James Rado, who along with his friend and writing partner Gerome Ragni created Broadway’s seminal Age of Aquarius musical Hair, died peacefully Tuesday evening of cardio respiratory arrest in New York City, surrounded by family. He was 90.
His death was announced by his longtime friend, publicist Merle Frimark.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Rado and Ragni, who died in 1991, wrote the book and lyrics to the landmark musical (full title: Hair – The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical), with music composed by Galt MacDermot, who died in 2018. In addition to its hugely influential insertion of a ’60s counterculture sensibility into Broadway’s mainstream, the musical contributed a score of songs that would become radio hits (often in cover versions) and stage musical standards: “Aquarius,” “Let The Sunshine In,” “Hair,” “Ain’t Got No/I Got Life,” “Good Morning Starshine,” “Easy To Be Hard,” among others.
In addition to co-creating the musical,...
His death was announced by his longtime friend, publicist Merle Frimark.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Rado and Ragni, who died in 1991, wrote the book and lyrics to the landmark musical (full title: Hair – The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical), with music composed by Galt MacDermot, who died in 2018. In addition to its hugely influential insertion of a ’60s counterculture sensibility into Broadway’s mainstream, the musical contributed a score of songs that would become radio hits (often in cover versions) and stage musical standards: “Aquarius,” “Let The Sunshine In,” “Hair,” “Ain’t Got No/I Got Life,” “Good Morning Starshine,” “Easy To Be Hard,” among others.
In addition to co-creating the musical,...
- 6/22/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
“Holmes & Watson??”
By Raymond Benson
In one of the quirkier movies released in the early 1970s, George C. Scott moves through the streets of New York City with his eyes alight with fire, wonder, and confidence as Joanne Woodward follows him into every don’t-do-that situation like a lovesick schoolgirl.
The thing is—Scott plays a judge who has gone, well, a little funny in the head and thinks he’s Sherlock Holmes. Woodward is a psychiatrist who desperately wants to treat him, and her name just happens to be Dr. Watson.
Directed by Anthony Harvey, the movie is based on a play by James Goldman, who also penned the screenplay. Harvey’s previous film was the superb The Lion in Winter (1968), which garnered him an Oscar nomination for directing, along with a Best Picture nod and a trophy for Katharine Hepburn (for Best Actress). Perhaps more significant is that...
By Raymond Benson
In one of the quirkier movies released in the early 1970s, George C. Scott moves through the streets of New York City with his eyes alight with fire, wonder, and confidence as Joanne Woodward follows him into every don’t-do-that situation like a lovesick schoolgirl.
The thing is—Scott plays a judge who has gone, well, a little funny in the head and thinks he’s Sherlock Holmes. Woodward is a psychiatrist who desperately wants to treat him, and her name just happens to be Dr. Watson.
Directed by Anthony Harvey, the movie is based on a play by James Goldman, who also penned the screenplay. Harvey’s previous film was the superb The Lion in Winter (1968), which garnered him an Oscar nomination for directing, along with a Best Picture nod and a trophy for Katharine Hepburn (for Best Actress). Perhaps more significant is that...
- 4/30/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Dominic Cooke to direct, adapt screenplay.
Heyday Films and BBC Films have secured the film rights to Follies, the iconic musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman.
Dominic Cooke (On Chesil Beach) will direct and adapt the screenplay, based on the book by Goldman and with music and lyrics by Sondheim. Cooke directed the acclaimed revival at National Theatre in London in 2017, which starred Imelda Staunton and returned this year.
Follies is famous for musical numbers like Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here, and Losing My Mind and first appeared on Broadway in 1971, when it won seven Tony Awards.
The...
Heyday Films and BBC Films have secured the film rights to Follies, the iconic musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman.
Dominic Cooke (On Chesil Beach) will direct and adapt the screenplay, based on the book by Goldman and with music and lyrics by Sondheim. Cooke directed the acclaimed revival at National Theatre in London in 2017, which starred Imelda Staunton and returned this year.
Follies is famous for musical numbers like Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here, and Losing My Mind and first appeared on Broadway in 1971, when it won seven Tony Awards.
The...
- 11/15/2019
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Dominic Cooke to direct, adapt screenplay.
Heyday Films and BBC Films have secured film rights to Follies, the iconic musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman.
Dominic Cooke (On Chesil Beach) will direct and adapt the screenplay, based on the book by Goldman and with music and lyrics by Sondheim. Cooke directed the acclaimed revival at National Theatre in London in 2017, which starred Imelda Staunton and returned this year.
Follies is famous for musical numbers like Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here, and Losing My Mind and first appeared on Broadway in 1971, when it won seven Tony Awards.
The story...
Heyday Films and BBC Films have secured film rights to Follies, the iconic musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman.
Dominic Cooke (On Chesil Beach) will direct and adapt the screenplay, based on the book by Goldman and with music and lyrics by Sondheim. Cooke directed the acclaimed revival at National Theatre in London in 2017, which starred Imelda Staunton and returned this year.
Follies is famous for musical numbers like Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here, and Losing My Mind and first appeared on Broadway in 1971, when it won seven Tony Awards.
The story...
- 11/15/2019
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Follies, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical, is being adapted into a feature film by On Chesil Beach filmmaker Dominic Cooke.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and Marriage Story producer David Heyman is overseeing the project with Rosie Alison at their banner Heyday Films. Rose Garnett of BBC Films is executive producer.
Four-time Olivier Award-winner Cooke will adapt the screenplay and direct the feature. He previously helmed the 2017 stage revival of Follies at the National Theatre in London, which returned in 2019 due to popular demand.
Based on the book by James Goldman, and with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Follies first ran in 1971. It features the songs Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here and Losing My Mind. Set in a Broadway theater scheduled for demolition, the story follows a reunion of former performers in the crumbling building.
“Over the years, there have been many attempts to bring Follies to the screen,...
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and Marriage Story producer David Heyman is overseeing the project with Rosie Alison at their banner Heyday Films. Rose Garnett of BBC Films is executive producer.
Four-time Olivier Award-winner Cooke will adapt the screenplay and direct the feature. He previously helmed the 2017 stage revival of Follies at the National Theatre in London, which returned in 2019 due to popular demand.
Based on the book by James Goldman, and with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Follies first ran in 1971. It features the songs Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here and Losing My Mind. Set in a Broadway theater scheduled for demolition, the story follows a reunion of former performers in the crumbling building.
“Over the years, there have been many attempts to bring Follies to the screen,...
- 11/15/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Dominic Cooke is set to do a movie version of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies after Heyday Films and BBC Films secured the film rights to the Broadway musical.
The On Chesil Beach director will adapt the dark musical after helming a hit revival of Follies at the National Theatre in London in 2017, with Imelda Staunton and Janie Dee starring. That acclaimed production returned this year in an encore engagement.
Movie versions of Follies have been on the drawing board before, but none ever got a green light. "Over the years, there have been many attempts to bring Follies to the ...
The On Chesil Beach director will adapt the dark musical after helming a hit revival of Follies at the National Theatre in London in 2017, with Imelda Staunton and Janie Dee starring. That acclaimed production returned this year in an encore engagement.
Movie versions of Follies have been on the drawing board before, but none ever got a green light. "Over the years, there have been many attempts to bring Follies to the ...
- 11/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dominic Cooke is set to do a movie version of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies after Heyday Films and BBC Films secured the film rights to the Broadway musical.
The On Chesil Beach director will adapt the dark musical after helming a hit revival of Follies at the National Theatre in London in 2017, with Imelda Staunton and Janie Dee starring. That acclaimed production returned this year in an encore engagement.
Movie versions of Follies have been on the drawing board before, but none ever got a green light. "Over the years, there have been many attempts to bring Follies to the ...
The On Chesil Beach director will adapt the dark musical after helming a hit revival of Follies at the National Theatre in London in 2017, with Imelda Staunton and Janie Dee starring. That acclaimed production returned this year in an encore engagement.
Movie versions of Follies have been on the drawing board before, but none ever got a green light. "Over the years, there have been many attempts to bring Follies to the ...
- 11/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Fifty years after the release of low-budget rebel odyssey “Easy Rider,” which pushed Hollywood into the ’70s and shook the foundations of Hollywood, writer-director-actor Peter Fonda has died of respiratory failure from lung cancer. The son of Hollywood star Henry Fonda and New York socialite Frances Seymour Brokaw was born 79 years ago in New York City. He is survived by his older sister, actress Jane Fonda, and his daughter, actress Bridget Fonda.
In a statement to People magazine, the family said Fonda “passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 16 at 11:05am at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family …In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
Said Jane Fonda: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
Fonda made a splash with his...
In a statement to People magazine, the family said Fonda “passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 16 at 11:05am at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family …In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
Said Jane Fonda: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
Fonda made a splash with his...
- 8/17/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Fifty years after the release of low-budget rebel odyssey “Easy Rider,” which pushed Hollywood into the ’70s and shook the foundations of Hollywood, writer-director-actor Peter Fonda has died of respiratory failure from lung cancer. The son of Hollywood star Henry Fonda and New York socialite Frances Seymour Brokaw was born 79 years ago in New York City. He is survived by his older sister, actress Jane Fonda, and his daughter, actress Bridget Fonda.
In a statement to People magazine, the family said Fonda “passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 16 at 11:05am at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family …In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
Said Jane Fonda: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
Fonda made a splash with his...
In a statement to People magazine, the family said Fonda “passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 16 at 11:05am at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family …In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
Said Jane Fonda: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
Fonda made a splash with his...
- 8/17/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
At this weekend’s Critics’ Choice Awards, there was a shocking tie for Best Actress between Lady Gaga (“A Star is Born”) and Glenn Close (“The Wife”). For many awards pundits, this felt reminiscent of the 1968 Oscars when Katharine Hepburn (“The Lion in Winter”) and Barbra Streisand (“Funny Girl”) tied for Best Actress. As this year actually marks the 50th anniversary of that infamous tie, might the current Oscar race for Best Actress end in a similar result?
SEEOscar sisters? It’s looking more and more likely that Glenn Close and Lady Gaga will Both win Academy Awards
Going into the 1968 Oscars, Hepburn was a respected veteran who at that point had already received 10 nominations from the academy and two wins for 1933’s “Morning Glory” and 1967’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Meanwhile, Streisand was a newcomer to Hollywood when she made her motion picture debut by reprising her...
SEEOscar sisters? It’s looking more and more likely that Glenn Close and Lady Gaga will Both win Academy Awards
Going into the 1968 Oscars, Hepburn was a respected veteran who at that point had already received 10 nominations from the academy and two wins for 1933’s “Morning Glory” and 1967’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Meanwhile, Streisand was a newcomer to Hollywood when she made her motion picture debut by reprising her...
- 1/17/2019
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
This article marks Part 2 of the Gold Derby series reflecting on Horror Films at the Oscars. Join us as we look back at the spine-tingling movies that earned Academy Awards nominations, including the following films from the 1960s and 1970s.
Alfred Hitchcock‘s “Psycho” (1960) was met with enormous critical and commercial success upon release emerging the second-highest grossing film of the year, just behind Stanley Kubrick‘s “Spartacus.” Alas, the film was also greeted to a somewhat cool reception at the Oscars. “Psycho” did muster four nominations, in Best Director (Hitchcock’s fifth and final career bid), Best Supporting Actress (Janet Leigh), Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. Notably absent was Anthony Perkins, unforgettable as Norman Bates. Leigh, who won the Golden Globe for her performance, was ultimately defeated by Shirley Jones (“Elmer Gantry”). The film also failed to win on any of its other three nominations.
The following year,...
Alfred Hitchcock‘s “Psycho” (1960) was met with enormous critical and commercial success upon release emerging the second-highest grossing film of the year, just behind Stanley Kubrick‘s “Spartacus.” Alas, the film was also greeted to a somewhat cool reception at the Oscars. “Psycho” did muster four nominations, in Best Director (Hitchcock’s fifth and final career bid), Best Supporting Actress (Janet Leigh), Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. Notably absent was Anthony Perkins, unforgettable as Norman Bates. Leigh, who won the Golden Globe for her performance, was ultimately defeated by Shirley Jones (“Elmer Gantry”). The film also failed to win on any of its other three nominations.
The following year,...
- 10/22/2018
- by Andrew Carden
- Gold Derby
This article marks Part 3 of the Gold Derby series reflecting on films that contended for the Big Five Oscars – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted). With “A Star Is Born” this year on the cusp of joining this exclusive group of Oscar favorites, join us as we look back at the 43 extraordinary pictures that earned Academy Awards nominations in each of the Big Five categories, including the following 11 films that scored a pair of prizes among the top races.
At the 4th Academy Awards ceremony, “Cimarron” (1931) made Oscar history as the first motion picture to ever score nominations in the Big Five categories. On the big night, the western took home the top prize in Best Picture, as well as the Oscar in Best Adapted Screenplay (Howard Estabrook). Not as successful were the picture’s director, Wesley Ruggles, topped by Norman Taurog (“Skippy”), and the leads,...
At the 4th Academy Awards ceremony, “Cimarron” (1931) made Oscar history as the first motion picture to ever score nominations in the Big Five categories. On the big night, the western took home the top prize in Best Picture, as well as the Oscar in Best Adapted Screenplay (Howard Estabrook). Not as successful were the picture’s director, Wesley Ruggles, topped by Norman Taurog (“Skippy”), and the leads,...
- 10/11/2018
- by Andrew Carden
- Gold Derby
“What Family Doesn’T Have Its Ups And Downs?”
By Raymond Benson
One of the gems of 1968 was The Lion in Winter, a multi-nominee for the Oscars (including Best Picture and Director), and one of the better period costume dramas that seemed to be so popular in the 60s. Capitalizing on the success of Becket and A Man for All Seasons, Winter is based on a stage play by James Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay and won an Oscar for it.
While the picture is a handsome production, its primary asset is the acting. What a cast, and what performances! Katharine Hepburn, as Eleanor of Aquitaine, picked up the Best Actress trophy (although that year there was a tie—she shared the award with Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl). Peter O’Toole stars as Henry II for the second time, and received a nomination for Best Actor. For my money,...
By Raymond Benson
One of the gems of 1968 was The Lion in Winter, a multi-nominee for the Oscars (including Best Picture and Director), and one of the better period costume dramas that seemed to be so popular in the 60s. Capitalizing on the success of Becket and A Man for All Seasons, Winter is based on a stage play by James Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay and won an Oscar for it.
While the picture is a handsome production, its primary asset is the acting. What a cast, and what performances! Katharine Hepburn, as Eleanor of Aquitaine, picked up the Best Actress trophy (although that year there was a tie—she shared the award with Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl). Peter O’Toole stars as Henry II for the second time, and received a nomination for Best Actor. For my money,...
- 4/15/2018
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Theatre has a long memory. Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's 1971 musical has been through myriad incarnations, donning and shedding numbers, an interval, an ill-conceived upbeat ending, and yet the original vision has lingered. It comes to extraordinary life in a blockbuster National Theatre revival that proves Follies isn't just still here - it's thrilling, heartrending and utterly vital.
- 9/7/2017
- by Marianka Swain
- BroadwayWorld.com
James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's classic musical Follies, which begins at the National Theatre in August, will be broadcast live to cinemas across the Us and internationally on Thursday, November 16th as part of National Theatre Live. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in character below...
- 7/17/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Nearly fifty years since its initial theatrical release, Christmas will be coming early as Anthony Harvey‘s acclaimed drama The Lion in Winter will be returning to theaters. Starring Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, and Timothy Dalton, the period drama has undergone a 4K restoration thanks to StudioCanal and now we have a new trailer.
Winner of three Academy Awards — Hepburn for Best Actress, James Goldman for Best Screenplay and John Barry for Best Music — the film follows King Henry II in 1183 as he decides who will inherent the throne. A timely restoration considering it occurs during Christmas Court, the trailer certainly highlights that aspect. If you’re not in New York or Los Angeles, one can expect a U.S. home video release (Criterion?) sometime next year.
Check out the trailer below.
The most royal of the cycle of ’60s films dealing with the history and palace intrigues of Tudor England,...
Winner of three Academy Awards — Hepburn for Best Actress, James Goldman for Best Screenplay and John Barry for Best Music — the film follows King Henry II in 1183 as he decides who will inherent the throne. A timely restoration considering it occurs during Christmas Court, the trailer certainly highlights that aspect. If you’re not in New York or Los Angeles, one can expect a U.S. home video release (Criterion?) sometime next year.
Check out the trailer below.
The most royal of the cycle of ’60s films dealing with the history and palace intrigues of Tudor England,...
- 11/23/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Anthony Harvey’s multiple-Oscar-winning “The Lion in Winter,” his lauded adaptation of the play by James Goldman, is coming back to the big screen, thanks to a carefully crafted 4K restoration from Studiocanal and Rialto Pictures.
The dazzling historical drama stars Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn as King Henry II and his Eleanor of Aquitaine, a royal couple on the cusp of bloody ruin and rebellion. The film also boasts the screen debuts of both Anthony Hopkins (as Richard) and Timothy Dalton (as King Philip of France), with stellar turns from John Castle (as Geoffrey) and Nigel Terry (as John) to round out one of the most impressively casted features in Hollywood history.
Read More: ‘Citizen Kane’ Trailer: Orson Welles’ Classic Get Stunning Restoration for Its 75th Anniversary
“The Lion in Winter” is appropriately set during Christmastime — and you thought your family gatherings were messy — and follows the royal...
The dazzling historical drama stars Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn as King Henry II and his Eleanor of Aquitaine, a royal couple on the cusp of bloody ruin and rebellion. The film also boasts the screen debuts of both Anthony Hopkins (as Richard) and Timothy Dalton (as King Philip of France), with stellar turns from John Castle (as Geoffrey) and Nigel Terry (as John) to round out one of the most impressively casted features in Hollywood history.
Read More: ‘Citizen Kane’ Trailer: Orson Welles’ Classic Get Stunning Restoration for Its 75th Anniversary
“The Lion in Winter” is appropriately set during Christmastime — and you thought your family gatherings were messy — and follows the royal...
- 11/22/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
One of the most daring and innovative musicals of all time launches The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' 50th anniversary season. Follies, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Goldman and directed by Rob Ruggiero, opened September 7 and runs through October 2 on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at highlights of the show below...
- 9/9/2016
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
A few years ago, director Bill Condon tried to bring Stephen Sondheim‘s musical “Follies” to the big screen. It was not to be a direct adaptation, but rather what he called a “meta-musical” capturing the behind-the-scenes story of how the show came to be. His script used Sondheim’s songs and James Goldman’s book, but also material from Ted Chapin’s nonfiction account, “Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical ‘Follies.'” Universal Pictures was on board, the money was there, but the widow Goldman said, uh-uh. She had no interest in sharing profit points, among other things,...
- 4/29/2016
- by Robert Hofler
- The Wrap
Today in 1971, Follies opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 522 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the 'Weismann's Follies,' a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including 'Broadway Baby', 'I'm Still Here', 'Too Many Mornings', 'Could I Leave You', and 'Losing My Mind'.
- 4/4/2016
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today in 2011, Follies opened at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 152 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the 'Weismann's Follies,' a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including 'Broadway Baby', 'I'm Still Here', 'Too Many Mornings', 'Could I Leave You', and 'Losing My Mind'.
- 9/12/2015
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
From spoofs to point-and-click adventure games, here are 10 of the most memorable unusual incarnations of Sherlock Holmes...
We don’t know a great deal about the content of the 90-minute Sherlock special set to air later this year, but one thing has emerged from the set photos and tantalising titbits of information we’ve seen so far. Sherlock Holmes and John Watson will be in nineteenth-century garb, pitching them back into the setting of the legendary detective’s original adventures: 1895, to be precise. Why that happens is as yet unclear, but all will be revealed.
For those still craving their Holmes fix in the meantime, the new film Mr. Holmes offers us Ian McKellen’s take on the character, musing upon an old case as he looks back on his long career from the vantage point of retirement. Jonny Lee Miller’s ultra-modern, Us-based Sherlock will be entering his fourth...
We don’t know a great deal about the content of the 90-minute Sherlock special set to air later this year, but one thing has emerged from the set photos and tantalising titbits of information we’ve seen so far. Sherlock Holmes and John Watson will be in nineteenth-century garb, pitching them back into the setting of the legendary detective’s original adventures: 1895, to be precise. Why that happens is as yet unclear, but all will be revealed.
For those still craving their Holmes fix in the meantime, the new film Mr. Holmes offers us Ian McKellen’s take on the character, musing upon an old case as he looks back on his long career from the vantage point of retirement. Jonny Lee Miller’s ultra-modern, Us-based Sherlock will be entering his fourth...
- 6/29/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
'Nicholas and Alexandra': Movie starred Michael Jayston and Janet Suzman 'Nicholas and Alexandra' movie review: Opulent 1971 spectacle lacks emotional core Nicholas and Alexandra is surely one of the most sumptuous film productions ever made. The elaborate sets and costumes, Richard Rodney Bennett's lush musical score, and frequent David Lean collaborator Freddie Young's richly textured cinematography provide the perfect period atmosphere for this historical epic. Missing, however, is a screenplay that offers dialogue instead of speeches, and a directorial hand that brings out emotional truth instead of soapy melodrama. Nicholas and Alexandra begins when, after several unsuccessful attempts, Tsar Nicholas II (Michael Jayston) finally becomes the father of a boy. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife, the German-born Empress Alexandra (Janet Suzman), have their happiness crushed when they discover that their infant son is a hemophiliac. In addition to his familial turmoil, the Tsar must also deal with popular...
- 5/7/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Today in 1971, Follies opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 522 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the 'Weismann's Follies,' a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including 'Broadway Baby', 'I'm Still Here', 'Too Many Mornings', 'Could I Leave You', and 'Losing My Mind'.
- 4/4/2015
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
David Crow Sep 25, 2019
Rob Reiner and William Goldman's The Princess Bride was a perfect fantasy movie back when the genre was in decline.
It’s often discussed how the golden age of mature, adult-oriented fantasy has come about in the last decade or so. Indeed, the genre’s pop culture dominance is as undeniable as The Lord of the Rings winning Oscars, Game of Thrones winning Emmys, and the Harry Potter films just winning all the money that’s on the table.
Yet, with all the scowling severity of today’s digital sorcery, the form’s universal roots of artifice and oral tradition have been as supplanted as Bilbo Baggins’ role in The Hobbit films. In lieu of excessive Orc decapitation and decadent CGI wizard battles, an adolescent mania for the somber has hidden the emotional reason we love these kind of stories: they’re eternal daydreams meant to...
Rob Reiner and William Goldman's The Princess Bride was a perfect fantasy movie back when the genre was in decline.
It’s often discussed how the golden age of mature, adult-oriented fantasy has come about in the last decade or so. Indeed, the genre’s pop culture dominance is as undeniable as The Lord of the Rings winning Oscars, Game of Thrones winning Emmys, and the Harry Potter films just winning all the money that’s on the table.
Yet, with all the scowling severity of today’s digital sorcery, the form’s universal roots of artifice and oral tradition have been as supplanted as Bilbo Baggins’ role in The Hobbit films. In lieu of excessive Orc decapitation and decadent CGI wizard battles, an adolescent mania for the somber has hidden the emotional reason we love these kind of stories: they’re eternal daydreams meant to...
- 1/12/2015
- Den of Geek
David Crow Sep 25, 2018
Rob Reiner and William Goldman's The Princess Bride was a perfect fantasy movie back when the genre was in decline.
It’s often discussed how the golden age of mature, adult-oriented fantasy has come about in the last decade. Indeed, the genre’s pop culture dominance is as undeniable as The Lord of the Rings winning Oscars, Game of Thrones winning Emmys, and the Harry Potter films just winning all the money that’s on the table.
Yet, with all the scowling severity of today’s digital sorcery, the form’s universal roots of artifice and oral tradition have been as supplanted as Bilbo Baggins’ role in The Hobbit films. In lieu of excessive Orc decapitation and decadent CGI wizard battles, an adolescent mania for the somber has hidden the emotional reason we love these kind of stories: they’re eternal daydreams meant to be shared...
Rob Reiner and William Goldman's The Princess Bride was a perfect fantasy movie back when the genre was in decline.
It’s often discussed how the golden age of mature, adult-oriented fantasy has come about in the last decade. Indeed, the genre’s pop culture dominance is as undeniable as The Lord of the Rings winning Oscars, Game of Thrones winning Emmys, and the Harry Potter films just winning all the money that’s on the table.
Yet, with all the scowling severity of today’s digital sorcery, the form’s universal roots of artifice and oral tradition have been as supplanted as Bilbo Baggins’ role in The Hobbit films. In lieu of excessive Orc decapitation and decadent CGI wizard battles, an adolescent mania for the somber has hidden the emotional reason we love these kind of stories: they’re eternal daydreams meant to be shared...
- 1/12/2015
- Den of Geek
Polly Bergen: Actress on Richard Nixon's 'enemies list' (image: Polly Bergen publicity shot ca. late 1950s) (See previous article: "Polly Bergen Movies: First U.S. Woman President.") As discussed in the previous post, despite its deceptively progressive premise — the first United States woman president as a palpable reality — Kisses for My President, written by veteran Paramount screenwriter Claude Binyon (Search for Beauty, The Gilded Lily) and newcomer Robert G. Kane (whose sole other movie credit was the poorly received Arnold Schwarzenegger comedy Western Villain), was an unabashedly reactionary, "traditional family values" effort. Ironically, Polly Bergen, for her part, was a liberal-minded, politically active Democrat. At around the time Kisses for My President was released, Bergen, along with Gregory Peck, James Garner, and other Hollywood personalities, publicly came out against California's Proposition 14, a 1964 ballot initiative that would have nullified the Rumford Fair Housing Act, thus paving the way for...
- 9/22/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Today in 2011, Follies opened at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 152 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the 'Weismann's Follies,' a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including 'Broadway Baby', 'I'm Still Here', 'Too Many Mornings', 'Could I Leave You', and 'Losing My Mind'.
- 9/12/2014
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Episode 36 of 52: In which if there’s only one Katharine Hepburn film you see, make it this one.
When you take Screenwriting 101, your first lesson is the Three Act Story Structure. Act 1: Introduction. Act 2: Conflict. Act 3: Climax (and hopefully Resolution). If I were to so arrange the lives of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, it would roughly look as follows: Act 1: Eleanor and Henry II fall in love. Act 2: Eleanor and Henry fall out of love and into battle. Act 3: The Lion in Winter.
James Goldman’s script starts in media res, with Eleanor of Aquitaine (our own Kate) and Henry II (Peter O’Toole) already at the end of two civil wars and any pretense of civility. Knives are out as everyone prepares to fight at the Christmas court at Chinon. Joining them are their three angry sons--Richard (Anthony Hopkins...
When you take Screenwriting 101, your first lesson is the Three Act Story Structure. Act 1: Introduction. Act 2: Conflict. Act 3: Climax (and hopefully Resolution). If I were to so arrange the lives of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, it would roughly look as follows: Act 1: Eleanor and Henry II fall in love. Act 2: Eleanor and Henry fall out of love and into battle. Act 3: The Lion in Winter.
James Goldman’s script starts in media res, with Eleanor of Aquitaine (our own Kate) and Henry II (Peter O’Toole) already at the end of two civil wars and any pretense of civility. Knives are out as everyone prepares to fight at the Christmas court at Chinon. Joining them are their three angry sons--Richard (Anthony Hopkins...
- 9/3/2014
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Today in 1971, Follies opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 522 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the 'Weismann's Follies,' a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including 'Broadway Baby', 'I'm Still Here', 'Too Many Mornings', 'Could I Leave You', and 'Losing My Mind'.
- 4/4/2014
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Peter O’Toole movies and Best Actor Oscar nominations (photo: young Peter O’Toole in the early ’60s) (See previous post: "Peter O’Toole ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ Actor: Eight-Time Oscar Nominee Dead at 81.") At the 2003 Academy Awards ceremony, Meryl Streep handed Peter O’Toole an Honorary Oscar. That remained O’Toole’s sole Academy Award "victory." In fact, with eight Best Actor Oscar nominations to his credit, Peter O’Toole held — or rather, holds — the Oscars’ record for the most nods in any of the acting categories without a single (competitive) win. He was shortlisted for the following films: ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ "I can’t imagine anyone whom I’m less like than T.E. Lawrence," Peter O’Toole himself admitted, but his characterization in David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia (1962) was widely admired all the same. The movie itself, however historically inaccurate, also received enthusiastic praise, and was perceived as...
- 12/16/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Peter O'Toole, the Hollywood acting great whose work spanned across six decades, has passed away at the age of 81. Born in 1932, O'Toole's early life saw him serve as a newspaper reporter and Royal Navy radioman before making his screen acting debut in a minor role in a 1956 adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Big things have small beginnings, however, and in the years that followed O'Toole built a glittering career that saw him garner eight Oscar nominations and star in an eclectic mix of film, stage and TV productions. Digital Spy takes a look at 5 great film roles from O'Toole's career below...
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
David Lean originally had his eye set on Albert Finney to play Te Lawrence, even going as far as filming elaborate and costly screen tests with him. Finney never took up the part, though, and his loss was O'Toole's gain as the Irish actor bagged the role of a lifetime.
Big things have small beginnings, however, and in the years that followed O'Toole built a glittering career that saw him garner eight Oscar nominations and star in an eclectic mix of film, stage and TV productions. Digital Spy takes a look at 5 great film roles from O'Toole's career below...
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
David Lean originally had his eye set on Albert Finney to play Te Lawrence, even going as far as filming elaborate and costly screen tests with him. Finney never took up the part, though, and his loss was O'Toole's gain as the Irish actor bagged the role of a lifetime.
- 12/15/2013
- Digital Spy
Peter O'Toole, star of Lawrence of Arabia, Venus and many more, has died aged 81. Xan Brooks looks back over his career in clips
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Reading on mobile? Click here to watch the video.
Peter O'Toole's breakthrough role came courtesy of David Lean's astonishing widescreen epic, panning left to right across the desert and casting the 29-year-old as charismatic Te Lawrence. Such was the success of Lawrence of Arabia that it now seems impossible to envisage anyone else in the role. In fact, O'Toole was only drafted in after Albert Finney and Marlon Brando turned it down.
What's New Pussycat?
Reading on mobile? Click here to watch the video.
What's New Pussycat played like a Feydeau farce, gussied up for a modish 1960s and swinging to the rhythm of slamming doors, scampering feet and drunken outbursts. Woody Allen wrote the script and Burt Bacharach penned the song.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Reading on mobile? Click here to watch the video.
Peter O'Toole's breakthrough role came courtesy of David Lean's astonishing widescreen epic, panning left to right across the desert and casting the 29-year-old as charismatic Te Lawrence. Such was the success of Lawrence of Arabia that it now seems impossible to envisage anyone else in the role. In fact, O'Toole was only drafted in after Albert Finney and Marlon Brando turned it down.
What's New Pussycat?
Reading on mobile? Click here to watch the video.
What's New Pussycat played like a Feydeau farce, gussied up for a modish 1960s and swinging to the rhythm of slamming doors, scampering feet and drunken outbursts. Woody Allen wrote the script and Burt Bacharach penned the song.
- 12/15/2013
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
Today in 2011, Follies opened at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 152 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the 'Weismann's Follies,' a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including 'Broadway Baby', 'I'm Still Here', 'Too Many Mornings', 'Could I Leave You', and 'Losing My Mind'.
- 9/12/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today in 1971, Follies opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 522 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the 'Weismann's Follies,' a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including 'Broadway Baby', 'I'm Still Here', 'Too Many Mornings', 'Could I Leave You', and 'Losing My Mind'.
- 4/4/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today we are talking to a notable presence on Broadway and in Hollywood who has appeared in countless celebrated entities - ranging from her Tony Award-winning work in Butterflies Are Free and in the original cast of Harold Pinter's Betrayal on Broadway along with dozens of other credits to starring in feature films like The Prince Of Tides with Barbra Streisand, and, perhaps most famously the Meet The Fockers franchise to her newest star turn to date, that of featured player in the hit original Gershwin revue Nice Work If You Can Get It - the elegant and accomplished Blythe Danner. Discussing various roles in a number of wide-ranging projects that she has taken on over the course of her idiosyncratic career thus far - such as memorable turns in four Woody Allen films Husbands amp Wives, Alice, Crimes amp Misdemeanors and Another Woman and the classic movie musical...
- 2/16/2013
- by Pat Cerasaro
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today in 2011, Follies opened at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 152 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the Weismann's Follies, a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including Broadway Baby, I'm Still Here, Too Many Mornings, Could I Leave You, and Losing My Mind.
- 9/12/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's Follies closes tonight, June 9, at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre after a critically acclaimed run. Nominated for eight Tony Awards, the show has been through quite the journey, beginning at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center in May 2011, then making its transfer to Broadway's Marquis Theatre, where it opened in September of 2011 and ran through January 22, 2012, and finally traveling to L.A. for its May 9, 2012, opening. As a farewell to Follies, BroadwayWorld brings takes you through this journey with photos, video and highlights from all three productions below.
- 6/9/2012
- by BWW Special Coverage
- BroadwayWorld.com
James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Follies, which has been nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened on May 9 at the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. In this special extended feature, BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive look at the complete production highlights...
- 5/29/2012
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Follies, which has been nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened on May 9 at the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies continue through June 9, 2012. Today BroadwayWorld brings you Danny Burstein and Becky Elizabeth Stout's rendition of The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues. Watch the video below...
- 5/26/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the songs of Follies on stage in La in the video below James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened on May 9 at the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies continue through June 9, 2012. Watch the video below...
- 5/18/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened on May 9 at the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. Check out the video below for footage from the production, Follies' opening night red carpet, and interviews with stars Matthew Morrison, Robert Wuhl, Kevin Chamberlin, Angela Bassett, Annie Potts, Elaine Paige, Jan Maxwell, Victoria Clark, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines and Jo Anne Worley...
- 5/15/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened last night, May 9 at the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. In the video below, Tony nominees Jan Maxwell, Ron Raines, and Danny Burstein chat about the production. Click below to check it out...
- 5/10/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
"Follies" and "Death Takes a Holiday" received the most nominations for the 57th annual Drama Desk Awards, which were announced by Broadway stars Donna Murphy and Brian d'Arcy James at a press conference at Feinstein's at Loews Regency on Friday. Both performers are previous Drama Desk winners. Murphy will be featured in a revival of "Into the Woods" at the Delacorte Theatre this summer and d'Arcy James is currently starring on NBC's "Smash." Unlike the Tony Awards, the Drama Desks consider productions from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway equally in each of its multiple categories. "Follies," the hit revival of the 1971 Stephen Sondheim-James Goldman musical about a reunion of showgirls which will soon open in Los Angeles, and "Death Takes a Holiday," a Roundabout Theatre Company production which played Off-Broadway last summer, received 10 nominations each.The Drama Desk is an organization of New York-based theater writers, critics, and editors.
- 4/27/2012
- by help@backstage.com (David Sheward)
- backstage.com
Veteran movie and TV producer Martin Poll died between Friday night and early Saturday morning of natural causes at a care facility on the Upper Westside in New York City. He was 89. Poll was nominated for an Academy Award as producer for Best Picture of 1968 for The Lion In Winter, which won three Oscars — Best Actress Katharine Hepburn (tied with Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl), Best Original Score for John Barry and Best Adapted Screenplay for James Goldman — out of seven nominations. He began his career in Europe where he served as a co-producer on feature films and produced more than three dozen half-hour episodes of the classic Flash Gordon TV series in Germany and France for international release. After moving to New York City, Poll bought and reopened the famed Biograph Studio and rechristened it Gold Medal Studios. Productions during his time at Gold Medal included Elia Kazan’s A Face In The Crowd,...
- 4/16/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Today in 1971, Follies opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 522 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the Weismann's Follies, a musical revue based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including Broadway Baby, I'm Still Here, Too Many Mornings, Could I Leave You, and Losing My Mind.
- 4/4/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Coming to the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre direct from Broadway for six weeks only, the Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Follies, has now completed casting. Follies stars four-time Tony Award nominee Jan Maxwell as Phyllis Rogers Stone, Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, two-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein as Buddy Plummer, three-time Emmy Award nominee Ron Raines as Benjamin Stone and Olivier Award winner Elaine Paige as Carlotta Campion. Maxwell, Burstein, Raines and Paige are all returning to the roles they originated on Broadway.
- 2/23/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Coming to the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre direct from Broadway for six weeks only, the Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Follies, has now completed casting. Follies stars four-time Tony Award nominee Jan Maxwell as Phyllis Rogers Stone, Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, two-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein as Buddy Plummer, three-time Emmy Award nominee Ron Raines as Benjamin Stone and Olivier Award winner Elaine Paige as Carlotta Campion. Maxwell, Burstein, Raines and Paige are all returning to the roles they originated on Broadway.
- 2/23/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Tony Award-winning musical Follies will transfer to the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for six weeks, and as BroadwayWorld reported last month, Bernadette Peters will not continue on with the rest of the cast for the transfer of the production. Now we have confirmed that Tony winner Victoria Clark will take over the role of Sally in her place. Also now officially confirmed to transfer with the production are co-stars Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines and Elaine Paige.
- 1/11/2012
- by BWW
- BroadwayWorld.com
The critically acclaimed Kennedy Center revival of Follies, book by James Goldman and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, begins its final 16 performances tonight at the Marquis Theatre 1535 Broadway. The production, directed by Eric Schaeffer with choreography by Warren Carlyle and music direction by James Moore, will play its final performance on Sunday, January 22 prior to an engagement at the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for six weeks only, May 3 through June 9, 2012.
- 1/10/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
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