On the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Cinema Retro columnist Graham Hill addresses the debate over the most famous murder of the 20th century - and how the 1973 film Executive Action dared to suggest a conspiracy.

by Graham Hill

When the very subject of conspiracy is brought up in polite conversation these days, it’s usually aimed at the policies and administration of whoever happens to be in power.  And since Vietnam, Watergate, 9-11 and the whole Iraq War issue, conspiracy in itself is not as far-fetched and dismissible as an Elvis or UFO sighting would be.  Almost a half-century after the event, over 70% of Americans still believe there was a conspiracy in the death of President John F. Kennedy.  Those who dismiss the conspiracy theory, in essence, believe:

·       the official Warren Commission report conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing President John Fitzgerald Kennedy

·       that the single “magic” bullet did all the damage and was found pristine on the hospital stretcher

·       that the bullet could have only come from the Texas Schoolbook Depository to the rear, when so many witnesses and the infamous Zapruder film show indicate Kennedy being fatally hit from the front

·       that an ex-marine, who just so happens to speak fluent Russian and who also monitored the U-2’s over Russia and knew all classified codes and call signs for NORAD, could afford to fly to the Soviet Union and receive a precious visa to enter the country, then renounce his U.S. citizenship; then marry a KGB colonel’s daughter and be allowed to return to the U.S.

·       that the Dallas police department could issue an APB under Oswald’s name, coupled with a full description,  less than fifteen minutes after the assassination

·       that when Oswald was captured, the police kept no transcript or record of  his time in custody

·       that so many material witnesses could coincidentally suffer fatal accidents

Whether you believe conspiracy one way or another, the 1973 movie Executive Action makes a case for one, or at the very least the possibility for one –and it makes it beyond a reasonable doubt and to a moral certainty.

Nicholas Cage, humiliated by public revelation of his disastrous personal financial situation, is suing his accountant Samuel Levin, who he claims is responsible for his problems because of gross incompetence. Levin is counter-suing, saying he repeatedly advised Cage to cut back on his massive spending but was routinely ignored by the star. "Instead of listening to Levin, cross-defendant Coppola spent most of his free time shopping for high ticket purchases, and wound up with 15 personal residences, most of which were bought against Levin's advice," Levin's complaint said. "Likewise, Levin advised Coppola against buying a Gulfstream jet, against buying and owning a flotilla of yachts, against buying and owning a squadron of Rolls Royces, against buying millions of dollars in jewelry and art." Levin also said that Cage was aware of every expenditure because he personally signed the checks to pay for them. For more click here

Cinema Retro has received the following press release from The Film Forum:

A tribute to actor Christopher Plummer will be held at Film Forum on Monday, November 30 at 7:30. Mr. Plummer will appear in person to discuss his long stage, screen and television career. Admission for this special event is $25, $15 for Film Forum members. Tickets will be available online Monday, November 23.

In his immensely entertaining new memoir, Christopher Plummer describes how “this young bilingual wastrel, incurably romantic, spoiled rotten, tore himself away from the ski slopes to break into the big bad world of theatre, not from the streets up but from an Edwardian living room down.” A Canadian (not English, as is often assumed), Plummer made his stage debut at 18 in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline over 60 years ago. As a super-star of the Broadway and London stage, Plummer has played most of the great classic roles: Hamlet, Lear, Macbeth, Iago, Cyrano, Oedipus, not to mention King Henry in Becket, Shaw’s Caesar, John Barrymore, Sherlock Holmes, et al. His film career began with back-to-back roles for Sidney Lumet and Nicholas Ray, and over 50 years later, is still going strong — he voiced the villain in Pixar’s Up and has the title role in Terry Gilliam’s upcoming The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus — with a propensity for essaying real people: The Emperor Commodus (Fall of the Roman Empire), Aristotle, Wellington, Rommel, Kipling, FDR, F. Lee Bailey, Mike Wallace (The Insider), Tolstoy (in the upcoming The Last Station) and, perhaps his most celebrated cinema role, Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music (which Plummer has nicknamed “S & M,” but grudgingly admits liking).

Better not invite director Barry Levinson and New York Times TV critic Alessandra Stanley to the same cocktail party. Levinson is livid about Stanley's negative review of his new documentary Poliwood, which documents the often uncomfortable crossing of celebrities into the world of politics. Levinson says he doesn't begrudge the fact that Stanley doesn't like his movie. However, he eviscerates her professional credentials in an op-ed on The Huffington Post in which he accuses her of using misleading information in her review. For good measure, Levinson also digs up Stanley's negative assessment of Walter Cronkite and his coverage of the JFK assassination! Click here to read

In the debate over whether it was a wise decision for A.M.P.A.S. to have doubled the number of Best Picture nominees to ten films, put Variety editor Timothy Gray squarely on the side of supporting the measure. In a column, Gray advocates the reasons why he feels the new rule will give recognition to fine films that would otherwise be denied the honor. He also lists the top reasons why many in the industry disagree with him. Click here to read

 

Cinema Retro has received the following press release that will be of interest to all Disney fans:

(November 1, 2009) Disney Theme Park Merchandise releases in November, the second in a series of DVDs highlighting the creation and enhancement of the Disney Theme Parks and Attractions as told from the perspective of the Walt Disney’s Imagineers. The DVD will be available for sale throughout the Disney Parks in California and Florida .

The DVD, “Imagineering the Magic-Magic Kingdom”, hosted by Imagineer Diego Parras, details through historical and rare film footage, the inspiration for the creation of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and the early beginnings of the Magic Kingdom theme park.

The DVD focuses on the Walt Disney’s efforts to build on the success of Disneyland in Anaheim , California and to take that creativity and experience eastward . The challenges of building in Florida ’s swamplands and the high expectations of the guests for a world bigger and better are told from personal recollections by Walt Disney Ambassador and Chief Imagineer, Marty Sklar.

Among the many notables joining Marty for these development stories and Imagineer recollections include Tom Fitzgerald, Tony Baxter, Kathy Rogers, Eric Jacobson and Kevin Rafferty.

“Our Imagineering the Magic-Disneyland DVD has been one of most successful park DVDs,” commented Betsy Singer, Product Developer for Disney Theme Park Merchandise. “Our guests enjoy the behind the magic stories and inspiration that the Imagineers bring to these videos and we hope they will enjoy Imagineering the Magic of Magic Kingdom as much as they have our first DVD”.

“This DVD shows the incredible team of men and women Walt Disney brought around him to create experiences and attractions that entertain and bring families together.”

 “Imagineering the Magic-Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World® Resort” can also be ordered from Disney Theme Park Merchandise mail order at  407-363-6200  407-363-6200 . The "Imagineering the Magic" DVD series was created by Richard Skillman of richsmedia.com   and co-produced by Richard with Cameron Roberts ,Greg Jones and Mark Rhodes of D7, a Disney production partner.  

Interview by Nick Thomas

 

It’s been 60 years since the Marx Brothers – Groucho, Chico, Harpo – officially appeared together in their last feature film, Love Happy. Although fans have little “love” for it and the brothers were not “happy” making it, the film did provide some enjoyable moments showcasing Harpo’s silent talents.

Along with brothers Zeppo and Gummo, the five Marx Brothers grew up in New York. Gummo dropped out of the act and the four brothers traveled the country as stage performers before taking Hollywood by storm, starting with Cocoanuts in 1929.  Straight man Zeppo eventually bailed too, and the three remaining brothers went on to become arguably the greatest comedy team ever.  

Between them, the five brothers raised a dozen children and a few went into the entertainment business. Now 72, Bill Marx (one of Harpo’s four children; see www.sonofharpospeaks.com) had a successful career as a musician, composer, comic, speaker, and writer. He talks at length about life with Harpo and his brothers, concluding the interview by paraphrasing his Uncle Groucho’s biting sarcasm! 

 

You recently published a book, “Son of Harpo Speaks!” What’s it about?

It’s not really a book about the Marx Brothers. It chronicles my relationship with my dad and our working together for 12 years.  My stories have never been told before and I guess I’m one of the last people left who actually worked with the Marx Brothers first hand. I’m just finishing up an audio book of Son of Harpo Speaks! that should be available soon. It contains material that nobody’s heard before. 

Tell us about your career.

I’m what you’d call a sit down - stand up -sit down - stand up comic! I sit down, play the piano, then stand up and tell stories, then sit down again and so on. Then I do Q&A sessions. I’ve been a composer and jazz pianist most of my life - doing film scores, symphonic writing, and arranging. I’ve played with many of the great jazz artists of the twentieth century.

Did Harpo influence your musical career?

Absolutely. When I was 2 years old, he recognized my musical ability, but he never forced anything on me. I was not a disciplined young musician - I hated scales and lessons. I wanted to play baseball! 

The two of you worked together, correct?

Yes. When I was 16, I wound up as his personal arranger and conductor. We did two albums together for Mercury Records. When he appeared on TV programs like The Lucy Show, he often played the harp and I did all the musical arrangements for him. I was only in my late teens then, so he helped validate me as a composer and musician.

Do you play the harp?

No. Dad used to say “one harpist in the family is enough!”  I have written a couple of concertos for the harp and did all the pop arrangements for my dad later in his career.

Did Harpo play the harp at home for the family much?

Not really, he’d play to practice. He loved to practice; he’d do it for 2-3 hours a day whether he was working or not. He just loved the harp – its feeling, its sensuality, the vibrations, and the harmony and sounds of the chords. The harps you see in the films were his personal instruments.

What happened to his harps? They would be priceless Hollywood memorabilia today.

When he passed away, my mother and I went to Israel and donated them to the Rubin Academy of Music [now the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance]. Students are still playing them, which is wonderful. 

What about his other old movie props, have they been saved?

I have a lot of stuff – his prop chest, his coat, his hat, wigs. I’m looking for a place to have it all displayed. I turned down the Smithsonian because I don’t want it stored in a vault. These are pieces of American film history and they need to be on permanent display somewhere.

What happed to his famous walking stick with the honker?

My sister has that. But it doesn’t work any more because the bulb has worn out over the years.

Do you have a favorite Marx Brothers film?

It’s Go West, only because I thought dad was phenomenal in it. It was written by a great friend, Irving Brecher who just passed away. He was one of the funniest guys ever. I recommend reading his book, The Wicked Wit of the West, which is full of delightful stories. I also love Monkey Business and A Night in Casablanca. The Big Store was the first Marx Brothers movie I saw when I was 4 or 5. I love the scene where dad is playing the instruments in front of the mirrors. It’s very charming.

 

Corman in London, photographed by Cinema Retro's Mark Mawston.

Entertainment Weekly columnist Chris Nashawaty has done yeoman work in soliciting comments from some top-name directors, actors and writers who recall their memories of working for producer Roger Corman. The B movie king is finally being shown the respect he deserves, culminating with a special Oscar being bestowed on him for his remarkable achievements in film. Corman gave crucial first breaks to many directors and actors who went on to have great careers. In this article, homage is paid to Corman by Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Joe Dante, Jonathan Demme, Sylvester Stallone, Dennis Hopper, William Shatner, Richard Matheson and others. Click here to read 

As our regular readers know, Cinema Retro likes to help publicize innovative independent films relating to those glorious by-gone years of the 60s and 70s. Thus, when we were contacted by Darrett Sanders, one of the producers of the new 60s spy spoof Scream of the Bikini, we were immediately hooked. The film has been winning accolades on the festival circuits and is playing limited engagements in theaters. The official web site is worthy of a visit, as it is chock-full of sexy production stills and retro posters like the one above that perfectly emulates those wonderful old door panels that used to grace movie theater lobby doors. Good luck, guys - we're looking forward to seeing the film. Click here for the official web site

Actor Dennis Cole has passed away at age 69. He guest-starred on countless hit TV series since he made his mark as one of the stars of the 60s crime show Felony Squad. He also co-starred with Rod Taylor in the short-lived 1970s series Bearcats. Cole, who was once married to Charlie's Angel star Jaclyn Smith, refused to appear in any show involving violence following the 1991 murder of his son in a home invasion.  For more click here

It was in 1964 that Sean Connery starred as James Bond in Goldfinger and Shirley Bassey belted out the classic title song. Now Connery and Bassey are reuniting for another film project: Sir Billi, animated movie set in the Scottish highlands. Connery, who is producing the film, will provide the voice of an elderly, skate-boarding veterinarian who comes to the aid of a beaver. (No jokes, please!) Bassey will sing the title song, Guardian of the Highlands, which was written with her in mind. The film, which has been in production for years, marks Connery's emergence from self-imposed retirement, though it is uncertain whether he intends to pursue more cinematic ventures. For more click here

Even by the shameless spending habits of Hollywood stars, Nicholas Cage crossed the line. The Oscar winner is in major financial problems, owing the IRS $6 million. He has blamed the bulk of his dilemma on the alleged inefficiencies of his business manager. However, in a scathing report on the Daily Beast site, reporter Jacob Bernstein unveils plenty of evidence that Cage is responsible for his own dilemma. Bernstein outlines a mind-bending history of personal excess on Cage's part, as evidenced by the kind of spending that made Michael Jackson look like a miser. Cage's child-like spending habits saw him by the world's most expensive sports cars on a whim, throw parties that would embarrass the emperor Nero for their tastelessness, and indulge himself in every luxury in the belief the good times would roll forever. Cage also gave generously to charities, even as his own clout at the box-office began to seriously wane. He is now desperately trying to sell off his assets for far less than he paid for them. Click here to read the eye-opening report. 

On Sunday, November 22, The Players, the legendary New York City private club for the performing arts, will honor member Robert Vaughn with a gala dinner. Cinema Retro Editor in Chief Lee Pfeiffer will interview Vaughn on-stage for a discussion of his remarkable career and his recent autobiography A Fortunate Life. There will be screenings of relevant clips from Vaughn's work including The Magnficent Seven, Bullitt, The Towering Inferno,S.O.B, his current hit British series Hustle, Washington:Behind Closed Doors (for which he won the Emmy), Superman 3 and, of course, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. There will also be rarely seen early career footage of Vaughn's TV appearances. Ben Gazzara, Vaughn's co-star from The Bridge at Remagen, is scheduled to speak, as is actor Joseph Sirola, who guest-starred in several episodes of U.N.C.L.E. The date has special significance for Vaughn: it is his birthday and it is the day that production began on U.N.C.L.E. in 1963.

Through special arrangement with the club, Cinema Retro has arranged for a very limited number of tickets to be made available for any readers who would like to attend. The cost is $160 per person. The price includes cocktail hour, dinner in the famed dining hall and the Vaughn tribute program. The evening will afford readers a precious opportunity to enjoy one of New York's most exclusive clubs for the arts, which is filled with fascinating theatrical props and memorabilia belonging to actor Edwin Booth, who founded the club in the late 1800s. (For more about The Players visit the web site by clicking here)

To make a reservation by credit card, call the club at 212-475-6116

Note about the dress code: Please understand, this is not a fan or autograph event. The Players has a dress code for special event dinner functions. Black tie is encouraged, although a business suit is also appropriate. Please do not wear casual attire or you won't be admitted.  

By Lee Pfeiffer

We long ago gave up on seeing dynamic artwork on most DVD releases from major studios. Before you blame the studios, however, keep in mind that one studio executive told me in confidence that the sleeve designs are basically dictated by the buyers at Wal-Mart, who believe consumers can only relate to very simple, basic graphics. Thus, most major releases feature horrid scanned-in head shots of the movie's stars...often super-imposed on other actor's bodies. (See some of the James Bond releases). Once in a while, a studio will actually use original poster graphics on older, catalog titles and independent labels generally have visually creative sleeves for DVDs. However, the low point has to be the new DVD release of Paramount's Star Trek film. Director J.J. Abram's has not only reinvigorated the flaccid series, but enthused people like myself who were not major fans of the original films. However, the DVD sleeve is a boring, graphic-free piece of work that simply spells out the name of the title and doesn't convey a bit of the film's excitement or the acclaimed cast members. Granted, Star Trek doesn't need traditional marketing to make it succeed, but it would have been nice if someone in the home video department had put more than two minutes thought into the packaging of such a prestigious release. Come on, guys, you can do better...On the up side, the Blu-ray release promises to be a 3-DVD doozy. Click here to order from Amazon.

The cut-throat competition between Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target and other major on-line retailers has resulted in cut-throat pricing reductions pertaining to pre-orders of DVDs slated for holiday release. Many major titles including the new Star Trek film can be ordered for as little as $10. However, the deals are only good until the titles "street" (i.e, actually hit store shelves.) Studios are generally not happy about these tactics, fearing they reduce the inherent value of DVDs to the general public. For more click here

There are probably good uses for Twitter, which limits the user's message to 140 characters or less. However, it's largely been defined by people who bore their friends by sharing their frustrations over what type of lettuce to buy as they peruse the grocery aisles of their supermarkets. Then there are the doofy elected officials who are desperate to prove they are hip by shooting out impromptu observations that generally have to be explained by their long-suffering staffers who spin like whirling dervishes to mitigate their true meaning. The Huffington Post site has some fun with the Twitter rage, however, by offering readers to offer up summaries of classic books in 140 characters or less. The results are inspired and very funny. Here is one reader's synopsis of Lolita: "Erudite horndog marries a cougar so that he can get his hands on her hot underage daughter, who doesn't end up aging well. Kills a guy, too." For more click here

Producer and Cinema Retro contributor Steven J. Rubin has partnered with Beyond the Sea producer Arthur E. Friedman to bring the life story of Audie Murphy to the big screen. Murphy, one of the nation's most decorated soldiers, gained international fame for his daring exploits in WWII. He eventually had a successful acting career that was cut short when he perished in a plane crash in 1971. Murphy played himself in the hit 1955 WWII pic To Hell and Back. Rubin and Friedman plan to adapt the Don Graham biography of Murphy, No Name on the Bullet, for the screen. Murphy's son Terry is participating in the project. For more click here.

(For Steven J. Rubin's article on the making of The Great Escape, see Cinema Retro issue #1)

Disney has temporarily shelved plans for a much-vaunted remake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, although the studio is committed to ultimately making it. Apparently the director, McG, has withdrawn from the project, which was slated to begin shooting in February, even though no casting has been announced. By the way, what's with the name of the director? We don't mind great historical figures being referred to by one name, but McG hardly qualifies for the honor alongside Picasso and Rembrandt. In fact, his qualifications seem somewhat less impressive than those that earned Liberace a one-name monicker. For more click here

Almost twenty years since he played Dick Tracy, Warren Beatty is embroiled in a court battle over who owns the rights to the legendary comic strip character. The Tribune Company claims rights to Tracy reverted to the company because Beatty never launched another film project based on the character. In court documents, however, Beatty indicated he is working on a TV special with Turner Classic Movies. For the full story click here

Director Paul Wendkos has died at age 84 from cancer. He directed the original Gidget film in 1959, as well as two sequels. The WWII veteran also directed The Mephisto Waltz, Battle of the Coral Sea, Attack on the Iron Coast, Hell Boats and Guns of the Magnificent Seven, the final entry in the long-running Western series.  For more click here

Actor Edward Woodward has passed away at age 79. The acclaimed star of stage and screen had appeared in many high-profile films including Breaker Morant, The Final Option, Young Winston and - more recently- the hit British comedy Hot Fuzz. He also starred in the popular British TV series Callan. However, Woodward will always be associated with the classic cult horror film The Wicker Man in which he plays a police inspector whose search for a missing girl leads him to interact with a bizarre society that mingles sex, murder and the occult. The film's long and pained history has been the subject of books and documentaries, but suffice it to say that it became a far bigger hit in the years after its initial release. Woodward co-starred in it with Sir Christopher Lee. In the 1980s, Woodward became a popular household name in America through his Emmy-nominated role as The Equalizer on TV. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

The critically-lambasted Roland Emmerich disaster flick 2012 defied expectations and has amassed a gigantic opening gross of $225 million from international play dates. The film benefited from a strong marketing campaign that persuaded plenty of dimwits in the audience that the world really is expected to end in 2012, based on some hooey in an ancient Mayan calendar. So many people bombarded NASA with their concerns that, for the first time, the space agency had to go viral in their own marketing campaign to assure these folks that the world isn't really scheduled to be destroyed in 2012. (If that were the case, you could at least be assured that Cinema Retro wouldn't send you any more of those annual letters cajoling you to renew your subscription.) Disney's A Christmas Carol held strong and looks to build into a sizable holiday hit. The rock-oriented Pirate Radio opened weak but the studio hopes word-of-mouth will help build the grosses. For more click here 

Cirque du Soleil has announced that it will stage an official celebration of Elvis Presley's life and career. For details about Viva Elvis,click here

People magazine has an interesting article that provides insights into the bad press attached to actor Randy Quaid. He and his wife Evi have recently been accused of defrauding creditors and skipping court hearings. The result was their arrest and extradition to California where their increasingly strange behavior seems to have tarnished Quaid's reputation as a lovable, funny character actor. The common theme through the People story is the insinuation that Evi has led Quaid down the path of self-destruction by alienating friends and engaging in antics that saw Quaid's career harmed. Judge for yourself by clicking here to read

In the 1970s, legendary photographer Helmut Newton took an erotic photo of actress Charlotte Rampling that quickly became a sensation. Now actress Eva Green (of Casino Royale fame),  in conjunction with photographer Ricardo Tinelli, has recreated the photo shoot for the UK magazine Tatler. 

Optimum Releasing, which controls the rights to the British Film Archive, has teamed with Pinewood Studios for increased efforts to preserve classic British films that are currently stored at the legendary studio. New archival facilities will be built to provide cold storage for 1400 titles. Some specific titles such as Peeping Tom and The Dam Busters will be re-issued to theaters and then released on Blu-ray DVD. We will wish Hollywood studios would show the same interest in preserving and reissuing classic American titles. The UK film industry deserves praise for their efforts. For more click here

The Samuel Goldwyn Company has acquired the rights to the British crime thriller Harry Brown,which debuts this weekend in the UK. The Michael Caine-starrer has been generating major buzz with some comparing it to his landmark 1971 crime classic Get Carter. The film will be released in the US next year, but no firm date has been announced. For more click here

 By Nick Thomas

Alan Young created some memorable characters over his long career in film and television. Co-starring with Rod Taylor, Young played David Filby in the classic sci-fi film of the 60s, The Time Machine. He also horsed around as Wilbur Post for six seasons in one of best-loved sitcoms ever, Mister Ed, and was the voice behind numerous cartoon characters such as the grumpy Scrooge McDuck.  Mr. Young is celebrating a milestone birthday- although he isn’t especially fond of talking about such traditional annual events. But when I spoke with him a few days ago, he was quite happy to chat about his long career.

Born in Northern England, Alan’s Scottish father soon moved the family to Edinburgh, then later to Canada when he was six. Bed-ridden for months at a time with asthma, Alan would listen to radio shows and write his own comedy routines. He later made Los Angeles his home and went on to appear in some 20 films and dozens more television roles. In 1994, he wrote "Mister Ed and Me," detailing his experience with the world’s most famous TV horse, of course. He recently revised and republished the book as "Mister Ed and Me... and More!"

Why did you update "Mister Ed and Me"?

My publisher suggested adding more stories about my life so I included some that I think will interest readers. He also wanted more about Connie Hines, my TV wife on Mister Ed. So I asked Connie if she would do a chapter about her life and she was happy to.

The book’s divided into 3 sections, one called Lips Don’t Sweat. That’s an unusual title.

When I was young, I was paid $3 for doing a short monologue. That impressed my dad, who earned the same amount for working all day in a shipyard at the time. He told me to "keep up this talking business because lips don’t sweat!" It was good advice.

You also wrote "There’s no Business Like Show Business ....Was" which is crammed with delightful Hollywood memories and stories. It’s extremely enjoyable to read.

Well I love to write. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with so many lovely people here in Hollywood. I’ve heard so many of them tell fascinating stories, so I wanted to put it all together so fans could read about working in Hollywood in the "old days." Young people often say to me that it must have been easier working back then. But in many ways it wasn’t. For example, we had to learn by the seat of our pants, as there were few schools that taught acting skills.

 

The honors continue to roll in for Clint Eastwood, who is filming his supernatural thriller Hereafter in Europe. Eastwood was inducted as a commander in the French Legion of Honor. The recognition was awarded to Eastwood by French president Nicholas Sarkozy, who joked with the 79 year-old Oscar winner that he resented the fact that he was in better physical condition than the 54 year-old Sarkozy is. Eastwood expressed his respect for France and the French people, saying, "It is just a great pleasure for me. I really love France. I love movies, and I love the appreciation that the French people have for movies." For more click here

As readership continues to grow for Cinema Retro, the magazine's web site set a new record in the month of October. Over 1.1 million pages of pur articles were read by classic movie fans around the world. A special thanks to our talented contributors who continue to provide us with some of the best writing pertaining to retro cinema. Thanks also to everyone who contributed to the print edition of Cinema Retro. As we begin to enter our 6th year of publishing, we also set a new record for readers of the magazine as well. Our first special edition issue, paying homage to Where Eagles Dare, was a major success. Our next special edition will be an in-depth look at the Clint Eastwood/Sergio Leone Dollars trilogy. In 2010, we will initiate the first of Cinema Retro's film location tours in the UK. (Click here for details) We appreciate everyone who continues to support us in our quest to celebrate a true golden age of filmmaking - the 60s and 70s...

Closing Channel D!

Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall

Publishers

Director Martin Scorsese will receive the coveted Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award at the next Golden Globes ceremony on January 17. Scorsese previously received competitive Golden Globes for his direction of Gangs of New York and The Departed. For more click here

Hi Lee, 

 
Scott Sanders here again, writer and director of BLACK DYNAMITE.

Black Dynamite is expanding to new markets.  A current list of scheduled Midnight Shows is available on the official Black Dynamite website, and below in this email.

I am reaching out in hopes that you can help us get the word out.

Thanks again for your help in making BLACK DYNAMITE a cult sensation.

Sincerely,
 
Scott "Put yo' ankles in it" Sanders


BLACK DYNAMITE Midnight Shows

November 13 – Columbus, OH
Studio 35 Cinema & Draft House
3055 Indianola Avenue in
Columbus, Ohio 43202
http://www.studio35.com

November Weekends Beginning the 13th – Boston, MA
Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard St
Brookline MA 02446
http://www.coolidge.org

November 13 - 19 – Columbia, MO
Ragtag Cinema
10 Hitt Street
Columbia, MO 65201
http://www.ragtagfilm.com
   
November 13 & 14 – Springfield, MO
Moxie Cinema LLC
431 S. Jefferson, #108
Springfield, MO 65806
http://www.moxiecinema.com

November 13 & 14 – Fort Collins, CO
Lyric Cinema
300 E Mountain Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80524
http://www.lyriccinemacafe.com

November 13 & 14 – Spokane, WA
The Magic Lantern Theatre
25 W. Main Ave
Spokane, Washington 99201
http://www.magiclanternspokane.com

November 20 – San Francisco, CA
Castro Theatre
A presentation of the Oakland Underground Film Festival
429 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
http://www.castrotheatre.com/

November 20 & 21 – Minneapolis, MN
Uptown Theatre
2906 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408
http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/Minneapolis/UptownTheatre.htm

November 21 – Oakland, CA
Grand Lake
A presentation of the Oakland Underground Film Festival
3200 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA 94610
http://www.renaissancerialto.com/    
 
December 4 & 5 – Houston, TX
River Oaks
2009 West Gray
Houston, TX 77019
http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/Houston/RiverOaksTheatre.htm

December 11 & 12 – Denver, CO
Esquire Theater
590 Downing St
Denver, CO 80218
http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/Denver/EsquireTheatre.htm

January 2 – Rochester, NY
Dryden Theatre
900 East Ave
Rochester, NY 14607
http://dryden.eastmanhouse.org/ 

January 9 – San Diego, CA
Ken Cinema
4061 Adams Ave
San Diego, California 92116          
http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/SanDiego/KenCinema.htm

It's always a pleasure to receive the latest issue of Little Shoppe of Horrors, the publication dedicated entirely to the history and legacy of the classic Hammer horror films. Over the years, publisher Dick Klemensen and his writers have provided a priceless history of these movies, incorporating insightful writing with interviews pertaining to the people who made them. The latest issue, #23, continues these high standards of quality. Contents include:

• Archival interviews with Hammer legends Michael Ripper, John Gilling, Michael Carreras and Michael Gough
• Bruce Hallenbeck's tributes to the unsung Hammer gem Plague of the Zombies and The Reptile
• rare photos of the last days of Hammer film productions at Bray Studios
• a tribute to character actor Andre Morell
• interview with actors John Carson and Jacqueline Pearce
• the latest Hammer news and reviews of genre books, CDs and videos you might not otherwise be aware of.

There are also dozens of the usual eye-popping, rare photos and poster designs peppered throughout this creatively-designed magazine. Put this issue on your "must have" list. (Note: like many other niche publications, Little Shoppe of Horrors has been impacted by recent changes in the magazine distribution business. You may not be able to find this issue at your local store, so the best way to support the magazine is by ordering it through their web site by clicking here.)

At the prompting of a group that protests marketing campaigns designed to get infants weened on watching TV, Disney has admitted that its hugely popular line of Baby Einstein DVDs are virtually worthless as educational tools. The company had promoted the line as being relevant to stimulating baby's intellectual capabilities. In fact, there is evidence to suggest the opposite: getting infants hooked on watching TV can actually cause learning problems. Disney is now offering refunds to consumers who want to return the DVDs. This can prove to be a costly program: it's estimated that one third of American families with babies have at least one of the videos.  For more click here

Watch the original trailer for Sam Peckinpah's classic Ride the High Country starring Randolph Scott and Joel McRae by clicking here

MGM is taking on the persona of the sexy girl every guy wants to date, but no one wants to take home to meet mom. The legendary studio is facing a major financial crisis and has $3.7 billion in outstanding loans that it can't repay. The lenders refused an offer to turn the funds into equity and MGM now faces the possibility of declaring bankruptcy. There have been attempts to sell the studio but the offers are nowhere near the cash required to repay the outstanding loans. Plenty of studios are interested in acquiring MGM, but not to run it as a studio. They are after the jewels in the MGM crown, namely the rights to the lucrative film archive that includes the James Bond series. For more click here

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By Lee Pfeiffer

Cinema Retro generally stays away from the world of cable news, but this is a big story. Lou Dobbs, the last of the original CNN news personalities, shocked viewers by announcing he will be leaving the network after his Wednesday night broadcast. He has been with the network since its inception 29 years ago. Dobbs prides himself on being "Mr. Independent" and, although he primarily espouses conservative viewpoints, he was harshly critical of many aspects of the Bush administration. Those views were virtual love letters, however, compared to his nightly lambasting of President Obama and his policies. Dobbs, who once anchored finance-oriented shows, has been a lightning rod for controversy since he switched to analysis of hard news. Dobbs' signature issue - criticism of both Republican and Democratic administrations over weak enforcement of immigration laws - has drawn protests from Hispanic groups that accuse him of being racist. In reality, Dobbs is married to a Hispanic woman and has repeatedly reiterated he is only against illegal immigration and actually endorses increasing legal immigration limits. Hispanic advocacy groups have been petitioning CNN to drop Dobbs and they are claiming credit for causing his departure. However, there is no clear evidence that this is the case. Dobbs did not give a reason for his sudden resignation, except the old standby that he is looking at other options to spread his brand of public advocacy. (At least he didn't say it was to spend more time with his family, the familiar refrain chanted by scandal-scarred politicians.) CNN could have insisted that he continue his program through 2011 but the network president allowed Dobbs to end his contract early. Both Dobbs and CNN indicated his departure is amicable but its abrupt nature is fueling speculation that he was pushed.  

DIRECTED BY JERRY LEWIS November 12-19
Jerry Lewis:

Check out the notices:

Village Voice
The New Yorker on CRACKING UP (scroll down)
A Flavorpill pick

"

Jerry Lewis was born into a world of cinema, of images that fascinated him. Brought as a performer and star to the place where films are made, he learned film as a child learns the ways of the world. Like a child, obsessed with finding out things, he took apart the toys he was given, trying to see what was inside them and how they worked. When he won the chance to direct his own films, he used the opportunity to launch a relentless examination of his own relationship with filmic and verbal language." -Chris Fujiwara

This fall, Anthology addresses one of the questions that has challenged thinkers throughout the ages: could the French have gotten Jerry Lewis right? Though famously beloved by many of France's greatest critics and filmmakers (even winning the allegiance of representatives on both sides of the famous CAHIERS DU CINÉMA/POSITIF divide), to the bewilderment of many of their counterparts here in the U.S., Jerry Lewis is about to receive perhaps the most eloquent advocacy he's received on his own shores for decades, in the form of a new book on his work by Chris Fujiwara (critic for the BOSTON PHOENIX, editor of UNDERCURRENT, and previously the author of the definitive studies of both Jacques Tourneur and Otto Preminger). To celebrate its publication (by the University of Illinois Press), we're presenting a rare opportunity to see the majority of the films Lewis directed himself, several of them unscreened in New York for over a decade.

"'Just what is it that the French see in Jerry Lewis?' That has long been the watch cry of a supposedly intellectual American class. The answer: The French were simply faster on the uptake. They saw that this rubber-faced, twitchy-bodied, high-voiced comic was not only funny (as millions of moviegoers the world over knew) but was filled with cinematic ideas as inventive as any devised by his masters - Chaplin, Keaton, and Laurel & Hardy." -David Ehrenstein, LA WEEKLY

Very special thanks to Jerry Lewis, Christopher Lewis, Chris Fujiwara, Hadrian Belove (Cinefamily), Sam DiIorio, May Haduong (Academy Film Archive), Jared Sapolin & Grover Crisp (Sony Pictures), Tom Holland (Holland Releasing), Kathryn Brennan (Paramount), and Marilee Womack (Warner Bros).

THE BELLBOY
1960, 72 minutes, 35mm. Archival print courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.
"Jerry Lewis's first feature as director as well as writer, producer, and performer already signals his distance from Frank Tashlin, his mentor, by concentrating on gags that are funny in the sense of peculiar rather than funny hilarious or satirical. ...[I]t's much freer of continuous narrative than his other pictures: just one idea after another, each stranger than the last, with the formal properties of the medium (sound, editing, frame lines, off-screen space, mise-en-scène) frequently highlighted. ...[T]his is Lewis's purest and most formally inventive feature, and probably his most experimental work." -Jonathan Rosenbaum, CHICAGO READER
-Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 and Sunday, November 15 at 9:00.

THE NUTTY PROFESSOR
1963, 107 minutes, 35mm. With Stella Stevens. Archival print courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.
This take on the Jekyll and Hide story is Lewis's most popular film (States-side at least), and constitutes one of his most fascinating investigations into the concept of identity, and into his own public persona in particular. Klutzy and mild-mannered scientist Julius Kelp's discovery of a potion that transforms him into the suave, self-confident, and monstrous Buddy Love allows Lewis to unleash his own secret identity, an unforgettable creation that has been interpreted as an impersonation of his former partner Dean Martin, a self-revealing glimpse into his own dark side, or perhaps a combination thereof.
-Thursday, November 12 at 8:45 and Sunday, November 15 at 6:30.

We're always happy when Cinema Retro gets a good review. Thus, we were pleased to find that writer Rich Drees of the FilmBuff Newsreel site has extolled the virtues of Cinema Retro issue #15, calling it "required reading". Thanks, Rich- the check is in the mail! To read the review  click here, and stay around the site to explore some interesting news articles pertaining to the latest genre films. (We discovered that Anthony Hopkins will play a major role in the Marvel Comics film adaptation of Thor) 

By Lee Pfeiffer

The next time somebody tells you that America has a monopoly on politically correct idiots, you can tell them to drop dead. A plan to commemorate the late, legendary British comic Benny Hill on a postage stamp has been shelved because politically correct bureaucrats feared that Hill's gentle humor (often involving chasing after busty, scantily-clad women) could be seen as a violation of the Royal Mail's policy on sexual harassment. If you need further proof that the inmates have taken over the asylum, the Royal Mail also refused to depict a traditional English fry-up on a stamp because the food shown would be deemed to be too unhealthy! For more click here

By David Savage

In Roland Emmerich's upcoming multi-billion-dollar boondoggle 2012 (a date from which Mayan scholars have already distanced themselves, unfortunately, since the whole plot hinges on a "Mayan prophecy" that the world will end in that year), the director decided to film a scene in which the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio is destroyed, citing his belief against “organized religion.”

Interestingly, though, he lost his nerve when it came time to follow through with filming the destruction of another sacred site of organized religion: the Kaaba -- that cube-shaped shrine that sits at the heart of Mecca. Explains Emmerich: “Well, I wanted to do that, I have to admit. But my co-writer Harald said I will not have a fatwa on my head because of a movie. And he was right. We have to all in the Western world think about this [sic]. You can actually let Christian symbols fall apart, but if you would do this with [an] Arab symbol, you would have a fatwa, and that sounds a little bit like what the state of this world is. So it's just something which I kind of didn't [think] was [an] important element, anyway, in the film, so I kind of left it out.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a screening of Woody Allen's Manhattan at the Lighthouse Screening Room at 111 E. 59th Street in New York City on Monday, November 16 at 7:00 PM. Actor Michael Murphy, who plays Allen's best friend in the film, will participate in a discussion following the movie. Tickets are $5. The presentation is part of the on-going Monday Nights With Oscar program. To order tickets click here

The web site Slashfood has compiled ten of the worst celebrity product endorsements ever created. Included is the legendary recording session with Orson Welles, now frustrated at having to pay the bills by plugging a line of frozen peas. Welles argues the text of the ad with the producer as though he is recording dialogue for a sequel to Citizen Kane. The possibly inebriated Welles ends up calling his script "shit". You can also relish other infamous celebrity endorsements by clicking here

By Lee Pfeiffer

With creativity in Hollywood at rock bottom, studios are now bottom-feeding on the toy shelves in order to find the next great franchise. Believe it or not, the board game Battleship is being made into a major movie. Now, Sony has picked up the rights to the classic war game Risk and will be bringing it to the big screen. These franchises are obviously aimed at audiences who felt that Transformers was too intellectually challenging. Can it be long before Nicholas Cage is announced as the star of Chutes and Ladders - The Movie? For more click here  

EVENT OVERVIEW

By popular demand, NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies bring The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Encore Event back to select movie theatres nationwide for only one night on Tuesday, November 17th at 6:30 p.m. (local time). Don’t miss this last chance to see this family classic on the big screen!

TICKETS
Tickets on-sale NOW! Enter your zip code above for a list of theatres in your area.  Advance purchase for this one night event is strongly encouraged, as the original September event sold out in theatres nationwide.

Click here for a list of all participating theatres.

EVENT DETAILS
In addition to the feature presentation of The Wizard of Oz, this event includes a special introduction by Robert Osborne, a classic film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, followed by “To Oz! The Making of a Classic,” a look into how L. Frank Baum’s classic novel was transformed into one of the most beloved films of all time including archival interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and rare musical outtakes.

Click here to take the challenging new Oz Quiz created especially for this encore event and find out which character you are based on your Oz knowledge. Plus, download The Wizard of Oz widget to count down the days until the event.

The magic of this multi-generational favorite comes alive during this exclusive opportunity to enjoy it in its original movie theatre setting!

The presentation of “The Wizard of Oz,” first shown on the big screen over 70 years ago, has been digitally re-mastered using the original film source and screen format.

By Lee Pfeiffer

Disney's A Christmas Carol starring the quasi-animated Jim Carrey topped the weekend box-office, but there are concerns about the longevity of the pic. The $31 million gross was largely based on attendance at IMAX 3-D engagements. Bad word-of-mouth and the dark rendering of the tale might alienate general audiences. The gross was lighter than expected. However, the similarly-themed Polar Express also opened weak years ago but built into a major hit over the holidays. The zany George Clooney flick The Men Who Stare at Goats bombed, with audiences apparently also more enthused about staring at livestock than this poorly-reviewed comedy. Similarly, the Cameron Diaz thriller The Box laid a major egg as well. On the up side, the $15,000 production of Paranormal Activity is nearing a $100 million North American gross. So much for the value of today's "stars". For more click here

Cinema Retro has been advised that Pinewood Studios has postponed the planned screening of the original Planet of the Apes at the fabled studio that was to have taken place on November 14. If and when the event is re-scheduled, we'll post the details. 

On September 30, producer Robert S. Baker passed away at age 92. Baker had a long history of feature film production credits, mostly on B movies in his early years. However, he was a major force in British television in the 1960s. It was Baker who managed to bring both

The Saint and The Persuaders to the air. He became Roger Moore's producing partner and the two made the 1969 adventure film Crossplot together. He also served as executive producer on the short-lived, but excellent British series The Baron.

In an E mail to Cinema Retro, legendary Hammer horror writer and director Jimmy Sangster wrote:

"I first met Bob Baker when he and his partner , Monty Berman,asked me to write  Blood of the Vampire. Later I went on to write four or five other scripts for them.  He was an extremely good producer and director, and, from a writer's point of view, extremely easy to work with. He was also a charming man. He and Monty ran a very efficient company which  only stopped making movies when they set up Roger Moore's The Saint.  He will be sadly missed."

You've probably never heard of star/director Tommy Wiseau or his $7 million movie The Room. However, in hip movie fan circles, you're nobody if you haven't seen the film. The Room is considered to be a movie so bad that Variety reports patrons are demanding their money back. This spurred interest among younger movie goers who became eager to see if the film lived up to (or down to) its reputation. The result is that The Room is playing to sold out audiences in America and England. Wiseau seems to think that its because movie goers are enamored of his work  and he immodestly compares himself to Tennessee Williams!  In fact, it appears audiences are finding the film unintentionally funny and see Wiseau as an heir to Ed Wood. Click here for more