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The great film producer, Albert S. Ruddy, has died at age 94.
Ruddy won two Oscars decades apart. The second was for Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” in 2005.
But the first one was for “The Godfather” in 1973. Considered the best contemporary film of all time (aside from “Citizen Kane”), “The Godfather” has resonated with audiences for 50 years.
As a testament to the power of that film, Ruddy also produced the excellent TV miniseries, “The Offer,” in 2022, with Miles Teller playing him. It tells the story of the producer overcame many obstacles to get the landmark film made.
Ruddy’s other credits include the two “Cannonball Run” movies — not critical hits, but very big at the box office, as well as “The Longest Yard,” and the TV mini series, “How the West Was Won.”
Ruddy’s death, after a long illness, comes at a poignant moment. Fred Roos, who also worked for him on “The Godfather,” as casting director, died May 18th at age 89. “The Godfather” director, Francis Ford Coppola, is in the middle of trying to sell his new controversial film, “Megalopolis” after a bad run in Cannes.
There’s an excellent full obit for Al in the Hollywood Reporter. I was lucky to meet him a few times thanks to his wife, Wanda McDaniel, who has always been his staunch supporter and perfect mate. Condolences to Wanda and the whole family. We can never thank Al Ruddy enough for his contributions to Hollywood.
You may have heard there’s a new “Knives Out” movie coming in 2025.
Rian Johnson says it’s called “Wake Up Dead Man.” There are no plot details yet for the second Netflix outing and third overall episode starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc. We don’t even know if Hugh Grant is returning as Benoit’s partner.
But we do know that two cast members have been confirmed. Josh O’Connor will play the Hot Guy, Cailee Spaeny will be the Ingenue, or Hot Girl.
Josh won an Emmy for playing Young Prince Charles in “The Crown.” He’s currently heating up a tennis threesome in “Challengers.”
Spaeny won raves as Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla.” She’s a young war photographer with a lot of film in her bag in “Civil War.”
So who’s next? These movies are a publicist’s dream. All the cast announcements make for good items. There will be young people, old people, and a couple of Hollywood veterans we haven’t thought about in a long time.
You know who’d be funny? Daniel Day Lewis. (Not happening.)
I just caught up with two new Broadway shows whose premieres I couldn’t make — there were just too many openings this season!
The first is “Suffs” an original musical from writer-star Shaina Taub, directed by Leigh Silverman. The second is “Uncle Vanya,” an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play at Lincoln Center Theater.
“Vanya” first. Steve Carell stars as the title character. He’s best known from “The Office,” although Carell is a serious actor who’s lodged terrific performances in movies like “Foxcatcher” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” Still, Carell is a comic actor at heart, and he tries to bring the best of his experience to Vanya.
This “Uncle Vanya” is as far from its Russian roots as it could be. Directed by Lila Neugebauer, it feels like it could be in outer space at any given time in history. Maybe this to make it accessible to a new audience, but it’s a mistake. Neugebauer and translator Heidi Schreck have spent so much time trying to reinvent the wheel that the first act is slow and plodding as they have to rebuild the characters from scratch.
The good news is that once the strain of the first act is finished, the second act leaps into action. We’re back on track of the original “Vanya” because otherwise there would be no way to get to the end. Suddenly, Chekhov is back. The pace picks up because the characters know where they’re going. What a relief!
Carell is just fine as Vanya, playing him for laughs and tears. He comes alive in Vanya’s big breakdown moment when the proposal to sell the farm he’s cultivated for decades is threatened. Carell’s dramatic moments are actually more impactful than the comedy.
The breakout stars here are Alfred Molina (who could easily be playing Vanya) as the brother-in-law know it all professor who is entirely self-possessed. Molina is a star who’s taken a secondary role here, which is surprising. But when he gets his spotlight, he makes the most of it.
The other breakout is William Jackson Harper. A theater actor who went over to TV’s “The Good Place” (a show I never liked or understood), Harper has a Tony nomination for this performance. He deserves it. In his scenes with Anika Noni Rose (also excellent), Harper turns the focus of this “Vanya” to his relatively minor character of the lovelorn visiting doctor. After this, film and theater should be looking at him more closely. “Uncle Vanya” is on until June 16th.
“Suffs” might be this year’s Best New Musical. The reason? Aside from the talented cast, the score and book by Shaina Taub — who is also the star — are substantial and memorable. You will walk out singing “Great American Bitch.” One listen to the entire score post-show, and all the songs register as original hits.
“Suffs” has an all female cast as it tells the story of women getting the vote one hundred years ago. I thought it would be stuffy and preachy. It’s anything but. Taub — who’s also collaborating with Elton John on “The Devil Wears Prada” musical — breathes life into every one of her ensemble cast and characters. Tony winner Nikki M. James is startling as Ida B. Wells. The whole group is sensational including Emily Skinner as Alva Belmont, and Grace McLean as Woodrow Wilson (yes, that’s correct). Hannah Cruz makes an impact as gorgeous lawyer and suffragist Inez Mulholland.
Again, I was a little afraid of “Suffs.” Not a show for guys, that sort of thing. Boring, history lesson. What a shock. Just go. There’s nothing better than having a good time and learning something!
The AIDS fundraising group announced on Friday that Thursday’s annual Cannes Eurotrash gathering raised $16 million. In the next sentence, the group stated that it had raised $17 million the previous year.
Realizing what they’d admitted, amFAR then deleted the press release from its site. But the damage was done. Several outlets had already picked it up.
amFAR used to be an important organization in the fight against AIDS. But in its 30th year, plagued by scandals, the party is over. CEO Kevin Robert Frost (so pretentious that he made his name seem like the late famed poet) makes $600,000 a year even if the group’s funds are depleted. The whole staff is living it up.
Demi Moore hosted this year, and was not on the top of her game. She couldn’t get the crowd to settle down or pay attention. Cher performed, bringing her whole production along. Who paid for that? Nick Jonas and Joe Jonas were also flown in, and they sang together.
amFAR used to have a lot of movie stars in its audience, especially those who were in attendance in Cannes. But now it’s just models and crashers and Europeans who’ll pay for tickets just to be near some kind of celebrity. Nearly no one came from the actual Cannes Film Festival this year. The pictures are very revealing.
After a tough weekend, things are worse today at the box office.
“Garfield” the cat movie clawed its way to number 1, bypassing what seems to be the falling-apart “Furiosa” Mad Max movie.
The four day totals for both movies are the lowest in three decades for a Memorial Day weekend. Respectively, they’re at $31 million and $32 million. Things will only go downhill from here.
Even though today is a HOLIDAY, predictions are pretty bad for all movies. The Monday guesstimates are all down from Sunday by 14% to 30%. Isn’t today the day to go to the movies? You have nothing to do!
One of the biggest flops is the Amy Winehouse movie, “Back to Black.” It’s made just $5 million in 11 days after taking in $25 million internationally. “Back to Black” will show up on flights soon.
Bruce Springsteen overdid it, and now he’s paying the price.
Springsteen and the E Street Band have cancelled two more shows — in Prague and Milan — after suddenly postponing Marseille. They say they’ll return to work on June 12th in Madrid. That’s two weeks from now.
The band played a three hour show in Sunderland, England in pouring rain. The next day Springsteen accepted the Ivor Award in London — the first international songwriter to receive the distinction. Sir Paul McCartney inducted him.
At the ceremony, Springsteen’s voice was cracking and sounded scratchy.
Bruce sent himself and his health issues up on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” this past season. He’ll probably get an Emmy nomination for it. But message to Bruce: this is real life! Take care of yourself!
TMZ and other outlets are reporting the tragic death in LA overnight of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor.
Wactor, 37, was shot and killed in downtown LA early in the morning by thieves who were attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car.
Wactor played Brando Corbin on “General Hospital” from 2020-22. His character was killed off despite his popularity in typical ridiculous soap fashion: by a killer using a poison hook.
Several “General Hospital” cast members have died, had health issues, or serious legal issues in the last couple of years.
Many “General Hospital” castmates have been posting to Social Media:
Sofia Mattson, who played his love interest, wrote on Instagram: “My heart is so utterly broken… Johnny was the absolute best. So genuine. So caring. Incredibly hard working and humble. With a huge heart that spread so much kindness and joy. He always made sure everyone around him felt seen, heard and loved. I admire the man he was so much and I’m a better person for having known him.
We shared so many special moments, both on and off screen, and I will forever cherish them deeply in my heart. You will be so incredibly missed Johnny… I’m sure you’re already busy taking care of everyone up there “
Johnny Wactor was not only my tv dad for more than 25 episodes on General Hospital but he was a great human, a kind soul, an inspiration and a one of a kind actor. May your soul rest in peace. Heaven gained an Angel❤️ #generalhospital#ghpic.twitter.com/3EvHAol3TJ
Johnny Wactor was a beautiful, beautiful soul. So talented. As you can see from the promo clip, always up for anything. Funny as all heck. Fit as all hell but also loved ice cream and ate all the junk I did as well.
#JohnnyWactor When the tears slow down, I am literally sick to my stomach at this news. Johnny was one of those rare young men in this business who was kind, unassuming, humble, and always thought about other people. A talented young guy who just wanted to share that talent with… pic.twitter.com/IQVqvhe3nn
Hollywood is mourning the death of Richard M. Sherman one half of the legendary Sherman brothers died today at the age of 95. Richard and his late brother, Robert Sherman wrote songs for classic Disney fare such as “Mary Poppins”, “The Jungle Book,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” and many more. The Disney theme park anthem, “It’s A Small World,” is the most the publicly performed song of all time according to Time.com.
The Shermans (Robert died in 2012 at age 86) wrote an estimated 1,000 songs for 50 movies, including “Lets Get Together” from “The Parent Trap” and songs in “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” “Charlotte’s Web” amongst others. They were responsible for more movie musical songs than anyone in history. The brothers also penned “You’re Sixteen,” a hit for Johnny Burnette and then Ringo Starr.
Richard and Robert were the recipients of multiple awards including the Songwriters Hall of Fame and The National Medal of Honor. Their success was massive but the brothers’ relationship was often troubled. The documentary “The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story” which was produced and directed by their sons Gregory V. Sherman and Jeffrey C. Sherman, tells their story poignantly and beautifully. The brothers were named Disney legends in 1990.
Director and Pixar chief creative officer Pete Doctor said in a statement today, “You don’t get songs like ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ without a genuine love of life, which Richard passed on to everyone lucky enough to be around him,” Even in his 90s, he had more energy and enthusiasm than anyone, and I always left renewed by Richard’s infectious joy for life.”
On a very personal note: I, as well as so many others lucky enough to know him, know how genuinely kind and gracious he was. A true gentleman. About a decade ago I took my brother Aran, who was struggling with cancer, to the Academy to for a screening of “Young Frankenstein” one of his favorite movies. Richard was there. I knew Richard and his equally lovely wife, Elizabeth, and always loved seeing them. Aran was a huge fan of his. I went over to Richard and asked if he could come and meet him, as Aran was frail and needed to sit. Richard came over and not only did he say hello, he sat with him for 20 plus minutes and chatted with him about movies and music. I saw my brother truly happy; a rare moment at a tough time for him. He passed away soon after, but I never forgot it and thanked him repeatedly through the years since then.
As the songwriter Diane Warren wrote today, “Richard sadly left us today, but his songs never will. Today, it’s a sad world after all.” Richard Sherman is irreplaceable. The Sherman Brothers’ timeless songs will live forever.
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wrote an estimated 1,000 songs for 50 movies, including “Lets Get Together” from “The Parent Trap” and songs in “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” “Charlotte’s Web” amongst others. They were responsible for more movie musical songs, “It’s A Small World than anyone in history. Richard also penned “You’re Sixteen” a hit for Ringo Starr.
Richard and Robert were the recipients of multiple awards including the Songwriters Hall of Fame and The National Medal of Honor. Their success was massive but the brother’s relationship was often troubled. The documentary “The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story” which was produced and directed by their sons Gregory V. Sherman and Jeffrey C. Sherman, tells their story poignantly and beautifully. The brothers were named Disney legends in 1990.
Director and Pixar chief creative officer Pete Doctor said in a statement today, “You don’t get songs like ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ without a genuine love of life, which Richard passed on to everyone lucky enough to be around him,” Even in his 90s, he had more energy and enthusiasm than anyone, and I always left renewed by Richard’s infectious joy for life.”
I, as well as so many others lucky enough to know him, know how genuinely kind and gracious he was. A true gentleman. About a decade ago I took my brother Aran, who was struggling with cancer, to the Academy to for a screening of “Young Frankenstein” one of his favorite movies. Richard was there. I knew Richard and his equally lovely wife Elizabeth and always loved seeing them. Aran was a huge fan of his. I went over to Richard and asked if he could come and meet him, as Aran was frail and needed to sit. Richard came over and not only did he say hello, he sat with him for 20 plus minutes and chatted with him about movies and music. I saw my brother truly happy; a rare moment at a tough time for him. He passed away soon after, but I never forgot it and thanked him repeatedly through the years since then. As the songwriter Diane Warren wrote today, “Richard sadly left us today, but his songs never will. Today, it’s a sad world after all.” Richard Sherman; you are irreplaceable. The Sherman Brothers timeless songs will live forever.
