Hollywood Beat

Jewish Film Festival & Tony Awards Viewing Party

The highlight of the recent Jewish Film Festival was when Iddo Netanyahu, brother of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu jetted in from Israel for the Premiere of Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story. This documentary profiles the life of Israel’s most famous military heroes who died during the rescue raid at Entebbe Uganda in 1986.

Many film stars and government officials attended and enjoyed the week- long city wide festival, which was attended by 4,000 film-goers.

We were pleased to attend the Opening Night Festivities for the premiere of Tony Curtis:  Driven to Stardom. As a boy from the streets of the Bronx to the silver screen, Tony Curtis (born Bernie Schwartz) had an extraordinary career.   He was considered the most handsome man in films, but his acting talents were never fully appreciated.  The classic films, Some Like It Hot and The Defiant Ones demonstrate his amazing versatility.

Some of his co-stars and friends were on hand to discuss this complex and multi talent man included actresses Mamie Van Doren, Teressa Russell and his beautiful blonde widow, Jill Vandenburg Curtis, who now resides in Las Vegas.

The Closing Night film, Elliott Gould’s new flick, Dorfman, won the prize for best comedic feature.  Other winners included Through The Eye of the Needle, Remembrance and Wunderkinder.

Kudos to the Executive Director, Hilary Helstein and her hard working committee and volunteers who created this amazing week for our community.

Have to admit, Elliott Gould does get around.  A few nights later ran into him at Bloomingdales (of all places), for a kick-off reception for the annual Tony Awards Gala Viewing Party.  This event, which honors the Actors Fund, will take place on June 10th at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Some of the celebs on hand to promote the event included Erin Murply, Ilene Graf, Channing Chase, George Chakiris (remember him from West Side Story), Donna Mills and the irrepressible Mitzi Gaynor, who is perky and pretty as she was when she starred in South Pacific and Les Girls.

Jason Alexander will receive the Julie Harris Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Tony Award Party, which will be hosted by Scott Bakula.

For info how you can attended this star-studded event, visit their website: www.actorsfund.org .  How great would it be to celebrate the Tony Awards with many Tony winners in attendance!

Wendy Klout, (screen-writer for Dorfman), actor Elliott Gould, Hillary Holstein, Ex Dir of Jewish Film Festival

Actors Ken Davitian & Ed Lauter (The Artist) at L.A. Jewish Film Festival

Iddo Netanyahu, brother of Israeli P.M. with Edward Lozzi, PR Director of Jewish Film Festival