The royal baby’s name is George Alexander Louis, named for Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, aka Colin Firth from “The King’s Speech.” It’s a nice move for William and Kate, honoring Elizabeth. And he’ll always have the movie to play for friends. “This is the guy I was named for.” In heaven the Duke of Windsor must be kicking himself for abdicating and turning over the crown to brother George and his family. All he got was a really bad movie made by Madonna.
Linda Ronstadt Sings No More: Won’t Warble on Book Publicity Tour
Linda Ronstadt is not singing anymore. When she hits the publicity circuit this September for her book, “Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir,” Ronstadt will not need a band for Letterman, Fallon, or any other show. I am told that she has retired, in that sense. There’ll be no “You’re No Good” or “Heat Wave” or “Blue Bayou.”
It’s not that she can’t sing; she can. But she doesn’t sing every day, has no interest in revving up her engines, and doesn’t feel she can meet expectations of fans. A friend says, “She’s 67, and she’s doing other things.”
The book, by the way, is not a kiss and tell, but a look back at all her work with the Eagles and Jackson Browne and JD Souther, all the songwriters she introduced, and the many musical adventures she had with scores of people she helped make famous. And Linda wrote the book herself– no ghost writer. I can’t wait to read it.
But this no singing business is frustrating for her fans. New generations need to be exposed to Ronstadt, one of the most remarkable pop voices of all time. Linda, change your mind! We need you now more than ever!
By the way, there’s newly remastered version of her great album, “Heart Like a Wheel,” produced by Peter Asher, on Amazon.com and Spotify. I just bought it, and it’s still a classic. Cissy Houston sings background on the James Carr hit, “Dark End of the Street,” too!
Hugh Jackman Brings Wolverine to Times Square, But Doesn’t Sing
Hundreds of people waited in lines, groups, whatever yesterday afternoon to meet Hugh Jackman. The Broadway star of his own show, Oscar nominee for singing “Les Miserables,” is also, in his spare time, Wolverine. How many times has he played the X Man from Marvel comics? “Six,” was the lucky answer for a member the waiting, shvitzing fans who got a free DVD set of “X Men” movies for knowing this vital information. This is what was going on on the so-called 4th floor of the AMC Empire on 42nd St. Fox gave away foam Wolverine claws and posters “for your bedroom” while everyone waited for Jackman to finish up his David Letterman taping.
And then he arrived: the real Hugh Jackman is much smaller than Wolverine. He has kept the beard, maybe to look menacing. But that’s hard for Jackman, who is always smiling and laughing. You know the whole thing is a put on for him. He’s having a ball. He hit the little makeshift indoor stage and took questions from the fans. Some of them were allowed to come up and join him. They each asked the same question: “Why is this movie different from the last one?” Answer: “Because it was shot in Japan.” Otherwise, it’s more growling and clawing.
Also: “Will Wolverine ever be in an Avengers move?” There’s no real answer to that other than: Hugh Jackman would like it too. Ka ching. Then he can afford to take a year or two off and do his “Houdini” musical on Broadway. Anyway, nice guy as always. I didn’t see the movie. My nieces did, they loved it. First weekend will be big.
photoof Hugh Jackman c2013 Showbiz411
Huma-iliated: NYTimes, Daily News Say Weiner Must Go (We Agree)
Both the New York Times and the Daily News have published editorials today denouncing Anthony Weiner. They each say he must get out of the mayoral race. He lacks all credibility now. His wife, Huma Abedin, seems like she’s lost her mind. Unfortunately, reading Weiner’s latest sexts to the 22 year old woman in Indiana are pretty clear: they are as pornographic as something from Penthouse Forum. Well, he has a knack for this, and for emailing pictures of his penis. But that does not make a mayor. Anthony Weiner is an embarrassment to the city of New York. There’s no way he could represent us anywhere, anytime, except maybe at the adult film movie awards. No matter what our past mayors have done– and I am referring to Rudy Guiliani’s public and guilt free philandering–nothing has been this bad. Weiner shows no moral compass, of course. But he also has no conscience. He wants a ‘second chance.’ Hey–hey got a second chance last year. There is no third chance. Out, now.
Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz on Broadway: Early 1 Week Ticket Sale
Get ready to sleep on the sidewalk for tickets to the Mike Nichols-directed “Betrayal” on Broadway. The play starring married couple Daniel Craig (aka James Bond) and Rachel Weisz, with Rafe Spall, is coming to Broadway this fall. But producers are putting tickets on sale for one week only, from July 29 to August 4th. Then the box office goes dark until September 3rd.
Publicist Chris Boneau says: “The Barrymore box office had been originally scheduled to open on September 3, but based on advance ticket sales, the producers of BETRAYAL determined that the production could be sold out by that point. This special one week early on-sale will ensure that loyal theatergoers who wish to purchase their tickets at the box office will have the ability to do so via their preferred method.”
When Broadway shows have big big stars, there’s always a lot of pandemonium on the street at night after the performance. “Betrayal” starts previews on October 1st and opening night is October 27th. The run is only until January 5, 2014 with no likely extensions. West 47t St. will never be the same, I’m afraid, and certainly not passable again until January 6th!
RIP: 3 New Yorkers Who Once Starred in the City’s Real Life Soap Opera
Three New Yorkers who once were prominent and constant fixtures in the cultural and gossip life of New York have moved on to the bright lights of heaven. They will all be missed, and young people will not have heard of them. But once upon a time, they were the bold faced names we knew on a daily basis.
Page Morton Black was 97 years old. She was the wife of William Black, the owner of Chock Full O’ Nuts coffee. Before Starbucks, there was Chock Full O’ Nuts, ubiquitous because of the theme song sung by Page Morton Black on their commercials. “Chock Full O’ Nuts is the heavenly coffee…” Thanks to a persistent and legendary press agent Sy Preston, Page Black never left the New York tabloids. When I worked on the Intelligencer at New York magazine or filled in at Page Six in the mid 90s, Sy would be on the phone pushing Page, who was in her 70s by then. The nostalgia for her and the theme song– maybe more than the coffee itself– kept all of their names alive long after their heyday. That era is pretty much over now; I can’t think of too many people who are left. And it makes me sad.
Ronnie Cutrone was a name I think I heard thousands of times in the late 70s and early 80s. A New York artist, Ronnie was Andy Warhol’s first lieutenant at the Factory. He died this week at age 65. It was Ronnie and the late Richard Bernstein who made a lot of Andy’s great works, and the copies he sold in volume to bring in money. Ronnie worked for Andy from 1972-80, at the height of the Warhol frenzy, through the Studio 54 years and the whirlwind that brought Mick, Bianca, Liza, Calvin, Halston and Truman Capote through their doors. His Post-Pop paintings and cartoons are widely exhibited and much prized. Now, the Eighties– the New York Eighties–are over.
Finally, John Casablancas is gone. The father of Strokes lead singer Julian Casablancas was the King of all modeling agency owners. He lived life large, loved women, and was a non stop name in the Post, Daily News, New York magazine, etc. His Elite Modeling Agency was like a Judith Krantz or Jackie Collins novel come alive. I just remember Frances Grill complaining about him a lot, as did Ford and Wilhelmina. John Casablancas had a great life, not a model life, but a life with models. I doubt he ever regretted one minute of it. His modeling schools seem to be around still, but I’m not sure if he just licensed the name or really ran them. How much fun did he have? When he was 49, Casablancas married a 17 year old model and had three more children with her. He died this week age 70 in Brazil. But boy, what a ride he had. Here’s a great clip I found about all these modeling pioneers: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20089407,00.html
Broadway: Diahann Carroll to Play Denzel’s Mother in “Raisin in the Sun”
Exclusive: No one will confirm this, but I know it in my gut after too many whispers: the great and beautiful Diahann Carroll is plotting a Broadway return. Carroll, I am told, is going to play the mother of Denzel Washington in Kenny Leon’s revival of “A Raisin the Sun.”
Scott Rudin doesn’t like these scoops, but frankly, he’s putting together a brilliant production. He’s a great showman like David Merrick. Seeing Cicely Tyson’s big Tony sweep this year, Carroll is making the right decision and Rudin is very smart to cast her. Last week I told you that Sophie Okenedo and Anika Noni Rose have also been cast as members of the Younger family. Now just George, the suave boyfriend, and a couple of other smaller parts have to be cast.
Carroll was last seen on Broadway in “Agnes of God” some thirty years ago– 1983. Before that she starred in Richard Rodgers’ “No String” in 1962-63 and “House of Cards” in the mid 1950s. Of course, she’s never stopped working on TV and in films, from her landmark series “Julia” to “Dynasty” and lots, lots more. She can also sing like a bird, so maybe once “Raisin” gets going she’ll do a night at 54 Below.
This will all be announced officially in good time, but frankly, I can’t wait to see this play.
Royal Baby Introduced, Prince William Carries Car Seat, Drives His Own Car
The unnamed royal baby and future King of England was introduced a little while ago. William and Kate brought the baby outside and showed him off to press and some fans, and lots of security. They were as unpretentious as possible and really disarmingly lovely. William, who will be King first, noted that his son had “a good pair of lungs on him, that’s for sure” and that he was “quite heavy” (he’s eight pounds six ounces).
William also said, “We’re still working on a name.” And: “It’s the first time we’ve seen him really. So we’re having a proper chance to catch up.” The couple also said it’s a very “emotional” time. “He’s got her looks, thankfully.”
You’ll note that William returns with a car seat, jumps in the driver’s side of his Range Rover with a bodyguard, almost like any other first time dad. William and Kate will do a lot to humanize the cold, distant monarchy after Queen Elizabeth’s aloof rule, and Charles’ scandals with Diana and Camilla.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23425814
James Gandolfini’s Second to Last Film Chosen for Toronto Film Fest
The second to last film starring the late James Gandolfini is coming to Toronto. “Enough Said,” directed by Nicole Holofcener has been chosen as a special presentation. Julia Louis Dreyfuss and the director’s favorite actress (and mine) Catherine Keener co-star. Holofcener’s last movie was the marvelous “Please Give,” a gem that you should rent, buy, download or whatever ASAP. Toni Colette also co-stars.
The irony here is that Gandolfini is cast as the romantic lead. He’s not a gangster. This could have been a game changer for the beloved “Sopranos” actor—something he really wanted. It’s almost heartbreaking if the movie succeeds.
Gandolfini has one more movie after this: “Animal Rescue,” an off beat crime drama co-starring Tom Hardy. We won’t see that until 2014.
“Mad Men” Creator Matt Weiner First Film Goes to Toronto Film Fest
“Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner will have a busy September. A week or so before the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Weiner will be in Toronto. His debut project as a feature film writer- director will be shown in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto Film Festival.
“You Are Here” stars Zach Galifiankis as a ne’er do well son who inherits the family fortune. He returns home with best friend Owen Wilson and takes on both a formidable sister (Amy Poehler) and his dad’s knockout 25 year old widow. “You are Here” has no distributor, which means a feeding frenzy at the first screening. Matthew Weiner couldn’t be hotter right now. This is his first project during “Mad Men.”
If it works, and it should, Weiner can transition from TV to film. Wouldn’t that be something? And listen, it’s not easy. I remember when Larry David tried it during “Seinfeld” with a feature film called “Sour Grapes.” Some people are still having their memories cleansed of that one. But Weiner is smart, and “You Are Here” is much anticipated.