On this Day in Movie History, May 21, 1945: Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart Marry

It was on this day, May 21, 1945, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart were married. Legend has it that the couple fell in love in 1943 during making of the film, “To Have and Have Not”.

Their wedding and honeymoon took place at Malabar Farm, Lucas, Ohio. It was the country home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield, a close friend of Bogart. The wedding was held in the Big House. Bacall was 20 and Bogart was 45. They remained married until Bogart’s death from esophageal cancer in 1957.

Bogart usually called Bacall “Baby,” even when referring to her in conversations with other people. During the filming of The African Queen (1951), Bacall and Bogart became friends of Bogart’s co-star Katharine Hepburn and her partner Spencer Tracy.

Theirs would become one of Hollywood’s most enduring marriages.

 

On this Day in Movie History, May 18, 1897: Academy Award-winning Director Frank Capra Born

Sicilian-born American film director, Frank Robert Capra was born on this day, May 18, 1897. A creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s, his rags-to-riches story, having worked his way through college, has led film historians like Ian Freer to consider Capra the “American dream personified.”

Capra became one of America’s most powerful directors during the 1930s, winning three Oscars as Best Director. Among his leading films was It Happened One Night (1934), which became the first film to win all five top Oscars, including Best Picture. Other leading films included Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Lost Horizon (1937), You Can’t Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and State of the Union (1948). Because of his early fame as a director, his name was listed “above the title” of his films when they were publicized. People “flocked to the theaters” during the 1930s and 1940s to see films directed by Frank Capra.

After World War II, however, Capra’s career declined as his subjects were more out of tune with the mood of audiences. Critics described his films as being “simplistic” or “overly idealistic.” However, the public nonetheless loved his films, especially during the Great Depression years, when audiences needed uplifting themes of inspiration. His pictures let viewers witness “a triumph of the individual over corrupt leaders”, and experience “inherent qualities of kindness and caring for others.”

Most of Frank Capra’s best works have been revived, and are today considered timeless fables filled with love and respect for the struggles of the common man.

Are you a Michigan resident engaged in some aspect of Michigan’s film industry, whether a filmmaker, an actor/actress, or musician with credits in creating musical scores for Michigan movies, other? If so, write me. I would like to include your name, birthdate and credits on this blog. I can then link it to your facebook profile, IMDB page, or personal website.

 

On this Day in Movie History, May 17, 1936: Actor Dennis Hopper Was Born

It was on this day, May 17, 1936, American actor, filmmaker and artist, Dennis Lee Hopper was born. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors Studio. Making his first television appearance in 1954, he appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956) During the next 10 years, Hopper appeared frequently on television in guest roles, and by the end of the 1960s had played supporting roles in several films.

In 1969 he directed and starred in Easy Rider, winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as co-writer. Journalist Ann Hornaday wrote: “With its portrait of counterculture heroes raising their middle fingers to the uptight middle-class hypocrisies, Easy Rider became the cinematic symbol of the 1960s, a celluloid anthem to freedom, macho bravado and anti-establishment rebellion.” Film critic Matthew Hays notes that “no other persona better signifies the lost idealism of the 1960s than that of Dennis Hopper.”

He was unable to build on his success for several years, until a featured role, that of the American Photojournalist, in Apocalypse Now (1979) he played brought him attention. He subsequently appeared in Rumble Fish (1983) and The Osterman Weekend (1983), and received critical recognition for his work in Blue Velvet and Hoosiers, with the latter film garnering him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He directed Colors (1988), played the lead character named after the movie title in Paris Trout, and played the villain in Speed (1994). He played another villain, King Koopa, in Super Mario Bros. (1993). Hopper also played heroes, such as John Canyon in Space Truckers. Hopper’s later work included a leading role in the television series Crash. Hopper’s last performance was filmed just before his death: The Last Film Festival, originally slated for a 2011 release. Hopper was also a prolific and acclaimed photographer, a profession he began in the 1960s.

Hopper died at his home in the coastal Los Angeles district of Venice on the morning of May 29, 2010 at the age of 74.

Are you a Michigan resident engaged in some aspect of Michigan’s film industry, whether a filmmaker, an actor/actress, or musician with credits in creating musical scores for Michigan movies, other? If so, write me. I would like to include your name, birthdate and credits on this blog. I can then link it to your facebook profile, IMDB page, or personal website.

 

Join Us for Our Salute to Military Members, May 26

Be our guest. Join us May 26, as the South-Central Michigan Film Alliance presents their Salute to the Military Members. This FREE! Sunday matinee will feature four short films, a documentary, and special guests. Includes:

FUBAR REDUX (Animated short, HasrafFX< 8:30minutes) Described as Platoon meets Animal Farm, this cinematic tour de force has been screened at Cannes, FMX 2012 and numerous other festivals worldwide.

THE JOCKSTRAP RAIDERS (Animated short, Mark Nelson, 18:55 minutes) A Student Academy Award winning animated short film about a group of misfits during world war I who must learn to become a team and overcome their deficiencies in order to save the world. This film has won numerous awards.

HOOLIGANS of WAR (documentary, Tyler Elliott, 67 minutes) Hooligans At War is a rare and unique look inside the everyday lives of soldiers fighting a war of counter insurgency.

DOG TAG (Narrated short, Mark Finnell, 32 minutes) explores the effects of America’s longest war within a middle class, mid-western family, and reveals both the regret and love of a father and his son.

Director and Co-Producer, Tina Gloss-Finnell will introduce this film and will be available afterwards for a meet and greet.

Local favorite Rusty Whedon will close this program with his hit Hey, Uncle Sam. Meet Rusty in person.

Again this event is FREE!

Here’s some information on Tina Gloss-Finnell

Tina Gloss-Finnell has emailed me. Although Mark will not be able to attend this event (he will be out of town shooting a documentary), Tina has confirmed that she will be present for our Salute. Tina appears in the film Dog Tag. She also has an impressive resume. You may recognize her from her various roles.

Television
Pushing Daisies – Recurring/Ned’s Mother – ABC/Barry Sonnenfeld
Talk Show w/ Spike Feresten – Co-Star – Fox/Peter Folks
Generation Gap – Lead – Kushner Productions
Whitebread TV – Co-Star – Blind Justice Prods.
The Fine Art of TV – Co-Star – WNPB Prods.

Film (Selected)
Restoration Dogs – Lead – The Silver Stage
Still Me – Lead – Brookwood Films
Blind – Lead – Heroic Bloodshed Films
Smokey J and the Keys – Lead – Monkeyporn Pictures
Meet the Neighbor – Lead – Group 101 Films
Ed (Ted) – Co-Star – Shadow Boxing Prods.

Commercial
Available Upon Request

Stage (Selected/LA Only)
Song of St. Tess – Eva – Secret Rose Theater
Rumors – Chris Gorman – Theatre Forty
Heart of a Dog – Vyazemskaya – Elephant Stageworks
Jack Cracker – Perdie – Lucid by Proxy
Lysistrata, DC – Cleo – Electric Lodge
Cotillion – Mae Belle – Lucid by Proxy
Macbeth – Lennox – Knightsbridge Theater
Spinelli (world premiere) – Katharine Hepburn – Long Beach Playhouse
Powder Puff Derby (SR) – Amelia Earhart – Museum of Flying
The Stairwell (SR) – Mary – Creative Center
Bad Girls Revisited – Lady Macbeth – Raven Playhouse
Life’s Little Transitions – Subway – Sweet Lies Theater

Again, this event is FREE!

 

On this Day in Movie History, May 16, 1929: First Academy Awards Were Presented

The first Academy Awards were presented on this night, May 16, 1929. Hosted by Douglas Fairbanks and William C. de Mille, this first awards ceremony of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. It attracted an audience of 200 people.

Janet Gaynor was named Best Actress for her performance in “Seventh Heaven”, which also won the Best Director/Dramatic Picture for Frank Borzage, and the Best Writing/Adaptation for Benjamin Glazer. Lewis Milestone was named Best Director/Comedy Picture for “Two Arabian Knights”. Emil Jannings received two Best Actor awards, one for the 1927 flick,”The Way of All Flesh”, the other for “The Last Command” (1928) and “Wings” was selected as Best Film Production. A second Best Film award was presented to “Sunrise” for Unique and Artistic Production. It also won for Best Cinematography (Charles Rosher and Karl Struss). Other countries honor their film industry each year, too.

The statuette we know so well as Oscar was not included in this first presentation for films made in 1927-1928. Oscar didn’t make an appearance until 1931.

Are you a Michigan resident engaged in some aspect of Michigan’s film industry, whether a filmmaker, an actor/actress, or musician with credits in creating musical scores for Michigan movies, other? If so, write me. I would like to include your name, birthdate and credits on this blog. I can then link it to your facebook profile, IMDB page, or personal website.

 

On this Day in Movie History, May 15, 1905: Joseph (Cheshire) Cotten Born

American film, stage and television actor Joseph Cheshire Cotten was born on this day, May 15, 1905 (D. February 6, 1994). Cotten achieved prominence on Broadway, starring in the original stage productions of The Philadelphia Story and Sabrina Fair. He first gained worldwide fame in the Orson Welles films Citizen Kane (1941), The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), and Journey into Fear (1943), for which Cotten was also credited with the screenplay.

He went on to star in such popular films as Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Duel in the Sun (which remains one of the top 100 highest grossing films of all time when adjusted for inflation), Love Letters (1945), Portrait of Jennie (1948) and The Third Man (1949).

Are you a Michigan resident engaged in some aspect of Michigan’s film industry, whether a filmmaker, an actor/actress, or musician with credits in creating musical scores for Michigan movies, other? If so, write me. I would like to include your name, birthdate and credits on this blog. I can then link it to your facebook profile, IMDB page, or personal website.

 

On this Day in Movie History, May 14, 1951: Director Robert Zemeckis Was Born

American film director, producer and screenwriter, Robert L. Zemeckis was born on this date, May 14, 1951. Zemeckis first came to public attention in the 1980s as the director of the comedic time-travel Back to the Future film series, as well as the Academy Award-winning live-action/animation epic Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), though in the 1990s he diversified into more dramatic fare, including 1994′s Forrest Gump, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Director.

His films are characterized by an interest in state-of-the-art special effects, including the early use of match moving in Back to the Future Part II (1989) and the pioneering performance capture techniques seen in The Polar Express (2004), Beowulf (2007) and A Christmas Carol (2009).

Though Zemeckis has often been pigeonholed as a director interested only in effects, his work has been defended by several critics, including David Thomson, who wrote that “No other contemporary director has used special effects to more dramatic and narrative purpose.”

Are you a Michigan resident engaged in some aspect of Michigan’s film industry, whether a filmmaker, an actor/actress, or musician with credits in creating musical scores for Michigan movies, other? If so, write me. I would like to include your name, birthdate and credits on this blog. I can then link it to your facebook profile, IMDB page, or personal website.

 

On this Day in Movie History, May 13, 1925: Director Herbert Ross Born

It was on this date, May 13, 1925 American film director, producer, choreographer and actor, Herbert Ross was born (D October 9, 2001).

His first film assignment was as uncredited choreographer on Carmen Jones in 1954. He choreographed the dance numbers for the Cliff Richard films The Young Ones (1961) and Summer Holiday (1963). In 1968, Ross worked with Barbra Streisand as choreographer and director of musical numbers for the film Funny Girl. In 1975, Ross worked on the film adaptation of the Neil Simon play The Sunshine Boys, the first of several Simon play adaptations he directed. Two years later, he helmed the ballet-oriented drama The Turning Point, for which he won the Golden Globe and Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards for Best Director. He also earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Director, and earned another nomination for co-producing the film.

Are you a Michigan resident engaged in some aspect of film production, a film actor/actress, a musician with credits for creating film scores, other? Write us. We would like to include your name, birthdate, and credits on this site.

 

On this Day, May 11, 1927: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Founded

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded on this day, May 11, 1927. A professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures, the Academy is composed of almost 6,000 motion picture professionals. While the great majority of its members are based in the United States, membership is open to qualified filmmakers around the world.

The Academy is known around the world for its annual Academy Awards, informally known as the “Oscars”. In addition, the Academy gives Student Academy Awards annually to filmmakers at the undergraduate and graduate level; awards up to five Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting annually; and operates the Margaret Herrick Library (at the Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study) in Beverly Hills, California and the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

The Academy’s corporate management and general policies are overseen by a Board of Governors, which includes representatives from each of the craft branches. The current president of the Academy is Hawk Kochalthough the first Oscars were not presented for several years after its founding,

 

On this Day in Movie History, May 10, 1902: David O. (Oliver) Selznick Was Born

American film producer, David O. Selznick (D June 22, 1965) was born on this day, May 10, 1902. Best known for having produced Gone with the Wind (1939) and Rebecca (1940), and The Third Man (1949), both the former earning him an Oscar for Best Picture, Rebecca was the first Hollywood production for British director Alfred Hitchcock. Selznick had brought Hitchcock over from England, launching the director’s American career. Rebecca was Hitchcock’s only film to win Best Picture.