THEATRE MEMORIES CONTINUED
I can't tell you how pleased I am that Andy and John took the time to discuss their favorite theatre memories. In this day of cookie cutter mega plexes (of which, I must admit, I have managed quite a few) I long for the good old days of the local movie palace. In fact, this past weekend my son's baseball team was on a road trip so we ended up seeing "HULK" at a small town theatre. Evening adult ticket price: $4.00!
Incidentally, in response to a mention Andy made in this week's letter column, "Suspiria" played at Twin Bays while I was working there. I only happened to catch it at Seminole Mall because I had been sent there to pick up a print for the theatre and had to wait for it to be broken down. I have two more memories of the Austin Cinema that I forgot to include:
#1. Wanting to get my senior year math requirement out of the way early so I could join Matt as our drama teacher's student assistant, I went to summer school at Jefferson High. I think every day for two weeks Matt would meet me at the Austin when class was over and we would go catch a show or two of "The Deep."
#2. One of my saddest memories. August 28, 1978. Coming out after seeing "Grease" (again) I catch the headline of the Tampa Times: "Jaws star dies."
The story recounted the passing of the great Robert Shaw earlier that day. Ironically, after years of writing fan letters to different agents, etc., when I got home that evening, there was an envelope waiting for me. Inside was an autographed photo of Robert Shaw.
ALL SHELDON, ALL THE TIME
What in the hell is up with Spike Lee? Does he really think that people who watch TNN (formerly The Nashville Network, then The Nation's Network) would confuse SPIKE TV with a Spike Lee retrospective? A judge seems to feel the same as I because he has ordered Lee (real first name: Sheldon) to post a $2.5 million bond to cover any losses that Viacom, who owns the channel, might lose due to this process. Spike, buddy, TNN viewers are used to NASCAR and Toby Keith Videos and "Smokey and the Bandit" marathons. They aren't going to be searching the TV guide looking for the next time "Jungle Fever" is going to run. Now Spike Jones, Jr., the son of the famous bandleader, has joined the party, saying that Lee has no claim to the name anymore then he does. Or Spike Mulligan. Or "Being John Malkovich" director Spike Jonze. Jones is currently working on a film about his father, with the working title of "SPIKE." Jones fears if Lee wins that he would have trouble with his film. Can't wait to see the poster: "A Spike Jones, Jr. Joint!"
MAYBE BURGER KING NEEDS A SPOKESPERSON
Poor Jason Alexander. While earning millions off his "Seinfeld" residuals and drawing raves in the Los Angeles production of "The Producers," he thought he'd make a few bucks and hawk the virtues of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Hawk! Get it? HAWK!!!! Jesus, I kill myself sometimes. Anyway, after viewing a videotape of how chickens are made ready for the fryer that was sent to him by P.E.T.A, he asked the company if there were more humane ways to kill the birds. No need to worry about that, Jason. The colonel just called.................YOU'RE FIRED!
CHEAP AT HALF THE PRICE
Fans of the movie "ROCKY," of which I am one, must be salivating right now. If you recall, in "ROCKY III" the great city of Philadelphia presented Rocky with a bronze statue. It remained on the steps of the art museum for a while then was moved to it's current place at the new sports complex. Well, the sculptor who made the statue has decided to part with his (he made a total of 3). It is now available on Ebay. Starting price: $5 million.
DVD ALERT
I am OVERJOYED to report that August 19th will bring to DVD one of the greatest musicals of all time. Nominated for nine Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director (Bob Fosse) and Actor (Roy Scheider) and winner of three, "ALL THAT JAZZ!" Loosely based on director Fosse's life, the film is a rare combination of music, drama and comedy. Also on that date another musical with many of the same qualities makes it's DVD debut........this years Best Picture Oscar winner, "Chicago." And, for those of you who DON'T believe Steven Spielberg is a hack, August 12 will bring the DVD release of the made for television film, "Duel." Save those pennies!
Well, that's it for now. Have a great week. See ya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2003 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2003 by Nolan B. Canova.
