Robin Williams – A Tribute

Posted by donnamarie on August 11, 2015

Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014)

In honor of the 1 year anniversary of Robin Williams passing, my original post tribute.

My heart was deeply saddened by the news of Robin Williams’ passing. Even though we’d never met, the news hit like losing an old friend. He made me laugh in ways and places that were utterly unique and hilarious! Listening to tributes not just from Hollywood but from my own friends, it’s stunning how his genius and sincerity as a human being reached beyond the stratosphere. His true gift was being able to listen, internalize and transform his energy into a non-stop series of humor and insights that no one has ever done before. I’ve followed his career from the beginning in the late 1970’s with his stand-up routines. His first TV performance as “Mork” from Ork on Happy Days resulted in his own series Mork and Mindy in 1978. His subsequent films and stand-up performances were the ultimate proof of his unlimited talents and abilities.

In celebration of his genius and the man, here are some of my favorite Robin Williams moments:

Thanks so much Robin for all the joy, laughter and love you shared with us all.

Rest In Peace

Robin wins Oscar - Good Will Hunting 1997

Sparkle Forever! – Irene Cara

Posted by donnamarie on June 18, 2015

Irene Cara

April 7, 1976, marked the film premiere of “Sparkle” and my introduction to the young, up and coming star, Irene Cara. “Sparkle” is the story of 3 sisters (Lonette McKee “Sister”, Dwan Smith “Delores”, and Irene Cara “Sparkle”) growing up in 1950’s Harlem. They become “Sister and the Sisters” girl group (formerly The Hearts) and we journey into their lives as their mother “Effie” (Mary Alice) struggles to raise the girls and reign in the “spirited” “Sister.” Along with Styx (Phillip Michael Thomas) and Levi (Dorian Harewood) the girls face and deal with the trials and realities of life.

I have 2 sisters and always wanted us to be a hot girl group. (Unfortunately I was the only one who sang:(

Directed by: Sam O’Steen. Music: Curtis Mayfield.

Lonette McKee, Irene Cara, Dwan Smith

Cara also went on to star in “Fame” 1980, the “movie that changed my life” and brought her superstardom. Irene’s voice would later influence my own performances. Young, beautiful and talented, she had it all! Her voice cut through me like a knife. I believed every word she sang and the lyrics seemed to sync up with the dreams I held in my heart.

Fame –” You ain’t seen the best of me yet. Give me time I’ll make you forget the rest.”

Flashdance – “What a Feeling” started the clarion call to believe that “I can have it all.” And in 1984 the song “Flashdance” won Irene Cara an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song.

What’s she doing now?

From Stardom to seeming obscurity.

I hope this piece has introduced or reintroduced this accomplished artist back into our cultural landscape.

Irene Cara has won an Academy Award, 2 Grammy awards, Golden Globe and numerous other awards.

For me – Irene Cara’s star will Sparkle forever!

“Dance and Sing Get Up and Do Your Thing” – AFI’s Top 5 Musicals

Posted by donnamarie on June 13, 2015

It seems every time someone asks the question “What’s your favorite? (fill in the blank) that’s what happens to me…BLANK. So, I decided to prep for the next occasion. Here’s the American Film Institute’s list of the Top 5 Musicals of All time! West Side Story and Cabaret have already made the list on my Songbird Oscar Winners post. I think I got this!

Can you name yours? Let’s share.

#	FILM	YEAR	STUDIO
1	SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN	1952	MGM
2	WEST SIDE STORY	1961	United Artists
3	WIZARD OF OZ, THE	1939	MGM
4	SOUND OF MUSIC, THE	1965	Twentieth Century-Fox
5	CABARET	1972	Allied Artists

Some of my favorite quotes from the films!

Lina: [with a voice to peel paint] And I cayn’t stand’im. Holy crap! This line makes the movie for me!!

[singing]

Bernardo: ” I’d like to go back to San Juan.”

Anita: “I know a boat you can get on!”

Ha! You do you, cause I’m gonna do me!

Cowardly Lion: ” Alright I’ll go in there for Dorothy. Wicked Witch or no Wicked Witch, guards or no guards, I’ll tear them apart. I may not come out alive, but I’m going in there. There’s only one thing I want you fellows to do.”

Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow: “What’s that?”

Cowardly Lion: “Talk me out of it!”

Oh Lion – you just gotta love him!

Maria: “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.”

Without a doubt! Amen!

Sally: ” I’m going to be a great film star! That is, if booze and sex don’t get me first.”

Quote is dead on. What’s up Ms Liza?

”Fame” – Movie that changed my life

Posted by donnamarie on June 6, 2015

Seems Facebook has started an – “on this day 1 year ago memory” feature on my timeline. I look at this as either an opportunity to relive warm memories or regret an overshare posting that will follow me for eternity. Fortunately, my 1 year ago memory is one of my warmest; my observations of the movie that most influenced my life. So, in keeping with the spirit of retrospection, here’s “Fame” – Movie That Changed My Life, originally posted June 6, 2014.

♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥

I was reading an article about music that influenced the author’s life. Since my thing is film, I started thinking about movies that affected my life. My very first thought was right on. “Fame” – Released May 16, 1980. Directed by Alan Parker. Screenplay by Christopher Gore. (Lyric:…baby remember my name.”)

The film chronicles the lives of aspiring students attending a New York High School for the Performing Arts. We follow their journey from auditioning to acceptance, through graduation. It won 2 Oscars – Best Music, Original Song -“Fame” and Best Music, Original Score.

Coming out of the theater that night my life had changed with the realization that I must pursue my lifetime love of music and performing. Honor my spirit!

From birth, I was an artist. Growing up in Motown there was music a plenty. Listening to Smoky Robinson, The Temptations, The Supremes, you get the idea, I could visualize the movie behind the song lyrics. I can’t prove it, but I believe I came up with the idea for the music video. Thanks for the credit MTV:)

I also loved to sing and knew the words to any and every song. Old or new, it didn’t matter. Yes, I was the girl with the hairbrush microphone pouring my heart out to Lulu’s “To Sir With Love.” My friends and I even got together forming our own girls group. Look out Diana Ross, there’s a new diva in town.

Throughout my school years, I found my way into choirs and in college I took an acting class or two. However, as an adult I never actually took the leap to being an actress and vocalist. Never declared, “I’m a performer.” Until I heard “I Sing The Body Electric.”

I sing the body electric.

I celebrate the me yet to come.

I toast to my own reunion.

When I become one with the sun.

Having left Motown in 1985 for Chi-town, my moment had arrived. Chicago is an incredible city and the theater scene is amazing! The local park district had a theater group so I dared myself to audition for the musical Pal Joey. I did, got cast, and, as they say, the rest is history. From that moment on I was either in a play, auditioning for a play or in rehearsals for a play.

I’ve performed in pretty much every musical you can think of: Bye, Bye Birdie, West Side Story, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret. (You get the idea) I found my theater family and my voice. I realized that performing was the missing piece of my soul, my essence. And it all started on that spring evening in May 1980 with Fame. “I’m gonna live forever. Baby remember my name!”

Dedicated to Anne Meara

(September 20, 1929 – May 23, 2015)

(Played English teacher Elizabeth Sherwood – Fame 1980)

Some Like it Hot! (1959)

Posted by donnamarie on April 22, 2015

Billy Wilder is one of my favorite directors because he’s not afraid to tackle controversial subject matters like alcoholism, adultery, and sexuality. His 1959 film Some Like it Hot is a fantastic example! I love this film not only because it’s hilarious and Marilyn Monroe is at the height of her sexiness, but it addresses the issues of gender roles, cross-dressing and gay marriage head on!

United Artists released Wilder’s Prohibition-era farce Some Like It Hot without a Production Code seal of approval, withheld due to the film’s unabashed sexuality including a central cross-dressing theme.

Okay, so here’s the set-up:

2 speakeasy musicians (Joe and Jerry) in 1920’s Chicago witness the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Obviously – that’s a problem. Busted by the hitmen they try to talk their way out of the situation. However, the gangsters ain’t havin’ it so they do the next best thing – Run!

Okay, so now what? Go drag, book a gig with the all-girl band Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopaters. Hey, it could happen.

Introducing Josephine and Daphne

Now, let’s meet Joe and Jerry

Jerry: You’d bet my money on a dog? Joe: He’s a shoo-in. Max the waiter knows the electrician that wires the rabbit.

Joe ( Tony Curtis) is a saxophone playing womanizer who’s borrowed money from every girl on the chorus line at the speakeasy. Jerry (Jack Lemmon) plays the upright bass and is Joe’s best friend. Although tired of Joe’s crap, he covets his prowess with women while simultaneously desiring a stable relationship of his own.

Their bond is put to the test when Joe (as Josephine) zeros in on Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe) and her strut when they arrive at the train station. Sugar plays ukulele and sings with Sweet Sue (Joan Shawlee) and the Syncopaters. By the time they arrive at their destination in Florida, Joe has sweet talked his way into Sugar’s life and is bound and determined to have a taste. Daphne (Jerry) on the other hand has a different experience; dealing with his jealousy of Joe and Sugar’s relationship while maneuvering the advances and courtship of much-married and aging millionaire, Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown).

First of all, Joe E. Brown is a scream! Second of all, check out his career along with this performance.

And here we go – into the land of whoa, stuff we don’t talk about in 1959 and are really just scratching the surface of today:

Cross Dressing: Designer Orry-Kelly won an Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work. Seeing Marilyn’s gowns, Curtis and Lemmon insisted on wearing Kelly’s designs as well to make them look good as females. They played it straight as Josephine and Daphne which I believe gave weight and merit to the film. They may have looked good, but Marilyn was hot! As a young girl, I went, yes – one day I wanna rock a dress like that!

Gender Roles: Challenging what is deemed to be male/female expectations. By embracing their personas, Joe and Jerry learn from Sugar and Osgood what it means to walk in another woman’s shoes and deal with the complexities of being a woman in a man’s world.

Gay Marriage: The right to love for love’s sake. This is undoubtedly my favorite scene!

Joe to Jerry/Daphne – “It’s just not being done.”

“I’m a Boy”

This final scene is pure – Subversive Brilliance!

Despite Joe’s argument to Jerry and Jerry’s argument to Osgood about how outrageous their marriage would be – in the end, love will not be denied.

Billy Wilder, the Austrian-born American filmmaker is regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Hollywood’s golden age. Wilder is one of only five people to have won Academy Awards as a producer, director and screenwriter for the same film (The Apartment). The American Film Institute has ranked these four Wilder films among their top 100 American films of the 20th century:

Double Indemnity (1944)
The Lost Weekend (1945)
Sunset Blvd (1950)
The Apartment (1960)

In 2001, AFI selected Some Like It Hot as the number one comedy film of all time.

Billy Wilder

Thank you, Billy Wilder for directing, producing and writing this screenplay. Art should be provocative, revolutionary; pushing the conversation forward. Humor and politics are not mutually exclusive. Question what is accepted. Fight for what is right.

African-American Oscar History Pt. 2

Posted by donnamarie on February 21, 2015

Last year’s 86th Academy Awards marked a historic night for black filmmakers at the Oscars. It’s the first time a black film – 12 Years a Slave — won best picture; the Academy’s most prestigious award. John Ridley won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Steve McQueen won as Producer.

Steve McQueen-Director/Producer

John Ridley – Screenwriter

Book

But, as the 1959 Grammy Award winning vocalist Dinah Washington sang: “What a Difference a Day Makes.”

I’m recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of Black Artists in Hollywood; especially considering the lack of African-American nominations for this year’s 87th Academy Awards.

Oscars 2015: No black actors or female screenwriters, directors or cinematographers were nominated.

History

The 12th Academy Awards is historic for being the 1st Oscar nomination for an African-American and 1st Oscar win. Hattie McDaniel accepted her award in 1940 as Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “Gone With the Wind” as the character – Mammy.

Hattie McDaniel

However, if David O. Selznick (Producer, film studio executive) hadn’t pulled a favor, she might not have been able to deliver her acceptance speech at all. At the time, the Cocoanut Grove nightclub (located in the Ambassador Hotel) was segregated so Ms. McDaniel wasn’t even allowed entrance. Selznick pulled another favor so she could be seated at a table at the very back of the room with her agent. To add insult to injury, Hattie McDaniel wasn’t allowed to speak her own words, the acceptance speech was written by the studio.

Despite all the prejudice, Hattie McDaniel – who at the time was one of the biggest African-American actors in the world -promoted herself for the nomination. After the release of the movie, she placed a stack of outstanding film reviews on O. Selznick’s desk and the rest is history.

First Best Actress Oscar

In 2002, Halle Berry became the 1st (and to date) only African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. The Oscar was for the film “Monsters Ball”.

Halle Berry 2002 Best Actress

Dorothy Dandridge – (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) is the 1st African-American actress to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in 1954 for her performance in “Carmen Jones.” She has been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was married to dancer Harold Nicholas. Check out my previous post on the Nicholas Brothers here.

Dorothy Dandridge

Halle Berry portrayed her life in the HBO biographical film “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” in 1999.

Watching Halle’s acceptance speech again while researching this post, I burst into tears reliving her emotion as she tries to process the win and the historical significance of this moment. Looking forward to the acceptance speech of our second Best Actress Oscar Winner.

Halle and Denzel Oscars

This win also marked the 1st time two African-American performers won in leading role Oscars in the same year (Denzel Washington, Training Day).

Best Supporting Actress

1st to Win: Hattie McDaniel “Gone With the Wind” 1940

Hattie McDaniel 1940 Oscars

Although known as an actress she was a professional singer-songwriter, comedian, stage actress, radio performer, and television star; she was the first black woman to sing on the radio in the U.S. and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1975, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and in 2006 became the first black Oscar winner honored with a US postage stamp.

Hattie McDaniel was also the oldest African-American actress to win an Academy Award (age 44).

Finally – 50 Years later the 2nd Winner!

Winner: Supporting Actress – Whoopi Goldberg “Ghost” 1990

First African-American actress to receive two acting nominations overall.
Second African-American actress to win Best Supporting Actress.

Whoopi Goldberg 1990 Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Supporting Actress – Jennifer Hudson “Dreamgirls” 2006

Jennifer Hudson 2006 Oscar

First African-American actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award for a debut film performance.
Youngest African-American actress to win or be nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Youngest African-American actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award (age 25).
First African-American actress to win an Academy Award for a musical film.

Oldest African-American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award (age 83) – Ruby Dee “American Gangster” 2007.

Ruby Dee

For her life and career see my previous post here: Ruby Dee

Winner: Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique “Precious” 2009

Mo’Nique

Second film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

Octavia Spencer

Winner: Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer “The Help” 2011

Third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress.

Winner: Supporting Actress – Lupita Nyong’o “12 Years a Slave” 2013

First black African (Kenyan) actress to be nominated.
First black African to win in any category.
Second black actor to win for a debut performance.

Denzel Washington, Louis Gossett, Jr, Sidney Poiter, Halle Berry

Oscar Winners

Hattie McDaniel

John Ridley – Screenwriter

Steve McQueen-Director/Producer

The Oscars

Rupert Crosse-Best Supporting Actor

12 Years a Slave

Congratulations and Cheers to these exceptional artists!

We’ve come a long way, but we’ve still got a long way to go.

African-American Oscar History Pt. 1

Posted by donnamarie on February 18, 2015

In honor of Black History Month

Celebrating the accomplishments of Black Artists in Hollywood; especially in light of the lack of African-American nominations for this year’s 87th Academy Awards.

Oscars 2015: No black actors or female screenwriters, directors or cinematographers were nominated.

Our First Best Actor

In 1958, Sidney Poiter became the first black actor to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Actor category for “The Defiant Ones.” In 1963, he went on to make history and become the first to win the Oscar for Best Actor in “Lillies of the Field.” I saw the film as a kid and although it was quite popular never expected him to take home the statue.

However, Hollywood did love him. I believe they saw him as non-threatening due to his mild-mannered characterizations. He was quoted as saying he had concerns that he would be seen as a token and never given any substantial roles. Well, his Detective Virgil Tibbs in the film “In the Heat of the Night” sure put that fear to bed. Slapping a white man in racist Mississippi in 1967 was a bold and hand clapping moment in the theater. Poitier was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor and the film won five Academy Awards, including the 1967 award for Best Picture.

Sidney Poiter 1963 Oscar for Best Actor

Oscar Accomplishments:

First African-American nominated for Best Actor award
First black male to win an Oscar
First black actor to win Best Actor
First to receive two acting nominations (Best Actor)
Youngest black actor to win Best Actor (37)

It took 36 years for another win in the Best Actor category, but finally Denzel Washington was recognized by the Academy for his portrayal of Alonso Harris in “Training Day” making him the second black actor to win the Oscar.

1999 also marked the first time two African-American performers won leading role Oscars in the same year. (Halle Berry, “Monster’s Ball“)

Denzel Washington and Halle Berry “Best Actors.”

Denzel Washington has the most nominations for an African-American Actor: Best Actor (4 nominations) and Best Supporting Actor (2 nominations).

Jamie Foxx 2004 Oscar Best Actor

Jamie Foxx was awarded the 2004 Oscar for Best Actor as Ray Charles in the biopic “Ray”. That same year, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the action film Collateral making him the first African-American actor to receive two acting nominations in the same year.

Forest Whitaker Best Actor 2006

Forest Whitaker is the fourth and most recent African-American male to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film “The Last King of Scotland.”

Best Supporting Actor

First Nominated: Rupert Crosse – “The Reivers” 1969

First to Win: Louis Gossett, Jr – “An Officer and a Gentleman” 1982

Winner: Supporting Actor – Denzel Washington “Glory” 1989

Youngest African-American male actor to win an Academy Award (age 29) – Cuba Gooding, Jr. “Jerry Maguire” 1996

Oldest African-American actor to win an Academy Award (age 67) – Morgan Freeman “Million Dollar Baby” 2004

Rupert Crosse-Best Supporting Actor

Louis Gossett, Jr.

Denzel Washington

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Morgan Freeman

Congratulations and Cheers to these exceptional artists!

Part two in this series will focus on the achievements of African-American Women in film.

Souls of 2014

Posted by donnamarie on December 30, 2014

It’s hard for me to believe we’re at the end of another year. Looking back at 2014 and the artistic souls we’ve lost, I re-live joy, sorrow, wonderment, and childhood. Lost a little of my soul in 2014 but gained a new appreciation for what those souls gave to my life and the lives of others.

This retrospect is a beautiful reminder of the dedication, love and craftsmanship that goes into the creation of a film and the experiences we share sitting in a darkened theater. I love the movies (even built a website to celebrate) and the honesty of great actors.

Thank you so much for sharing your gift.

Gratitude and Miracles

Posted by donnamarie on November 27, 2014

Today marks the start of the holiday season, but it doesn’t officially kick off for me until I’ve watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade and one of my favorite holiday films, Miracle on 34th Street (1947).

Until I see Santa arrive at the end of the parade there can be no Christmas Tree, tinsel, ornaments or stockings. This has been a tradition of mine since I was a kid. Without a doubt, Edmund Gwenn is Santa Claus. No matter what other films he’s made, each character turns into Kris Kringle. (he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor) Gwenn played a cockney assassin in Hitchcock’s Foreign Correspondent in 1940, but all I could scream was “Santa, don’t throw that man off the ledge!”

Edmund Gwenn

(September 26, 1877 – September 6, 1959)

Natalie Wood was precious as Susan, the precocious daughter of Maureen O’Hara (Doris) who doesn’t believe in fairy tales and attends a “progressive” school. Natalie Wood had an illustrious career until her death in 1981. She was able to make the transition from child star to ingenue starring opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Warren Beatty in Splendor in the Grass (1961). Known as a loving, giving person, as well as a star, she’s always had a special place in my heart.

Natalie Wood

(July 20, 1938 – November 29, 1981)

Doris is cynical as a result of a bitter divorce so she’s raising her daughter to be practical and sensible. None of this believing in fairy tales and Santa crap. All was going well until Doris – the parade coordinator asks Kris to replace the drunken Santa originally set for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Kris is a big hit and becomes Macy’s official Santa resulting in a personal relationship with Doris and Susan.

Maureen O’Hara (born August 17, 1920)

Kris is an immediate influence teaching Susan it’s okay to pretend after she tells him the other kids don’t play with her because she won’t join in their game and act like a zoo animal.

The production took flack from the Catholic League of Decency because how dare you depict a divorced woman with a successful career and a young child as a “normal family.” Yep, 1940’s mentality and morality were hard at work.

Susan learning to act like a monkey!

Just as Doris is learning to have more faith in life and Susan is embracing imagination, Kris’s sanity is questioned and a legal battle ensues to prove that not only is he sane but the one and only Santa Claus. Fred (John Payne) who is Kris’s lawyer and Doris’s boyfriend, understands the importance of the spirit of Santa especially in the lives of Susan and Doris.

John Payne (on left)

(May 23, 1912 – December 6, 1989)

Kris is exonerated and Christmas day has arrived. Susan has asked for a very special present and is disappointed at the Christmas party to see it isn’t under the tree. Doris, in a refreshing change of heart, tells Susan she must have faith.

But, Santa Claus moves in mysterious ways and in the end teaches them both the true value of faith and miracles.

http://dai.ly/xg9vqw

Here’s to Faith and Miracles!

Legendary Director of “The Birdcage” Dies

Posted by donnamarie on November 20, 2014

Mike Nichols, Acclaimed Director of ‘The Graduate,’ Dies at 83

(November 6, 1931 – November 19, 2014)

New York (AP) Mike Nichols, one of America’s most celebrated directors, died on Wednesday from cardiac arrest. He was married to ABC’s news anchor Diane Sawyer. The family will hold a private service this week; a memorial will be held at a later date.

Dryly urbane, Mr. Nichols had a gift for communicating with actors and a keen comic timing, which he honed early in his career as half of the popular sketch comedy team Nichols and May. In films like “The Graduate,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and “Carnal Knowledge” and in comedies and dramas on stage, he accomplished what Orson Welles and Elia Kazan but few if any other directors have: achieving popular and artistic success in both film and theater. He was among the most decorated people in the history of show business, one of only a dozen or so to have won an Oscar, a Tony, an Emmy and a Grammy.

For more of his legacy click here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/obituaries/mike-nichols-celebrated-director-dies-at-83.html?emc=edit_na_20141120

R.I.P.

My absolute favorite of his films!

The Birdcage (1996)

What’s not to love about this film? Starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane the pairing is perfect and the performances are brilliant!

Here’s the plot:

Meet Armand, Albert and their son Val who’s engaged to Barbara Keeley and the rip-roaring evening when their families meet.

Val’s father, Armand, owns The Birdcage, a drag club in South Beach. His domestic partner is Albert, who appears regularly as “Starina”, the show’s star drag queen. Barbara’s father is ultraconservative Republican Senator Kevin Keeley of Stow, Ohio. He is up for reelection and is also co-founder of the “Coalition for Moral Order”.

Fearing the Keeleys reaction if they learn the truth about Val’s parents, Barbara tells her parents that Armand is a cultural attaché to Greece, that Albert is a housewife, and that they divide their time between Greece and Florida; she also changes the family’s last name from Goldman to Coleman to hide their Jewish background.

What could go wrong?

Based on the 1973 stage play by Jean Poiret and the 1978 French-Italian film la Cage aux Folles co-written and directed by Édouard Molinaro; it starred Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault. In Italian, it is known as Il vizietto. An excellent flick definitely worth checking out.

Love the scene with Renaldo teaching Albin to act “straight.” La Cage vs. Birdcage. What do you think?

(Sorry, no subtitles for the trailer but they are available on the DVD)

The Birdcage pays homage but definitely brings its own attitude and flair.

And Hank Azaria as Agador Spartacus is too hilarious!!!!

Directed by	Mike Nichols
Produced by	Mike Nichols Neil A. Machlis
Screenplay by	Elaine May
Based on	La Cage aux Folles by Jean Poiret Francis Veber
Starring	Robin Williams Gene Hackman Nathan Lane Dianne Wiest
Music by	Stephen Sondheim
Cinematography	Emmanuel Lubezki
Edited by	Arthur Schmidt
Production company	Nichols Film Company
Distributed by	United Artists
Release dates	March 8, 1996

In honor of the 1 year anniversary of Robin Williams passing, my original post tribute.

In celebration of his genius and the man, here are some of my favorite Robin Williams moments:

Thanks so much Robin for all the joy, laughter and love you shared with us all.

Rest In Peace

Share this:

I have 2 sisters and always wanted us to be a hot girl group. (Unfortunately I was the only one who sang:(

Fame –” You ain’t seen the best of me yet. Give me time I’ll make you forget the rest.”

Flashdance – “What a Feeling” started the clarion call to believe that “I can have it all.” And in 1984 the song “Flashdance” won Irene Cara an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song.

I hope this piece has introduced or reintroduced this accomplished artist back into our cultural landscape.

Irene Cara has won an Academy Award, 2 Grammy awards, Golden Globe and numerous other awards.

For me – Irene Cara’s star will Sparkle forever!

Share this:

Share this:

The film chronicles the lives of aspiring students attending a New York High School for the Performing Arts. We follow their journey from auditioning to acceptance, through graduation. It won 2 Oscars – Best Music, Original Song -“Fame” and Best Music, Original Score.

Coming out of the theater that night my life had changed with the realization that I must pursue my lifetime love of music and performing. Honor my spirit!

Throughout my school years, I found my way into choirs and in college I took an acting class or two. However, as an adult I never actually took the leap to being an actress and vocalist. Never declared, “I’m a performer.” Until I heard “I Sing The Body Electric.”

I sing the body electric.

I celebrate the me yet to come.

I toast to my own reunion.

When I become one with the sun.

Dedicated to Anne Meara

(September 20, 1929 – May 23, 2015)

Share this:

United Artists released Wilder’s Prohibition-era farce Some Like It Hot without a Production Code seal of approval, withheld due to the film’s unabashed sexuality including a central cross-dressing theme.

Okay, so here’s the set-up:

2 speakeasy musicians (Joe and Jerry) in 1920’s Chicago witness the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Obviously – that’s a problem. Busted by the hitmen they try to talk their way out of the situation. However, the gangsters ain’t havin’ it so they do the next best thing – Run!

Okay, so now what? Go drag, book a gig with the all-girl band Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopaters. Hey, it could happen.

Introducing Josephine and Daphne

Now, let’s meet Joe and Jerry

First of all, Joe E. Brown is a scream! Second of all, check out his career along with this performance.

And here we go – into the land of whoa, stuff we don’t talk about in 1959 and are really just scratching the surface of today:

Gender Roles: Challenging what is deemed to be male/female expectations. By embracing their personas, Joe and Jerry learn from Sugar and Osgood what it means to walk in another woman’s shoes and deal with the complexities of being a woman in a man’s world.

Gay Marriage: The right to love for love’s sake. This is undoubtedly my favorite scene!

Joe to Jerry/Daphne – “It’s just not being done.”

“I’m a Boy”

This final scene is pure – Subversive Brilliance!

Despite Joe’s argument to Jerry and Jerry’s argument to Osgood about how outrageous their marriage would be – in the end, love will not be denied.

Double Indemnity (1944)

The Lost Weekend (1945)

Sunset Blvd (1950)

The Apartment (1960)

In 2001, AFI selected Some Like It Hot as the number one comedy film of all time.

Thank you, Billy Wilder for directing, producing and writing this screenplay. Art should be provocative, revolutionary; pushing the conversation forward. Humor and politics are not mutually exclusive. Question what is accepted. Fight for what is right.

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Last year’s 86th Academy Awards marked a historic night for black filmmakers at the Oscars. It’s the first time a black film – 12 Years a Slave — won best picture; the Academy’s most prestigious award. John Ridley won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Steve McQueen won as Producer.

But, as the 1959 Grammy Award winning vocalist Dinah Washington sang: “What a Difference a Day Makes.”

I’m recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of Black Artists in Hollywood; especially considering the lack of African-American nominations for this year’s 87th Academy Awards.

History

The 12th Academy Awards is historic for being the 1st Oscar nomination for an African-American and 1st Oscar win. Hattie McDaniel accepted her award in 1940 as Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “Gone With the Wind” as the character – Mammy.

Despite all the prejudice, Hattie McDaniel – who at the time was one of the biggest African-American actors in the world -promoted herself for the nomination. After the release of the movie, she placed a stack of outstanding film reviews on O. Selznick’s desk and the rest is history.

First Best Actress Oscar

In 2002, Halle Berry became the 1st (and to date) only African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. The Oscar was for the film “Monsters Ball”.

Halle Berry portrayed her life in the HBO biographical film “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” in 1999.

Watching Halle’s acceptance speech again while researching this post, I burst into tears reliving her emotion as she tries to process the win and the historical significance of this moment. Looking forward to the acceptance speech of our second Best Actress Oscar Winner.

This win also marked the 1st time two African-American performers won in leading role Oscars in the same year (Denzel Washington, Training Day).

Best Supporting Actress

1st to Win: Hattie McDaniel “Gone With the Wind” 1940

Hattie McDaniel was also the oldest African-American actress to win an Academy Award (age 44).

Finally – 50 Years later the 2nd Winner!

Winner: Supporting Actress – Whoopi Goldberg “Ghost” 1990

First African-American actress to receive two acting nominations overall.

Second African-American actress to win Best Supporting Actress.

Winner: Supporting Actress – Jennifer Hudson “Dreamgirls” 2006

First African-American actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award for a debut film performance.

Youngest African-American actress to win or be nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Youngest African-American actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award (age 25).

First African-American actress to win an Academy Award for a musical film.

Oldest African-American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award (age 83) – Ruby Dee “American Gangster” 2007.

For her life and career see my previous post here: Ruby Dee

Winner: Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique “Precious” 2009

Second film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

Winner: Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer “The Help” 2011

Third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress.

Winner: Supporting Actress – Lupita Nyong’o “12 Years a Slave” 2013

First black African (Kenyan) actress to be nominated.

First black African to win in any category.

Second black actor to win for a debut performance.

Congratulations and Cheers to these exceptional artists!

We’ve come a long way, but we’ve still got a long way to go.

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