of gangster life.
Chapa, who is from South Texas, will sign autographs at 7 p.m. tonight at Cinemark 12, 7806 Navarro St., in Victoria. The new gangster/action film opens here on Friday.
The R-rated movie, also starring Academy-Award winner Faye Dunaway, Jennifer Tilly and Robert Wagner, had its debut in El Paso on April 6. The independent film also features Gary Busey and Brad Dourif and showcases Latin actors Sal Lopez, Emilio Rivera, Ileanna Simancas and Ismael "East" Carlo.
The film, set in Los Angeles and Mexico, chronicles the life of a fictional gangster, Kilo Vasquez, played by Chapa. A young Kilo watches his father, a small-time gangster, and as he emulates him, becomes a powerful underworld figure. After Vasquez marries and has children, he questions his choices and finds that getting out of the business is more difficult than he had imagined.
"There are people like this who exist in my community and I express it because I've known people like this growing up," said Chapa of his gangster and drug-dealing characters. "I express it especially to young people so they understand what it's really like to be a gangster."
Chapa said he recognizes that being in gangs and dealing drugs can be profitable and appealing to youngsters at first, but that they may find unexpected and unpleasant consequences of their choices.
Chapa describes his film as a crossover movie that would appeal to those who liked "Scarface" or "Traffic."
Though he was born in Ohio, the 42-year-old Chapa moved to Robstown when he was young.
"I really love it down here," Chapa said. "It's where my whole family is from. I'm very proud of being part of the Tejano group."
Chapa dropped out of high school to do theatre in New York when he was about 20. Later, he moved to Los Angeles and film roles.
For one of his first parts, he captured the lead in Taylor Hackford's "Bound By Honor." The 1993 movie also featured Benjamin Bratt and Billy Bob Thornton. The film, also known as "Blood In Blood Out," became a cult classic.
Chapa also acted in movies such as "Under Siege," "Street Fighter," and "Money Talks." About four years ago, Chapa launched his own production company. "El Padrino" will be his first theatrical release as a director.
Chapa said it was difficult doing triple duty as actor, director and writer, but that it allowed him to better capture his vision.
"I think this is a violent film for intelligent people," Chapa said. "This is done to show the realistic life of a gangster. Sooner or later, the only place for gangsters is the pen or the morgue."
Damian Chapa, director and star of the new film "El Padrino," hopes his film, which is layered with gunfights, explosions and car chases, captures the reality of gangster life.
Chapa, who is from South Texas, will sign autographs at 7 p.m. tonight at Cinemark 12, 7806 Navarro St., in Victoria. The new gangster/action film opens here on Friday.
The R-rated movie, also starring Academy-Award winner Faye Dunaway, Jennifer Tilly and Robert Wagner, had its debut in El Paso on April 6. The independent film also features Gary Busey and Brad Dourif and showcases Latin actors Sal Lopez, Emilio Rivera, Ileanna Simancas and Ismael "East" Carlo.
The film, set in Los Angeles and Mexico, chronicles the life of a fictional gangster, Kilo Vasquez, played by Chapa. A young Kilo watches his father, a small-time gangster, and as he emulates him, becomes a powerful underworld figure. After Vasquez marries and has children, he questions his choices and finds that getting out of the business is more difficult than he had imagined.
"There are people like this who exist in my community and I express it because I've known people like this growing up," said Chapa of his gangster and drug-dealing characters. "I express it especially to young people so they understand what it's really like to be a gangster."
Chapa said he recognizes that being in gangs and dealing drugs can be profitable and appealing to youngsters at first, but that they may find unexpected and unpleasant consequences of their choices.
Chapa describes his film as a crossover movie that would appeal to those who liked "Scarface" or "Traffic."
Though he was born in Ohio, the 42-year-old Chapa moved to Robstown when he was young.
"I really love it down here," Chapa said. "It's where my whole family is from. I'm very proud of being part of the Tejano group."
Chapa dropped out of high school to do theatre in New York when he was about 20. Later, he moved to Los Angeles and film roles.
For one of his first parts, he captured the lead in Taylor Hackford's "Bound By Honor." The 1993 movie also featured Benjamin Bratt and Billy Bob Thornton. The film, also known as "Blood In Blood Out," became a cult classic.
Chapa also acted in movies such as "Under Siege," "Street Fighter," and "Money Talks." About four years ago, Chapa launched his own production company. "El Padrino" will be his first theatrical release as a director.
Chapa said it was difficult doing triple duty as actor, director and writer, but that it allowed him to better capture his vision.
"I think this is a violent film for intelligent people," Chapa said. "This is done to show the realistic life of a gangster. Sooner or later, the only place for gangsters is the pen or the morgue."
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Thousands Participate in the 24th Annual Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon
SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- The 24th Annual Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon, hosted by Robert Wagner and sponsored by Lexus, was held on Sunday, April 17, 2005 at Griffith Park.
One of the largest five-person relay races in the United States, the relay marathon is comprised of numerous divisions, according to age, gender and corporate/industry affiliation. Race teams are comprised of five people, with each individual running 5.2 miles before passing the baton. There are also special categories for the very young -- like the Diaper Dash and the Children's Race and the second annual media invitational relay challenge.
Winners of the Relay Marathon were:
1st Place: Nike Team Run LA with a time of 2:15:57
2nd Place: Run With Us #1 with a time of 2:20:24
3rd Place: Spiros III Mexico with a time of 2:23:27
Winners of 2nd Annual Media Invitational 5 mile Relay
Challenge were:
Electronic Media Division
1st Place: KCAL-9/KCBS-2 with a time of 37:35
2nd Place: KNBC News with a time of 38:59
3rd Place: KEARTH 101 Radio with a time of 39:48
Print Media Division
1st Place: LA Sport & Fitness #1 with a time of 31:01
2nd Place: LA Sport & Fitness #2 with a time of 35:13
3rd Place: SurfSantaMonica.com with a time of 38:44
All proceeds benefit programs and services at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica. Since the first race in 1982, the Relay Marathon has raised $8.5 million.
One of the largest five-person relay races in the United States, the relay marathon is comprised of numerous divisions, according to age, gender and corporate/industry affiliation. Race teams are comprised of five people, with each individual running 5.2 miles before passing the baton. There are also special categories for the very young -- like the Diaper Dash and the Children's Race and the second annual media invitational relay challenge.
Winners of the Relay Marathon were:
1st Place: Nike Team Run LA with a time of 2:15:57
2nd Place: Run With Us #1 with a time of 2:20:24
3rd Place: Spiros III Mexico with a time of 2:23:27
Winners of 2nd Annual Media Invitational 5 mile Relay
Challenge were:
Electronic Media Division
1st Place: KCAL-9/KCBS-2 with a time of 37:35
2nd Place: KNBC News with a time of 38:59
3rd Place: KEARTH 101 Radio with a time of 39:48
Print Media Division
1st Place: LA Sport & Fitness #1 with a time of 31:01
2nd Place: LA Sport & Fitness #2 with a time of 35:13
3rd Place: SurfSantaMonica.com with a time of 38:44
All proceeds benefit programs and services at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica. Since the first race in 1982, the Relay Marathon has raised $8.5 million.
Monday, April 11, 2005
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
Robert Wagner to Host 24th Annual Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon at Griffith Park -- April 17
WHAT: Join host Robert Wagner, community leaders, runners and
spectators of all ages in celebrating the 24th Annual
Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon at Griffith
Park.
WHEN: Sunday, April 17, 2005
Media Check-in: 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
Relay Marathon: 8:00 a.m.
Media Invitational Relay Challenge: 10:30 a.m.
All media credentials will be available at the media tent
adjacent to the VIP/Sponsor compound on Sunday, April 17.
Please call Julie Watt at 310-656-4668 to obtain media
parking passes and event maps.
WHERE: Griffith Park
WHO: -- Marathon host Robert Wagner
-- Actors Faith Ford and Ted McGinley, stars of ABC
television's "Hope and Faith"
-- More than 10,000 participants including runners,
members of the media participating in the media
invitational relay challenge and spectators.
(Complete list of media participants follows)
WHY: All proceeds from the Marathon will benefit programs and
services at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica.
Since the first race in 1982, $8.5 million has been
raised.
DETAILS: One of the largest five-person relay marathons in the
United States, the Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay
Marathon is comprised of over 20 divisions, according to
age, gender and corporate/industry affiliation. Each
individual runs 5.2 miles before passing on the baton for
a total of 26 miles. The Relay Marathon has categories
for everyone including the Diaper Dash and the Kids
Races, as well as the second annual media invitational
relay challenge.
Teams Entered in the Media Invitational Relay Challenge
-- KCAL/KCBS TV
-- FOX NEWS
-- KEARTH 101 RADIO
-- ACCESS HOLLYWOOD
-- KNBC TV
-- KVEA TV (TELEMUNDO)
-- LA SPORT AND FITNESS MAGAZINE
-- LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE
-- SURFSANTAMONICA.COM
-- THE MALIBU TIMES
-- LA CITY TV
Contacts
BBPR, Inc.
Julie Watt, 310-656-4668
WHAT: Join host Robert Wagner, community leaders, runners and
spectators of all ages in celebrating the 24th Annual
Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon at Griffith
Park.
WHEN: Sunday, April 17, 2005
Media Check-in: 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
Relay Marathon: 8:00 a.m.
Media Invitational Relay Challenge: 10:30 a.m.
All media credentials will be available at the media tent
adjacent to the VIP/Sponsor compound on Sunday, April 17.
Please call Julie Watt at 310-656-4668 to obtain media
parking passes and event maps.
WHERE: Griffith Park
WHO: -- Marathon host Robert Wagner
-- Actors Faith Ford and Ted McGinley, stars of ABC
television's "Hope and Faith"
-- More than 10,000 participants including runners,
members of the media participating in the media
invitational relay challenge and spectators.
(Complete list of media participants follows)
WHY: All proceeds from the Marathon will benefit programs and
services at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica.
Since the first race in 1982, $8.5 million has been
raised.
DETAILS: One of the largest five-person relay marathons in the
United States, the Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay
Marathon is comprised of over 20 divisions, according to
age, gender and corporate/industry affiliation. Each
individual runs 5.2 miles before passing on the baton for
a total of 26 miles. The Relay Marathon has categories
for everyone including the Diaper Dash and the Kids
Races, as well as the second annual media invitational
relay challenge.
Teams Entered in the Media Invitational Relay Challenge
-- KCAL/KCBS TV
-- FOX NEWS
-- KEARTH 101 RADIO
-- ACCESS HOLLYWOOD
-- KNBC TV
-- KVEA TV (TELEMUNDO)
-- LA SPORT AND FITNESS MAGAZINE
-- LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE
-- SURFSANTAMONICA.COM
-- THE MALIBU TIMES
-- LA CITY TV
Contacts
BBPR, Inc.
Julie Watt, 310-656-4668
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Celebrating Robert Wagner's Birthday
Robert Wagner celebrated his birthday in style at the Peninsula Hotel with his three darling daughters, Natasha, Courtney and Katie — and a surprise birthday cake presented by the still ravishing Charlie’s Angel, Jaclyn Smith. Unfortunately his wife, Jill St. John, was home recuperating from a terrible skiing accident that occurred in Aspen.
They were all at a cocktail reception to announce the Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon which will be held April 17 at Griffith Park. This is one of the largest marathons in the U.S., and all proceeds from the marathon benefit programs and services at St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica. Wagner has been hosting these races for 22 years, and spoke about carrying on the late Jimmy Stewart’s legacy.
Among the notables at the reception were Jimmy and Annie Murphy, and since it was the day before St. Patrick’s Day, most of the guests were attired in green. Since we spent the last 20 years celebrating at Jimmy’s famous eatery in Century City, we regretted the closing, but the talk on the street is that the Murphys will be associated with the Peninsula in some way. Can’t wait for these superb restaurateurs to be back in business again.
Michael Nathanson, president of MGM Pictures received the Sheba Humanitarian Award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Nathanson, known for his strong business acumen and keen eye for talent, went from the mail room to the board room, and among the recent successes under his direction are Die Another Day, Walking Tall, and the Barbershop films. In that respect, Cedric The Entertainer (star of Barbershop 2) was on hand to present the award…and admitted he owes much of his success to his "boss.”
Others in the stellar line up included The Pointer Sisters, Jon Lovitz, Paul Rodriguez and Kathy Griffin, who presented an award to Jamie Masada, owner of the Laugh Factory. No folks, Michael Jackson was not on hand to congratulate Masada, who introduced him to his current accuser.
The money raised at the gala will fund a number of projects at Sheba Medical Center, the largest and most comprehensive healing complex in Israel and the Middle East. Bravo to all concerned for making this an evening of hope and compassion.
They were all at a cocktail reception to announce the Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon which will be held April 17 at Griffith Park. This is one of the largest marathons in the U.S., and all proceeds from the marathon benefit programs and services at St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica. Wagner has been hosting these races for 22 years, and spoke about carrying on the late Jimmy Stewart’s legacy.
Among the notables at the reception were Jimmy and Annie Murphy, and since it was the day before St. Patrick’s Day, most of the guests were attired in green. Since we spent the last 20 years celebrating at Jimmy’s famous eatery in Century City, we regretted the closing, but the talk on the street is that the Murphys will be associated with the Peninsula in some way. Can’t wait for these superb restaurateurs to be back in business again.
Michael Nathanson, president of MGM Pictures received the Sheba Humanitarian Award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Nathanson, known for his strong business acumen and keen eye for talent, went from the mail room to the board room, and among the recent successes under his direction are Die Another Day, Walking Tall, and the Barbershop films. In that respect, Cedric The Entertainer (star of Barbershop 2) was on hand to present the award…and admitted he owes much of his success to his "boss.”
Others in the stellar line up included The Pointer Sisters, Jon Lovitz, Paul Rodriguez and Kathy Griffin, who presented an award to Jamie Masada, owner of the Laugh Factory. No folks, Michael Jackson was not on hand to congratulate Masada, who introduced him to his current accuser.
The money raised at the gala will fund a number of projects at Sheba Medical Center, the largest and most comprehensive healing complex in Israel and the Middle East. Bravo to all concerned for making this an evening of hope and compassion.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
The Duke's horse keeps special bond
Dollor's ears twitch and then get alert when he hears that well-known voice. The horse looks around searching for the man behind that voice. He is looking for an old friend.
The 17-year-old chestnut gelding carried that man with that well-known voice on his back for many years. They were movie stars together.
Dollor, a long-legged quarter horse, made his movie debut in one of John Wayne's finest scenes in one of the Duke's best ever movies, "True Grit."
Most John Wayne fans remember that scene at the very end. Rooster Cogburn's other horse, Bo, had been killed when the old, fat, one-eyed marshal charged across the valley at four bad guys. Rooster got them, but they got Bo.
In the final scene, Rooster has found a new horse. Kim Darby's character comments about the new horse. The marshal says that new horse can jump a four-rail fence.
And then with a sweep of his hat, John Wayne jumps his horse across the fence and the film ends with the horse and rider still in the air.
That was Dollor carrying the Duke, said Debra Keffeler of Midlothian, Texas. She's now the proud owner of Dollor.
She said John Wayne first rode the horse in that move when Dollor was just a 2-year-old. The horse then was owned by a California movie production company that furnished horses for John Wayne movies.
"The Duke had an exclusive contract with them that no one could ride Dollor but him," she said. "I think he liked the horse because their temperaments were a lot alike."
"True Grit" was made in 1969. John Wayne made nine more Western movies after that, including "Chisum," "Big Jake," "The Cowboys," "The Train Robbers" and "Rooster Cogburn."
Dollor was in most of those films. He was mentioned specifically by name several times in the Duke's last movie, "The Shootist."
Debra said the Duke had "The Shootist" script rewritten so he could use Dollor's name. That's how much he thought of the horse.
She bought Dollor — "for a whole bunch of money" — about a year ago from an Iowa man. Dollor lives in a $65,000 barn with her nine other horses.
He's in semi-retirement, content to munch on alfalfa hay and oats. But he still likes to go, she said. Dollor was used to traveling to all the Duke's movie locations, she said.
But what he likes best of all is listening to the sounds in one of his old movies. Debra plays the old movies for him.
"He gets all excited when he hears the shooting and that voice," she said. "Then the ears get alert, and he's looking for John Wayne."
Debra manages a Western clothing store in Ducanville, not far from Dallas. Dollor often makes personal appearances at the store. He also appears at banquets and openings of other stores.
"People cry when they see Dollor," she said. "They just want to touch him. It makes them feel good to see John Wayne's horse. John Wayne was an idol to lots of us as well as a legend.
"He was a good man. People want to keep his memory alive. That's why they let out their feelings when they see Dollor."
Debra said only two other stars have ridden Dollor since the Duke's death. Robert Wagner rode the horse in a segment of the "Hart to Hart" television show, and John Forsythe rode him in "Dynasty."
She doesn't ride Dollor. Nor does she allow others to ride him.
Several times requests have been made to allow someone to ride Dollor in a parade.
"I'm not going to allow some flashy blonde to ride John Wayne's horse in a parade," she said. "That just wouldn't be right."
Ol' Dollor is going to live out his days at her place eating good hay and oats, occasionally appearing before the Duke's fans.
And for a treat, he'll get to see a John Wayne movie just as often as possible, she said.
This column, by John Whiteside, originally appeared on Jan. 16, 1985.
The 17-year-old chestnut gelding carried that man with that well-known voice on his back for many years. They were movie stars together.
Dollor, a long-legged quarter horse, made his movie debut in one of John Wayne's finest scenes in one of the Duke's best ever movies, "True Grit."
Most John Wayne fans remember that scene at the very end. Rooster Cogburn's other horse, Bo, had been killed when the old, fat, one-eyed marshal charged across the valley at four bad guys. Rooster got them, but they got Bo.
In the final scene, Rooster has found a new horse. Kim Darby's character comments about the new horse. The marshal says that new horse can jump a four-rail fence.
And then with a sweep of his hat, John Wayne jumps his horse across the fence and the film ends with the horse and rider still in the air.
That was Dollor carrying the Duke, said Debra Keffeler of Midlothian, Texas. She's now the proud owner of Dollor.
She said John Wayne first rode the horse in that move when Dollor was just a 2-year-old. The horse then was owned by a California movie production company that furnished horses for John Wayne movies.
"The Duke had an exclusive contract with them that no one could ride Dollor but him," she said. "I think he liked the horse because their temperaments were a lot alike."
"True Grit" was made in 1969. John Wayne made nine more Western movies after that, including "Chisum," "Big Jake," "The Cowboys," "The Train Robbers" and "Rooster Cogburn."
Dollor was in most of those films. He was mentioned specifically by name several times in the Duke's last movie, "The Shootist."
Debra said the Duke had "The Shootist" script rewritten so he could use Dollor's name. That's how much he thought of the horse.
She bought Dollor — "for a whole bunch of money" — about a year ago from an Iowa man. Dollor lives in a $65,000 barn with her nine other horses.
He's in semi-retirement, content to munch on alfalfa hay and oats. But he still likes to go, she said. Dollor was used to traveling to all the Duke's movie locations, she said.
But what he likes best of all is listening to the sounds in one of his old movies. Debra plays the old movies for him.
"He gets all excited when he hears the shooting and that voice," she said. "Then the ears get alert, and he's looking for John Wayne."
Debra manages a Western clothing store in Ducanville, not far from Dallas. Dollor often makes personal appearances at the store. He also appears at banquets and openings of other stores.
"People cry when they see Dollor," she said. "They just want to touch him. It makes them feel good to see John Wayne's horse. John Wayne was an idol to lots of us as well as a legend.
"He was a good man. People want to keep his memory alive. That's why they let out their feelings when they see Dollor."
Debra said only two other stars have ridden Dollor since the Duke's death. Robert Wagner rode the horse in a segment of the "Hart to Hart" television show, and John Forsythe rode him in "Dynasty."
She doesn't ride Dollor. Nor does she allow others to ride him.
Several times requests have been made to allow someone to ride Dollor in a parade.
"I'm not going to allow some flashy blonde to ride John Wayne's horse in a parade," she said. "That just wouldn't be right."
Ol' Dollor is going to live out his days at her place eating good hay and oats, occasionally appearing before the Duke's fans.
And for a treat, he'll get to see a John Wayne movie just as often as possible, she said.
This column, by John Whiteside, originally appeared on Jan. 16, 1985.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Robert Wagner to Host 24th Annual Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon Sponsor Recognition Cocktail Reception
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!: Robert Wagner to Host 24th Annual Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon Sponsor Recognition Cocktail Reception at the Peninsula - Beverly Hills on March 16
WHAT: The 24th Annual Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay
Marathon Sponsor Recognition cocktail reception.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Reception: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Program: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Peninsula - Beverly Hills
9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills
WHO: Relay Marathon host Robert Wagner, sponsors and special
guests.
WHY: One of the largest, five-person relay marathons in the
United States, the Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay
Marathon is comprised of over 20 divisions, according to
age, gender and corporate/industry affiliation. Each
individual runs 5.2 miles before passing on the baton
for a total of 26.2 miles.
All proceeds from the Relay Marathon benefit programs
and services at Saint John's Health Center in Santa
Monica. Since the first race in 1982, more than $8.5
million has been raised.
The Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon will be
held on Sunday, April 17, at Griffith Park.
R.S.V.P.: Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon
310-829-8968
WHAT: The 24th Annual Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay
Marathon Sponsor Recognition cocktail reception.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Reception: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Program: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Peninsula - Beverly Hills
9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills
WHO: Relay Marathon host Robert Wagner, sponsors and special
guests.
WHY: One of the largest, five-person relay marathons in the
United States, the Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay
Marathon is comprised of over 20 divisions, according to
age, gender and corporate/industry affiliation. Each
individual runs 5.2 miles before passing on the baton
for a total of 26.2 miles.
All proceeds from the Relay Marathon benefit programs
and services at Saint John's Health Center in Santa
Monica. Since the first race in 1982, more than $8.5
million has been raised.
The Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon will be
held on Sunday, April 17, at Griffith Park.
R.S.V.P.: Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon
310-829-8968
The Fallen Ones
THE FALLEN ONES (Sci Fi) - The telefilm, another in Sci Fi's long line of Saturday originals, is set to air on May 7 at 9:00/8:00c. The network's web site describes the project as follows: "An archaeologist unearths the mummified remains of a giant humanoid. Soon, more evidence is uncovered that reveals the creature to be the offspring of a human woman and a fallen angel — the beginning of a lineage whose terror is about to be reborn into the modern world. Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers) and Robert Wagner (Number Two in the Austin Powers movies) star in this supernatural mystery-thriller."
Monday, February 28, 2005
Hart to Hart on DVD
H2H is coming to DVD. Season One (with extras) should be put together for release more than likely in October (perhaps sooner depending on the assembly) with the remaining seasons to follow in intervals of about four months apart, so the entire series should be completed and available by early 2007.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Update on JSJ
Jill St. John, recovering from her Aspen ski accident, where she'd averted her eyes briefly for a splitnannosecond, as someone whizzed down the slope beside her, is back home in Pacific Palisades. After an airlift to St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., she now has a new hip, steel rod up her back and pins holding her pelvis together. Jill's only comment to the surgeons? "Fix it so I can ski again."
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Romantic TV couples
Kevin Thompson's Valentine's Day picks for the TV couples that snagged our hearts.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Valentine's Day is a time for chocolate covered cherries, mushy cards, candlelight dinners and some really good lovin'.
For a TV critic, it's also a time to ponder which memorable TV couples have made our hearts skip a beat over the years.
No. 1: Mulder and Scully (The X-Files)
The truth is these two alien-chasing FBI agents exuded more sexual heat than most TV couples who fall into bed each week. Mulder and Scully did it with a knowing look. A quick embrace. A soft brush of the other's hair. A frantic cellphone call. The truth was out there: You knew their love was real. And you knew Mulder was the father of Scully's baby.
And the other 49 lovebirds . . .
2. Cliff and Clair Huxtable (The Cosby Show)
They slow danced with each other. They listened to John Coltrane together. They lovingly showed affection in front of their kids. Simply put, they had the kind of rock solid marriage everyone wants.
3. Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy)
If they weren't on this list, I'd have some 'splainin' to do.
4. Rick and Lily (Once and Again)
They showed that divorced parents over 40 could actually act like lustful teens.
5. Bobby and Pam Ewing (Dallas)
For being a modern-day version of Romeo and Juliet. Aw, forget that. Remember, Bobby's six-pack abs? Pam's smokin' bod? That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
6. David and Maddie (Moonlighting)
They fought. They solved crimes. They flirted. They fought. They flirted some more.
7. Ralph and Alice Kramden (The Honeymooners)
For all his "bang, zoom, to the moon" theatrics, deep down blustery Ralph knew his stand-by-your-man Alice was "the greatest." So did we.
8. Diane and Bobby (NYPD Blue)
Ever see them getting it on in a steamy shower? If so, you'd understand.
9. Buffy and Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
He was a brooding vampire. She was a sassy vampire killer. Which meant Buffy and Angel didn't go on many dreamy-eyed dates. But when they were together, their undying passion could raise the dead.
10. Barney and Betty Rubble (The Flintstones)
Because Barney can still make Betty giggle after all these years.
11. Sam and Diane (Cheers)
Their delightful verbal fencing, not all those barflies, made Cheers an instant TV classic.
12. Luke and Laura (General Hospital)
A couple who can survive sexual assaults, kidnappings and living life on the lam before getting hitched. That's love!
13. Doug and Carol (ER)
George Clooney. Juliana Marguilies. What else is there to say?
14. Ross and Rachel (Friends)
Because they were destined to be together. It just took forever.
15. Kevin and Winnie (The Wonder Years)
Ah, young love. So sweet. So innocent. Remember that first kiss in the very first show? 16. Blake and Krystle Carrington (Dynasty)
Sure, bling-blinging Blake sometimes treated his trophy wife like another pricey possession. But he loved Krystle and she loved him right back. Alexis who?
17. Rob and Laura Petrie (The Dick Van Dyke Show)
The way Laura fondly cried, "Ohhh, Robbbbb" oozed a deep-rooted passion that a '60s sitcom couldn't really explore. Rob and Laura slept in separate beds, for crying out loud!
18. Ward and June Cleaver (Leave It To Beaver)
There's something hopelessly romantic about two parents united in their parental duties. Who said every TV couple had to be all sexy?
19. Mike and Gloria Stivic (All in the Family)
They made out an awful lot, didn't they?
20. George and Gracie (The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show)
One of the all-time great show business couples. Say goodnight, Gracie.
21. Sydney and Vaughn (Alias)
Make love in the morning. Thwart a terrorist plot in the afternoon. Make love again at night.
22. Batman and Robin (Batman)
Holy close quarters! Let's face it: The Dynamic Duo spent way too much time alone in the Batcave. You do the math.
23. Martin and Gina (Martin)
Despite their off-screen problems, Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell boasted a sizzling on-screen comedic chemistry.
24. Herman and Lily Munster (The Munsters)
How often do you see Frankenstein whispering sweet nothings to his vampire squeeze? Never.
25. Mr. and Mrs. C (Happy Days)
They would excitedly rush upstairs for some afternoon delight whenever the kids weren't home. As a thumbs-up Fonz would say, "Aaayyh!"
26. Isabel and Leo (Relativity)
Kimberly Williams and David Conrad kissed like they meant it in this little-watched series that skillfully dealt with the complexities of twentysomething romance and relationships.
27. Joyce and Frank (Hill Street Blues)
No couple looked sexier in bed than those secret lovers played by the ruggedly handsome Daniel J. Travanti (Pizza Man!) and the fetching Veronica Hamel.
28. Niles and Daphne (Frasier)
Because sometimes nice, nerdy, opera-loving guys do get the girl of their dreams.
29. Jonathan and Jennifer Hart (Hart to Hart)
It's Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers, people! Hellooooooo!
30. Gomez and Morticia Addams (The Addams Family)
They did a mean tango. Only really passionate people can do a mean tango.
31. Latka and Simka (Taxi)
The funny accents made 'em so darn cute! Tank you berry much!
32. Kermit and Miss Piggy (The Muppet Show)
We needed a carefree frog and a showboating pig on the list. Seriously.
33. Paul and Jamie Buchman (Mad About You)
For showing that marriage can be hard work — and worth the effort.
34. Ozzie and Harriet (The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet)
See Ward and June Cleaver.
35. Lois and Clark (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman)
Lois Lane and Clark Kent never looked that pretty in the D.C. Comics version. You can thank Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain for that.
36. Carrie and Big (Sex and the City)
OK, so Big was a first-class cad who often treated Carrie like crud on the bottom of his shoe. But they had chemistry. And all was forgotten when the big lug finally told Carrie, "You're the one."
37. Dharma and Greg (Dharma & Greg)
Dharma was a free-spirited yoga trainer. Greg was an uptight attorney. Yes, sometimes opposites do attract — and make you laugh.
38. Mike and Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch)
It's not easy looking chirpy and romantic when six kids are running your house. Go ahead, you try it!
39. Trista and Ryan (The Bachelorette)
Before America got sick of the attention-happy Trista, it actually loved this sweet, made-for-reality-TV couple. Well, they mostly loved the painfully shy, poetry-spouting Ryan.
40. James and Florida Evans (Good Times)
They lived with the buffoonish J.J. and still managed to keep their marriage strong. Big ups to James and Florida for that.
41. Turk and Carla (Scrubs)
They still have that newlywed glow.
42. Boston Rob and Amber (Survivor: All-Stars)
Any couple that can make living in the jungle with 16 smelly castaways look like a tropical vacation deserves a mention, don't ya think?
43. Ren and Stimpy (Ren & Stimpy)
If a scrawny, hot-headed Chihuahua (that's Ren) is gonna spend that much time with his kitty kat roomie (that's Stimpy), it must be love.
44. Remington and Laura (Remington Steele)
It's hard not to look all weak in the knees when you're standing next to the future 007.
45. Marge and Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
Why not? At 16 years, The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom on TV. You know Homer and Marge have had some serious lovin' in at least half of those years. D'oh!
46. Pebbles and Bamm Bamm (The Flintstones)
OK, they're babies, but they played so well together. Besides, when they grew up and got their own show, we kinda figured that Pebbles and Bamm Bamm were doing more than goo-goo and gaa-gaa-ing together.
47. The Donald and . . . The Donald (The Apprentice)
No one loves himself — or his companies, hotels, casinos and TV shows — more than The Trumpster.
48. Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (The O.C.)
Sandy singing to his wife on their 20th wedding anniversary probably melted every woman's heart in America.
49. Stewart and Sally McMillan (McMillan and Wife)
Rock Hudson was a grizzled police commissioner. Susan St. James was the wife who just wanted to help. Isn't support in a marriage a beautiful thing?
50. Flavor Flav and Brigitte Nielsen (Strange Love)
The cartoonish black rapper and the statuesque Danish actress are TV's oddest freak show couple since, well . . . give me a minute, I'll think of another one. Well, probably not.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Valentine's Day is a time for chocolate covered cherries, mushy cards, candlelight dinners and some really good lovin'.
For a TV critic, it's also a time to ponder which memorable TV couples have made our hearts skip a beat over the years.
No. 1: Mulder and Scully (The X-Files)
The truth is these two alien-chasing FBI agents exuded more sexual heat than most TV couples who fall into bed each week. Mulder and Scully did it with a knowing look. A quick embrace. A soft brush of the other's hair. A frantic cellphone call. The truth was out there: You knew their love was real. And you knew Mulder was the father of Scully's baby.
And the other 49 lovebirds . . .
2. Cliff and Clair Huxtable (The Cosby Show)
They slow danced with each other. They listened to John Coltrane together. They lovingly showed affection in front of their kids. Simply put, they had the kind of rock solid marriage everyone wants.
3. Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy)
If they weren't on this list, I'd have some 'splainin' to do.
4. Rick and Lily (Once and Again)
They showed that divorced parents over 40 could actually act like lustful teens.
5. Bobby and Pam Ewing (Dallas)
For being a modern-day version of Romeo and Juliet. Aw, forget that. Remember, Bobby's six-pack abs? Pam's smokin' bod? That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
6. David and Maddie (Moonlighting)
They fought. They solved crimes. They flirted. They fought. They flirted some more.
7. Ralph and Alice Kramden (The Honeymooners)
For all his "bang, zoom, to the moon" theatrics, deep down blustery Ralph knew his stand-by-your-man Alice was "the greatest." So did we.
8. Diane and Bobby (NYPD Blue)
Ever see them getting it on in a steamy shower? If so, you'd understand.
9. Buffy and Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
He was a brooding vampire. She was a sassy vampire killer. Which meant Buffy and Angel didn't go on many dreamy-eyed dates. But when they were together, their undying passion could raise the dead.
10. Barney and Betty Rubble (The Flintstones)
Because Barney can still make Betty giggle after all these years.
11. Sam and Diane (Cheers)
Their delightful verbal fencing, not all those barflies, made Cheers an instant TV classic.
12. Luke and Laura (General Hospital)
A couple who can survive sexual assaults, kidnappings and living life on the lam before getting hitched. That's love!
13. Doug and Carol (ER)
George Clooney. Juliana Marguilies. What else is there to say?
14. Ross and Rachel (Friends)
Because they were destined to be together. It just took forever.
15. Kevin and Winnie (The Wonder Years)
Ah, young love. So sweet. So innocent. Remember that first kiss in the very first show? 16. Blake and Krystle Carrington (Dynasty)
Sure, bling-blinging Blake sometimes treated his trophy wife like another pricey possession. But he loved Krystle and she loved him right back. Alexis who?
17. Rob and Laura Petrie (The Dick Van Dyke Show)
The way Laura fondly cried, "Ohhh, Robbbbb" oozed a deep-rooted passion that a '60s sitcom couldn't really explore. Rob and Laura slept in separate beds, for crying out loud!
18. Ward and June Cleaver (Leave It To Beaver)
There's something hopelessly romantic about two parents united in their parental duties. Who said every TV couple had to be all sexy?
19. Mike and Gloria Stivic (All in the Family)
They made out an awful lot, didn't they?
20. George and Gracie (The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show)
One of the all-time great show business couples. Say goodnight, Gracie.
21. Sydney and Vaughn (Alias)
Make love in the morning. Thwart a terrorist plot in the afternoon. Make love again at night.
22. Batman and Robin (Batman)
Holy close quarters! Let's face it: The Dynamic Duo spent way too much time alone in the Batcave. You do the math.
23. Martin and Gina (Martin)
Despite their off-screen problems, Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell boasted a sizzling on-screen comedic chemistry.
24. Herman and Lily Munster (The Munsters)
How often do you see Frankenstein whispering sweet nothings to his vampire squeeze? Never.
25. Mr. and Mrs. C (Happy Days)
They would excitedly rush upstairs for some afternoon delight whenever the kids weren't home. As a thumbs-up Fonz would say, "Aaayyh!"
26. Isabel and Leo (Relativity)
Kimberly Williams and David Conrad kissed like they meant it in this little-watched series that skillfully dealt with the complexities of twentysomething romance and relationships.
27. Joyce and Frank (Hill Street Blues)
No couple looked sexier in bed than those secret lovers played by the ruggedly handsome Daniel J. Travanti (Pizza Man!) and the fetching Veronica Hamel.
28. Niles and Daphne (Frasier)
Because sometimes nice, nerdy, opera-loving guys do get the girl of their dreams.
29. Jonathan and Jennifer Hart (Hart to Hart)
It's Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers, people! Hellooooooo!
30. Gomez and Morticia Addams (The Addams Family)
They did a mean tango. Only really passionate people can do a mean tango.
31. Latka and Simka (Taxi)
The funny accents made 'em so darn cute! Tank you berry much!
32. Kermit and Miss Piggy (The Muppet Show)
We needed a carefree frog and a showboating pig on the list. Seriously.
33. Paul and Jamie Buchman (Mad About You)
For showing that marriage can be hard work — and worth the effort.
34. Ozzie and Harriet (The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet)
See Ward and June Cleaver.
35. Lois and Clark (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman)
Lois Lane and Clark Kent never looked that pretty in the D.C. Comics version. You can thank Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain for that.
36. Carrie and Big (Sex and the City)
OK, so Big was a first-class cad who often treated Carrie like crud on the bottom of his shoe. But they had chemistry. And all was forgotten when the big lug finally told Carrie, "You're the one."
37. Dharma and Greg (Dharma & Greg)
Dharma was a free-spirited yoga trainer. Greg was an uptight attorney. Yes, sometimes opposites do attract — and make you laugh.
38. Mike and Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch)
It's not easy looking chirpy and romantic when six kids are running your house. Go ahead, you try it!
39. Trista and Ryan (The Bachelorette)
Before America got sick of the attention-happy Trista, it actually loved this sweet, made-for-reality-TV couple. Well, they mostly loved the painfully shy, poetry-spouting Ryan.
40. James and Florida Evans (Good Times)
They lived with the buffoonish J.J. and still managed to keep their marriage strong. Big ups to James and Florida for that.
41. Turk and Carla (Scrubs)
They still have that newlywed glow.
42. Boston Rob and Amber (Survivor: All-Stars)
Any couple that can make living in the jungle with 16 smelly castaways look like a tropical vacation deserves a mention, don't ya think?
43. Ren and Stimpy (Ren & Stimpy)
If a scrawny, hot-headed Chihuahua (that's Ren) is gonna spend that much time with his kitty kat roomie (that's Stimpy), it must be love.
44. Remington and Laura (Remington Steele)
It's hard not to look all weak in the knees when you're standing next to the future 007.
45. Marge and Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
Why not? At 16 years, The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom on TV. You know Homer and Marge have had some serious lovin' in at least half of those years. D'oh!
46. Pebbles and Bamm Bamm (The Flintstones)
OK, they're babies, but they played so well together. Besides, when they grew up and got their own show, we kinda figured that Pebbles and Bamm Bamm were doing more than goo-goo and gaa-gaa-ing together.
47. The Donald and . . . The Donald (The Apprentice)
No one loves himself — or his companies, hotels, casinos and TV shows — more than The Trumpster.
48. Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (The O.C.)
Sandy singing to his wife on their 20th wedding anniversary probably melted every woman's heart in America.
49. Stewart and Sally McMillan (McMillan and Wife)
Rock Hudson was a grizzled police commissioner. Susan St. James was the wife who just wanted to help. Isn't support in a marriage a beautiful thing?
50. Flavor Flav and Brigitte Nielsen (Strange Love)
The cartoonish black rapper and the statuesque Danish actress are TV's oddest freak show couple since, well . . . give me a minute, I'll think of another one. Well, probably not.
Robert Wagner Becomes Spokesman for Senior Lending Network; Senior Lending Network To Embark on Nationwide Marketing Campaign
NEW YORK--Feb. 14, 2005--He's been called the nicest guy in Hollywood and today Senior Lending Network introduces Robert Wagner as its official spokesperson. "We are excited to report that the legendary actor, Robert Wagner, whose integrity and generous spirit make him an ideal role model and effective messenger for seniors on the benefits of reverse mortgages, has accepted the role as our spokesman," says David Peskin, president of Senior Lending Network.
Robert Wagner is one of the entertainment industry's most successful stars with an enduring career that includes three hit series and a long list of feature and television films. Perhaps best known for his early 80s hit TV series, Hart to Hart with co-star Stefanie Powers, Wagner continues to work as a Hollywood leading man and has toured the world performing A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" with Powers. Charitable with his time and talent, Wagner also stages the play at benefit events with his wife, actress Jill St. John.
"I am honored to lend my name and my efforts to improving the lives of seniors. Financial stability is a right earned from years of hard work and every senior should be aware of their options," says Wagner.
Peskin explained that production for a national television commercial will begin immediately and he expects it to start airing in February. Additionally, Wagner will be featured in print ads, educational videos and on the Senior Lending Network website http://www.seniorlendingnetwork.com.
About the Senior Lending Network:
Founded in 2003, the Senior Lending Network, a program by Mortgage Warehouse, was created to inform, educate and assist seniors aged 62 and older about the powerful benefits of reverse mortgages. By supplying interested seniors with an educational video and access to a qualified Reverse Mortgage expert in their area, the Senior Lending Network has to date helped thousands of seniors obtain the means to living a better life. For more information go to http://www.seniorlendingnetwork.com.
Contact:
Bennett & Company, Orlando, Fla.
Laura Bennett, 407-478-4040
Robert Wagner is one of the entertainment industry's most successful stars with an enduring career that includes three hit series and a long list of feature and television films. Perhaps best known for his early 80s hit TV series, Hart to Hart with co-star Stefanie Powers, Wagner continues to work as a Hollywood leading man and has toured the world performing A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" with Powers. Charitable with his time and talent, Wagner also stages the play at benefit events with his wife, actress Jill St. John.
"I am honored to lend my name and my efforts to improving the lives of seniors. Financial stability is a right earned from years of hard work and every senior should be aware of their options," says Wagner.
Peskin explained that production for a national television commercial will begin immediately and he expects it to start airing in February. Additionally, Wagner will be featured in print ads, educational videos and on the Senior Lending Network website http://www.seniorlendingnetwork.com.
About the Senior Lending Network:
Founded in 2003, the Senior Lending Network, a program by Mortgage Warehouse, was created to inform, educate and assist seniors aged 62 and older about the powerful benefits of reverse mortgages. By supplying interested seniors with an educational video and access to a qualified Reverse Mortgage expert in their area, the Senior Lending Network has to date helped thousands of seniors obtain the means to living a better life. For more information go to http://www.seniorlendingnetwork.com.
Contact:
Bennett & Company, Orlando, Fla.
Laura Bennett, 407-478-4040
Friday, February 11, 2005
Robert Wagner's Birthday
Mr. Wagner went to dinner last night with his daughters, their respective partners, his assistant, and one of his close friends.
When they returned from dinner, Natasha read to him the six-page fax of "Happy Birthday" wishes sent by a rep of his fans.
He was very touched and thanked everyone for their good wishes.
When they returned from dinner, Natasha read to him the six-page fax of "Happy Birthday" wishes sent by a rep of his fans.
He was very touched and thanked everyone for their good wishes.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Jill St. John fractures hip in skiing accident
Former James Bond girl Jill St. John fractured her hip in a skiing accident.
St. John, 64, was hospitalized at Aspen Valley Hospital after the accident Saturday, then transferred Monday to an undisclosed hospital in Los Angeles, family spokesman Alan Nierob said Thursday.
The actress, who appeared in numerous movies including the 1971 classic, "Diamonds are Forever," underwent successful surgery on Tuesday.
St. John is married to actor Robert Wagner.
St. John, 64, was hospitalized at Aspen Valley Hospital after the accident Saturday, then transferred Monday to an undisclosed hospital in Los Angeles, family spokesman Alan Nierob said Thursday.
The actress, who appeared in numerous movies including the 1971 classic, "Diamonds are Forever," underwent successful surgery on Tuesday.
St. John is married to actor Robert Wagner.
JSJ's Surgery
The surgery went well. It lasted four hours. The surgeons were very pleased. She is in pain today though. It is not an easy thing to recover from, but she has a good attitude.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Army Archerd - February 9
Robert Wagner was with wife Jill St. John Wednesday afternoon as she was being moved from the hospital's Intensive Care Unit back to her room. She'd undergone extensive surgery Tuesday on the multiple fractures of her pelvis and right hip, the results of a skiing accident last weekend in Aspen. He said everyone (at the hospital) was wonderful to her. Wagner was to have been partied by Jill Friday at Jimmy's (he'll be 75) ...
Jill St. John injured on the slopes
Aspen Daily News
Former Hollywood star Jill St. John was sent to Aspen Valley Hospital over the weekend after sustaining injuries in a skiing accident.
A spokesman for the family said St. John was hurt while skiing in Aspen on Saturday, although he did not know the full extent of her injuries. Several
sources said St. John sustained a broken hip.
The hospital confirmed the actress was at the hospital Monday and was due to be moved to a different medical facility for further treatment.
"(St. John) is here, in good condition and is being transported to a different medical facility," said AVH spokesman Victoria Seyffert.
Due to Colorado's patient confidentiality laws, Seyffert would not comment further. St. John, 64, declined comment when reached at the hospital.
St. John and her husband Robert Wagner, who is also an actor, are long-time Aspen locals. St. John rose to fame as a wavy-haired starlet in the 60s. Her movie credits include playing Bond girl Tiffany Case alongside Sean Connery in 1971's "Diamonds are Forever."
Former Hollywood star Jill St. John was sent to Aspen Valley Hospital over the weekend after sustaining injuries in a skiing accident.
A spokesman for the family said St. John was hurt while skiing in Aspen on Saturday, although he did not know the full extent of her injuries. Several
sources said St. John sustained a broken hip.
The hospital confirmed the actress was at the hospital Monday and was due to be moved to a different medical facility for further treatment.
"(St. John) is here, in good condition and is being transported to a different medical facility," said AVH spokesman Victoria Seyffert.
Due to Colorado's patient confidentiality laws, Seyffert would not comment further. St. John, 64, declined comment when reached at the hospital.
St. John and her husband Robert Wagner, who is also an actor, are long-time Aspen locals. St. John rose to fame as a wavy-haired starlet in the 60s. Her movie credits include playing Bond girl Tiffany Case alongside Sean Connery in 1971's "Diamonds are Forever."
Jill St. John's Injuries
Jill St. John fell while skiing in Aspen. Her hip came out of the socket and smashed her pelvis in two places.
She had surgery yesterday and has a long recovery in front of her.
Robert Wagner's 75th birthday party is cancelled. (His birthday is Thursday).
She had surgery yesterday and has a long recovery in front of her.
Robert Wagner's 75th birthday party is cancelled. (His birthday is Thursday).
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Jill St. John Involved in Accident
Jill St. John was medevacked from Aspen to L.A. yesterday after what's said to have been a serious ski accident. A rep for the 64-year-old "Hart to Hart" actress had no immediate word on her condition. Friends are hoping she'll be well enough to join her husband, Robert Wagner, at his 75th birthday party on Thursday.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
The WB's 'The Starlet' reality acting competition to premiere March 8
The WB has announced that The Starlet, a new Top Model-like reality series in which ten young aspiring actresses will compete to win a prize package that includes representation and a one-year talent deal with The WB, will premiere Tuesday, March 8 at 9PM ET/ET.
Similar to the network's scheduling of the just-concluded High School Reunion 3, The Starlet will air in the place of repeat broadcasts of The WB's One Tree Hill drama.
Evoking images of last summer's lowly rated Next Action Star NBC series, The WB states that The Starlet will put its aspiring actresses through an "intense Hollywood boot camp" featuring acting classes, live performances, screen tests and brutally honest critiques by three-person judging panel. Headed by Academy Award-winning actress Faye Dunaway (how the mighty have fallen), the panel will also include film actress Vivica A. Fox and famed casting director Joseph Middleton.
Like Action Star, Starlet will feature representation and an acting role as part of the prize package awarded to its winner -- in this case a one-year management contract with 3 Arts Entertainment and both an overall The WB talent deal and One Tree Hill guest starring role. Similar to NBC's scheduling of the made-for-TV feature film starring Action Star's winners, the One Tree Hill guest appearance will occur in the Hill episode airing the week following Starlet's April 12 finale.
Living together in a home once owned by Marilyn Monroe, the contestants will participate in screen tests filmed at renowned Hollywood locations including Los Angeles' old Orpheum Theater, Griffith Park's Bronson Caves, and the Sunset Strip's Comedy Store.
In addition to working with their acting coaches, the young women will also receive help from other guest stars already familiar to The WB viewers, including Jaime Pressly (Jack & Jill) and David Gallagher (7th Heaven).
The aspiring actresses will also get exposed to the perks of stardom, with each episode also featuring the women competing to win special rewards that include attending the film premiere of Ocean's 12 with Days of Our Lives hunk Matt Cedeño, a photo session with sought-after photographer Simon Gluckman, a power dinner with a Hollywood director, and a makeover with top stylists.
Katie Wagner, daughter of actor Robert Wagner, will serve as The Starlet's host.
First announced in June 2004 under the working title of Wannabes, The Starlet was originally presented as a Jamie Kennedy production, however reality producer Mike Fleiss also joined the production in the interim, resulting in both Kennedy and Fleiss now having executive producer credits.
The one-time producer of Fox's Who Wants to Marry A Multi-Millionaire? disaster who first rose to prominence as a result of the ratings success of his ABC The Bachelor series, Fleiss has produced numerous other reality series in recent years -- with mixed results.
Cashing in on his initial Bachelor success, Fleiss quickly signed deals to create two additional reality series for ABC -- Are You Hot? and The Will. While Are You Hot? made it to the airwaves in Spring 2003, the televised meat market (complete with laser pointers) is near universally considered to have represented the bottoming out of the currently resurgent network, with even ABC's chairman later acknowledging the series was "in bad taste." Unfortunately for Fleiss, The Will also didn't fare any better. ABC gave up on the series after leaving it in development for over a year, and although Fleiss managed to somehow convince CBS to pick up the project, they clearly didn't think much of it. The Will finally premiered more than two years after it was first announced -- but in the original programming wasteland known as Saturday nights, where CBS still was unhappy with its performance and promptly canceled the series following a single 90-minute premiere broadcast.
Fleiss also produced a ten-episode The Two-Timer reality comedy series that ABC had scheduled for broadcast in Summer 2004, however the network suddenly pulled the show from its summer schedule despite promoting the series during its May 2004 Bachelor finale. While ABC executives cited a desire to not rush the series' post-production work as the reason for canceling the show's June 23 debut only two weeks before its broadcast, the network also failed to follow through with its statement that Two-Timer would air later that summer -- nor has the series aired since. Fleiss also sold ABC a Joe Millionaire-like series called Rich Guy, Poor Guy in early 2003, but like Two-Timer, despite casting call notices aired during The Bachelor and a nationwide casting tour conducted in conjunction with The Bachelor, the series has never seen the light of day.
Fleiss has had better luck working with The WB, where despite producing a couple of flops (The WB's Superstar USA, Big Man On Campus), his High School Reunion series has performed well enough to have aired three editions.
However Fleiss' biggest non-Bachelor success has arguably come at cable's TBS network, where he executive produced the network's reality-comedy adaptation of Sherwood Schwartz's classic Gilligan's Island sitcom. Despite mixed reviews, The Real Gilligan's Island series delivered great ratings for the network and will return for a second edition later this year.
Similar to the network's scheduling of the just-concluded High School Reunion 3, The Starlet will air in the place of repeat broadcasts of The WB's One Tree Hill drama.
Evoking images of last summer's lowly rated Next Action Star NBC series, The WB states that The Starlet will put its aspiring actresses through an "intense Hollywood boot camp" featuring acting classes, live performances, screen tests and brutally honest critiques by three-person judging panel. Headed by Academy Award-winning actress Faye Dunaway (how the mighty have fallen), the panel will also include film actress Vivica A. Fox and famed casting director Joseph Middleton.
Like Action Star, Starlet will feature representation and an acting role as part of the prize package awarded to its winner -- in this case a one-year management contract with 3 Arts Entertainment and both an overall The WB talent deal and One Tree Hill guest starring role. Similar to NBC's scheduling of the made-for-TV feature film starring Action Star's winners, the One Tree Hill guest appearance will occur in the Hill episode airing the week following Starlet's April 12 finale.
Living together in a home once owned by Marilyn Monroe, the contestants will participate in screen tests filmed at renowned Hollywood locations including Los Angeles' old Orpheum Theater, Griffith Park's Bronson Caves, and the Sunset Strip's Comedy Store.
In addition to working with their acting coaches, the young women will also receive help from other guest stars already familiar to The WB viewers, including Jaime Pressly (Jack & Jill) and David Gallagher (7th Heaven).
The aspiring actresses will also get exposed to the perks of stardom, with each episode also featuring the women competing to win special rewards that include attending the film premiere of Ocean's 12 with Days of Our Lives hunk Matt Cedeño, a photo session with sought-after photographer Simon Gluckman, a power dinner with a Hollywood director, and a makeover with top stylists.
Katie Wagner, daughter of actor Robert Wagner, will serve as The Starlet's host.
First announced in June 2004 under the working title of Wannabes, The Starlet was originally presented as a Jamie Kennedy production, however reality producer Mike Fleiss also joined the production in the interim, resulting in both Kennedy and Fleiss now having executive producer credits.
The one-time producer of Fox's Who Wants to Marry A Multi-Millionaire? disaster who first rose to prominence as a result of the ratings success of his ABC The Bachelor series, Fleiss has produced numerous other reality series in recent years -- with mixed results.
Cashing in on his initial Bachelor success, Fleiss quickly signed deals to create two additional reality series for ABC -- Are You Hot? and The Will. While Are You Hot? made it to the airwaves in Spring 2003, the televised meat market (complete with laser pointers) is near universally considered to have represented the bottoming out of the currently resurgent network, with even ABC's chairman later acknowledging the series was "in bad taste." Unfortunately for Fleiss, The Will also didn't fare any better. ABC gave up on the series after leaving it in development for over a year, and although Fleiss managed to somehow convince CBS to pick up the project, they clearly didn't think much of it. The Will finally premiered more than two years after it was first announced -- but in the original programming wasteland known as Saturday nights, where CBS still was unhappy with its performance and promptly canceled the series following a single 90-minute premiere broadcast.
Fleiss also produced a ten-episode The Two-Timer reality comedy series that ABC had scheduled for broadcast in Summer 2004, however the network suddenly pulled the show from its summer schedule despite promoting the series during its May 2004 Bachelor finale. While ABC executives cited a desire to not rush the series' post-production work as the reason for canceling the show's June 23 debut only two weeks before its broadcast, the network also failed to follow through with its statement that Two-Timer would air later that summer -- nor has the series aired since. Fleiss also sold ABC a Joe Millionaire-like series called Rich Guy, Poor Guy in early 2003, but like Two-Timer, despite casting call notices aired during The Bachelor and a nationwide casting tour conducted in conjunction with The Bachelor, the series has never seen the light of day.
Fleiss has had better luck working with The WB, where despite producing a couple of flops (The WB's Superstar USA, Big Man On Campus), his High School Reunion series has performed well enough to have aired three editions.
However Fleiss' biggest non-Bachelor success has arguably come at cable's TBS network, where he executive produced the network's reality-comedy adaptation of Sherwood Schwartz's classic Gilligan's Island sitcom. Despite mixed reviews, The Real Gilligan's Island series delivered great ratings for the network and will return for a second edition later this year.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown
Robert Wagner is scheduled to appear as a player on February 22, 2005. He serves on the Board of Directors of The Silver Lining Foundation and is playing for them.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon
Join host Robert Wagner at the 24th Annual Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon on Sunday, April 17, at Griffith Park. The Relay Marathon is comprised of over 20 divisions. Each individual runs 5.2 miles before passing on the baton for a total of 26.2 miles. There's something for everyone, including races for children. Spectators can cheer on their favorite TV or radio personalities as they compete in the popular Media Invitational Relay Challenge. There's also live entertainment and a health and fitness expo. Proceeds benefit Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica. For more information, call 310-829-8968 or visit www.stjohns.org.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Maternity milestone
EAGLE COUNTY - Imagine a pregnant woman in labor having to go all the way to Denver to have her baby.
Not too long ago, that's exactly what most expectant parents in Eagle County had to do.
That's why Jan. 10, 1980 - 25 years ago Monday - is of particular importance to the Vail Valley Medical Center and health care in Eagle County. It was the first time a baby was born in Vail on purpose.
"Prior to that, babies that were born here were on stormy nights when they couldn't get down to Denver," said Dr. Kent Petrie.
Petrie was the physician who delivered the Vail Valley Medical Center's first baby - a boy named Cody Merle Kuehl. His birth to parents Barbara and Randy Kuehl of Edwards was such a big deal to the community then that hospital staff called in periodic updates to a local radio station deejay, who announced the mother's cervical dilation over the airwaves.
"This was before patient confidentiality laws," Petrie said.
Things have changed since then. Petrie, who moved here in late 1979, notes how much the local hospital has grown in size and advanced in technology. But that day in January, back when the hospital was a clinic and it had less than 20 beds, is a fond memory for veteran staff.
"This town made it up to be such a big deal," said Anne Robinson, a perinatal educator for the hospital.
A day of many firsts
Petrie started at the Vail Hospital, as it was called then, in August of 1979. It was his first medical practice after finishing his residency in St. Paul, Minn. He was immediately assigned to set up a maternity care center at the hospital.
"I was kind of excited about it," he said.
There was one birthing room, which was considered state-of-the-art at the time, Robinson said. Even in Denver, women still were giving birth in operating rooms.
The hospital still didn't have an obstetrician at this time (one came on year later), so Petrie was responsible for deliveries. The hospital was not equipped to deal with Caesarian sections or high-risk deliveries, either.
The Kuehl baby was not only the hospital's first planned delivery, it was the Kuehls' first baby. Cody Kuehl was first to become a third-generation Eagle Countian; his grandmother, Carol Favale, also lived in Edwards. It was Petrie's first official delivery, too.
The maternity care center opened Jan. 1, 1980. Nine days passed. Then Barbara Kuehl went into labor.
"The excitement spread through the hospital and the valley," Petrie said. "We were all a little nervous. It made me pretty nervous."
Lights, camera, action
Making things even more exciting - or nerve-wracking - was that the TV show "Hart to Hart" was filming an episode in the Vail hospital.
The film crews and the show's stars, Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers, even got caught up in the excitement. The stars signed autographs for the family once the baby was born, Robinson said.
The show's impact on the hospital was long lasting.
"The hospital didn't have an official sign on West Meadow Drive," Petrie said. "So the crews quickly made a nice sign. That sign stayed up for at least six months. We never took it down until the snow melted."
The main event
Cody Merle Kuehl was born at 2:40 p.m. on Jan. 10, 1980. His arrival made the front page of the now-defunct Vail Villager and was covered by the Vail Trail.
"It went very smoothly," Petrie is quoted as saying in the Vail Trail article.
There were 70 births in the hospital that year, Robinson said.
That number has grown considerably over the years.
"We had 70 births last month," Petrie said.
Business is booming at the hospital's ever-more-advanced maternity ward. Hospital official say there were 600 births in 2004.
But that day in 1980 had a significant impact on Petrie, who planned only to stay a year in Vail.
"I was under the impression that I would just see tourists with orthopedic injuries from skiing, or with sore throats," he said. "That was very quickly changed when experiences like caring for a family that really was a three-generation family in town.
"I think that experience early on was that Vail really was a wonderful place to live," he said.
Not too long ago, that's exactly what most expectant parents in Eagle County had to do.
That's why Jan. 10, 1980 - 25 years ago Monday - is of particular importance to the Vail Valley Medical Center and health care in Eagle County. It was the first time a baby was born in Vail on purpose.
"Prior to that, babies that were born here were on stormy nights when they couldn't get down to Denver," said Dr. Kent Petrie.
Petrie was the physician who delivered the Vail Valley Medical Center's first baby - a boy named Cody Merle Kuehl. His birth to parents Barbara and Randy Kuehl of Edwards was such a big deal to the community then that hospital staff called in periodic updates to a local radio station deejay, who announced the mother's cervical dilation over the airwaves.
"This was before patient confidentiality laws," Petrie said.
Things have changed since then. Petrie, who moved here in late 1979, notes how much the local hospital has grown in size and advanced in technology. But that day in January, back when the hospital was a clinic and it had less than 20 beds, is a fond memory for veteran staff.
"This town made it up to be such a big deal," said Anne Robinson, a perinatal educator for the hospital.
A day of many firsts
Petrie started at the Vail Hospital, as it was called then, in August of 1979. It was his first medical practice after finishing his residency in St. Paul, Minn. He was immediately assigned to set up a maternity care center at the hospital.
"I was kind of excited about it," he said.
There was one birthing room, which was considered state-of-the-art at the time, Robinson said. Even in Denver, women still were giving birth in operating rooms.
The hospital still didn't have an obstetrician at this time (one came on year later), so Petrie was responsible for deliveries. The hospital was not equipped to deal with Caesarian sections or high-risk deliveries, either.
The Kuehl baby was not only the hospital's first planned delivery, it was the Kuehls' first baby. Cody Kuehl was first to become a third-generation Eagle Countian; his grandmother, Carol Favale, also lived in Edwards. It was Petrie's first official delivery, too.
The maternity care center opened Jan. 1, 1980. Nine days passed. Then Barbara Kuehl went into labor.
"The excitement spread through the hospital and the valley," Petrie said. "We were all a little nervous. It made me pretty nervous."
Lights, camera, action
Making things even more exciting - or nerve-wracking - was that the TV show "Hart to Hart" was filming an episode in the Vail hospital.
The film crews and the show's stars, Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers, even got caught up in the excitement. The stars signed autographs for the family once the baby was born, Robinson said.
The show's impact on the hospital was long lasting.
"The hospital didn't have an official sign on West Meadow Drive," Petrie said. "So the crews quickly made a nice sign. That sign stayed up for at least six months. We never took it down until the snow melted."
The main event
Cody Merle Kuehl was born at 2:40 p.m. on Jan. 10, 1980. His arrival made the front page of the now-defunct Vail Villager and was covered by the Vail Trail.
"It went very smoothly," Petrie is quoted as saying in the Vail Trail article.
There were 70 births in the hospital that year, Robinson said.
That number has grown considerably over the years.
"We had 70 births last month," Petrie said.
Business is booming at the hospital's ever-more-advanced maternity ward. Hospital official say there were 600 births in 2004.
But that day in 1980 had a significant impact on Petrie, who planned only to stay a year in Vail.
"I was under the impression that I would just see tourists with orthopedic injuries from skiing, or with sore throats," he said. "That was very quickly changed when experiences like caring for a family that really was a three-generation family in town.
"I think that experience early on was that Vail really was a wonderful place to live," he said.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown
Robert Wagner will be on the Bravo Channel's Celebrity Poker Showdown on January 25th.
RJ and David Niven
Niv: The Authorized Biography of David Niven
By Graham Lord
Reviewed by Bruce Handy
Vanity Fair scribe and editor Bruce Handy was thoroughly entertained by Graham Lord’s biography of David Niven, aka “Niv.” And in case you were all, “Niv? Whaaat?” Mr. Handy explains to us that Niv is short for Niven. David’s last name: “(cf. Coop for Gary Cooper or Hef for Hugh Hefner).” Ohhhh, thanks for clarifying. To illustrate Niv’s self-deprecating attitude, Handy quotes him telling John Hurt: “I know exactly what my position is, old cock: I’m second-rate star.” We appreciated this penis reference and were appropriately satisfied with this week’s NYTBR vulgarity quota. But, boy oh boy, that was before we read on. Handy explains that Niv was known for being unreliable and as a result, Lord had a difficult time separating fact from fiction. He points to this example as one of the key mysteries that has had Niv scholars scratching their heads for decades:
One example: While Niven was in the Italian Alps filming a skiing sequence for The Pink Panther in subzero weather, his penis became frostbitten. He was advised to soak it in alcohol as a first-aid treatment, and, quickly returning to his hotel, went to the bar, asked for a brandy glass full of whiskey and took it to the men's room. Question: When another patron walked in, saw Niven with his penis in a snifter and gasped, "What are you doing?" Did the actor quip that he was urinating "in a brandy glass. I always do," (Niven's account in "The Moon's a Balloon") or "I always give it a drink now and then" (Lord's account, based on an interview with Robert Wagner)?
Answer: We’re putting our money on Robert Wagner. We assume the star of “Becoming Dick” (incidentally directed by Bob Saget) knows a thing or two about, um, “drinking” penises.
By Graham Lord
Reviewed by Bruce Handy
Vanity Fair scribe and editor Bruce Handy was thoroughly entertained by Graham Lord’s biography of David Niven, aka “Niv.” And in case you were all, “Niv? Whaaat?” Mr. Handy explains to us that Niv is short for Niven. David’s last name: “(cf. Coop for Gary Cooper or Hef for Hugh Hefner).” Ohhhh, thanks for clarifying. To illustrate Niv’s self-deprecating attitude, Handy quotes him telling John Hurt: “I know exactly what my position is, old cock: I’m second-rate star.” We appreciated this penis reference and were appropriately satisfied with this week’s NYTBR vulgarity quota. But, boy oh boy, that was before we read on. Handy explains that Niv was known for being unreliable and as a result, Lord had a difficult time separating fact from fiction. He points to this example as one of the key mysteries that has had Niv scholars scratching their heads for decades:
One example: While Niven was in the Italian Alps filming a skiing sequence for The Pink Panther in subzero weather, his penis became frostbitten. He was advised to soak it in alcohol as a first-aid treatment, and, quickly returning to his hotel, went to the bar, asked for a brandy glass full of whiskey and took it to the men's room. Question: When another patron walked in, saw Niven with his penis in a snifter and gasped, "What are you doing?" Did the actor quip that he was urinating "in a brandy glass. I always do," (Niven's account in "The Moon's a Balloon") or "I always give it a drink now and then" (Lord's account, based on an interview with Robert Wagner)?
Answer: We’re putting our money on Robert Wagner. We assume the star of “Becoming Dick” (incidentally directed by Bob Saget) knows a thing or two about, um, “drinking” penises.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Fine Young Cannibal
Prince of Cool
New box set spotlights Chet Baker's lush life
You can gauge the significance of a modern jazz player by the number of times his or her name pops up in Miles Davis' contentious 1989 autobiography, Miles, and by the vociferousness of the attack.
By that standard, trumpeter and singer Chet Baker was a giant.
Blessed with chiseled cheeks and matinee-idol good looks, an ultra-smooth tone and a dreamy voice indicating he was definitely in touch with his feminine side, Baker became the poster boy of the West Coast jazz scene, a group of mostly white musicians that made post-bebop jazz popular with college audiences.
Davis had collaborated with some of the West Coast jazz guys, notably saxophonists Gerry Mulligan and Lee Konitz (both of whom appeared on Davis' landmark 1949 recording Birth of the Cool), and he goes fairly easy on them in his book, but he spares no venom for Baker.
"A lot of white critics kept talking about all these white jazz musicians, imitators of us, like they was some great motherfuckers and everything . . . like they was gods or something," Davis wrote. "What bothered me more than anything was that all the critics were starting to talk about Chet Baker . . . like he was the second coming of Christ. And him sounding just like me, worse than me even while I was a terrible junkie."
Needless to say, Davis wasn't too pleased when Down Beat magazine named the upstart Baker as Best Trumpet Player of 1953.
A new three-CD box set, Chet Baker: Prince of Cool (Blue Note/Pacific Jazz), highlights Baker's talents and shows that the 1953 accolade was well-deserved. Culled from sessions recorded for the Pacific Jazz label between 1952 and '57, the set breaks no new ground; all of these recordings have been available elsewhere, and the 1994 four-CD compilation Chet Baker: The Pacific Jazz Years remains the definitive collection of his work from this period. Still, this newly remastered anthology, neatly divided into three categories, should serve as an accessible introduction to acolytes and offers an easy way for cognoscenti to get Chet-at-a-glance, with or without the vocals.
Disc one ("Chet Sings") focuses on those dreamy vocal numbers; disc two ("Chet Plays") zeroes in on his trumpet-led instrumentals; and disc three ("Chet and Friends") features the trumpeter in band settings collaborating with such jazz luminaries as Mulligan, Art Pepper, Stan Getz and Shelly Manne.
Liner note contributor Ted Gioia, author of West Coast Jazz: Modern Jazz in California, 1945-1960, writes, "[Baker's] Pacific Jazz recordings . . . feature some of the defining moments of [his] career. From misty-eyed vocals to in-the-groove workouts alongside tenorist Phil Urso and pianist Bobby Timmons, serving as counterfoil to various other 'name' players . . . Baker made his mark as one of the defining jazz artists to emerge in the 1950s."
Baker easily personified the icy romanticism that marked the cool-jazz scene. He also was one of history's most tragic jazz figures.
Born Chesney Henry Baker Jr. in Oklahoma, Baker grew up in L.A. and served two hitches in the Army. While stationed in the Presidio, he began frequenting San Francisco's jazz clubs.
After a second discharge in 1952, he rose quickly to prominence, with his big break coming that spring when sax legend Charlie Parker hired him for a few West Coast dates. That summer, Baker joined the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and recorded his first Pacific Jazz sessions. He was just 23.
He made his acting debut in 1955 in the film Hell's Horizon. His lush life also became the inspiration for the fictionalized 1960 Hollywood film All the Fine Young Cannibals, with Robert Wagner portraying Chad Bixby, the fast-living jazz musician based on Baker.
During the 1960s, the musician lived up to his image, developing a heroin habit and landing in jail. In 1966 he was beaten on the streets of San Francisco, an event that may or may not have contributed to the loss of his front teeth (Baker had neglected his dental hygiene for years).
In 1968, he began wearing dentures, which are a difficult adaptation for a trumpet player who depends on his teeth to shape his embouchure. Baker's touring and recording schedule diminished, and by the early '70s he had stopped playing altogether.
In 1973 he staged a comeback, resumed recording, though sporadically, and toured mostly in Europe. Elvis Costello hired him to perform the mournful trumpet solo on his classic "Shipbuilding" in 1983, introducing Baker to a new generation of jazz fans.
In 1987 photographer Bruce Weber began shooting a film documentary about Baker. Let's Get Lost, released the following year, won widespread acclaim and would have ensured Baker's return to prominence, but just weeks before its release, the trumpet player toppled to his death from an Amsterdam hotel window after ingesting heroin and cocaine. Fans still debate whether he fell accidentally, committed suicide or was pushed.
Prince of Cool affirms that at least for a few glorious years in the mid- to late '50s, Chet Baker stood on top of the jazz world, and there's no disputing that fact.
New box set spotlights Chet Baker's lush life
You can gauge the significance of a modern jazz player by the number of times his or her name pops up in Miles Davis' contentious 1989 autobiography, Miles, and by the vociferousness of the attack.
By that standard, trumpeter and singer Chet Baker was a giant.
Blessed with chiseled cheeks and matinee-idol good looks, an ultra-smooth tone and a dreamy voice indicating he was definitely in touch with his feminine side, Baker became the poster boy of the West Coast jazz scene, a group of mostly white musicians that made post-bebop jazz popular with college audiences.
Davis had collaborated with some of the West Coast jazz guys, notably saxophonists Gerry Mulligan and Lee Konitz (both of whom appeared on Davis' landmark 1949 recording Birth of the Cool), and he goes fairly easy on them in his book, but he spares no venom for Baker.
"A lot of white critics kept talking about all these white jazz musicians, imitators of us, like they was some great motherfuckers and everything . . . like they was gods or something," Davis wrote. "What bothered me more than anything was that all the critics were starting to talk about Chet Baker . . . like he was the second coming of Christ. And him sounding just like me, worse than me even while I was a terrible junkie."
Needless to say, Davis wasn't too pleased when Down Beat magazine named the upstart Baker as Best Trumpet Player of 1953.
A new three-CD box set, Chet Baker: Prince of Cool (Blue Note/Pacific Jazz), highlights Baker's talents and shows that the 1953 accolade was well-deserved. Culled from sessions recorded for the Pacific Jazz label between 1952 and '57, the set breaks no new ground; all of these recordings have been available elsewhere, and the 1994 four-CD compilation Chet Baker: The Pacific Jazz Years remains the definitive collection of his work from this period. Still, this newly remastered anthology, neatly divided into three categories, should serve as an accessible introduction to acolytes and offers an easy way for cognoscenti to get Chet-at-a-glance, with or without the vocals.
Disc one ("Chet Sings") focuses on those dreamy vocal numbers; disc two ("Chet Plays") zeroes in on his trumpet-led instrumentals; and disc three ("Chet and Friends") features the trumpeter in band settings collaborating with such jazz luminaries as Mulligan, Art Pepper, Stan Getz and Shelly Manne.
Liner note contributor Ted Gioia, author of West Coast Jazz: Modern Jazz in California, 1945-1960, writes, "[Baker's] Pacific Jazz recordings . . . feature some of the defining moments of [his] career. From misty-eyed vocals to in-the-groove workouts alongside tenorist Phil Urso and pianist Bobby Timmons, serving as counterfoil to various other 'name' players . . . Baker made his mark as one of the defining jazz artists to emerge in the 1950s."
Baker easily personified the icy romanticism that marked the cool-jazz scene. He also was one of history's most tragic jazz figures.
Born Chesney Henry Baker Jr. in Oklahoma, Baker grew up in L.A. and served two hitches in the Army. While stationed in the Presidio, he began frequenting San Francisco's jazz clubs.
After a second discharge in 1952, he rose quickly to prominence, with his big break coming that spring when sax legend Charlie Parker hired him for a few West Coast dates. That summer, Baker joined the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and recorded his first Pacific Jazz sessions. He was just 23.
He made his acting debut in 1955 in the film Hell's Horizon. His lush life also became the inspiration for the fictionalized 1960 Hollywood film All the Fine Young Cannibals, with Robert Wagner portraying Chad Bixby, the fast-living jazz musician based on Baker.
During the 1960s, the musician lived up to his image, developing a heroin habit and landing in jail. In 1966 he was beaten on the streets of San Francisco, an event that may or may not have contributed to the loss of his front teeth (Baker had neglected his dental hygiene for years).
In 1968, he began wearing dentures, which are a difficult adaptation for a trumpet player who depends on his teeth to shape his embouchure. Baker's touring and recording schedule diminished, and by the early '70s he had stopped playing altogether.
In 1973 he staged a comeback, resumed recording, though sporadically, and toured mostly in Europe. Elvis Costello hired him to perform the mournful trumpet solo on his classic "Shipbuilding" in 1983, introducing Baker to a new generation of jazz fans.
In 1987 photographer Bruce Weber began shooting a film documentary about Baker. Let's Get Lost, released the following year, won widespread acclaim and would have ensured Baker's return to prominence, but just weeks before its release, the trumpet player toppled to his death from an Amsterdam hotel window after ingesting heroin and cocaine. Fans still debate whether he fell accidentally, committed suicide or was pushed.
Prince of Cool affirms that at least for a few glorious years in the mid- to late '50s, Chet Baker stood on top of the jazz world, and there's no disputing that fact.
Monday, January 03, 2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)