Traditionally, the Golden Globe Awards (which are to be telecast this weekend) were seen as Oscar's idiot brother...a cheap excuse to throw a lavish party and for sometimes less-than-deserving artists to buy their way into a nomination through influence peddling. In recent years, however, the Globes have been given a degree of respect as the ceremonies became more lavish and reaped bigger ratings. However, writer Robert J. Elisberg offers a poignant reminder as to why audiences might take the nominations with a grain of salt. Click here to read

Dennis Hopper is said to be in the last stages of his life as he battles terminal cancer. In a move that shocked his intimates, he filed for divorce from his wife of 14 years from his deathbed. Friends say the decision comes as Hopper is under the influence of many drugs and painkillers. However, it appears as though he is cognizant of what he is doing. One friend says,""It's truly a tragedy, and sadly its all about the money and who inherits what. This is about getting Victoria out of the will, nothing more, nothing less." For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

It wasn't that long ago that the film industry was fawning over Mel Gibson. Not only was he a reliable draw at the boxoffice, but his business instincts were the envy of everyone in the business. He produced and directed The Passion of the Christ, and expertly marketed it to true believers. The film grossed a fortune and Gibson seemed poised to expand beyond leading man status. (He had already been awarded the Oscar for directing Braveheart.)Then in 2006, it all came crashing down. Gibson was arrested on a drunk driving charge and exploded in a bizarre, anti-Semitic tirade that became a major scandal. Gibson issued the standard apologies but his brand was damaged. His follow-up film Apocalypto  (which he produced and directed but did not star in) performed weakly with critics and the public. He stayed out of the spotlight and has waited until this moment to re-emerge as the star of the action film Edge of Darkness. At first blush, it's the kind of gritty film that Gibson's fans traditionally flocked to- but he hasn't top-lined a major movie since Signs in 2002.The big question is: even if audiences have forgiven Gibson for his behavior, does his name still resonate with young audiences, which represent the prime movie-going public? (Hell, even Harrison Ford is taking second billing to Brendan Frasier in his new movie!) The industry is about to find out when Gibson's Edge of Darkness thriller is released on January 29.

Audiences tend to be forgiving - or Charlie Sheen would have been retired twenty years ago. However, Gibson's sin was not only presenting himself as a bigot but also betraying his image as a clean-cut family guy (his wife of many years divorced him shortly after the scandal). Additionally, Gibson always defrayed questions about his father, who was known to believe in extreme and intolerant religious theories that many felt were anti-Semitic. Gibson's crazed denouncement of the Jews as the root of all evil gave credence to those who always felt the acorn didn't fall far from the tree when it came to father and son's religious beliefs. Whether audience hunger for a good action movie will overcome his now controversial reputation remains to be seen. However, the risk won't be a tremendous one, as the film reputedly carries a rather modest budget of $60 million. If Gibson's gamble works, look for Tiger Woods to sign on to co-star with him in his next film. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

There are conflicting messages across the board about the schedule for Daniel Craig's third James Bond film. Initially, it appeared as though Eon Productions would hold off committing to a shooting date until the fate of MGM studios is resolved. This was followed by rumors that the new film might go into pre-production this summer. Now that scenario becomes doubtful as Daniel Craig is said to be close to signing on to replace Robert Downey Jr. as the star of Cowboys and Aliens, a sci-fi film set in the old West in which cowboys and Indians join forces to combat invading aliens(!) If that seems implausible, we still can't figure out how a British leading man fits into the mix unless the "aliens" refer to immigrants. Nevertheless, it seems unlikely that Craig, who will next film Dream House in Canada, would be able to accommodate Bond any time soon with two major films on his schedule. This might mean we won't see the next 007 flick until 2012. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Cinema Retro isn't generally involved in providing restaurant reviews, but on a recent trip to Egypt to research a future movie location tour, I discovered one of the nation's true hidden treasures: Barry's Oriental Restaurant, which will have special appeal to any James Bond fans, specifically those who like The Spy Who Loved Me, the only 007 film to date that has been shot in Egypt. I'll save my overall praise of Egypt for a future article. Suffice it to say that, although I have been fortunate enough to travel throughout the world, this is the most enchanting land I've been to - and the people are by far the most accommodating and friendly. I had read about Barry's in the Fodor's travel guide and was intrigued by the fact that it was out of the mainstream. Located directly across from the Giza and Saggara pyramids in Cairo, this quaint dining establishment is nestled in a nondescript backstreet, keeping in synch with its image as a throwback to old Egypt. It's the only restaurant that affords a magnificent view of the pyramids from the balcony where you can dine in the balmy evening weather.

The restaurant, which is often used to entertain dignitaries and political diplomats, has a menu that is not only very varied but also very affordable. There are three levels to the building, all meticulously decorated with fascinating historical artifacts. Best of all the service was beyond meticulous, with wait staff seeming to anticipate your every wish. Aside from the delicious food and wonderful atmosphere (you expect to see the likes of Sidney Greenstreet sitting at the next table), the reason the place has a special appeal for James Bond fans is that you can luxuriate while dining and watch the famed light show on the pyramids that was featured so memorably in The Spy Who Loved Me.Even the narration can be heard with no problem. (If you attend, contact the restaurant to find out what evenings English-language presentations are made at the light show, as it varies from evening to evening.)If you intend to visit Cairo, a visit to Barry's is mandatory if you want a memorable evening - and by all means request a hookah pipe (called a shisha in Egypt), which adds immeasurably to the experience. Visit the restaurant's web site by clicking here

Despite the sensational response to Avatar, The New York Times says mainstreaming 3-D for motion pictures may still be a long way off. The Times goes over the history of 3-D and the fading of the fad in the 1950s due to Hollywood producing gimmicky films of little value beyond the technology. The article concludes that the most successful 3-D films will be those with the least spectacular special effects. Click here to read. 

I noticed that, although Cinema Retro offers extensive coverage of the TV industry, there has been nary a word about the big story of the week: Sarah Palin joining Fox News as an analyst. Do I detect some political bias?- Jim S.,Florida

Retro responds: Jim, you do indeed detect a bias, but not the one you probably perceive. I'm amazed at how many of our readers want political coverage on this site, but the fact of the matter is (as I have to state once a month) that Cinema Retro is dedicated to the entertainment industry. The stories we cover about television pertain to mostly entertainment programs, though I do admit to falling off the wagon and editorializing once in a blue moon about some particularly absurd story that it getting disproportionate air play. (i.e; the notorious "balloon boy.") Not only was the biggest story in TV this week not the hiring of Sarah Palin by Fox News (a move expected by virtually everyone since she resigned as governor last July), but the on-going mess at NBC over the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien situation. Like most Americans, I have very strong feelings regarding Sarah Palin, but whether they are favorable or unfavorable wouldn't be of the slightest interest to any of our readers. We stick with what we do best: covering both classic cinema and the contemporary entertainment industry. Generally, our political coverage extends only to stories that legitimately involve entertainment personalities. For example, we gave coverage to Sidney Poitier being among those honored by President Obama. If it makes you feel any better, should Al Gore get hired as a news analyst by any network, I hereby pledge not to cover that story but if John McCain makes a sitcom or a Western, I promise we will cover it.  - Lee Pfeiffer

Paramount has given the go-ahead for sequels to its recent hit films G.I. Joe and Star Trek. The latter film will be produced by J.J. Abrams, but the man behind the recent successful reboot of the franchise has not yet committed to directing it. For more click here

Beverly E. Fisher, who became the centerpiece of a scandalous love affair with Errol Flynn when she was ony 15 years old, has died at age 67. Fisher began the affair with Flynn when the legendary screen star's career was in decline after years of alcohol abuse. Flynn was married but separated at the time. Flynn's previous flings with under-age women resulted in a notorious trial for statutory rape in the 1940s in which he was acquitted. For more on the Flynn/Fisher relationship click here

Sony's long-gestating plans for a fourth Spiderman film have been caught up in a web of intrigue. Director Sam Raimi, the man who turned the Marvel Comics legend into a powerhouse screen franchise, withdrew from the project, telling Sony he couldn't meet the release date of summer 2011. Apparently, there were also plenty of the usual "creative issues" that also led to his departure. With Raimi out, Sony decided to boot the cast, including star Tobey Maguire. The plan now calls for restarting the entire franchise from scratch, a ploy that has worked well on the Batman and James Bond films. In the new production, now scheduled for 2012, the character of Peter Parker will go back to his origins: as a high school student. For  Deadline Hollywood Daily's detailed reportage on the project, click here

Juliet Anderson, who rose to fame in the world of adult films under the screen name Aunt Peg, has died peacefully at age 71. Anderson got into the industry relatively late in life but made her age an asset. Cinema Retro contributor Graham Hill was a personal friend of Anderson's and profiled her in a piece for our web site last year. Click here to read

Erich Rohmer, the legendary director of many classic French films, is dead at age 89. Rohmer's work was acclaimed for its concentration on character development and long, conversation-driven sequences that sparkled with great dialogue. His two most famous films were released in English-language cinemas under the titles My Night at Maud's and Claire's Knee. In praising Rohmer, President Sarkozy said, "Classic and romantic, wise and iconoclastic, light and serious, sentimental and moralistic, he created the 'Rohmer' style, which will outlive him." For more click here

The problem with new technology is that the latest products mirror the experience of people who bought leisure suits in the 1970s- by the time you got it home and unwrapped, its already outdated. Sony, Discovery Channel and Imax have all formed an alliance to introduce the next generation of televisions, which will allow consumers to enjoy 3-D technology in their living rooms. The innovation is coming faster than you think - sets will be ready for purchase as early as 2011, though its expected that the technology will take years before it becomes mainstream and affordable. The alliance allows each company to bring a unique method of marketing to the venture. If successful, you can finally watch Bwana Devil in your home in the format in which it demands to be seen! For more click here 

In a recent interview with the British press, Robert Vaughn discusses how he felt both The Magnificent Seven and Bullitt were destined to be bombs on the big screen. The star of the hit UK TV series Hustle also reflects on many other aspects of his long career. Click here to read. (Click here to read coverage of Cinema Retro's recent dinner tribute to Robert Vaughn at The Players in New York City)

By Lee Pfeiffer

For decades, Warren Beatty has been known to be an oddity in Hollywood, not only for his sometimes quirky behavior and often tongue-tied attempts to make coherent statements, but also because of his aversion to formal interviews. Beatty has rarely consented to discussing his personal life, which was considered by many to be an admirable quality. However, all bets are off now that he has authorized author Peter Biskind to write his biography. Biskind-writing from Beatty's personal anecdotes- goes into the most intimate details of the superstar/producer's legendary love life (his female conquests are said to be over 10,000- but just who has been calculating this over the course of Beatty's life remains unclear). As proof that the notion of being a  "gentleman" is as outdated in Hollywood as that bouncing ball that movie audiences used to sing along with, Beatty goes beyond the pale in humiliating his former lovers. In the case of Jane Fonda, he even goes so far as to describe her unique oral sex techniques, which involve an ability to dislocate her jaw. Nice. No wonder Beatty never became the successor to Cary Grant. For more click here

Paramount is fast-tracking another screen version of Frank Herbert's 1965 sci-fi classic Dune. Pierre Morel, who directed the hit thriller Taken, is on board as director. The book is the best-selling science fiction novel of all time. It was first brought to the big screen in 1984 by David Lynch and was followed by a TV mini-series version. For more click here

James Bond fan and collector Peter Lorenz has created a very entertaining site that presents every aspect of artwork pertaining to the world of James Bond, from book covers to illustrations of vintage toys. Click here to view

Sylvester Stallone found out why stuntmen can be very valuable. He was filming a fight sequence with Stone Cold Steve Austin for the new movie The Expendables and the two men got carried away. According to Stallone, the scene became so vicious that he suffered a major neck injury and had to undergo major surgery to have a plate inserted into the damaged area. Stallone told FHM magazine, "It was seven guys, kicking each other's ass, one guy tougher than the next. No joke, our stunt guys were begging for mercy. My fight with Stone Cold Steve Austin was so vicious that I ended up getting a hairline fracture in my neck. I'm not joking. I haven't told anyone this, but I had to have a very serious operation afterwards. I now have a metal plate in my neck." For more click here

There is a real possibility that free TV may become a relic of the past. Since the inception of television, the business model has relied on a tried-and-true formula: the networks broadcast for free and make their profits from advertising revenues. However, viewership of the major American networks is in free-fall, as audiences increasingly turn to the web and home entertainment devices to seek programming. Consequently, the four major networks - ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox- are considering revamping their business structure and turning to cable TV for revenues. Cable has maintained its profit base because it benefits not only from advertisers, but also from the subscription fees charged to customers. (Remember those quaint days when people actually thought that by paying for TV, they would not have commercials to contend with?) Fox head honcho Rupert Murdoch has been up-front about the fact that his network is seeking to make up for lost profits by charging cable and satellite systems increased fees to carry programming. This has already resulted in a war for public opinion with Time Warner cable systems, which initially refused to pay the increased fee. (A compromise for undisclosed terms has since been reached) Ultimately, it would  appear as though this will become a common issue in the near future as the four major networks, desperate to increase revenue, try to collect higher fees from cable TV companies. Another cable giant, Cablevision, has dropped the Food Network and Home and Gardens due to rate disputes with the networks. The question is: will cash-strapped consumers, who already pay hefty subscription fees, be inclined to accept increased costs to preserve networks they have already been receiving? Industry analysts say that free TV may cease entirely in the the major networks decide to operate as cable TV providers- something one network is apparently already considering. For more click here

In a recent interview with the Herald Sun of Australia, David McCallum reflects on the surrealistic achievement of being back in a top ten show- 41 years after The Man From U.N.C.L.E. went off the air. McCallum plays the quirky forensics expert "Ducky" Mallard on the hit CBS series NCIS, which is routinely #1 in the American ratings. McCallum finds that almost a half century after people greeted him with shouts of "Illya!", they are now yelling "Ducky!" in his direction. Click here to read

Okay, we've bitten our tongues and exercised great restraint by not allowing one mention of the Tiger Woods sex scandal on the Cinema Retro web site. Now, however, there is no choice. To no one's surprise, the sexcapades of the "family man" of the year have become a legitimate entertainment story as word comes out that producers are scrambling to bring the story to the screen. Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr has been rumored to be involved in a prospective film version of the de-clawed Tiger's trials and tribulations. We'd pay admission just to see the sequence in which Tiger is awakened by his wife striking him with a golf club after learning of his extracurricular activities, which are taking on the form of a French bedroom farce.  Meanwhile, it's getting easier to compile a list of the women who claim they haven't slept with Woods as opposed to those who claim they have- and please, no punch lines involving "a hole in one". For more click here

 

Fox is competing with Warner Home Video in terms of creating impressive boxed DVD sets relating to legendary films and stars. Fox's Paul Newman: The Tribute Collection is an irresistible set consisting of 13 films on 17 discs, reflecting the Oscar-winner's long and productive history with the studio. (There are also some films originally released by United Artists, but as Fox now controls the video rights, they are included in the collection.) The titles have all been released previously, but its great having them all condensed into one boxed set, though one wishes Fox would have authorized special editions of some worthy titles such as Exodus, Hombre and The Long Hot Summer. The set includes:

• The Long Hot Summer
• Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!
• From the Terrace
• Exodus
• The Hustler 2 DVD collector's edition
• Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man
• What a Way to Go!
• Hombre
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 2 DVD collector's edition
• The Towering Inferno 2 DVD collector's edition
• Buffalo Bill and the Indians
• Quintet
• The Verdict 2 DVD collector's edition

Some of the DVDs are relatively bare bones in terms of extras, while others are packed with bonus features. Among the most enjoyable of these is an offbeat vintage featurette from the 1964 all-star comedy What a Way to Go! featuring Newman and the other stars in formal dress boarding a New York subway car to attend the World's Fair, where the premiere was held. Great stuff, indeed. The films themselves are a mixed bag, representing some of Newman's career highs and lows, but even in the weakest film, the ambitions are admirable and Newman acquits himself well.The boxed set comes with a wonderful over-sized softcover book that presents a wide array of beautiful production stills from the films in the set, as well as reproductions of posters for each of the movies. (Apparently, the book the wrote itself, as none of the people involved in creating it are credited.)This tribute collection to one of the screen's genuine legends is a worthy addition to any retro cinema fan's DVD collection.

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La-La Land Records has released Les Baxter's score for Ray Milland's 1962 Cold War thriller Panic in the Year Zero. Milland directed and starred in the low-budget, but effectively made look at how one family takes desperate measures to survive after nuclear conflict has broken out between America and its enemies. This is a limited edition CD. Look for an article about this film in a future issue of Cinema Retro. Click here to order the CD and to play sample tracks. 

A German collector and film restoration expert has gone where no man has gone before and managed to find a long-lost missing pilot episode from Star Trek titled, well, Where No Man Has Gone Before. The first pilot for the series, titled The Cage, starred Jeffrey Hunter and was rejected by NBC, which commissioned this second pilot episode starring William Shatner. Unsurprisingly, the second pilot had plenty of differences compared to the actual series that followed. The collector, Thomas Booch, located a print on 16mm in 1989 that was being sold through the old Big Reel newspaper.  Twenty years later, he finally got around to proposing an official restoration for home video, which CBS Home Entertainment has approved. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

What a difference a day makes. Just after press reports were released indicating that Eon Productions was holding off plans to develop the next James Bond film due to financial difficulties at MGM, The Hollywood Reporter says that Sam Mendes will direct the new film and that production could start as early as this summer. Neither MGM or Eon have confirmed the report. Mendes would be the highest profile director to assume the helm of a Bond film, having had movies such as American Beauty (for which he won the Oscar) , Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road to his credit. If true, it would appear that producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are striving to capitalize on the new respect the Bond franchise has received from critics since Daniel Craig took over the role. Screenwriter Peter Morgan, who wrote Frost/Nixon and The Queen is co-writing the new script with veteran scribes Rob Wade and Neal Purvis. Traditionally, even though the Bond films have been financial blockbusters, some high profile talent has been squeamish about associating themselves with the series, fearing that the films aren't taken seriously by critics. That seems to have changed when Casino Royale was nominated for numerous BAFTA awards. The franchise is suddenly seen as a suitable assignment for top writers and directors. If the film should go into production in summer, it will mean that it would not be ready for the all important Thanksgiving period release in November- a trend that has proven to be very profitable for all of  the recent Bond movies.  A word to the wise, however. Until Eon or MGM confirm the story, take it with a grain of salt: the down time in between Bond films is always a period in which rumors float about, many of which turn out to be exaggerated or completely untrue. Count this writer among those who would be very enthused about seeing Mendes' vision for the series. For more click here

Writer Neal Genzlinger has an amusing article in the New York Times explaining how those beautiful, digitized DVDs of vintage TV shows can destroy your childhood illusions. Genzlinger decided to watch the shows in slow motion and discovered that some of the great stunts he has been impressed by since the 1960s turned out to be cheap special effects. Read how DVD destroyed his enjoyment of F Troop, The Munsters and I Dream of Jeannie by clicking here. 

High-powered Hollywood publicity agencies are generally thought of as a status symbol for the top stars. However, there is a recent trend among the elite to handle their own publicity, spurred on by the shocking decision by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to leave the tony PMK publicity agency. Brangelina even had the audacity to speak for themselves, thus, they did not hire a new publicity team. The advent of new media has given stars the opportunity and ability to get their own messages out to the press and fans without having them filtered through mouthpieces. Now major publicity agencies are quaking in their boots about the prospects of a dim future. Click here for more. 

By Lee Pfeiffer

In 1966, Rock Hudson was one of the world's top box-office draws, but was largely consigned to light comedies and nondescript action films. Then he teamed with director John Frankenheimer, one of the top young directors in the industry. The film was Seconds, a Twilight Zone-like story about a burned out middle aged business executive (John Randolph) who accepts a tempting offer by a secret group that will result in his death being feigned and give him the ability to start a new life in a rejuvenated body. The good news is that he emerges as Rock Hudson, but the bad news comes quickly enough when he discovers you should be careful what you wish for, as you just might get it...The film is superb on every level and Hudson gives the performance of his career as the man who runs the gamut of emotions from deep depression to pure elation to outright terror when he realizes what his fate is destined to be. Sadly, the film was far ahead of its time. When it was premiered at Cannes, Hudson and Frankenheimer were booed by the audience, which thought the film was too avant garde. It was also one of the last major films released in black and white, which hurt its box-office potential - though the cinematography is one of the most haunting elements of the movie. Paramount had a special edition DVD on the market with commentary by Frankenheimer, but the studio has let it go out of print. C'mon guys, let's make this classic accessible again to movie fans. Click here to view the trailer.

By Lee Pfeiffer

Producer Michael G. Wilson acknowledged that the next James Bond film has not yet even entered the pre-production stage due to the uncertain situation with MGM, the studio that is to finance and release the next entry in the series. The last two films, Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace, were released by Sony and were both financial blockbusters. MGM is struggling under billions of dollars in debt and the studio is actively seeking buyers. The Bond franchise is the jewel in the studio's crown, but analysts say its unlikely that MGM will get a buyer who will pay enough to offset the existing debt. Bond star Daniel Craig previously said that the new film would likely start production at the end of 2010, but Wilson said the entire picture is murky. Eon Productions apparently doesn't want to commit to a new film until they know who will controlling MGM. A pre-production meeting about the film is scheduled to take place next month, when the situation will be re-evaluated. If the MGM financial crisis isn't resolved by then, it's uncertain as to how long that would delay production of the next Bond film. For more click here

Rob Marshall's screen adaptation of the hit musical Nine, which in turn is base on Fellini's classic 1963 film 8 1/2, is a valiant attempt to bring back the major musical - a genre that has been in decline since Fred and Ginger stopped pairing up on screen. As The Guardian of London reports, however, despite having a top-notch cast that includes Daniel Day Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Sophia Loren and Nicole Kidman, many critics are calling the film an embarrassment. Despite nabbing several key Golden Globe nominations, the film has been virtually shut out of major critics awards. For the full analysis click here

The landmark music video for Michael Jackson's Thriller, released in 1983 and directed by John Landis, has been named as one of the influential and important films to be added to the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress. The big-budget video tied in with Jackson's best-selling album of the same name and revolutionized the music industry. Among the other titles chosen for inclusion in the 2009 list: Jezebel, Pillow Talk and Dog Day Afternoon. Click here for more.

Jerry Zaks, the legendary Broadway director, has been brought on board for the Broadway-bound musical version of The Addams Family starring Nathan Lane. The $16 million production is in try-outs in Chicago and producers became concerned when some influential critics suggested that the show needed rewriting. Although reviews were generally positive- particularly toward the cast- there was concern that younger audiences may not be as familiar with the eccentricities of the characters. Rewrites are being done to address the issue. Producers deny the show is in any trouble and, indeed, rewrites generally do occur to some extent prior to shows opening on Broadway. For more click here

When Tennessee Williams died in 1983, his executors found an enormous archive of unpublished work by the esteemed author and playwright. Much of this voluminous material has yet to be cataloged, let alone produced. One exception is a 1957 screenplay he wrote called The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond. Williams had envisioned it being brought to the screen by Elia Kazan and starring Julie Harris, but the project never materialized. Now, more than a half century later, a film version has been produced starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Ellen Burstyn and Ann-Margret. Click here for the fascinating story. 

CNN has polled critics and tech wizards to compile a list of the 9 worst films of all time - in relation to their connection with contemporary technology. Click here to see the Hall of Shame.

The MI6 James Bond web site has cataloged some amusing bloopers to be found in the 1969 007 flick On Her Majesty's Secret Service starring George Lazenby. Even the best of the series, which this film represents, aren't immune to technical and scripting errors. Click here to read

Kelsey Grammer will star in a revival of La Cage aux Folles on Broadway next April. The show is an import of the current UK hit revival and Grammar will star with that show's lead Douglas Hodge. The oft-revived tale originated as a French stage comedy that was transferred to the screen in 1978. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane starred in the hit American screen version, The Birdcage. Grammer will star in the role played by Williams in that film. For more click here

Legendary maverick director Nicholas Ray, who passed away in 1979, will be the focus of a major tribute at the 2011 Venice International Film Festival. Ray's widow is overseeing completion of his unfinished 1976 experimental film We Can't Go Home Again. Among Ray's most notable films is Rebel Without a Cause. For more click here

Martin Sheen rose to prominence with her performance as the son in Frank D. Gilroy's acclaimed play The Subject Was Roses. He nabbed a Tony nomination and later starred in the acclaimed 1968 screen version opposite Patricia Neal and Jack Albertson as his parents. The story concerns a young man who returns from the military and must deal with the contentious state of his family relationships. Sheen will star as the father in a revival of the play at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles this February. For more click here

THANK YOU TO ALL CINEMA RETRO READERS WORLDWIDE FOR MAKING 2009 OUR BEST YEAR YET! SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES IN 2010- AND REMEMBER, IF YOU'RE CELEBRATING NEW YEAR'S EVE ON AN OCEAN LINER, IT MIGHT PAY TO STUDY HOW TO CLIMB AROUND UPSIDE DOWN!