The 76th annual Tony Awards have already made history. For the first time, two of the acting nominees identify as non-binary: Harrison Ghee who is contending for lead actor in musical for “Some Like It Hot” and Alex Newell, vying for featured actor in a musical for “Shucked.” Their nominations have been warmly embraced. But 40 years ago, a history-making acceptance led to death threats.
At the 37th annual Tony Awards on June 5, 1983, producer John Glines thanked his lover when he accepted the best play honor for Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song Trilogy,” a three-act drama set in New York in the 1970s and early 80s starring Fierstein as a gay, drag queen and torch singer. “He expressed gratitude to an assortment of people , ‘lastly but most importantly, to the one person who believed and followed the dream from the beginning, who never said ‘You’re crazy; it can’t be...
At the 37th annual Tony Awards on June 5, 1983, producer John Glines thanked his lover when he accepted the best play honor for Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song Trilogy,” a three-act drama set in New York in the 1970s and early 80s starring Fierstein as a gay, drag queen and torch singer. “He expressed gratitude to an assortment of people , ‘lastly but most importantly, to the one person who believed and followed the dream from the beginning, who never said ‘You’re crazy; it can’t be...
- 5/31/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
The folly of youth!
When Goldie Hawn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1970, for the 1969 comedy “Cactus Flower,” the 24-year-old was so sure she wouldn’t win she didn’t even go to the ceremony. What’s more, she didn’t even bother watching it on television. She had no idea she won until she got a phone call in the middle of the night.
At the time, she was filming “There’s A Girl In My Soup,” opposite Peter Sellers in London, but to fly back for the big night would not have been unheard of, even at a time when “Awards Season” was not yet quite the thing it is today.
But here’s where it gets weirder. According to a recent interview with Variety, Hawn had never even seen the moment from the telecast where her name was called. She didn’t even know it...
When Goldie Hawn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1970, for the 1969 comedy “Cactus Flower,” the 24-year-old was so sure she wouldn’t win she didn’t even go to the ceremony. What’s more, she didn’t even bother watching it on television. She had no idea she won until she got a phone call in the middle of the night.
At the time, she was filming “There’s A Girl In My Soup,” opposite Peter Sellers in London, but to fly back for the big night would not have been unheard of, even at a time when “Awards Season” was not yet quite the thing it is today.
But here’s where it gets weirder. According to a recent interview with Variety, Hawn had never even seen the moment from the telecast where her name was called. She didn’t even know it...
- 3/9/2023
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
Director Robert Benton and Paul Newman come through with an extremely pleasing small town story. Snowy North Bath New York would seem a pit of failures big and small, until we begin to appreciate its social web of ‘support relationships’ that fill in for broken family connections. Newman’s injured laborer can’t get a fair shake, but he begins to realize the importance of his neighbors and his grandson. The comic conflicts are wholly believable, with Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Philip Seymour Hoffman on board: this one is Mellow and Mature (and a little racy) without succumbing to Hallmark TV drama sentimentality.
Nobody’s Fool
Blu-ray
Viavision [Imprint] 145
1994 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 110 min. / Street Date July 27, 2022 / Available from / aud 34.95
Starring: Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, Dylan Walsh, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Gene Saks, Josef Sommer, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco, Catherine Dent, Margo Martindale,...
Nobody’s Fool
Blu-ray
Viavision [Imprint] 145
1994 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 110 min. / Street Date July 27, 2022 / Available from / aud 34.95
Starring: Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, Dylan Walsh, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Gene Saks, Josef Sommer, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco, Catherine Dent, Margo Martindale,...
- 8/27/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Sally Kellerman, who was Oscar nominated for her supporting role as Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in Robert Altman’s “Mash” feature film, died Thursday in Woodland Hills, Calif. She was 84.
Her publicist Alan Eichler confirmed her death, and her daughter Claire added that she had been suffering from dementia for the past five years.
Among her other roles were a cameo in Altman’s “The Player,” a professor in Rodney Dangerfield’s “Back to School” and a Starfleet officer in the “Star Trek” episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before.”
The willowy blonde actress with the characteristically throaty voice appeared in two Altman films in 1970; the other was the more experimental “Brewster McCloud,” in which she starred with Bud Cort and Michael Murphy. In this film, which did not have a conventional narrative, Kellerman played Louise, the mother of Cort’s bewinged character, Brewster.
She next starred opposite Alan Arkin...
Her publicist Alan Eichler confirmed her death, and her daughter Claire added that she had been suffering from dementia for the past five years.
Among her other roles were a cameo in Altman’s “The Player,” a professor in Rodney Dangerfield’s “Back to School” and a Starfleet officer in the “Star Trek” episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before.”
The willowy blonde actress with the characteristically throaty voice appeared in two Altman films in 1970; the other was the more experimental “Brewster McCloud,” in which she starred with Bud Cort and Michael Murphy. In this film, which did not have a conventional narrative, Kellerman played Louise, the mother of Cort’s bewinged character, Brewster.
She next starred opposite Alan Arkin...
- 2/24/2022
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
Before its release, “Venom” seemingly had disaster written all over it; a goofy “Spider-Man” spinoff that didn’t feature Peter Parker and a forgettable/generic villain in Riot. But never underestimate Tom Hardy and Marvel Comics characters getting asses in seats, as the film ended up making Sony Pictures an impressive $856 million at the global box office.
Read More: Tom Hardy Says ‘Venom’ Franchise Has To “Establish Ourselves” Before A ‘Spider-Man’ Crossover Can Happen
It’s been an interesting experiment and at the heart of the films seems to be bizarre, symbiotic between Hardy’s Eddie Brock and the Venom (a parasitic alien entity), turning into a weird comic book take on the classic Gene Saks film “The Odd Couple,” something the trailer for the upcoming sequel, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” has hinted at getting bigger play in the second installment.
Continue reading Andy Serkis Says ‘Venom 2’ Features...
Read More: Tom Hardy Says ‘Venom’ Franchise Has To “Establish Ourselves” Before A ‘Spider-Man’ Crossover Can Happen
It’s been an interesting experiment and at the heart of the films seems to be bizarre, symbiotic between Hardy’s Eddie Brock and the Venom (a parasitic alien entity), turning into a weird comic book take on the classic Gene Saks film “The Odd Couple,” something the trailer for the upcoming sequel, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” has hinted at getting bigger play in the second installment.
Continue reading Andy Serkis Says ‘Venom 2’ Features...
- 9/25/2021
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
Wong Kar-wai hasn’t directed a film in eight years, but the Hong Kong maestro has just done the next-best thing, having produced a film by a young protégé that’s both swooningly beautiful and honestly affecting in its account of some young emotional searchers. Director Baz Poonpiriya has made two previous films, the second of which, Bad Genius, became the most successful Thai production ever throughout Asia four years ago, and while his style has clearly been amply influenced by the works of his producer, he’s also delivered a palpably personal and involving story of thwarted love, long-distance longing and incipient mortality.
Ping-ponging half-way around the globe between its settings on the roads of Thailand and the streets of New York, this gorgeous work is an account of young love/lust mixed with hindsight poignance, as well as a consideration of the variable fruits of trying to make amends for past mistakes.
Ping-ponging half-way around the globe between its settings on the roads of Thailand and the streets of New York, this gorgeous work is an account of young love/lust mixed with hindsight poignance, as well as a consideration of the variable fruits of trying to make amends for past mistakes.
- 1/29/2021
- by Todd McCarthy
- Deadline Film + TV
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
“Adult With Sidekick”
By Raymond Benson
Perhaps what might have been an unexpected Oscar nominee for Best Picture of 1965 was A Thousand Clowns, an adaptation of the Broadway play written by Herb Gardner (who also penned the screenplay and was nominated for his work). Fred Coe had directed the stage production, which garnered Tony nominations for Best Play, Best Featured Actor, and awarded Sandy Dennis a trophy for Featured Actress. Just about everyone involved in the Broadway production went on to make the film, also directed by Coe, except, oddly enough, Dennis. Martin Balsam is also new to the film, replacing Larry Haines, and Balsam walked away with an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Jason Robards’ savvy brother and manager.
While Jason Robards (Jr.) as Murray Burns is the tale’s protagonist, it is indeed young Barry Gordon as Murray’s nephew,...
“Adult With Sidekick”
By Raymond Benson
Perhaps what might have been an unexpected Oscar nominee for Best Picture of 1965 was A Thousand Clowns, an adaptation of the Broadway play written by Herb Gardner (who also penned the screenplay and was nominated for his work). Fred Coe had directed the stage production, which garnered Tony nominations for Best Play, Best Featured Actor, and awarded Sandy Dennis a trophy for Featured Actress. Just about everyone involved in the Broadway production went on to make the film, also directed by Coe, except, oddly enough, Dennis. Martin Balsam is also new to the film, replacing Larry Haines, and Balsam walked away with an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Jason Robards’ savvy brother and manager.
While Jason Robards (Jr.) as Murray Burns is the tale’s protagonist, it is indeed young Barry Gordon as Murray’s nephew,...
- 6/12/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Film, television, and stage actor Jerry Stiller died of natural causes, as according to his son Ben Stiller. He was 92.
“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” Ben announced on Twitter. “He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.”
Stiller is known for his TV roles as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld and Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens, and multiple films including, The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three, John Waters’ Hairspray, his son’s Zoolander, and Richard Lester’s adaptation of Terrence McNally’s play, The Ritz, which Jerry also acted in on Broadway.
But he might be best remembered for being part of the comedy team Stiller & Meara, which he performed with his wife, Anne Meara. The pair met in 1953 at a New York casting call,...
“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” Ben announced on Twitter. “He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.”
Stiller is known for his TV roles as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld and Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens, and multiple films including, The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three, John Waters’ Hairspray, his son’s Zoolander, and Richard Lester’s adaptation of Terrence McNally’s play, The Ritz, which Jerry also acted in on Broadway.
But he might be best remembered for being part of the comedy team Stiller & Meara, which he performed with his wife, Anne Meara. The pair met in 1953 at a New York casting call,...
- 5/11/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Streamer's Choice: "Nobody's Fool"
Because so many of our readers find themselves house-bound during this period of Coronavirus, we'll be providing occasional reviews of films and series currently available on popular streaming services.
By Lee Pfeiffer
Paul Newman gives a delightful, Oscar-nominated late career performance in "Nobody's Fool", a comedy/drama written and directed by Robert Benton. Newman plays Sully Sullivan, a 60 year-old lovable cad who finds himself down on his luck in his boyhood hometown of Bath, in upstate New York. He barely scrapes by doing odd jobs for Carl Roebuck (an inexplicably unbilled Bruce Willlis), the obnoxious owner of a local construction company. The two men are sworn enemies but they maintain a relationship because they mutually benefit. Sully makes his home in the boarding house of the elderly widow, Beryl Peoples (Jessica Tandy), who showers him with maternal love. The feeling is mutual and Sully acts as handyman and confidant to Beryl.
Because so many of our readers find themselves house-bound during this period of Coronavirus, we'll be providing occasional reviews of films and series currently available on popular streaming services.
By Lee Pfeiffer
Paul Newman gives a delightful, Oscar-nominated late career performance in "Nobody's Fool", a comedy/drama written and directed by Robert Benton. Newman plays Sully Sullivan, a 60 year-old lovable cad who finds himself down on his luck in his boyhood hometown of Bath, in upstate New York. He barely scrapes by doing odd jobs for Carl Roebuck (an inexplicably unbilled Bruce Willlis), the obnoxious owner of a local construction company. The two men are sworn enemies but they maintain a relationship because they mutually benefit. Sully makes his home in the boarding house of the elderly widow, Beryl Peoples (Jessica Tandy), who showers him with maternal love. The feeling is mutual and Sully acts as handyman and confidant to Beryl.
- 5/11/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
To get everyone in the mood for his ninth film, director and cult film guru Quentin Tarantino has something special in mind for the Sony Movie Channel. From the 5th of August Tarantino’s ‘Swinging Sixties-a-Movie Marathon’ will showcase nine films which perfectly set the tone for Once Upon a Time …in Hollywood, which comes out in cinemas on the 14th of August.
Each of these films has been specially curated, having influenced the director’s new film, and will play individually or as double features. As always with the director, there are some surprises here. In amongst ’60s classics Easy Rider and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice are secret agent specials, violent Westerns and a little bit of love in all its complicated forms. In short – it’s a masterclass in movie mood – just the thing to dive into before you take a trip back to the...
Each of these films has been specially curated, having influenced the director’s new film, and will play individually or as double features. As always with the director, there are some surprises here. In amongst ’60s classics Easy Rider and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice are secret agent specials, violent Westerns and a little bit of love in all its complicated forms. In short – it’s a masterclass in movie mood – just the thing to dive into before you take a trip back to the...
- 7/17/2019
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Quentin Tarantino is curating a film series inspired by his new movie “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood” that will air later this month on the Sony Movie Channel, Sony Pictures Television announced Monday.
The film series is titled “Swinging Sixties, a Movie Marathon,” which will include nine films from the Columbia Pictures library that were released from 1958 to 1970. All of the movies were handpicked by Tarantino, and each film served as a specific influence on his latest movie, which follows an actor during a changing Hollywood in 1969.
Films such as “Easy Rider,” “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” “Hammerhead” and more will begin airing on the Sony Movie Channel starting July 21, with two films airing each night until July 25.
Also Read: Critics Love 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood' - but Saying Why Might Spoil Everything
Tarantino will also hold conversations with film writer and historian Kim...
The film series is titled “Swinging Sixties, a Movie Marathon,” which will include nine films from the Columbia Pictures library that were released from 1958 to 1970. All of the movies were handpicked by Tarantino, and each film served as a specific influence on his latest movie, which follows an actor during a changing Hollywood in 1969.
Films such as “Easy Rider,” “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” “Hammerhead” and more will begin airing on the Sony Movie Channel starting July 21, with two films airing each night until July 25.
Also Read: Critics Love 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood' - but Saying Why Might Spoil Everything
Tarantino will also hold conversations with film writer and historian Kim...
- 7/16/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Quentin Tarantino has teamed with Sony Pictures Television on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Quentin Tarantino Present the Swinging Sixties. It’s a series of 10 films personally curated by Tarantino, including Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice and Easy Rider — all of which served as a specific influence in the creation of his upcoming 1969-set film.
The 10 films from the Columbia Pictures library, dating from 1958-70, will air over consecutive nights in more than 80 territories worldwide beginning about one week before Sony’s July 26 theatrical release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in each market. Interstitial segments featuring specially created conversations between Tarantino and film writer and historian Kim Morgan will accompany each film, along with a first look at scenes from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
The film series will premiere in the U.S. on Sony Movie Channel from July 21-25, with two films airing...
The 10 films from the Columbia Pictures library, dating from 1958-70, will air over consecutive nights in more than 80 territories worldwide beginning about one week before Sony’s July 26 theatrical release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in each market. Interstitial segments featuring specially created conversations between Tarantino and film writer and historian Kim Morgan will accompany each film, along with a first look at scenes from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
The film series will premiere in the U.S. on Sony Movie Channel from July 21-25, with two films airing...
- 7/15/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
By Lee Pfeiffer
Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" was based on his own hit Broadway play that opened in 1971 and ran for two years. It starred Peter Falk and Lee Grant. The play resonated with audiences of the era even though it was an unusually dark piece for Simon, reflecting the social decay of New York City during this period. Those factors were still very much in evidence in films of the era when Simon rather reluctantly agreed to bring his play to the big screen in 1975. He felt the material was too disturbing for his core audience but conceded to write the screenplay himself. He also trusted Melvin Frank as director, as Frank had a long history of helming hit comedies with broad appeal. Simon was also enthused about the decision to cast Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft for the film version. Two of his greatest...
Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" was based on his own hit Broadway play that opened in 1971 and ran for two years. It starred Peter Falk and Lee Grant. The play resonated with audiences of the era even though it was an unusually dark piece for Simon, reflecting the social decay of New York City during this period. Those factors were still very much in evidence in films of the era when Simon rather reluctantly agreed to bring his play to the big screen in 1975. He felt the material was too disturbing for his core audience but conceded to write the screenplay himself. He also trusted Melvin Frank as director, as Frank had a long history of helming hit comedies with broad appeal. Simon was also enthused about the decision to cast Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft for the film version. Two of his greatest...
- 6/26/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Warner Bros. Television’s head of New York casting, VP Meg Simon has retired after nearly two decades with the studio and a career of more than 40 years as a casting director and executive in television, theatre and motion pictures. Wbtv casting VP Findley Davidson — who has worked closely with Simon for 12 years at the studio — will now serve as Wbtv’s new head of New York casting.
The studio is not confirming but it appears likely that Simon, a highly regarded casting director/executive, has taken one of the buyouts/early retirement packages made available to veteran employees at all WarnerMedia divisions after the At&T acquisition was completed. Wbtv head of current programming Melinda Hage also recently retired after 25 years at the studio.
“We are incredibly fortunate at Warner Bros. Television to have been associated with Meg for almost 20 years,” said Tom Burke, Wbtv Evp and Head of Casting.
The studio is not confirming but it appears likely that Simon, a highly regarded casting director/executive, has taken one of the buyouts/early retirement packages made available to veteran employees at all WarnerMedia divisions after the At&T acquisition was completed. Wbtv head of current programming Melinda Hage also recently retired after 25 years at the studio.
“We are incredibly fortunate at Warner Bros. Television to have been associated with Meg for almost 20 years,” said Tom Burke, Wbtv Evp and Head of Casting.
- 6/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
On May 2, 1968, Paramount's big-screen adaptation of stage hit The Odd Couple opened in New York at Radio City Music Hall. The film went on to be nominated for two Oscars at the 41st Academy Awards, for editing and for Neil Simon's adapted screenplay. The Hollywood Reporter's original review, headlined "Howard Koch's 'Couple' Smash B.O. Hit for Para," is below.
Capitalizing on almost every funny line in the play, and keeping physical setups to a wise minimum, playwright-screenwriter Neil Simon and director Gene Saks have adapted to the screen, fidelity-sharp, the embattled ...
Capitalizing on almost every funny line in the play, and keeping physical setups to a wise minimum, playwright-screenwriter Neil Simon and director Gene Saks have adapted to the screen, fidelity-sharp, the embattled ...
On May 2, 1968, Paramount's big-screen adaptation of stage hit The Odd Couple opened in New York at Radio City Music Hall. The film went on to be nominated for two Oscars at the 41st Academy Awards, for editing and for Neil Simon's adapted screenplay. The Hollywood Reporter's original review, headlined "Howard Koch's 'Couple' Smash B.O. Hit for Para," is below.
Capitalizing on almost every funny line in the play, and keeping physical setups to a wise minimum, playwright-screenwriter Neil Simon and director Gene Saks have adapted to the screen, fidelity-sharp, the embattled ...
Capitalizing on almost every funny line in the play, and keeping physical setups to a wise minimum, playwright-screenwriter Neil Simon and director Gene Saks have adapted to the screen, fidelity-sharp, the embattled ...
” I’m thrilled by the style and wit of each jest that you make. It’s bracing to me. Trade quips with my bosom buddy. You Woolcott, you Benchley, you snake.”
Exciting news for Lucy fans! Mame (1974) is now available on Blu-ray from Warner Archives! Ordering information can be found Here
You’re invited to party hearty – and in fabulous style – with this lavish 1974 screen version of the beloved Broadway musical. Lucille Ball brings star sparkle to the title role, a high-living grande dame who’s outlandishly eccentric and, when suddenly faced with raising an orphaned nephew, fiercely loving. Veterans of the New York stage original join her: Beatrice Arthur as best friend Vera, Jane Connell as prim governessAgnes, choreographer Onna White and director Gene Saks. As Mame’s husband Beauregard, Robert Preston (The Music Man) sings “Loving You,” written specially for the film. Jerry Herman’s songs, from “It...
Exciting news for Lucy fans! Mame (1974) is now available on Blu-ray from Warner Archives! Ordering information can be found Here
You’re invited to party hearty – and in fabulous style – with this lavish 1974 screen version of the beloved Broadway musical. Lucille Ball brings star sparkle to the title role, a high-living grande dame who’s outlandishly eccentric and, when suddenly faced with raising an orphaned nephew, fiercely loving. Veterans of the New York stage original join her: Beatrice Arthur as best friend Vera, Jane Connell as prim governessAgnes, choreographer Onna White and director Gene Saks. As Mame’s husband Beauregard, Robert Preston (The Music Man) sings “Loving You,” written specially for the film. Jerry Herman’s songs, from “It...
- 12/3/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Chicago – Writer Neil Simon was an American treasure, and created humor that anchored his often neurotic characters into our consciousness. From his early days in 1950s TV (“Your Show of Shows”) to winning a 1990s Pulitzer Prize for “Lost in Yonkers,” he refined and produced “the laugh.” Simon died on August 26th, 2018, at age 91, in New York City.
Neil “Doc” Simon, 1927-2018
Photo credit: File Photo
Neil Simon was born in the Bronx on the 4th of July, and got his nickname “Doc” at DeWitt Clinton High School in NYC. After the Army Reserves and a little college, he partnered with his brother Danny in the 1950s to write radio scripts and eventually “Your Show of Shows.” His first play was “Come Blow Your Horn” in 1961, which established him in New York theater. The hits kept coming, and during the 1966 season, Simon had four shows running simultaneously – “The Odd Couple,...
Neil “Doc” Simon, 1927-2018
Photo credit: File Photo
Neil Simon was born in the Bronx on the 4th of July, and got his nickname “Doc” at DeWitt Clinton High School in NYC. After the Army Reserves and a little college, he partnered with his brother Danny in the 1950s to write radio scripts and eventually “Your Show of Shows.” His first play was “Come Blow Your Horn” in 1961, which established him in New York theater. The hits kept coming, and during the 1966 season, Simon had four shows running simultaneously – “The Odd Couple,...
- 9/1/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
August 29 marks the 103rd anniversary of the birth of legendary film star Ingrid Bergman. Born in Stockholm, she was working in Swedish and German films during the 1930s, when one of her Swedish films, 1936’s “Intermezzo,” caught the eye of powerful Hollywood producer David O. Selznick. He announced that he planned to remake “Intermezzo” in English and would bring Bergman to Hollywood to star. The only problem was that Bergman didn’t speak English, but she turned out to be a fast learner, and the combination of her work ethic and her radiant beauty put Bergman well on her way to becoming an authentic movie star.
Not only did Bergman become an audience favorite, but her acting skills earned her the respect of moviegoers and Hollywood producers alike. In the course of her four-decade film career, Bergman was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning three for “Gaslight,” “Anastasia” and “Murder on the Orient Express...
Not only did Bergman become an audience favorite, but her acting skills earned her the respect of moviegoers and Hollywood producers alike. In the course of her four-decade film career, Bergman was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning three for “Gaslight,” “Anastasia” and “Murder on the Orient Express...
- 8/29/2018
- by Tom O'Brien and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Neil Simon, the creator of such Pulitzer and Tony award-winning plays as The Odd Couple, Barefoot in the Park and Lost in Yonkers, has died at 91. He died last night at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City from complications from pneumonia.
Simon was a giant of popular content creation, the playwright behind works that were performed worldwide by high schools, local theater groups and Broadway, where he was dominant in the last half of the 20th century. Simon’s unparalleled career in the theater included more than thirty plays and musicals that opened on Broadway over a span of four decades.
He made his playwriting debut in 1961, with Come Blow Your Horn and concluded his Broadway run with 45 Seconds From Broadway in 2001.
“No playwright in Broadway’s long and raucous history has so dominated the boulevard as the softly astringent Simon,” wrote John Lahr in The New Yorker in 2010. “For almost half a century,...
Simon was a giant of popular content creation, the playwright behind works that were performed worldwide by high schools, local theater groups and Broadway, where he was dominant in the last half of the 20th century. Simon’s unparalleled career in the theater included more than thirty plays and musicals that opened on Broadway over a span of four decades.
He made his playwriting debut in 1961, with Come Blow Your Horn and concluded his Broadway run with 45 Seconds From Broadway in 2001.
“No playwright in Broadway’s long and raucous history has so dominated the boulevard as the softly astringent Simon,” wrote John Lahr in The New Yorker in 2010. “For almost half a century,...
- 8/26/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Since breaking onto the A-list scene in 1989’s “Big,” Elizabeth Perkins has starred in numerous comedies and dramas, receiving critical acclaim for her roles in such films as “Avalon,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” the live-action “Flintstones” movie and “The Doctor.”
Perkins has also found success on television, garnering Golden Globe Award nominations for her supporting role in “Weeds.” She continues to make guest appearances on several hit shows, including “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Glow” and “This Is Us.” She’s co-starring in the HBO miniseries “Sharp Objects.”
Early in her career, Perkins worked on many stage productions in New York City, including the show “Life and Limb.” Her first appearance in Variety came on Jan. 2, 1985, in the cast credits of the show.
What were some of your early goals during your days as a stage actor?
At that point you’re just thrilled you’re paying the rent.
Perkins has also found success on television, garnering Golden Globe Award nominations for her supporting role in “Weeds.” She continues to make guest appearances on several hit shows, including “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Glow” and “This Is Us.” She’s co-starring in the HBO miniseries “Sharp Objects.”
Early in her career, Perkins worked on many stage productions in New York City, including the show “Life and Limb.” Her first appearance in Variety came on Jan. 2, 1985, in the cast credits of the show.
What were some of your early goals during your days as a stage actor?
At that point you’re just thrilled you’re paying the rent.
- 7/13/2018
- by Ellis Clopton
- Variety Film + TV
Robert Redford and Jane Fonda are working together for the fourth time in their careers. They most famously starred in Gene Saks’ Barefoot in the Park, but they first appeared together in Arthur Penn’s The Chase. In 1979, they both starred in The Electric Horseman. Next month, we can see the two acting titans back together in a […]
The post ‘Our Souls at Night’ Trailer: Robert Redford and Jane Fonda Feel the Love appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Our Souls at Night’ Trailer: Robert Redford and Jane Fonda Feel the Love appeared first on /Film.
- 8/10/2017
- by Jack Giroux
- Slash Film
It’s amazing to think it’s been fifty years since these two legends first graced the screen together, in Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” (1967), directed by Gene Saks. Now, they’re revisiting that crackling chemistry for a literary adaptation about finding love in one’s autumnal years.
Read More:‘Our Souls at Night’ First Look: Robert Redford and Jane Fonda Canoodle in Netflix Romance
Per the official synopsis: “Based on the best-selling novel written by Kent Haruf and adapted for the screen by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (“The Fault in Our Stars”), Our Souls at Night is set in Colorado and begins when Addie Moore (Jane Fonda) pays an unexpected visit to a neighbor, Louis Waters (Robert Redford). Her husband died years ago, as did his wife, and in such a small town they’d been neighbors for decades, but had little contact. Their children...
Read More:‘Our Souls at Night’ First Look: Robert Redford and Jane Fonda Canoodle in Netflix Romance
Per the official synopsis: “Based on the best-selling novel written by Kent Haruf and adapted for the screen by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (“The Fault in Our Stars”), Our Souls at Night is set in Colorado and begins when Addie Moore (Jane Fonda) pays an unexpected visit to a neighbor, Louis Waters (Robert Redford). Her husband died years ago, as did his wife, and in such a small town they’d been neighbors for decades, but had little contact. Their children...
- 8/9/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Above: Czech poster for Once Upon a Time in the West (Sergio Leone, Italy, 1968).As I’m sure I’ve said before, the world of Czech movie posters is never less than an embarrassment of riches. I keep discovering new artists that I was never aware of previously, all with an impressive body of work behind them. The other day, as I was looking through the new acquisitions of my favorite poster shop, Posteritati, I came across this striking poster for Once Upon a Time in the West: a fascinating combination of bold color, eccentric collage, pop art elements and unusual typography. I wasn’t aware of the name of Stanislav Vajce before that but a quick search on the store's website and elsewhere revealed a wild array of some of the most exciting and inventive Czech posters I have seen in a while. As with so many of...
- 2/17/2017
- MUBI
“Paul, I think I’m gonna be a lousy wife. But don’t be angry with me. I love you very much – and I’m very sexy!”
Barefoot In The Park screens at St. Louis’ fabulous Hi-Pointe Theater this weekend as part of their Classic Film Series. It’s Saturday, February 11th at 10:30am at the Hi-Pointe located at 1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, Mo 63117. The film will be introduced by Harry Hamm, movie reviewer for Kmox. Admission is only $5
Romantic comedies don’t come much lighter than Barefoot In The Park, an early Neil Simon confection based on the early days of his first marriage. The youthful, fresh-faced pair of Robert Redford and Jane Fonda play Paul and Corie Bratter, hot-to-trot newlyweds who after spending seven passion-filled nights at the Plaza, find the everyday trials and tribulations of marriage rather rough going. Corie has secured them a sixth-floor walk-up...
Barefoot In The Park screens at St. Louis’ fabulous Hi-Pointe Theater this weekend as part of their Classic Film Series. It’s Saturday, February 11th at 10:30am at the Hi-Pointe located at 1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, Mo 63117. The film will be introduced by Harry Hamm, movie reviewer for Kmox. Admission is only $5
Romantic comedies don’t come much lighter than Barefoot In The Park, an early Neil Simon confection based on the early days of his first marriage. The youthful, fresh-faced pair of Robert Redford and Jane Fonda play Paul and Corie Bratter, hot-to-trot newlyweds who after spending seven passion-filled nights at the Plaza, find the everyday trials and tribulations of marriage rather rough going. Corie has secured them a sixth-floor walk-up...
- 2/6/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Back in the early 1970s, when she was playing the outspoken lead on Norman Lear’s All in the Family spin-off, Maude, Bea Arthur would host raucous dinner parties at her Los Angeles home. The guests were by and large gay men — closeted, as most were back then — who were drawn to Arthur, like moths to a porch light. Observing these drunken evenings with fascination was Arthur's then-11-year-old son, Matthew Saks, the elder of two boys she adopted with her second husband, the film and theater director Gene Saks. "They were always excited to come to
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- 9/23/2016
- by Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lucille Ball: The glamour look. Cate Blanchett to play Lucille Ball: Actress won Oscar for incarnating Ball's fellow Rko contract player Katharine Hepburn Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett is reportedly slated to star in a biopic of former Rko and MGM actress and big-time television comedienne Lucille Ball. Aaron Sorkin, Oscar winner for David Fincher's The Social Network, will be responsible for the screenplay. According to Entertainment Weekly, the Lucille Ball film biopic will focus on Ball's two-decade marriage to her I Love Lucy costar Desi Arnaz. In 1960, the couple had an acrimonious divorce that supposedly “shocked” clueless fans unable to tell the difference between TV reality and real-life reality. Their children, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Lucie Arnaz, had modest acting careers in film and on TV in the '70s and '80s. As per the EW.com report, they're both producing the planned Lucille Ball biopic.
- 9/3/2015
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Updated, March 31: Broadway will dim its lights for one minute on Wednesday, April 1 at 7:45 P.M., in memory of Gene Saks, the film and Broadway director who died on Saturday at 93. Updated, Sunday noon with more information throughout. Gene Saks, an actor-turned-director whose long kinship with Neil Simon led to the film versions of two of the most successful comedies of their time, Barefoot In The Park (1967) and The Odd Couple, and whose screen performances include…...
- 3/31/2015
- Deadline
The first peer-reviewed issue of [in]Transition features the likes of Adrian Martin and Kevin B. Lee on a total of four outstanding audiovisual essays on cinema. Also in today’s roundup of news and views: a guide to Stanley Kubrick’s lenses, a forthcoming book on The Shining, Jonathan Rosenbaum on Fritz Lang’s Spies, Colin Beckett’s critique of the work of Joshua Oppenheimer, Errol Morris and Jill Godmilow; interviews with Alex Gibney and Charles Grodin; and remembering Gene Saks, cinematographer Miroslav Ondrícek and Italian actor Rik Battaglia. » - David Hudson...
- 3/30/2015
- Fandor: Keyframe
The first peer-reviewed issue of [in]Transition features the likes of Adrian Martin and Kevin B. Lee on a total of four outstanding audiovisual essays on cinema. Also in today’s roundup of news and views: a guide to Stanley Kubrick’s lenses, a forthcoming book on The Shining, Jonathan Rosenbaum on Fritz Lang’s Spies, Colin Beckett’s critique of the work of Joshua Oppenheimer, Errol Morris and Jill Godmilow; interviews with Alex Gibney and Charles Grodin; and remembering Gene Saks, cinematographer Miroslav Ondrícek and Italian actor Rik Battaglia. » - David Hudson...
- 3/30/2015
- Keyframe
Gene Saks has passed away, aged 93.
The actor and director, who starred in such films as A Thousands Clowns, died of pneumonia in his Long Island home yesterday (March 29).
A Tony Award-winning director, he famously staged Neil Simon's 'double-b' trilogy, which consisted of Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and Broadway Bound, and also a revival of The Odd Couple in 1985.
He starred in 1994's Fool alongside Paul Newman, Bruce Willis and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The last Broadway play Saks directed was William Luce's Barrymore in 1997.
Saks is survived by his wife Keren.
The actor and director, who starred in such films as A Thousands Clowns, died of pneumonia in his Long Island home yesterday (March 29).
A Tony Award-winning director, he famously staged Neil Simon's 'double-b' trilogy, which consisted of Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and Broadway Bound, and also a revival of The Odd Couple in 1985.
He starred in 1994's Fool alongside Paul Newman, Bruce Willis and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The last Broadway play Saks directed was William Luce's Barrymore in 1997.
Saks is survived by his wife Keren.
- 3/30/2015
- Digital Spy
Gene Saks, a director who earned three Tony Awards and frequently collaborated with Neil Simon, has died. He was 93. Saks died March 28 following a bout with pneumonia, his wife, Keren, said, according to the New York Times. Saks had a long-standing professional relationship with Simon and directed many of his plays, including Brighton Beach Memoirs (1983) and Biloxi Blues (1985). Both projects earned Saks a Tony for directing, as did the Cy Coleman-Michael Stewart musical I Love My Wife (1977). Read More Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2015 Other Simon plays staged by Saks include Half a Sixpence (1965),
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- 3/29/2015
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Retro-active: The Best From Cinema Retro's Archives
By Lee Pfeiffer
Paramount has released a 2 disc special edition of the 1968 comedy classic The Odd Couple as part of the studio's Centennial Collection. The film retains all of its initial appeal, despite the fact that virtually every baby boomer has committed the scenes and dialogue to memory. Although most people regard this as the first historic pairing of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, in fact, that occurred with Billy Wilder's 1965 gem The Fortune Cookie which saw Matthau winning the Oscar for supporting actor. The genius behind the story, of course, is Neil Simon, who adapted his smash hit Broadway play for the film. The part of Felix Unger was originally played on Broadway by the great Art Carney, but Lemmon was a much hotter box-office property and got the role in the feature film. The film is creative in the ways...
By Lee Pfeiffer
Paramount has released a 2 disc special edition of the 1968 comedy classic The Odd Couple as part of the studio's Centennial Collection. The film retains all of its initial appeal, despite the fact that virtually every baby boomer has committed the scenes and dialogue to memory. Although most people regard this as the first historic pairing of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, in fact, that occurred with Billy Wilder's 1965 gem The Fortune Cookie which saw Matthau winning the Oscar for supporting actor. The genius behind the story, of course, is Neil Simon, who adapted his smash hit Broadway play for the film. The part of Felix Unger was originally played on Broadway by the great Art Carney, but Lemmon was a much hotter box-office property and got the role in the feature film. The film is creative in the ways...
- 1/2/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Currently in theaters, Just Go With It is a contemporary re-imagining of the 1969 Academy Award-winner Cactus Flower. Originally directed by Gene Saks and starring Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman and Goldie Hawn, this new version is helmed by director Dennis Dugan and features a cast that includes Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston and Brooklyn Decker. A veteran of only a handful of [...]...
- 2/23/2011
- by Bob Healy
- ReelRave
Brighton Beach Memoirs Dir. Gene Saks (1986) Brighton Beach Memoirs was the first play in Neil Simon's Eugene Trilogy, which followed the autobiographical exploits of a nice kid growing up middle class and Jewish in the titular nabe. Matthew Broderick originated the role of Eugene on Broadway, which made him a star, and he was busy on the Great White Way in Biloxi Blues when the inevitable film version came around. So subbing for Broderick in Saks' film is the actor Jonathan Silverman (Weekend at Bernie's), whose relatable neurosis carries over into the tale of a fifteen-year-old boy in 1937 who loves girls, would like to have sex at some point, and also loves baseball. With uberWASP Blythe Danner (mother of Gwyneth Paltrow, of course, who visited Brighton Beach in Two Lovers, er, as a Wasp) as the Jewish mother whose presence guilts the boy into future success. It's heartwarming, relateable stuff,...
- 10/16/2009
- TribecaFilm.com
Brighton Beach Memoirs Dir. Gene Saks (1986) Brighton Beach Memoirs was the first play in Neil Simon's Eugene Trilogy, which followed the autobiographical exploits of a nice kid growing up middle class and Jewish in the titular nabe. Matthew Broderick originated the role of Eugene on Broadway, which made him a star, and he was busy on the Great White Way in Biloxi Blues when the inevitable film version came around. So subbing for Broderick in Saks' film is the actor Jonathan Silverman (Weekend at Bernie's), whose relatable neurosis carries over into the tale of a fifteen-year-old boy in 1937 who loves girls, would like to have sex at some point, and also loves baseball. With uberWASP Blythe Danner (mother of Gwyneth Paltrow, of course, who visited Brighton Beach in Two Lovers, er, as a Wasp) as the Jewish mother whose presence guilts the boy into future success. It's heartwarming, relateable stuff,...
- 10/16/2009
- TribecaFilm.com
Veteran actresses Betty White and Rue McClanahan have paid tribute to their Golden Girls co-star Bea Arthur, who died on Saturday.
The actress passed away peacefully in her sleep at her Los Angeles home after losing her battle with cancer aged 86, according to personal assistant Dan Watt.
Arthur, who starred in the hit show from 1985 until 1992, won an Emmy Award for her role as Dorothy Zbornak in the sitcom, which chronicled the lives of three retirees in Miami.
And co-stars White and McClanahan fondly recall the seven happy years they spent with Arthur on the series.
McClanahan tells Entertainment Tonight. "(Thirty-seven) years ago she showed me how to be very brave in playing comedy. I'll miss that courage. And I'll miss that voice."
White adds, "I knew it would hurt, I just didn't know it would hurt this much. I'm so happy that she received her Lifetime Achievement Award while she was still with us, so she could appreciate that.
"Bea was such an important part of a very happy time in my life and I have dearly loved her for a very long time. How lucky I was to know her."
Born in 1922, Arthur grew up in New York and earned a degree as a medical laboratory technician, before enrolling in a drama course at the New School of Social Research in the city.
She shot to fame in her twenties with numerous stage roles and won critical acclaim for her performance in a 1964 production of Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway.
Arthur also landed a Tony Award for her turn as Vera Charles in 1966 musical Mame - and composer Jerry Herman was taken aback by her natural acting ability and comic timing.
He says, "There was no one else like Bea. She would make us laugh during Mame rehearsals with a look or with a word. She didn't need dialogue. I don't know if I can say that about any other person I ever worked with."
The actress moved on to television in her fifties and won the starring role in 1970s show Maude, for which she also won a coveted Emmy Award, before landing her part in The Golden Girls.
Arthur married twice - first to producer and director Robert Alan Aurthur and then to director Gene Saks from 1950 to 1978. The couple adopted two sons.
She is survived by a sister, her children Matthew and Daniel and two granddaughters.
The actress passed away peacefully in her sleep at her Los Angeles home after losing her battle with cancer aged 86, according to personal assistant Dan Watt.
Arthur, who starred in the hit show from 1985 until 1992, won an Emmy Award for her role as Dorothy Zbornak in the sitcom, which chronicled the lives of three retirees in Miami.
And co-stars White and McClanahan fondly recall the seven happy years they spent with Arthur on the series.
McClanahan tells Entertainment Tonight. "(Thirty-seven) years ago she showed me how to be very brave in playing comedy. I'll miss that courage. And I'll miss that voice."
White adds, "I knew it would hurt, I just didn't know it would hurt this much. I'm so happy that she received her Lifetime Achievement Award while she was still with us, so she could appreciate that.
"Bea was such an important part of a very happy time in my life and I have dearly loved her for a very long time. How lucky I was to know her."
Born in 1922, Arthur grew up in New York and earned a degree as a medical laboratory technician, before enrolling in a drama course at the New School of Social Research in the city.
She shot to fame in her twenties with numerous stage roles and won critical acclaim for her performance in a 1964 production of Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway.
Arthur also landed a Tony Award for her turn as Vera Charles in 1966 musical Mame - and composer Jerry Herman was taken aback by her natural acting ability and comic timing.
He says, "There was no one else like Bea. She would make us laugh during Mame rehearsals with a look or with a word. She didn't need dialogue. I don't know if I can say that about any other person I ever worked with."
The actress moved on to television in her fifties and won the starring role in 1970s show Maude, for which she also won a coveted Emmy Award, before landing her part in The Golden Girls.
Arthur married twice - first to producer and director Robert Alan Aurthur and then to director Gene Saks from 1950 to 1978. The couple adopted two sons.
She is survived by a sister, her children Matthew and Daniel and two granddaughters.
- 4/26/2009
- WENN
Bea Arthur, who died Saturday at 86, was the winner of two Emmy Awards for her starring roles on classic sitcoms "Maude" and "The Golden Girls." Before becoming an unexpected TV star in the 1970s, Bea Arthur enjoyed a long and celebrated career in the theater. She won a Tony Award for featured actress in a musical in 1966 for the role of Vera Charles, bosom buddy to "Mame." Married at the time to theater director Gene Saks, who helmed this tuner adaptation of the play "Auntie Mame," Arthur made no secret of the fact that she would have loved to play the part of the glamourous title character, a part that went to Angela Lansbury. With her basso voice and deadpan delivery, Arthur had to settle for the sidekick role, which turned out to be a natural for her — the man-eating, gin-drinking actress Vera. When the movie version was made in...
- 4/26/2009
- by tomoneil
- Gold Derby
Over the past 15 months or so, it's been our sad duty to report about more deaths in Hollywood than we've cared to—it seems as though entertainment personalities have been falling faster than leaves on an autumn day. In fact, the entire past 15 months have felt like one long autumn, if we're honest.
And it's happened again. Those of you who fondly remember The Golden Girls, or if you want to go back a bit further into the '70s, Maude, will be sorry to learn that Bea Arthur has died of cancer at the age of 86.
Spokesman Dan Watt said that Arthur died Saturday morning at her home in Los Angeles, her family by her side.
It's likely Arthur will be best remembered for her role in Maude. Arthur's comic timing and deadpan delivery became legendary shortly after her opinionated and irascible Maude first appeared on Norman Lear's...
And it's happened again. Those of you who fondly remember The Golden Girls, or if you want to go back a bit further into the '70s, Maude, will be sorry to learn that Bea Arthur has died of cancer at the age of 86.
Spokesman Dan Watt said that Arthur died Saturday morning at her home in Los Angeles, her family by her side.
It's likely Arthur will be best remembered for her role in Maude. Arthur's comic timing and deadpan delivery became legendary shortly after her opinionated and irascible Maude first appeared on Norman Lear's...
- 4/26/2009
- CinemaSpy
Beatrice Arthur, the larger-than-life actress who scored on Broadway as the original matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof and the hard-drinking actress in Mame before she went on to star in the groundbreaking '70s TV series Maude and, in the '80s, the beloved sitcom The Golden Girls, died early Saturday morning. She was 86. Dan Watt, a spokesman for Arthur's family, told the Associated Press that the star had been suffering with cancer, though he did not specify what kind. She died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family by her side, said Watt, who remembered Arthur as "a brilliant and witty woman." Maude, which debuted on CBS in 1972 (and ran until 1978) was a spin-off of the hit All in the Family. As the liberal cousin of archconservative Archie Bunker's wife Edith, the much-married Maude wasn't afraid to broach such controversial (especially for TV at the time) topics as abortion and civil rights.
Golden Girls, a popular NBC Saturday-night staple from 1985 to 1992, featured Arthur as the outspoken Dorothy Zbornak, who shared a Florida home with three other retired women, including her mother, played by Estelle Getty - who died last July, at 84. The other stars were Rue McClanahan and Betty White.
Born Bernice Frankel in New York City but raised in Maryland, where her parents ran a women's clothing store, Arthur debuted on the Off Broadway stage in New York in the 1940s, with her Broadway musical triumphs - though her singing voice was deep and scratchy - in the mid-'60s.
Married and divorced twice, Arthur took her stage name (in part) from her first husband, the screenwriter, director and producer Robert Alan Aurthur, whose credits include the Bob Fosse film All That Jazz. With second husband, Mame director Gene Saks, she adopted two sons, Matthew, 47, and Daniel, 44. They survive her.
Of her powerful stage and TV persona, which often found her cast in the same sort of role, Arthur once said, "Look - I'm 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice and I have a way with a line. What can I do about it? I can't stay home waiting for something different. I think it's a total waste of energy worrying about typecasting."...
Golden Girls, a popular NBC Saturday-night staple from 1985 to 1992, featured Arthur as the outspoken Dorothy Zbornak, who shared a Florida home with three other retired women, including her mother, played by Estelle Getty - who died last July, at 84. The other stars were Rue McClanahan and Betty White.
Born Bernice Frankel in New York City but raised in Maryland, where her parents ran a women's clothing store, Arthur debuted on the Off Broadway stage in New York in the 1940s, with her Broadway musical triumphs - though her singing voice was deep and scratchy - in the mid-'60s.
Married and divorced twice, Arthur took her stage name (in part) from her first husband, the screenwriter, director and producer Robert Alan Aurthur, whose credits include the Bob Fosse film All That Jazz. With second husband, Mame director Gene Saks, she adopted two sons, Matthew, 47, and Daniel, 44. They survive her.
Of her powerful stage and TV persona, which often found her cast in the same sort of role, Arthur once said, "Look - I'm 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice and I have a way with a line. What can I do about it? I can't stay home waiting for something different. I think it's a total waste of energy worrying about typecasting."...
- 4/25/2009
- by Stephen M. Silverman
- PEOPLE.com
Bea Arthur, whose acerbic wit and dry delivery delighted national TV audiences on such long-running shows as "Maude" and "The Golden Girls," died Saturday at age 86.
She died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family at her side, family spokesman Dan Watt said. She had cancer, he added, declining to give details.
Arthur won two Primetime Emmys for lead actress in a comedy series, for "Maude" in 1977 and "Golden Girls" in 1988. In all, she received 11 Emmy nominations and nine Golden Globe noms.
With her dry, husky voice and domineering height, Arthur's deadpan style led her to national prominence as a guest star on "All in the Family," playing Archie Bunker's liberal cousin and political nemesis. Her acidic exchanges with Archie were so popular that producer Norman Lear spun the character off into her own show, "Maude." The politically charged sitcom ran for six years beginning in 1972, satirizing and...
She died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family at her side, family spokesman Dan Watt said. She had cancer, he added, declining to give details.
Arthur won two Primetime Emmys for lead actress in a comedy series, for "Maude" in 1977 and "Golden Girls" in 1988. In all, she received 11 Emmy nominations and nine Golden Globe noms.
With her dry, husky voice and domineering height, Arthur's deadpan style led her to national prominence as a guest star on "All in the Family," playing Archie Bunker's liberal cousin and political nemesis. Her acidic exchanges with Archie were so popular that producer Norman Lear spun the character off into her own show, "Maude." The politically charged sitcom ran for six years beginning in 1972, satirizing and...
- 4/25/2009
- by By Duane Byrge
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
You know the music. You know the set-up and you’ve seen it played out in countless variations. Still, there is nothing like the original. Paramount’s Centennial Collection continues today with two more classic releases, including Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple.
Based on his box office smash play (which in turn was inspired by his brother’s life), Neil Simon took the story of two mismatched divorced men trying to live together and made a sad state of affairs hilarious.
On Broadway, the inimitable Walter Matthau was matched with Art Carney, fresh from his run with Jackie Gleason, but for the film, Paramount exec Robert Evans went for Jack Lemmon, who played previously with Matthau in The Fortune Cookie. On screen, the two had chemistry in spaces and it was necessary to make this work. One is a sports writer slob, the other a high-strung metrosexual (long before the word existed) news writer.
Based on his box office smash play (which in turn was inspired by his brother’s life), Neil Simon took the story of two mismatched divorced men trying to live together and made a sad state of affairs hilarious.
On Broadway, the inimitable Walter Matthau was matched with Art Carney, fresh from his run with Jackie Gleason, but for the film, Paramount exec Robert Evans went for Jack Lemmon, who played previously with Matthau in The Fortune Cookie. On screen, the two had chemistry in spaces and it was necessary to make this work. One is a sports writer slob, the other a high-strung metrosexual (long before the word existed) news writer.
- 3/24/2009
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
DVD Review The Odd Couple: Centennial Collection - 2 Disc Directed by: Gene Saks Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins Rating: G Due out: 3/24/09 Plot: Based on Neil Simon's award winning play, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are Felix and Oscar, two best friends who decide to live with each other out of necessity. Hilarious chaos ensues when their radically different lifestyles begin to drive each other crazy. Who's It For? Fans of comedies and overall great films. This re-release of The Odd Couple will invite and re-invite viewers into the famous filthy apartment co-habitated by the neurotic Felix and the disgusting Oscar. Movie: The chemistry of Lemmon and Matthau has prevailed in other movies, but here it's easy to see why this is...
- 3/24/2009
- The Scorecard Review
Chicago – A Disney movie and two all-time classics being inducted in Paramount’s “Centennial Collection” make up this week’s version of the “DVD Round-Up,” your safety net for titles that may have slipped by your home entertainment radar.
The Round-Up, HollywoodChicago.com’s famous recurring column about lesser Blu-Ray and DVD titles that may have slipped through your fingers at the store recently, brings you three catalog titles being reissued for DVD in new two-disc editions.
“Lilo & Stitch: 2-Disc Big Wave Edition,” “The Centennial Collection: The Odd Couple,” and “The Centennial Collection: To Catch a Thief” will all be released on March 24th, 2009.
“Lilo & Stitch: 2-Disc Big Wave Edition”
Photo credit: Disney Piggy-backing on the more awesome and high-profile Blu-Ray release for “Bolt,” Disney is giving fans a chance to catch up on one of their bigger titles from the early part of the decade, 2002’s “Lilo & Stitch,” now...
The Round-Up, HollywoodChicago.com’s famous recurring column about lesser Blu-Ray and DVD titles that may have slipped through your fingers at the store recently, brings you three catalog titles being reissued for DVD in new two-disc editions.
“Lilo & Stitch: 2-Disc Big Wave Edition,” “The Centennial Collection: The Odd Couple,” and “The Centennial Collection: To Catch a Thief” will all be released on March 24th, 2009.
“Lilo & Stitch: 2-Disc Big Wave Edition”
Photo credit: Disney Piggy-backing on the more awesome and high-profile Blu-Ray release for “Bolt,” Disney is giving fans a chance to catch up on one of their bigger titles from the early part of the decade, 2002’s “Lilo & Stitch,” now...
- 3/23/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The Odd Couple really is a great movie. Some of its initial themes of suicide and heartbreak really stand the test of time, and while the humor is altogether far too dry and expositional for most modern tastes, there are still laughs to be had. But unfortunately, as a whole the movie hasn’t dated well.
Unlike more dramatic films of the same era, the film suffers greatly when viewed from a modern perspective. The slow pacing of the comedy and the squeaky-clean manner the would-be vulgar characters sets it firmly in a time unknown to the younger generation. While other, more socially and politically pointed films of the 1960s have perhaps only become more relevant, The Odd Couple has only been hurt by the passage of time. It doesn’t show how comedy has evolved over the years, as it’s cemented so distinctly in a bygone era, and...
Unlike more dramatic films of the same era, the film suffers greatly when viewed from a modern perspective. The slow pacing of the comedy and the squeaky-clean manner the would-be vulgar characters sets it firmly in a time unknown to the younger generation. While other, more socially and politically pointed films of the 1960s have perhaps only become more relevant, The Odd Couple has only been hurt by the passage of time. It doesn’t show how comedy has evolved over the years, as it’s cemented so distinctly in a bygone era, and...
- 3/20/2009
- by Saul Berenbaum
- JustPressPlay.net
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