It's well known to fans of "The Wizard of Oz" that actor Ray Bolger was originally cast to play the Tin Man and famed comedian Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Scarecrow. They swapped roles at Bolger's insistence, as Bolger had a personal attachment to the role; he was inspired to become an actor after seeing Vaudevillian Fred Stone play the part on stage when Bolger was a child. Ebsen was fine with changing roles, although he had to drop out of production due to makeup problems. The silvery Tin Man makeup contained powered aluminum and Ebsen breathed in big clouds of it, making him sick. At the time, many merely assumed Ebsen had an allergy. Ebsen was replaced with Jack Haley, and the makeup was altered to be a paste instead of a powder.
With the possible exception of "Star Wars," no film's production has been more meticulously recorded...
With the possible exception of "Star Wars," no film's production has been more meticulously recorded...
- 3/10/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Fifteen authors of books that were recently chosen for The Hollywood Reporter’s list of “The 100 Greatest Film Books of All Time” will convene on a panel — which is being advertised as “the greatest gathering of its kind ever” — this Saturday afternoon in Hollywood as part of AFI Fest.
The event, which will take place inside the historic Tcl Chinese Theater and will run from 4 p.m. -5:30p.m., is open to members of the public free of charge provided they reserve their tickets in advance via Fest.AFI.com/GreatestFilmBooks.
Participating in a discussion about the origins and impact of their books will be A. Scott Berg (Goldwyn: A Biography), Cameron Crowe (Conversations with Wilder), Nancy Griffin (Hit and Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber Took Sony for a Ride in Hollywood), Aljean Harmetz (The Making of The Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power...
The event, which will take place inside the historic Tcl Chinese Theater and will run from 4 p.m. -5:30p.m., is open to members of the public free of charge provided they reserve their tickets in advance via Fest.AFI.com/GreatestFilmBooks.
Participating in a discussion about the origins and impact of their books will be A. Scott Berg (Goldwyn: A Biography), Cameron Crowe (Conversations with Wilder), Nancy Griffin (Hit and Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber Took Sony for a Ride in Hollywood), Aljean Harmetz (The Making of The Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power...
- 10/27/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Frederic Forrest, the resilient character actor best remembered for his performance as the high-strung Chef Hicks in Apocalypse Now and for his Academy Award-nominated turn as Huston Dyer, the Awol army sergeant who captured Bette Midler’s heart in The Rose, has died. He was 86.
Forrest died Friday at his home in Santa Monica after a long illness, his friend, actor Barry Primus, told The Hollywood Reporter.
On Twitter, Midler called Forrest “a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”
The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died. Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months. He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 24, 2023
The first of two...
Forrest died Friday at his home in Santa Monica after a long illness, his friend, actor Barry Primus, told The Hollywood Reporter.
On Twitter, Midler called Forrest “a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”
The great and beloved Frederic Forrest has died. Thank you to all of his fans and friends for all their support these last few months. He was a remarkable actor, and a brilliant human being, and I was lucky to have him in my life. He was at peace.”
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 24, 2023
The first of two...
- 6/24/2023
- by Chris Koseluk
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With the release of "Star Wars" in 1977, it quickly became clear that filmmaker George Lucas was changing the way Hollywood worked on numerous levels, from the types of films being developed to the proliferation of new special effects techniques to the way movies were marketed and merchandised to what series meant for kids could do.
Yet Lucas' influence didn't stop with merely one film — he continued to innovate and push the envelope throughout his career, from shepherding the creation of the Thx sound system to helping develop what would become Pixar to pioneering the usage of non-linear editing, all of which are staples of the film industry in 2023.
The changes to filmmaking that Lucas helped usher in aren't all as seismic as those examples, however. Around the release of "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, Lucas publicly left the Director's Guild of America over a dispute regarding the film's on-screen credit structure and usage.
Yet Lucas' influence didn't stop with merely one film — he continued to innovate and push the envelope throughout his career, from shepherding the creation of the Thx sound system to helping develop what would become Pixar to pioneering the usage of non-linear editing, all of which are staples of the film industry in 2023.
The changes to filmmaking that Lucas helped usher in aren't all as seismic as those examples, however. Around the release of "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, Lucas publicly left the Director's Guild of America over a dispute regarding the film's on-screen credit structure and usage.
- 5/7/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Because of the popularity of 1939's "The Wizard of Oz," a movie that was notoriously dangerous to film, modern audiences have a great deal of information about its production. Many books have been written about "The Wizard of Oz." I recommend "The Making of The Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power" (1977) by Aljean Harmetz for a good historical view of film production in 1939.
But even for those of us who have seen the film dozens if not hundreds of times, there may be details, lyrics, nuances, and even actors we may have missed. For instance -- and this may just may...
The post This Actor Played Five Separate Roles in The Wizard of Oz appeared first on /Film.
But even for those of us who have seen the film dozens if not hundreds of times, there may be details, lyrics, nuances, and even actors we may have missed. For instance -- and this may just may...
The post This Actor Played Five Separate Roles in The Wizard of Oz appeared first on /Film.
- 11/25/2021
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Harry Clein, 82, co-founder of Hollywood PR agencies Clein + Feldman and Clein + White, died June 18 in Atlanta. He suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
I first met Clein in Manhattan in 1978 when I worked in the United Artists publicity bullpen at 729 Seventh Ave. He represented Alan J. Pakula on the western “Comes a Horseman,” starring James Caan and Jane Fonda. He admired my Annie Hall vests and fedoras; we bonded over his encyclopedic knowledge of film and Broadway musicals, and remained friends as he founded bicoastal press agency Clein + Feldman in 1981 with Bruce Feldman. Their first client, Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice,” won Meryl Streep her second acting Oscar.
When I first moved to Los Angeles as the West Coast Editor of Film Comment, Clein + Feldman hired me to be the unit publicist on what would turn out to be Sam Peckinpah’s last movie, “The Osterman Weekend” (1983), starring Rutger Hauer, Dennis Hopper,...
I first met Clein in Manhattan in 1978 when I worked in the United Artists publicity bullpen at 729 Seventh Ave. He represented Alan J. Pakula on the western “Comes a Horseman,” starring James Caan and Jane Fonda. He admired my Annie Hall vests and fedoras; we bonded over his encyclopedic knowledge of film and Broadway musicals, and remained friends as he founded bicoastal press agency Clein + Feldman in 1981 with Bruce Feldman. Their first client, Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice,” won Meryl Streep her second acting Oscar.
When I first moved to Los Angeles as the West Coast Editor of Film Comment, Clein + Feldman hired me to be the unit publicist on what would turn out to be Sam Peckinpah’s last movie, “The Osterman Weekend” (1983), starring Rutger Hauer, Dennis Hopper,...
- 7/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Harry Clein, 82, co-founder of Hollywood PR agencies Clein + Feldman and Clein + White, died June 18 in Atlanta. He suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
I first met Clein in Manhattan in 1978 when I worked in the United Artists publicity bullpen at 729 Seventh Ave. He represented Alan J. Pakula on the western “Comes a Horseman,” starring James Caan and Jane Fonda. He admired my Annie Hall vests and fedoras; we bonded over his encyclopedic knowledge of film and Broadway musicals, and remained friends as he founded bicoastal press agency Clein + Feldman in 1981 with Bruce Feldman. Their first client, Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice,” won Meryl Streep her second Best Actress Oscar.
When I first moved to Los Angeles as the West Coast Editor of Film Comment, Clein + Feldman hired me to be the unit publicist on what would turn out to be Sam Peckinpah’s last movie, “The Osterman Weekend” (1983), starring Rutger Hauer,...
I first met Clein in Manhattan in 1978 when I worked in the United Artists publicity bullpen at 729 Seventh Ave. He represented Alan J. Pakula on the western “Comes a Horseman,” starring James Caan and Jane Fonda. He admired my Annie Hall vests and fedoras; we bonded over his encyclopedic knowledge of film and Broadway musicals, and remained friends as he founded bicoastal press agency Clein + Feldman in 1981 with Bruce Feldman. Their first client, Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice,” won Meryl Streep her second Best Actress Oscar.
When I first moved to Los Angeles as the West Coast Editor of Film Comment, Clein + Feldman hired me to be the unit publicist on what would turn out to be Sam Peckinpah’s last movie, “The Osterman Weekend” (1983), starring Rutger Hauer,...
- 7/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
1942’s Casablanca has repeatedly been canonized as the best film Hollywood ever made. Its iconic dialogue produced a bevy of quotable lines that sealed seated their seemingly eternal place in movie culture, and it’s damn near impossible to refer to Humphrey Bogart’s iconic career without bringing to mind his worn mug reminiscing to Dooley Wilson’s iteration of “As Time Goes By” in his empty bar’s depths of night. Never has Bogie been so tragically Bogie, or, for that matter, Bergman so classically Bergman, Rains so nobly Rains, Lorre so campily Lorre, and the film’s team of studio scribes so harmoniously in tune towards a pitch-perfect example of Hollywood narrative convention. Given the vaunted reputation of Casablanca, it’s strange that the film’s director, Michael Curtiz, is so often obscured within observations of its notable ensemble, much less considered the film’s reigning auteur. Among all the beloved directors of Classical Hollywood...
- 8/5/2014
- by Landon Palmer
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
In the wake of Mickey Rooney's death Sunday at age 93, much will be written -- and should be written -- about his glory days at MGM, his multiple co-star pairings with Judy Garland, and his lengthy run in the once-popular Andy Hardy franchise. But, truth to tell, I will continue to remember Rooney best for two of his finest achievements as a character actor: His brutally effective turn as the title character in Don Siegel's gritty gangster biopic "Baby Face Nelson" (1957), and his hilarious portrayal of a pompous retired movie star who makes the wrong people nervous when he announces plans to pen a tell-all autobiography with the help of a ghost writer (Michael Caine) in Mike Hodges' comedy-drama "Pulp" (1972). More at Moving Picture Blog. Here's Aljean Harmetz in The NY Times.
- 4/7/2014
- by Joe Leydon
- Thompson on Hollywood
Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. TCM is bringing mega classic “Casablanca” to theaters for free (!) screenings in 20 select cities on Tuesday, March 4. Ten of the cities have already been selected: Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle, Miami, Denver and Washington, D.C. In selecting the other 10 cities, TCM wants fans to cast their votes for where they'd like to see the movie screened. You can vote here.The “Casablanca” screenings are part of TCM’s 20th anniversary.While the screenings are free, tickets are required for entrance. Free tickets will be available for download from the TCM 20th Anniversary website on February 18, the same day the 10 additional screening cities will be announced.Toh! has a special link to "Casablanca" -- contributor Aljean Harmetz wrote the essential behind-the-scenes book "Round Up the Usual Suspects: The Making of 'Casablanca' - Bogart, Bergman and World War II.
- 1/31/2014
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Oscars, set for March 2, will honor the “The Wizard of Oz,” a best picture nominee in 1939 and celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2014, as part of the show.Musical-loving show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron stated of “Wizard,” which nabbed six Oscar nominations and won two for Original Score and Song in the year of its release:"We are delighted to celebrate the birthday of one of the most beloved movies of all time at this year’s Oscars.”The birthday party has been going on for a few months now, with last fall’s stunning 3D IMAX re-release of the film. Aljean Harmetz’ seminal book on the film’s production, “The Making of the Wizard of Oz,” also had a revised re-publication in late 2013. It’s a must-read, with tales of the elaborate casting process, the party-happy Munchkins, and the many costuming, makeup and director change-ups the film...
- 1/28/2014
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Here's looking at you, Cass Warner! Making stomachs churn everywhere, the granddaughter of Warner Brothers co-founder Harry Warner is looking to make a sequel to "Casablanca" a whopping 70 years after its original release.
The classing movie staring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman is the winner of three Oscars, not to mention the award for best screenplay Ever by the Writers Guild of America.
In the past there have been several attempts at remaking the classic, including "Brazzaville," two failed TV series and "Passage to Marseilles." According to the New York Post, the script being considered now is by "Casablanca" contributor, Howard Koch and was written more than 30 years ago.
The script, titled "Return to Casablanca," takes place 20 years after the original.
"After leaving Casablanca for America, Ilsa learned she was pregnant," Koch wrote in a synopsis. "She gave birth to a boy who grew up in America. The real father of the boy,...
The classing movie staring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman is the winner of three Oscars, not to mention the award for best screenplay Ever by the Writers Guild of America.
In the past there have been several attempts at remaking the classic, including "Brazzaville," two failed TV series and "Passage to Marseilles." According to the New York Post, the script being considered now is by "Casablanca" contributor, Howard Koch and was written more than 30 years ago.
The script, titled "Return to Casablanca," takes place 20 years after the original.
"After leaving Casablanca for America, Ilsa learned she was pregnant," Koch wrote in a synopsis. "She gave birth to a boy who grew up in America. The real father of the boy,...
- 11/5/2012
- by Caitlin Beck
- NextMovie
Seventy years ago this month, Warner Bros. released "Casablanca." Now, there is talk of making a sequel to the iconic film.
For movie buffs and film neophytes alike, "Casablanca" is a must-see. The 1942 classic, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman has three Oscars, a spot in the United States National Film Registry, and was awarded the best screenplay ever written by the Writers Guild of America. With "Here's looking at you, kid," "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine," and "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," it has also given us some of the most famous quotes.
New York Post is reporting that Cass Warner, the granddaughter of Warner Bros. co-founder Harry Warner, is looking to make a sequel to "Casablanca."
Warner took a screenwriting class with "Casablanca" contributor Howard Koch in 1988 and she is now...
For movie buffs and film neophytes alike, "Casablanca" is a must-see. The 1942 classic, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman has three Oscars, a spot in the United States National Film Registry, and was awarded the best screenplay ever written by the Writers Guild of America. With "Here's looking at you, kid," "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine," and "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," it has also given us some of the most famous quotes.
New York Post is reporting that Cass Warner, the granddaughter of Warner Bros. co-founder Harry Warner, is looking to make a sequel to "Casablanca."
Warner took a screenwriting class with "Casablanca" contributor Howard Koch in 1988 and she is now...
- 11/4/2012
- by Madeline Boardman
- Huffington Post
Lena Horne has died at 92. Although she was not the first black performer under contract to a major studio, writes Aljean Harmetz in her Nyt obit, "Horne was the first to make an impact." Here's Hollywood Elsewhere and the Boston Herald. To watch Horne perform was to see someone vital, gorgeous, alive. She always delivered and then some. Here's a clip of her iconic song, "Stormy Weather," from the 1943 film:...
- 5/10/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
"Jennifer Jones, 90, an actress who won an Academy Award for playing a saint in The Song of Bernadette and became a popular sinner in Hollywood melodramas including Duel in the Sun and Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, died Thursday at her home in Malibu, Calif," reports Adam Bernstein in the Washington Post.
"Jennifer Jones remains one of the more controversial actresses in the Hollywood cinema," writes Richard Lippe in Film Reference. "In general, her professional and personal involvement with David O Selznick has been given a prominence that has colored assessments of Jones's distinctive contribution to 1940s cinema. Interestingly, the central issue is not that Jones lacked talent or screen presence. The longstanding criticism is that Selznick, because of his commitment to Jones, had no critical distance and, with King Vidor's Duel in the Sun, tried to fashion an erotic identity for her, making Jones into a ridiculous creation." Still,...
"Jennifer Jones remains one of the more controversial actresses in the Hollywood cinema," writes Richard Lippe in Film Reference. "In general, her professional and personal involvement with David O Selznick has been given a prominence that has colored assessments of Jones's distinctive contribution to 1940s cinema. Interestingly, the central issue is not that Jones lacked talent or screen presence. The longstanding criticism is that Selznick, because of his commitment to Jones, had no critical distance and, with King Vidor's Duel in the Sun, tried to fashion an erotic identity for her, making Jones into a ridiculous creation." Still,...
- 12/21/2009
- MUBI
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