March 31, 2008 |
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"THE WAY to make a film is to begin with an earthquake and work up to a climax," said Cecil B. DeMille.
WELL, WE have complained often here about the Academy Awards folks neglecting to give Richard Widmark a Lifetime Achievement Oscar. (The actor died at 93 last week, after making his mark in many movies, including the 1947 classic for which he was nominated, "Kiss of Death.") Now Turner Classic Movies will honor him with a special triple feature in April, showing "Alvarez Kelly," "Take the High Ground!" and "The Tunnel of Love."
Turner Classics is very much in the news. Every other person I meet asks if I know the genial, knowledgeable host, Robert Osborne? When I say I have known him for years, even back when he wrote a column for The Hollywood Reporter - their next question is, "Will you introduce me to him?"
Mr. Osborne is firmly ensconced at TCM, but is putting on his own Classic Film Festival in Athens, Ga., April 10 through 13. This outing gives a chance to show on a giant screen, the classic movies most folks only see on television. The TCM host spends time each month down in Atlanta taping introductions for the classics that keep us up at night. But he is a real New Yorker. And now TCM is pairing him with the sexy, smart actress Rose McGowan, age 34. "I love that she's not an obvious pick," says TCM head of programming Tom Brown. (I'll say! In 2007, Rose appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone attired in nothing but several well-placed gun belts. She is in the inamorata of the Texas film dynamo Robert Rodriguez who created "Spy Kids.")
In the past, Osborne has appeared with legendary film partners - Rob Reiner, Sydney Pollack, Peter Bogdanovich and Carrie Fisher. Now he has a sex bomb partner. I asked how this feels? "I feel great. She is really with it on film. I am looking forward," says Osborne, ever the gent!
TOMORROW night in Palm Beach all those people who wear pink and green in the daytime will celebrate the 86th birthday of Broadway titan Jimmy Nederlander. His Charlene hosts at The Breakers.
Another Palm Beach-to-New York personality, Jim Mitchell, a man who so quietly accomplishes public relations that most folks think he is an investment banker, will be there. He was the king of PR for the famous El Morocco back when. Jim usually holds court in Manhattan's Primola restaurant, but he was all over Palm Beach at the March 7 Preservation Ball. The biggest deal was a performance of the American Ballet Theater, tossed by Julia and David Koch. Present at their magnificent palazzo, which houses a stage, were Sunny, the Duke of Marlborough and his girlfriend, Lily. Also, Princess Maria Pia di Savoia. (Her late father was the last king of Italy. And here we thought the king of Italy was the designer Valentino!)
Oh, and let's not forget the philanthropic John and Marianne Castle who are always identified as having bought the Kennedy house in Palm Beach.
TONIGHT, THE Bible of Show Biz, Variety, celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Gotham edition leading to the premiere of Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones documentary, "Shine a Light." On the guest list - the Stones themselves, Steve Bing, Brad Grey and Mayor Bloomberg. Plus a man even more important in the business of show - editor Peter Bart.
"ROSE IS a monster," writer Arthur Laurents told Ethel Merman in his first meet with the musical comedy star back in 1958. "How far are you willing to go?" "I'll do anything you want," said Merman, and so the first Mama Rose of "the best damned musical ever" was on her way. Now Patti LuPone stars as Mama Rose, getting her girls "up and out" at the St. James Theater. She is demonic, devastating, a powerhouse and very R-E-A-L as the stage mother par excellence. "Sing out, Louise!" The audience gives a standing ovation as she comes down the aisle and another one before the show even ends.
I have seen all the versions of "Gypsy." What can I say? Only that this one is the best yet. At 90, Mr. Laurents has had his way with this re-creation and while we still celebrate Jule Styne's music, Stephen Sondheim's lyrics and Jerry Robbins' choreography - this is Arthur's show all the way.
The cast is spectacular. The best Herbie ever in Boyd Gaines. (His sexy love affair with Rose is punctuated by the singing of "You'll Never Get Away From Me" where the couple fall in ecstasy on the floor, displaying Rose's undies.) Laura Benanti, who goes from the pale lover of a little lamb to the knockout Gypsy Rose Lee, stripper deluxe, is simply fabulous. (I liked her as much as I liked Natalie Wood in the terrible movie version.)
This is not just your ordinary theater experience. "Gypsy" moved theater past Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved schmaltz. As one critic dubbed it, "Gypsy is the Medea of musicals!"
(E-mail Liz Smith at MES3838@aol.com, or write to her c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207.)
©2008 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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