Hollywood Beat
christina applegate: Woman of the century, jewish film festival, charlie awards, SILENT FILM CELEBRATION RETURNING TO UCLA

 

Woman of the Century – Christina Applegate

Despite her recent bout with Breast Cancer surgery, Christina Applegate has not let any grass grown between her feet.  She graced the cover of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People, and that wasn’t easy running against such forerunners as Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie and Michelle Obama! And speaking of running, she also just won a gold medal for finishing the 16th annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women.  The star of the top rated TV series, Samantha Who, hosted the run benefiting women’s cancer research, with her Mother, Nancy Priddy, who also is a cancer survivor.

Christina recently was honored at the Women’s Guild of Cedars Sinai Luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, for setting an example for young women to take a proactive role in their health care.  She feels it is her mission to go public, and encourage them to talk about appropriate screening, and has founded Right Action for Women – which helps pay for the expensive MRI testing she feels saved her own life.

Some of her friends on hand to honor Applegate, and enjoy the vintage fashion show presented by Decades, included Emile De Ravin, star of the TV series, Lost, and actor Tim Russ, best known for his role as Geordi LaForge in ten different seasons of Star Trek.  Also enjoyed dishing the current hit film, Valentino, The Last Emperor, with famed designer James Galanos.  Sadly, there aren’t enough of these class acts around today

Actor Tim Russ (Star Trek) with Christina Applegate (Samatha Who)

Larry Bruce (SAKS) with Emille de Ravin (Lost)

Christina Applegate with her Mom, Nancy Priddy

Luncheon co-chairs Lorette Gross and Wendy Goldberg, Christina Applegate, Cedars-Sinai Women's Guild President, Judy Briskin

 

Jewish Film Festival

The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival is a week of events celebrating the diversity of the Jewish experience in film.  They feature flicks that highlight Jewish culture, traditions and challenges.

The Opening night Gala was the premiere of Jump, written and directed by Joshua Sinclair, and a special tribute to Patrick Swayze, who portrays a Jewish lawyer in the film.  Swayze, who is gravely ill with cancer, was unable to attend, but his presence was felt by all those in attendance – particularly Sinclair, who is a personal friend of the ailing actor.  Sinclair, is a medical doctor, specializing in tropical diseases, and has worked with Mother Teresa in India, and various parts of Africa.  He also is a best selling novelist and a film and TV actor, producer, and director.

He is best known as the creator and writer of the Shaka Zula Trilogy, and his work against Apartheid, for which he was honored by the  U.S. Government.

Some of those attending the star-studded premiere, included Producer Lilly Berger, who wore an original dirndl dress from Austria (where the film was shot), Award winning actress Sally Kirkland, and veteran Casting Director Marvin Paige, who escorted another Academy Award nominated actress, Patty Mc McCormack  (The Bad Seed.)

 Coincidently, a few weeks later, we attended the premiere of the international stage hit, Dirty Dancing at the Pantages Theatre – which Swayze was the original star.  When Josef Brown, who portrays John Castle in the stage version, jumped enthusiastically on stage – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  His style and dancing skill were reminiscent of Swayze, who made his first big hit in the film.  Never to be forgotten.

Patrick Swayze in a scene from JUMP

Producer Lilly Berger with actress Sybil Danning at premiere of Jump – Patrick Swayze's last film

Actress Patty McCormack, Writer/Director Joshua Sinclair & actress Sally Kirkland

Poster for JUMP

 

Charlie Awards – A Night in Hollywood

The newly decorated Hollywood Palladium was the perfect venue for a “Night in Hollywood” sponsored by the Hollywood Arts Council.  The dramatic décor of the historic landmark was mind-boggling. 

A most welcome addition to the revitalization of Tinseltown. 

Nyla Arslanian, President of the Council stated, “we are very pleased with the turnout and support we have received,” and announced that the proceeds from the gala will benefit SOAR (students overcoming all risks.  Their much lauded after school art program serves 1,500 kids each year. 

The Charlie Awards (in honor of Charles Chaplin, of course) are presented for outstanding contributions to Hollywood’s art and culture, and among the recipients were the Upright Citizens Brigade (Comedic Arts Award); Live Nation & NCA Green (Music Arts Award) and Independent Shakespeare Company, who received the prestigious Theatre Arts award.  Some of the celebrated presenters included David Carradine, Sally Kellerman, Horatio Sanz (former alumni of Saturday Night Live, who recently lost over pounds) and actress Helen Slater, who created the role of Supergirl, when she was teenager.

Other Award Recipients and VIPs in attendance included Council member Tom LaBonge, Congresswoman Diane E. Watson, Oscar Arslanian (publisher of Discover Hollywood magazine), and George Pennacchio, Entertainment Reporter for ABC-TV.

Kudos to Co-chairs of the evening, Nancy J. Brown (CEO Bethany Towers) and Harvey Schwartz (President, 20th Century Props) for helping preserve the grace and glory of historic Hollywood.

Oscar Arslanian, David Carradine, Sally Kellerman, Harvey Schwartz (President 20th Century Props) and Nyla Arslanian, President, Hollywood Arts Council

Entertainment Reporter for ABC-TV, George Pennacchio, with comedian Horatio Sanz (Saturday Night Live)

 

Silent Film Celebration Returning to UCLA featuring Charlie Chaplin’s GOLD RUSH

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's Silent Film Celebration Screening of Charlie Chaplin's 1925 film The Gold Rush will take place this Sunday evening, June 7th, at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles (on the UCLA campus).

Dustin Hoffman is serving as Honorary Chairman of the celebration as well as co-chairmen Hanna Kennedy and Roger L. Mayer, as the comic genius of Charlie Chaplin meets the musical genius of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra during the 20th Annual Silent Film Celebration.  Participates that night will include Leonard Maltin and James Cromwell.

The evening will feature a restored print of Charlie Chaplin's complete 1925 cut of The Gold Rush with the musical score Chaplin composed for the film's 1942 reissue. Written, produced and directed by Charlie Chaplin. Starring Charlie Chaplin with Georgia Hale and Mack Swain. The original music has been restored, adapted, and will be conducted by Timothy Brock and performed live by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

The exquisite sound of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra complements the silent genius of Charlie Chaplin at the 20th Annual Silent Film Celebration. Following the film, the Chamber Orchestra will host a supper party under the stars on the Ahmanson Terrace outside Royce Hall for VIP patrons. Film tickets are $35 and $75. Film tickets including the VIP post-party supper are $300. For more information on the event – www.laco.org/events/108/

The Gold Rush (1925) is the quintessential Chaplin/Little Tramp film, with a balance of slapstick comedy and pantomime, social satire, and emotional and dramatic moments of tenderness. It was Chaplin's own personal favorite film, which showcases the classic Tramp character (referred to as "The Lone Prospector") as a romantic idealist and lone gold prospector at the turn of the century, with his cane, derby, distinctive walk, tight shabby suit, and mustache. 

Charlie Chaplin in GOLD RUSH

Charlie Chaplin and Georgia Hale in GOLD RUSH

Charlie Chaplin