BEVERLY HILLS — Joan Collins showed off more than her talents at Tuesday night's opening performance of her traveling stage play, Legends, when the zipper on the back of her dress slid down, exposing the 73-year-old's lingerie-covered backside to a theater packed with '80s TV legends.
Among those who were treated to the moon: Hart to Hart's Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers; Knots Landing's Michele Lee; Falcon Crest's Lorenzo Lamas; and Dynasty's Pamela Sue Martin, Al Corley, Gordon Thomson and Pamela Bellwood.
On stage, Collins' co-star and Dynasty rival, Linda Evans, 64, struggled in vain to zip Collins up. "I tried, but it just didn't want to stay," Evans sighed at the after-party.
So Collins momentarily broke the fourth wall, vocally acknowledging her "wardrobe malfunction" and inspiring Evans to ad-lib "nice (butt)." Collins, who also was battling the flu, spent the rest of the show delicately sidestepping her way across the stage, occasionally clasping her hands over her posterior.
"That poor thing; what a trouper," Powers said. "I once had a set fall down on me."
At the after-party, Collins shared a booth with sister Jackie, who just finished her latest racy novel, Drop Dead Beautiful, about the continuing antics of heroine Lucky Santangelo
"How embarrassing," Joan said of the mishap. "But I had to make it fun, because if you're not having fun, neither is your audience."
Joan's husband, Percy Gibson, is a producer on the show, which casts Evans and Collins as aging actress rivals. After its two-week engagement in Los Angeles, the show will continue to Phoenix, Denver, Chicago and Boston before concluding in New Haven, Conn., on May 13.
It also was a night to remember those who could not attend. The most missed face was Dynasty patriarch John Forsythe, who had colon cancer surgery in September and was released from the hospital three weeks ago.
Forsythe's wife, Nicole, said her husband, who turns 89 Jan. 29, is cancer-free but is now fighting a leg hematoma. "He thinks he can get up and walk, because he's not getting any pain to his brain," Nicole said.
She planned to make the two-hour drive back to their Santa Ynez Valley ranch the same night so she would not worry her husband, who "saw me getting all dolled up."
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
RJ on Hustle
Veteran TV actor discusses what it's like to be in on the con
Robert Wagner recently sat down with television critics to discuss and promote the new season of the AMC original series Hustle which stars Robert Vaughn. Mr. Wagner appears in the premier episode of the season and his character is instrumental in bringing the London-based characters/actors to Hollywood for a magnificent caper.
Can you talk about coming into an established ensemble and what you thought about it, and how did you get involved with the show?
Robert Wagner: I had seen Hustle, several [episodes]. I liked the writing very much, and I was very flattered that they asked me to come... And I admired the cast very much, and I liked this character a great deal, and it was very well written - all the things that an actor enjoys.
Have you ever worked with Robert Vaughn before?
Robert Wagner: Yes, we worked together in Towering Inferno, but we didn't have any scenes together.
Was this a great chance for you to work together?
Robert Wagner: I enjoyed it very much, and Robert's so wonderful in this character and is the glue that keeps it all together, and I enjoy working with him very much. We've known each other for a long time. We both started around the same time.
What was the biggest thing you pulled off as Alexander Mundy on It Takes a Thief?
Robert Wagner: I think the biggest thing we pulled off was to have Fred Astaire come on the show. That was a big help. And -- the way we introduced him on the show was we sucked all the money out of the casino in Venice through the vacuum. You know, they put them in the wall. Did you ever see that show?
No, I did not.
Robert Wagner: It was terrific. We sucked all the money out. Fred Astaire went dancing away with all the money, and it was terrific. We had some very good cons on that. But this show is so well written, and it does have so many different aspects to it. And it's subtle, you know. I think it has a subtlety about it that is very ingratiating and the humor that's there is, I think, really wonderful...
How much are you still sort of defined by your past roles in the public eye? Can you still not walk down the street without somebody remembering you from Hart to Hart or has that waned over the years?
Robert Wagner: It's just amazing. Television is just amazing - how many people see it and how many people recognize you, and I think once you've had the opportunity and have been in front of the public for the amount of time that Robert [Vaughn] and I have been there, it's very flattering to have people come up and say hello to you. It's a tremendous industry. I've been in places where people come out of the woodwork. And you would never think -- small towns in France or traveling through Europe - and [there are] so many of those people there that recognize you, you know, and you've been in their homes. I find it to be a very flattering thing.
Are you only in the first episode of this show?
Robert Wagner: (Nodding 'yes'.)
And you did a guest stint on Boston Legal. Is that the sort of work you want to do now, just recurring guest appearances?
Robert Wagner: It depends on the character. If it's well-written, you know -- on Boston Legal I loved that character. David Kelley and Bill D'Elia wrote that, and it was a really interesting guy to play. This [Hustle] is a very well-written show, as I said before. That's what really attracts me.
Are there any plans to do another Boston Legal episode?
Robert Wagner: I would -- I don't know. If they come to the West Coast.
What are your favorite roles or movies you cherish the most in which you have appeared?
Robert Wagner: I've really been very fortunate, you know, to have worked with some wonderful, wonderful people. One of the big highs was doing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Lawrence Olivier and my late wife, Natalie Wood. And we did that in England, and we had, like, a five or six-week rehearsal. Tennessee Williams was there. I watched them rewrite part of the third act of that. It was a very highly charged, emotional time for all of us. Very exciting. That was a highlight. I've had a lot of them, but that kind of stands out right now.
The new season of Hustle will premier later this spring on AMC.
Robert Wagner recently sat down with television critics to discuss and promote the new season of the AMC original series Hustle which stars Robert Vaughn. Mr. Wagner appears in the premier episode of the season and his character is instrumental in bringing the London-based characters/actors to Hollywood for a magnificent caper.
Can you talk about coming into an established ensemble and what you thought about it, and how did you get involved with the show?
Robert Wagner: I had seen Hustle, several [episodes]. I liked the writing very much, and I was very flattered that they asked me to come... And I admired the cast very much, and I liked this character a great deal, and it was very well written - all the things that an actor enjoys.
Have you ever worked with Robert Vaughn before?
Robert Wagner: Yes, we worked together in Towering Inferno, but we didn't have any scenes together.
Was this a great chance for you to work together?
Robert Wagner: I enjoyed it very much, and Robert's so wonderful in this character and is the glue that keeps it all together, and I enjoy working with him very much. We've known each other for a long time. We both started around the same time.
What was the biggest thing you pulled off as Alexander Mundy on It Takes a Thief?
Robert Wagner: I think the biggest thing we pulled off was to have Fred Astaire come on the show. That was a big help. And -- the way we introduced him on the show was we sucked all the money out of the casino in Venice through the vacuum. You know, they put them in the wall. Did you ever see that show?
No, I did not.
Robert Wagner: It was terrific. We sucked all the money out. Fred Astaire went dancing away with all the money, and it was terrific. We had some very good cons on that. But this show is so well written, and it does have so many different aspects to it. And it's subtle, you know. I think it has a subtlety about it that is very ingratiating and the humor that's there is, I think, really wonderful...
How much are you still sort of defined by your past roles in the public eye? Can you still not walk down the street without somebody remembering you from Hart to Hart or has that waned over the years?
Robert Wagner: It's just amazing. Television is just amazing - how many people see it and how many people recognize you, and I think once you've had the opportunity and have been in front of the public for the amount of time that Robert [Vaughn] and I have been there, it's very flattering to have people come up and say hello to you. It's a tremendous industry. I've been in places where people come out of the woodwork. And you would never think -- small towns in France or traveling through Europe - and [there are] so many of those people there that recognize you, you know, and you've been in their homes. I find it to be a very flattering thing.
Are you only in the first episode of this show?
Robert Wagner: (Nodding 'yes'.)
And you did a guest stint on Boston Legal. Is that the sort of work you want to do now, just recurring guest appearances?
Robert Wagner: It depends on the character. If it's well-written, you know -- on Boston Legal I loved that character. David Kelley and Bill D'Elia wrote that, and it was a really interesting guy to play. This [Hustle] is a very well-written show, as I said before. That's what really attracts me.
Are there any plans to do another Boston Legal episode?
Robert Wagner: I would -- I don't know. If they come to the West Coast.
What are your favorite roles or movies you cherish the most in which you have appeared?
Robert Wagner: I've really been very fortunate, you know, to have worked with some wonderful, wonderful people. One of the big highs was doing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Lawrence Olivier and my late wife, Natalie Wood. And we did that in England, and we had, like, a five or six-week rehearsal. Tennessee Williams was there. I watched them rewrite part of the third act of that. It was a very highly charged, emotional time for all of us. Very exciting. That was a highlight. I've had a lot of them, but that kind of stands out right now.
The new season of Hustle will premier later this spring on AMC.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
C.A. Rejects Robert Wagner’s Bid for Share of ‘Charlie’s Angel’s’ Profits
An agreement between actor/producer Robert Wagner and the late Aaron Spelling’s production company, which led to the creation of the “Charlie’s Angel’s” television series, does not entitle Wagner to share in the profits of the two Charlie’s Angels films, the Court of Appeal for this district.
Ruling in what it called an “unusually complex case” that required multiple briefs and two oral argument sessions, Div. Seven agreed with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Conrad Aragon that the unambiguous language of the contract supported Columbia Pictures’ argument that Wagner had no rights in the films.
Columbia purchased all of the assets of Spelling-Goldberg Productions, Inc. in 1982. Those assets included rights under a contract that Wagner and his wife, Natalie Wood, who died in 1981, had signed with Spelling-Goldberg years earlier.
The primary purpose of the agreement was to secure the couple’s services for a television movie that Spelling-Goldberg was preparing to produce. The contract, however, also included a provision under which Wagner and Wood would join Spelling-Goldberg in submitting ideas to ABC for a television series for the 1974-75 season.
If ABC agreed to produce a series pilot based on one of those ideas, Wagner and Wood were to receive one-half the net profits derived from the “exploitation of all ancillary, music and subsidiary rights...in connection with” the “right to exhibit photoplays of the series.”
One of the concepts was for a series called “Harry’s Angels,” later renamed “Charlie’s Angels.” The series ran for five years.
During the mid-1990’s, Columbia made a deal with the heirs of the show’s writers to obtain the rights to make one or more films based on the series. The films were released in 2000 and 2003.
After Columbia rejected Wagner’s claim that he and his family trusts, which had succeeded to Wood’s rights after her death, were entitled to half the company’s profits under the “subsidiary rights” provision of the old agreement, Wagner sued, but Aragon ruled that no triable issue existed and granted summary adjudication on the plaintiff’s breach of contract claim.
The parties then stipulated that the rejection of that claim effectively resolved Wagner’s claims for declaratory relief and an accounting, and judgment was entered for Columbia.
Justice Earl Johnson Jr., writing for the appellate court, explained that under copyright law, the pilot script was a “work[ ] made for hire,” giving Spelling-Goldberg absolute rights to exploit it in other media, except as otherwise provided by contract.
A provision of the writers’ contract with Spelling-Goldberg, however, incorporated a collective bargaining agreement between the producers and the Writer’s Guild. Under the “separated rights” provision of that agreement, Johnson explained, the writers retained the right to exploit the material for certain purposes, including making a motion picture.
That right was subject to a qualification, the justice added. If the writers had offered the film rights for sale within five years, the producer would have had a right of first refusal.
Had that occurred, Johnson explained, Wagner would have had a possible claim based on the “subsidiary rights” language. But because Columbia’s predecessor’s contract with the writers was completely independent of the company’s negotiations with their heirs—who could have sold the film rights to anyone—more than a decade later, the film rights were not ancillary to the television series, the justice wrote.
Attorneys on appeal were Samuel R. Pryor, Sally S. Liu and Matthew R. Belloni of Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan for Wagner and Martin D. Katz, Lisa N. Stutz and Jean-Paul Jassy of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton for Columbia.
The case is Wagner v. Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., B184523.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Robert Wagner loses bid for 'Charlie's Angels' millions
LOS ANGELES -- Veteran actor Robert Wagner's claim for millions of dollars in profits from the "Charlie's Angels" movies was on Monday rejected by a Los Angeles appeals court.
Wagner had claimed he was entitled to a share of the proceeds from 2000's "Charlie's Angels" and 2003's "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" on the grounds he had helped develop the 1970s television show on which they were based.
But in a written ruling released Monday, a three-justice panel of the Los Angeles Court of Appeal upheld the decision of a lower court in 2005 which had dismissed the actor's multi-million-dollar claim.
The "Charlie's Angels" remakes, starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore, grossed more than $500 million worldwide.
Wagner's lawsuit had argued that he was eligible for a share of the profits because the films were exploitations of the television series he and his late-wife Natalie Wood had helped to develop.
The hit television show ran from 1976-81.
Wagner had claimed he was entitled to a share of the proceeds from 2000's "Charlie's Angels" and 2003's "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" on the grounds he had helped develop the 1970s television show on which they were based.
But in a written ruling released Monday, a three-justice panel of the Los Angeles Court of Appeal upheld the decision of a lower court in 2005 which had dismissed the actor's multi-million-dollar claim.
The "Charlie's Angels" remakes, starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore, grossed more than $500 million worldwide.
Wagner's lawsuit had argued that he was eligible for a share of the profits because the films were exploitations of the television series he and his late-wife Natalie Wood had helped to develop.
The hit television show ran from 1976-81.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
RJW Is Mr. Wilson
Info from a fan:
Hi there. I was just reading your Robert Wagner page, and thought I would let you know that the "Dennis the Menace thing" is on, and shooting in Montreal. It is a Christmas movie slated for release on 2007. There have been a number of problems and delays, but it looks like it is coming together.
Hi there. I was just reading your Robert Wagner page, and thought I would let you know that the "Dennis the Menace thing" is on, and shooting in Montreal. It is a Christmas movie slated for release on 2007. There have been a number of problems and delays, but it looks like it is coming together.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Streets of San Francisco coming to DVD in April
The first season of the show (actually, it's one of those "Season 1, Volume 1" deals) will be released by Paramount on April 3. It will be 10 episodes plus the pilot movie. No word on extras or commentaries yet.
It's amazing to see all of the famous faces that graced this show, including Martin Sheen, Deidre Hall, Robert Wagner, John Ritter, Stefanie Powers, Harold Gould, Brenda Vaccaro, Stuart Whitman, Jamie Farr, Shelley Morrison (Rosario on Will & Grace), Leslie Nielsen, Dick Sargent, Dean Stockwell, Bill Bixby, Nick Nolte, Jessica Walter, and some guy named Arnold Schwarzenegger. There was a reunion movie in 1992, but Douglas didn't want to be in it (his character "disappeared" and Malden looked for him).
Thursday, November 16, 2006
R.J. Biography
R.J. has signed a deal with Morrow Publishing. His biography will be written by Scott Eyman. They are working on it now. No publishing date has been set.
Hustle
R.J. will be making a guest appearance in the UK TV show "Hustle" (which has Robert Vaughn as a regular cast member). R.J. will be playing a rich Texan who is targeted by the cons.
"Hustle" is shown in the USA on AMC.
"Hustle" is shown in the USA on AMC.
Dennis the Menace Is Off
The latest news is that the Dennis movie thing is off. I'm not sure if R.J. pulled out or if the plug has been pulled on the whole thing. But it might be back on again at some point.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Robert Wagner: Guest Programmer on TCM 11/9
The popular television & motion picture star will co-host a night of favorite films with Robert Osborne on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) on 11/9.
Click here to view the article.
Click here to view the article.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
'Chair'-ity benefits McCord House
Art lovers bid on creatively designed chairs Saturday at the annual charity benefit for the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center in Palos Park.
The "McCord Chair-ity" event, which also included dinner and dancing, drew more than 160 people. Fifteen chairs were auctioned during a live auction, and others were sold in a silent auction.
"We have a great turnout. And we're seeing a lot of new faces this year, which is exciting," event co-chairwoman Jeanette Wood said. "Fundraising is what will keep the McCord House open."
While most of the proceeds will go to the venue's programs and operating costs, a portion is also being donated to the Crisis Center of South Suburbia, which provides services to domestic violence victims.
Among the more interesting chair designs were a golf-themed piece entitled "Par for the Course"; the "Ballerina Stool"; a "White Sox" chair with a painting of Ozzie Guillen; a garden-themed chair entitled "The Gardeners' Choice"; and "California Cafe Chairs," signed by actors Robert Wagner and Jill St. John.
McCord House board member Pat Martin said guests came not only from the south suburbs, but from the Chicago area, other Midwestern states, and even Kentucky.
"There are people from all over. It's a wonderful party. And everyone is so supportive," Martin said.
Linda and John Buchanan, of Palos Park, attended this year and last.
"It's an important benefit for the Crisis Center of South Suburbia and for the McCord House," Linda Buchanan said.
"It's been a fun evening," said Sara Arnas, the McCord Gallery's managing director. "(The auction) has been my pet project. It's nice to see it grow."
Cynthia Weglarz, of Palos Park, and her daughter-in-law Vanya had the winning bid for the "California Cafe Chairs." The pair sold for $800, the evening's highest bid.
"We're happy to get them. We're going to put them in our family vacation home in New Buffalo, Mich.," Cynthia Weglarz said.
The evening's emcee was WMAQ-TV (Channel 5) reporter Natalie Martinez. Party-goers were also able to view the McCord House's current show, "Folk Art: Art and Soul," which is on display through Oct. 28.
The "McCord Chair-ity" event, which also included dinner and dancing, drew more than 160 people. Fifteen chairs were auctioned during a live auction, and others were sold in a silent auction.
"We have a great turnout. And we're seeing a lot of new faces this year, which is exciting," event co-chairwoman Jeanette Wood said. "Fundraising is what will keep the McCord House open."
While most of the proceeds will go to the venue's programs and operating costs, a portion is also being donated to the Crisis Center of South Suburbia, which provides services to domestic violence victims.
Among the more interesting chair designs were a golf-themed piece entitled "Par for the Course"; the "Ballerina Stool"; a "White Sox" chair with a painting of Ozzie Guillen; a garden-themed chair entitled "The Gardeners' Choice"; and "California Cafe Chairs," signed by actors Robert Wagner and Jill St. John.
McCord House board member Pat Martin said guests came not only from the south suburbs, but from the Chicago area, other Midwestern states, and even Kentucky.
"There are people from all over. It's a wonderful party. And everyone is so supportive," Martin said.
Linda and John Buchanan, of Palos Park, attended this year and last.
"It's an important benefit for the Crisis Center of South Suburbia and for the McCord House," Linda Buchanan said.
"It's been a fun evening," said Sara Arnas, the McCord Gallery's managing director. "(The auction) has been my pet project. It's nice to see it grow."
Cynthia Weglarz, of Palos Park, and her daughter-in-law Vanya had the winning bid for the "California Cafe Chairs." The pair sold for $800, the evening's highest bid.
"We're happy to get them. We're going to put them in our family vacation home in New Buffalo, Mich.," Cynthia Weglarz said.
The evening's emcee was WMAQ-TV (Channel 5) reporter Natalie Martinez. Party-goers were also able to view the McCord House's current show, "Folk Art: Art and Soul," which is on display through Oct. 28.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Angels makers sued by Wagner
Actor Robert Wagner has sued Sony Pictures Entertainment claiming he is entitled to half the profits from the two "Charlie's Angels" movies.
His claim is based on his role in developing the 1970s television series on which the films were based.
Wagner and his late wife, actress Natalie Wood, became financially linked to the original "Charlie's Angels" TV series through producers Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, the lawsuit said.
The two actors agreed to star in a 1974 TV movie called "The Affair" and as part of the deal were given a part interest in proposals for five TV shows that Spelling-Goldberg Productions pitched to America's ABC Television for the 1974-1975 season, the suit said.
One of those ideas became the series, "Charlie's Angels," about a mysterious millionaire who ran a private detective agency staffed by three beautiful former police officers. The show originally starred Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith and ran from 1976 to 1981.
In his lawsuit, Wagner said Sony, which has since assumed all rights to the series from Spelling's production company, has refused to pay him his share of the profits from the 2000 film "Charlie's Angels" and its 2003 sequel "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." Both films starred Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz.
The first film generated box office receipts of nearly than £80 million in America, and the sequel, which opened in late June, has grossed more than £40 million in the United States.
The lawsuit asks the court to require Sony to include profits from the films in calculating Wagner's share of net profits for the TV series, and to turn over all information and financial records regarding the making of the movies.
"This has to do with whether or not his entitlement to a share in the television series extends to the movie," Wagner's attorney, Samuel Pryor, said.
His claim is based on his role in developing the 1970s television series on which the films were based.
Wagner and his late wife, actress Natalie Wood, became financially linked to the original "Charlie's Angels" TV series through producers Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, the lawsuit said.
The two actors agreed to star in a 1974 TV movie called "The Affair" and as part of the deal were given a part interest in proposals for five TV shows that Spelling-Goldberg Productions pitched to America's ABC Television for the 1974-1975 season, the suit said.
One of those ideas became the series, "Charlie's Angels," about a mysterious millionaire who ran a private detective agency staffed by three beautiful former police officers. The show originally starred Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith and ran from 1976 to 1981.
In his lawsuit, Wagner said Sony, which has since assumed all rights to the series from Spelling's production company, has refused to pay him his share of the profits from the 2000 film "Charlie's Angels" and its 2003 sequel "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." Both films starred Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz.
The first film generated box office receipts of nearly than £80 million in America, and the sequel, which opened in late June, has grossed more than £40 million in the United States.
The lawsuit asks the court to require Sony to include profits from the films in calculating Wagner's share of net profits for the TV series, and to turn over all information and financial records regarding the making of the movies.
"This has to do with whether or not his entitlement to a share in the television series extends to the movie," Wagner's attorney, Samuel Pryor, said.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
R.J. is a Grandfather
Riley John Wagner-Lewis was born to Katie Wagner and her significant other on September 21, 2006 at 4:38 P.M. He weighed 8 pounds and was 21 inches long.
Robert Wagner is finally a grandfather!
Robert Wagner is finally a grandfather!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Hart to Hart on DVD
Hart to Hart - The Complete Second Season
DVD Release Date: September 19, 2006
If you don't have the first season on DVD yet:
DVD Release Date: September 19, 2006
If you don't have the first season on DVD yet:
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Netherbeast Incorporated
Two Gilbert brothers started shooting their first full-length feature film this week, and they chose the Valley as their backdrop.
Brian Ronalds is producing and acting in the movie called Netherbeast Incorporated. His brother Dean is directing and producing the film.
Netherbeast Incorporated is being described as "a quirky twist of the vampire tale, set in modern-day corporate America." The movie is based on a short film the brothers produced and is described as a comedy.
"The film that we're making now is right up our alley," Brian said. "We quit our day jobs last year, and we were given the opportunity to make movies."
Eighty percent of the movie is being shot at Hollywood Phoenix Studios in Avondale, and the remainder is being shot in Phoenix. Brian said he and his brother are hoping for a theatrical release of the movie in January.
The brothers recruited a well-known cast for the film. Robert Wagner, who appeared in the Austin Powers films, joins Judd Nelson from The Breakfast Club, Jason Mewes from the Clerks movies, Amy Davidson from 8 Simple Rules, and Darrell Hammond from Saturday Night Live.
Brian Ronalds is producing and acting in the movie called Netherbeast Incorporated. His brother Dean is directing and producing the film.
Netherbeast Incorporated is being described as "a quirky twist of the vampire tale, set in modern-day corporate America." The movie is based on a short film the brothers produced and is described as a comedy.
"The film that we're making now is right up our alley," Brian said. "We quit our day jobs last year, and we were given the opportunity to make movies."
Eighty percent of the movie is being shot at Hollywood Phoenix Studios in Avondale, and the remainder is being shot in Phoenix. Brian said he and his brother are hoping for a theatrical release of the movie in January.
The brothers recruited a well-known cast for the film. Robert Wagner, who appeared in the Austin Powers films, joins Judd Nelson from The Breakfast Club, Jason Mewes from the Clerks movies, Amy Davidson from 8 Simple Rules, and Darrell Hammond from Saturday Night Live.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
MEWES, WAGNER AND NELSON JOIN CORPORATE VAMPIRE COMEDY
CLERKS star JASON MEWES is set to team up with AUSTIN POWERS actor ROBERT WAGNER and THE BREAKFAST CLUB's JUDD NELSON for a new vampire comedy. The trio are among the stars of NETHERBEAST INCORPORATED, the movie debut of director/producers DEAN and BRIAN RONALDS. The film is "a comic look at office politics through the eyes of a 200 year-old pencil-pushing vampire". Netherbeast Incorporated, which starts shooting in Arizona next week (14AUG06), is based on the Ronalds Brothers' award-winning short film THE NETHERBEAST OF BERM-TECH INDUSTRIES INC, which claimed the Best Screenplay honour at the London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film and Best Comedy Short prize at the Long Island Film Expo. The Ronalds Brothers were also named Best Arizona Filmmakers of the Year at the 2005 Phoenix Film Festival.
Friday, August 04, 2006
'The trash, the whole trash and nothing but the trash'
Today, 150 golfers - including actor Robert Wagner - will take to the links at the Snowmass Golf Club to whack golf balls into trees and rocks, skip them across water hazards and cart paths, and hope to get a "Stiffie," all in search of the coveted Golden Jacket.
They'll also raise enough money to provide full college scholarships for five local high school students.
It's the 14th annual Trashmasters, where a birdie is worth just as much a Billie, and a Stiffie will earn you three points - unless of course it's a Super Stiffie, which will net you five.
For those uninitiated to the 25-page Trashmasters rule book, a Billie is saving par on a hole when a player has a lie so bad that it could endanger his or her reputation. It was coined in honor of former President Bill Clinton by former Vice President Dan Quayle, himself a former participant of the Trashmasters.
A Stiffie? Well that's a shot of more than 100 yards that finishes within a conventional putter length of the hole. A Super Stiffie? That's one that is inside the leather grip on the club.
And then there's the Arnie - Trash speak for an ace, named after golf legend Arnold Palmer.
"We have 25 cleverly named trash events that we put a point value on," said local Boone Schweitzer, co-founder and chairman of the charity tournament. "We go way beyond your Sandies and Greenies to reward the much more bizarre events. I personally like the Willie."
That's when a ball bounces off the cart path. Think Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."
The hilarious points system is just one of the reasons Schweitzer calls the Trashmasters "the world's most unique golf tournament."
It's definitely one of the most well-known charity tournaments in the country. Numerous national publications have done stories, and today camera crews from VH1 and Plum TV will be on course capturing the action.
The tournament can't begin until players take the time-honored Trashmasters' oath.
With a bagpiper in the background, Schweitzer, dressed in a black robe and a parliament wig, will ask the assembled field of players: "Do you solemnly swear to play the trash, the whole trash, and nothing but the trash, so help you golf?"
It's an oath that a number of celebrities have taken over the years, Michael Douglas and Wagner among them. Douglas wanted to play this year, but couldn't make it to the tournament because he was tied up with work, Schweitzer said. Also, Jack Nicholson and Kevin Costner have actually been turned down to play in previous years because they didn't reserve their spots before the tournament filled up.
Schweitzer said rubbing elbows with celebrities is fun, but the one thing that doesn't always get written about is the thing that is the most important: That all the money goes to the Roaring Fork Valley Scholarship Fund. It's the reason he founded the tournament in the first place.
"It's a lot of fun and laughs, but it's a very legitimate charity," he said. "No one has made any money off the thing. Twenty-one kids have graduated from college from the scholarships we awarded them, and there's another 20 who are in school right now. We're the largest scholarship charity in the valley."
Schweitzer said the scholarships - which are offered at five local high schools from Aspen to Glenwood Springs - are awarded to students based on academics, extracurricular activities and financial need.
"You don't even have to be a golfer," he said.
They'll also raise enough money to provide full college scholarships for five local high school students.
It's the 14th annual Trashmasters, where a birdie is worth just as much a Billie, and a Stiffie will earn you three points - unless of course it's a Super Stiffie, which will net you five.
For those uninitiated to the 25-page Trashmasters rule book, a Billie is saving par on a hole when a player has a lie so bad that it could endanger his or her reputation. It was coined in honor of former President Bill Clinton by former Vice President Dan Quayle, himself a former participant of the Trashmasters.
A Stiffie? Well that's a shot of more than 100 yards that finishes within a conventional putter length of the hole. A Super Stiffie? That's one that is inside the leather grip on the club.
And then there's the Arnie - Trash speak for an ace, named after golf legend Arnold Palmer.
"We have 25 cleverly named trash events that we put a point value on," said local Boone Schweitzer, co-founder and chairman of the charity tournament. "We go way beyond your Sandies and Greenies to reward the much more bizarre events. I personally like the Willie."
That's when a ball bounces off the cart path. Think Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."
The hilarious points system is just one of the reasons Schweitzer calls the Trashmasters "the world's most unique golf tournament."
It's definitely one of the most well-known charity tournaments in the country. Numerous national publications have done stories, and today camera crews from VH1 and Plum TV will be on course capturing the action.
The tournament can't begin until players take the time-honored Trashmasters' oath.
With a bagpiper in the background, Schweitzer, dressed in a black robe and a parliament wig, will ask the assembled field of players: "Do you solemnly swear to play the trash, the whole trash, and nothing but the trash, so help you golf?"
It's an oath that a number of celebrities have taken over the years, Michael Douglas and Wagner among them. Douglas wanted to play this year, but couldn't make it to the tournament because he was tied up with work, Schweitzer said. Also, Jack Nicholson and Kevin Costner have actually been turned down to play in previous years because they didn't reserve their spots before the tournament filled up.
Schweitzer said rubbing elbows with celebrities is fun, but the one thing that doesn't always get written about is the thing that is the most important: That all the money goes to the Roaring Fork Valley Scholarship Fund. It's the reason he founded the tournament in the first place.
"It's a lot of fun and laughs, but it's a very legitimate charity," he said. "No one has made any money off the thing. Twenty-one kids have graduated from college from the scholarships we awarded them, and there's another 20 who are in school right now. We're the largest scholarship charity in the valley."
Schweitzer said the scholarships - which are offered at five local high schools from Aspen to Glenwood Springs - are awarded to students based on academics, extracurricular activities and financial need.
"You don't even have to be a golfer," he said.
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