The Global Film Village

Back in the saddle, at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum

// July 27th, 2009 // Comments Off // Industry Event

Back in the Saddle Again

Sunday there was an open house sponsored by LA magazine at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum.  The George Montgomery room was currently filled with elaborate stage outfits worn by Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and other notable country western stars mostly designed by Nudie Cohn.  There was a long coat worn by Bob Dylan and original hand written lyrics of classic songs and photos also on display. Video is used at multiple locations to enhance the experience and place the viewer within the context of when these performances took place and their significance.

There are displays dedicated to Wild Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and Roy Rodgers, once named Leonard Sly, who was the number one singing cowboy in the history of cowboy music.  The arrival of Gene Autry on the scene and his transformation of the traditional cowboy film into a new sensation is explained. Gene was a radio performer who kept his real name when was hired to sing in some cowboy movies. He became an instant star and helped revitalize the cowboy genre.  He sold more recordings of his music during this period than anyone except for Bing Crosby and his recording of “White Christmas.”

Collectables and exhibits include film clips of John Ford movies, John Wayne, Alan Ladd, Dale Evan, Howard Keel, as well as reproductions of western city centers.

Wagons, stage coaches and an early fire wagon along with an extensive period gun collection are also on display. Two examples of gatling guns are on exhibit one mounted on a wagon for mobility. A sign points out how these are still in use today by the military but mounted on helicopters. A full scale replica of the Gunfight at the OK Corral with the Earps and Doc Holiday facing off against outlaws is also presented.

There is a childrens room complete with kitchens and costumes where children can make believe they are apart of the era. The Autry is a good place to bring the family and adults can enjoy it as well for its focus on the myths and reality of the west. Exhibits are constantly rotated and there is currently an exhibit concerning extreme rock climbing in Yosemite also on display.

Ray Bradbury at 40th San Diego Comic-Con by Marla Lewin

// July 27th, 2009 // Comments Off // Industry Event

Johnny Depp, Megan Fox, Tim Burton, Robert Downey Jr, Jeff Bridges, Tron, Superheros, and  Science Fiction are everywhere in downtown San Diego for 5 days. And then there is the man who epitomizes science fiction, Ray Bradbury. Ray wrote about Mars as well as The Illustrated Man little knowing that a future generation would become enamored with decorating themselves with tatoos to an unprecedented level. Ray attended the very first Comic-Con 40 years ago, and this year he wrote a forward to the program book, 40 years of Comic-Con.

Although in his 80′s Ray Bradbury  spoke again this year, as he has each year at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, and at libraries and other venues where he can persuade young people to embrace reading.  He has spoken to the Palm Springs Womens Press, were he spoke to young students who were studing his book Farenheit 451. Ray’s message is always the same we should  treasure books. Ray once told us how he loved dinosaurs and exploration but didn’t fly until the age of 62 but then began to fly regularly. John Huston had hired him to write the script for his movie Moby Dick in 1953, after reading one of his short stories. Ray has published more than 600 short stories in 60 years. Ray will be 89 on August 22 of this year. I was fortunate to have attended his 80th birthday celebration which included performances of some of his plays and tributes from friends and performers he has known over the years.

Ray Bradbury really is a renassiance man, a forward thinker.  He writes short stories, and poetry; as well as  books and plays that get made in to movies.  He has planned shopping centers for cities including the Glendale Galleria.  He wrote The Martian Chronicles, and we all expected to have a man there by now.  He has writen about book burnings,(Farenheit 451) as we move into an internet age, he continues to write and speak and inspire us all. His latest book is, We’ll Always Have Paris.  In 2001 he received  the National Book Award for his contribution to American literature, and in 2004, he was awarded the National Medal for the Arts.  In 2007, he was made a COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF ARTS AND LETTERS (Frances highest literary honor) and was was awarded a Pulitzer Prize Citation for his carreer.

Ray still makes his home here in Los Angeles. In recent years, Ray has been attending  performances of his plays, lately at the Frement theatre in Pasadena. His plays really should be staged around the world. There are three one acts, entitled RAY BRADBURY’S YESTERMORROWS,  playing at this time through September 5th, directed by Alan Neal Hubbs.

A Device Out of Time features David Fox-Brenton and brothers Seth and Daniel Casanova. This story is about how each of us is a time machine that allows others to glimpse the past through our experiences however fleeting.  The Cistern features  Georgan George, and Rose Prichard.  It is a story of love lost and rediscovered through reflection on a quiet afternoon. The Meadow is set in a decaying movie studio, which is haunted by old props and characters, sets of grand cities, and a caretaker not wanting to see the land sold for a real estate development.  Michael Prichard plays the caretaker and old friend to the studio mogul played by Steven Robert Wollenberg, it also features Andy Sell, and Robert Kerr. This was probably based on Ray’s own experiences as he watched movie studios close to his home converted into Century City and housing tracks from the imagination factories that he often worked at or passed on his daily activities.

Ray is a national treasure and we will be eternally grateful to his gift of imagination. So if you have a desire to walk among the stars on Mars or wander the African Veldt or visit the 600 other locations that Ray has chronicled pick up one of his books, watch one of his movies or television shows or attend a live performance and you might be fortunate enough to meet the master himself.

New Original Works Festival at the REDCAT Theatre by Marla Lewin

// July 24th, 2009 // Comments Off // Stage Play

photo courtesy Marc Halperin

photo courtesy of the artist Lars Jan

“The Voysey Inheritance” Not to be Missed! by Marla Lewin

// July 18th, 2009 // Comments Off // Stage Play

“The Voysey Inheritance” is a play about greed involving an upper class family’s crisis and ponzi schemes, sound familiar?

Harley Granville-Barker, one of the most unfamiliar playwrights of the early 20th century, wrote the play over 100 years ago in 1905. Barker, also an accomplished actor was overshadowed by the fame of Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw. Granville-Barker also wrote detailed notes on how to stage Shakespeare.

In 2006 David Mamet, one of Americas’ most famous writers has adapted the play which opens THEATRE 40′s 2009-2010 season. ”The Voysey Inheritance” with it’s great writing, terrific cast, grand set, and beautiful period costumes, we can easily understand why they are celebrating their 44th year as a theatre company.  The theatre is on the grounds of the Beverly Hills high school, and you should rush to see it quickly as it is now scheduled to end on July 19th.

David Mamet, who wrote and directed many films including STATE AND MAIN, and SPARTAN, and also as a screenwriter received Oscar nominations for THE VERDICT (Paul Newman) and WAG THE DOG ( Dustin Hoffman, Robert DeNiro). Mamet is considered one of the most famous American stage and screen voices, known for weaving tales of ordinary men, particularly con men into the fabric of his stories.  An example of this is his play Glengarry Glen Ross, which won him a Pulitzer Prize and was made into award winning movie. My husband Marc distributed Mamet’s STATE AND MAIN at Fine Line Features, one of my personal favorites, deals with corrupt small town politicians with Hollywood when a film crew comes to make a movie and stirs up the local water and women.

I first met David Mamet when he started the St. Nicholas Theatre in Chicago with a cast of characters with whom he still remains friends, and continues to work with often referred to as the Mamet players.  I sat next to him at American Buffalo, and didn’t get it until, I saw the film version some years later.  Then I realized David wasn’t writing Shakespeare, he was writing about the everyday man, and most often about con artists.

Octomom! the Mu$ical by Marla Lewin

// July 17th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Stage Play

Did the Octomom have Angelina Jolie envy?

Is the ruin of America caused by the need for fame, money, and power?

Is life just one big Vaudeville act?

Will the “American Angels” save us all?

These are the questions you might get answered, starting Saturday night at The Fake Theatre, at 4319 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood.  You can witness “The American Psyche”  gone completely off the tracks for 62 minutes with 14 original songs and no intermission. This zany, vaudevillian revue that plays like a Mad magazine sketch filled to the breaking point with American Icons and spirited wacky show tunes should put a smile on your face even if the economy has left little in your pockets. Go experience this with it’s  cast of talented actors singing, dancing and spoofing American culture and the latest news. Dinora Walcott, (Real) is a standout as the the narrator who’s musical numbers tie everything together. She has a strong voice and presence that provides just the right tone to these situations.

Chris Voltaire believes that the Octomom and Bernie Madoff can be immortalized and saved by his American Angels songs. The play is performed in the studio of artist/comedian Paul Kozlowski, on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, the intimate space is usually utilized for stand up comedy acts. The Musical is the first in a series of shows that Voltaire, (no not that Voltaire) is writing with the idea of being a new comedic voice at the intersection of news and pop culture.  Unlike the original Voltaire, this show is less tongue in cheek, although satirical, it has an upbeat ending.

Chris Voltaire, who acts/directs/produces and did the book and lyrics for the show is Los Angeles based. He has been seen in such films as Julie Delpys’ Looking For Jimmy and persons unknown with Naomi Watts.  He made his screen debut in ALIVE, directed by Frank Marshall. For four seasons he played the role of Boz Biship opposite Cheech Marin, on Don Johnson’s NASH BRIDGES.  He previously wrote a show on the DADA art movement.

Chris is joined by a very funny cast including: Lynette Li who plays the Octomom’s mom and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.  Blake Hogue  plays Ponzi, Igor, a television pitchman and an over the top real estate broker. Lovely Molly McCook plays Octo. Alexandera Holtzman plays Angelina Jolie and various other parts. John Combs plays Bernie Madoff, John lived in New York and actually worked on Wall Street for 25 years.  When the previous economic down turn hit bottom, so did his livelihood, so he now is a full-time working actor in Los Angeles the last 10 years.  Stu Barron who plays the Banker and various other roles, has studied at the Stella Adler acting theatre. Producer, Beverly Leech, also worked intensively with Stella Adler. Beverly’s most recent tv and film credits include, Criminal Minds, Mad Men, and Bloodwork, directed by Clint Eastwood.  Dinora Walcott is a graduate of Harvard and has performed in CSI-NY and ABC’s Eastwick.  The play’s music is composed by Rachel Lawrence.

The answer to at least 3 of the above questions is yes.