Speaking Of Hollywood...

Anchor Bay Aquires The Victim

2012-01-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

Anchor Bay Acquires Michael Biehn's THE VICTIM For North America

Awesome news today! Michael Biehn's THE VICTIM starring Michael himself...his other half Jennifer Blanc, Danielle Harris, Ryan Honey, Denny Kirkwood and Tanya Newbould has been aquired by ANCHOR BAY for North America.. in a 6 figure deal..USA and CANADA......The deal was brokered by Kevin Iwashina and Christine De Sousa of Preferred Content ...also owned by Ross Dinerstein the producer of The Divide. The Victim was originally packaged together by agent David Ankrum of SCAW.

The film was written and directed by Michael Biehn and is his directorial debut. This fun exploitation film was executive produced by Brock Morse , Morgan Johnson and Ryan Honey of The Mud Show and Produced by Jennifer Blanc-Biehn ,Lorna Paul and Travis Romero of Blanc/Biehn Productions. ......Hogan Entertainment is handling the college run .........also in association with Pegasus Entertainment.................Steve Mena (Bereavement) and Vincent Butta (Bereavement) of Crimson Films with be handling the release in theaters.

STAR WARS 35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2012

2011-11-29T12:45:00.001-08:00

2012 WILL MARK THE 35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF STAR WARS! FOR ANY FANS OUT THERE, I WILL BE OFFERING AN AUTOGRAPHED COLLECTOR'S PHOTO. CHECKOUT MY WEBSITE AT WWW.WEDGESPEAKS.COM

THREE MUSKET TEARS

2011-11-22T10:59:00.001-08:00

TOUCANS

2011-11-22T10:35:00.001-08:00

PIPE DREAM

2011-11-21T17:50:00.001-08:00

DON MOST CAST IN GLEE

2011-10-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

MY CLIENT DON MOST WAS CAST IN GLEE.

Glee has cast Don Most and Valerie Mahaffey to play Rusty and Rose Pillsbury, the parents of guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays), TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

It's clear now where our favorite obsessive-compulsive ginge may have gotten her red hair. Most is best known for playing the redheaded jokester Ralph Malph on Happy Days. Mahaffey has received an Emmy nomination for her supporting role as Eve on Northern Exposure and has a history of playing seemingly normal but rather intense (read: crazy) redheaded ladies, such as the Orson-loving Alma Hodge on Desperate Housewives. Hmm, "intense" could be a trait in the Pillsbury DNA.

FEDERAL THEATER PROJECT

2011-10-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

…As an extension of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, the Federal Theatre Project (FTP) was launched on August 27, 1935 with a mandate to “initiate a plan to provide employment for actors.” Gilmore Brown, Founder/Director of the Pasadena Playhouse, was selected to be Regional Director for the West. Brown gave Angelenos steady helpings of Shakepeare (i.e. Max Pollak’s acclaimed 1937 staging of Macbeth at Downtown’s Mayan Theatre) and children’s plays, including an adaptation of the Humperdinck opera, Hansel and Gretel, at the long gone Beux Arts Theatre. Brown’s family-friendly production policy was in contrast to the more politically and socially controversial East Coast projects being staged by the Group Theatre, Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre and others. On June 30, 1939, the FTP ended when its funding was canceled, largely attributed to strong Congressional objections to the overtly left-wing political tones of many FTP productions. However, in March 1975, another attempt at Federally funded actors subsidies was initiated by the Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA) which endowed the City of Los Angeles with enough funds to create Theatre Arts Program/Los Angeles (TAPLA).

Administered by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department, five performing arts ensembles (three acting companies, a dance ensemble and a puppet theatre) roamed the town, performing at schools, senior citizens centers, recreation centers, festivals, etc. Though never enjoying the comfort of a home performing space, TAPLA gave over 5000 free public peformances before being dissolved in 1979. Along the way, steady employment was enjoyed by hundreds of performers, including such local thesps as David Ankrum, David Arkin Al Alu, Hali Burton, Tony Caruso, Marilyn Child, Virgil Curry, Marci Donley, Don Hamner, Paul Hansen, Will Hutchins, Roger Kern, Michael Macready, Melora Marshall, Mona Marshall, Kathleen Mazzola, George McDaniel, Gigi Perreau, Hugh Reilly, Toni Lawrence, Julio Martinez to name a few.

REBEL SCUM

2011-10-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

MY FRIEND BARRIE HOLLAND.

TRUE BLOOD SEASON 4 PREMIERE

2011-07-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

My client Rebecca Wisocky played the role of Queen Mab in the season 4 premiere of True Blood.

Here's a before and after picture.

Gotta love that face!

THE VICTIM SCREENS AT QUENTIN TARANTINO'S NEW BEVERLY CINEMA

2011-05-05T14:30:00.001-07:00

The Victim is a feature film that I packaged and became an Associate Producer on. We had a special screening of the film in Los Angeles Tuesday Night at Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema.

The stars of The Victim. Ryan Honey, Danielle Harris, Michael Biehn, Jennifer Blanc and Denny Kirkland. Michael Biehn wrote and directed the film.

Ryan Honey is Executive Producer.

Michael Biehn welcomes the audience.

Ryan Honey enjoys the company of Producer Lorna Paul and actress Dana Daurey.

Denny Kirkland and Jennifer Blanc.

Casting Director Kamala Jones and Actress Alyssa Lobitt.

Actress Dana Daurey.

Michael Biehn, Jennifer Blanc and Ryan Honey.

Actress Evie Thompson and Michael Biehn.

Coming to a theater near you...

ROCKET TO THE MOON

2011-04-26T11:48:00.001-07:00

My Stepfather, William Challee, was an original member of the Group Theater in New York in the 1930's. Members included Lee Strasburg, Lee J. Cobb, Harold Clurman and playwright Clifford Odets. Below is a telegram that was delivered backstage at The Belasco Theater on Broadway to my Stepfather on opening night of Rocket To The Moon. From the playwright Clifford Odets.

Opening Night Production Credits

Produced by The Group Theatre

Written by Clifford Odets

Directed by Harold Clurman

Opening Night Cast

Luther Adler
Morris Carnovsky
William Challee
Leif Erickson
Eleanor Lynn
Sanford Meisner
Ruth Nelson
Art Smith

The last film he did in his long and glorious career was Five Easy Pieces starring Jack Nicholson.

He played Jack's Father. Photo below.

ATLAS SHRUGGED

2011-02-21T14:53:00.000-08:00

SOME NEWS FROM HOLLYWOOD. THE FEATURE FILM

"ATLAS SHRUGGED" WILL PREMIERE NEXT MONTH.

Based on the book by Ayn Rand.

Plot Summary
It was great to be alive, once, but the world was perishing. Factories were shutting down, transportation was grinding to a halt, graineries were empty--and key people who had once kept it running were disappearing all over the country. As the lights winked out and the cities went cold, nothing was left to anyone but misery. No one knew how to stop it, no one understood why it was happening - except one woman, the operating executive of a once mighty transcontinental railroad, who suspects the answer may rest with a remarkable invention and the man who created it - a man who once said he would stop the motor of the world. Everything now depends on finding him and discovering the answer to the question on the lips of everyone as they whisper it in fear: Who *is* John Galt?

My client Rebecca Wisocky plays Henry Rearden's wife. Watch the first scene released for the previews.

Click link below.

http://www.atlasshruggedpart1.com/atlas-shrugged-movie-scene-henry-rearden-comes-home

NEW "TRUE BLOOD" CASTING NEWS

2010-12-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

A LITTLE AGENT NEWS! MY CLIENT, REBECCA WISOCKY, WAS CAST IN THE SEASON 4 PREMIERE EPISODE OF "TRUE BLOOD" AS QUEEN MAB!

CHECKOUT THE ARTICLE BELOW.

EXCLUSIVE: In Treatment standout Dane DeHaan has joined HBO's vampire drama True Blood as a recurring, while Rebecca Wisocky has been cast for a key guest spot in the fourth season premiere.

On True Blood, DeHaan will play Timbo, one of the teens Jason (Ryan Kwanten) takes care of in Hotshot. The part extends DeHaan's relationship with HBO. He plays Jesse on the current season of the network's drama In Treatment. Wisocky (90210) will play Queen Mab, who is described as an elegant beauty who presides over a fantasy land and also has a temper. Wisocky will next be seen in Atlas Shrugged.

VIXENS OF THE VICTIM INTERVIEW

2010-10-13T11:45:00.001-07:00

CHECKOUT A SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER BLANC-BIEHN AND DANIELLE HARRIS ON THEIR EXPERIENCES WORKING ON "THE VICTIM"!

LINK BELOW

Interview: Jennifer Blanc-Biehn / Danielle Harris (The Victim) | Horror News.net | Horror Movies, Ne

horrornews.net

Special Edition With The VIXENS OF THE VICTIM Hey Fiends, I now have an extra special trick to treat you all to, the Vixens of The Victim!

MICHAEL BIEHN INTERVIEW

2010-09-23T11:02:00.001-07:00

CHECKOUT MICHAEL BIEHN'S INTERVIEW IN SCARS MAGAZINE. HE TALKS ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE MAKING HIS NEW FILM "THE VICTIM"

LINK BELOW

http://scarsmagazine.com/blog/2010/09/22/michael-biehn-interview-the-victim/

That's Impossible!

2010-08-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

WHILE SEARCHING UTUBE THE OTHER DAY FOR MORE MOVIE TRIVIA I MADE A DISCOVERY!

MY FATHER AND I BOTH SAID "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE'' IN TWO DIFFERENT FILMS....

"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE... EVEN FOR A COMPUTER" SAID BY ME AS THE VOICE OF WEDGE IN STAR WARS 1977

"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE....HE'S BEEN DEAD FOR AT LEAST FIVE HUNDRED YEARS" SAID BY MY FATHER, MORRIS ANKRUM, IN "GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN" 1958

FOR FUN...GO TO UTUBE AND SEE BOTH CLIPS...

SEARCH "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE EVEN FOR A COMPUTER" AND THEN
GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN-TRAILER 1958

MY FATHER IS THE ARCHEOLOGIST DIGGING UP THE DEAD AND BURIED CORPSE OF A SPANISH SOLDIER...A VERY LARGE CORPSE....

MY FATHER PASSED AWAY IN 1964, THIRTEEN YEARS BEFORE I WORKED ON STAR WARS. HE NEVER KNEW I BECAME AN ACTOR. BUT I DID LEARN FROM HIM THAT NOTHING IS "IMPOSSIBLE"....

STAR WARS INTERVIEW

2010-08-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

I WAS EXCITED TO DO AN INTERVIEW

FOR A POPULAR STAR WARS BLOG.

THE INTERVIEW IS POSTED ON THEIR WEBSITE TODAY.

"STAR WARS INTERVIEWS"

IF YOU'D LIKE TO READ IT...

GO TO:

www.starwarsinterviews.blogspot.com/

"RED TWO STANDING BY".....

I Love Lucy Audition

2010-07-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

HERE'S THE INFORMATION THE ACTORS RECIEVED THIS MONTH TO PREPARE FOR THEIR AUDITION FOR THE LIVE STAGE PRODUCTION OF "I LOVE LUCY".

SONGS:
Lucy: SALLY SWEET
Ricky: CUBAN PETE and BABALU
Please be prepared to play the CONGA DRUM
Ethel: CAROLINA IN THE MORNING
Fred: CAROLINA IN THE MORNING

SCENES

FOR LUCY & RICKY (WED & THUR)
Signing the Will Episode: The Audition
SET: LIVINGROOM
RICKY IS IN THE LIVING ROOM AS LUCY ENTERS FROM THE BEDROOM
WEARING A ROBE, A MINK STOLE AND A LAMPSHADE ON HER HEAD.
SHE IS HUMMING AND PERFORMING HER BEST SHOWGIRL STRUT TO
IMPRESS RICKY.
RICKY Lucy?
LUCY Yes?
RICKY No.
LUCY Oh, Ricky.
LUCY BEGRUDINGLY REMOVES THE LAMPSHADE.
RICKY
Don’t you want to know who was at the door?
LUCY Who was it, your agent? Does he know when the TV audition is?
What did he say? What did he say?
RICKY No, it wasn’t my agent, it was the mailman. He brought some papers
for us to sign and we’ve got to take them down to the attorney’s. It’s my Will.
LUCY Oh, well I’ll get your breakfast.
REALIZING WHAT RICKY JUST SAID, LUCY STOPS
DEAD IN HER TRACKS.
LUCY Your Will!
RICKY Yes.
LUCY What’s a matter, Ricky?
RICKY Nothing is the matter.
LUCY There is too. You’re keeping something from me. (GASPS) You're sick!
RICKY I’ve never felt better in my whole life.
LUCY Then you lied to me when we were married. You’re really older than
I think.
RICKY Now look, Honey, it’s just good business. The lawyer says I should have a will. Theneverything is legally taken care of if anything happens.
LUCY I won’t discuss it.
RICKY Now look, Honey, you have to know how things are arranged so you
know what to do when I, uh… when I go.
LUCY Oh, alright Ricky.
RICKY That’s better.
LUCY BEGINS TO CRY.
RICKY Now what’s the matter?
LUCY Oh, Ricky, I miss you so.
RICKY For goodness sakes, Lucy, I haven’t gone yet.
LUCY Don’t go, Ricky, don’t go.
RICKY Now look, Honey, I’m perfectly well. I feel fine. Well let’s face it. We all have to go sometime.
LUCY We do?
RICKY We do unless you know something the rest of us dunt.
LUCY No, I dunt. I’ll get your breakfast.
RICKY Alright, Honey. (BEAT) He brought your will along too.
LUCY My Will!
RICKY Yeah.
LUCY What for? You’re the one that’s going.
RICKY Now Lucy…
LUCY What are you trying to do, shove me ahead of you in line?
RICKY Now look, Honey, this isn’t my idea. It’s the lawyer’s. We’ve
got to get them signed and you’ve got to take them down to the attorney’s today.
LUCY Impossible. I have an appointment to have my haired dyed… (CATCHING
HERSELF) …washed!
RICKY They’ve got to go today, now come on.
LUCY Oh, Ricky, the attorney’s way down town. It will take me all day.
RICKY Yea, I know.
LUCY Oh can’t they wait?
RICKY Absolutely not.
LUCY Well, why not?
RICKY Well, suppose you didn’t take them down till tomorrow…
LUCY Yes?
RICKY …and we both got killed today.
LUCY Yes?
RICKY How could you take them down tomorrow?
LUCY Oh yea, that’s right.
END OF SCENE.

FOR LUCY & ETHEL (WED & THUR)
The Plan Episode: Lucy is Jealous of Girl Dancer
SET: LIVINGROOM
LUCY IS STANDING AT THE DINNER TABLE AS ETHEL ENTERS.
LUCY I suppose you heard everything.
ETHEL No, Honey, not a thing.
LUCY Well I just quarreled with Ricky.
ETHEL I don’t blame you. Who does he think he is going around tearing
girl’s black lace blue jeans.
LUCY Didn’t hear a thing, huh?
ETHEL Well I might have caught a word here and there.
ETHEL What’s your next move, Honey?
LUCY I’m going down to that club tonight.
ETHEL He’s pretty clever asking you to come down to the club.
LUCY Huh?
ETHEL You’re not dumb enough to fall for that, are you?
LUCY I should say not! (BEAT) Fall for what?
ETHEL You go down there tonight – he knows you’re coming – he’s on his
good behavior. You’re satisfied. You come home and he starts paying
cat and mouse again.
LUCY Why, that big stinker. Well gee, what do I do?
ETHEL You’re going to call him up and tell him you’re not coming down.
LUCY Yea! (BEAT) Why?
ETHEL Because you’re going to sneak in there without his knowing it and
watch the floorshow and see what’s really going on.
LUCY Gee, that’s a wonderful idea. I’ll call right now.
LUCY HEADS FOR PHONE.
LUCY Oh, wait a minute. I can’t sneak into the club. Everyone knows me
down there. That won’t work.
ETHEL Well, we’ll think of something.
LUCY Well, what?
ETHEL I don’t know but you call him up and tell him you’re not coming down.
LUCY Alright.
ETHEL Just leave it to me.
LUCY Okay.
LUCY DIALS PHONE WHILE ETHEL STARTS ON ANOTHER PLATE OF FOOD.
LUCY (ON PHONE) Hello. This is Mrs. Lucy Ricardo. Would you please tell Mr. Ricardo
that I won’t be able to come down to the club tonight? That’s right. Thank you.
ETHEL I’ve got it!
LUCY What?
ETHEL Where’s the best place to see what he’s doing on the stage?
LUCY Where?
ETHEL Right on the stage!
END OF SCENE.

FOR FRED & RICKY (WED & THUR)
Franistan Episode: The Publicity Agent
SET: TROPICANA
THE CLUB IS EMPTY. RICKY IS SITTING AT A TABLE AS FRED
ENTERS CARRYING A NEWSPAPER.
FRED Hi Rick.
RICKY Hi ya Fred.
FRED Did ya see the paper?
RICKY Yea, I saw the paper.
FRED Congratulations ol’ boy. Look at the size of this type. (READING)
“Franistan royalty makes pilgrimage to see Cuban idol.”
RICKY I know, I know.
FRED “Maharaja’s daughter claims Ricky Ricardo is real gone.”
RICKY I read it, Fred, I read it.
FRED Yea, yea, well I kind of think you would be a little more excited.
Not every band leader can make a Maharincess flip her beanie.
RICKY You don’t mean to tell me that you really believe that story, do you?
FRED Well it’s in all the papers.
RICKY Are you out of your head of something? A member of royalty in
some ridiculous place called Krafastan, or whatever the name of the joint is – she gets a hold of one of my records, so she travels halfway around the world just to hear me sing. Well that’s the phoniest story I’ve ever heard in my life.
FRED Where did it come from?
RICKY My press agent, where else? I told that character I wanted some
publicity but this is ridiculous. I’d be laughed right out of the business.
FRED Well, now that I think it over it does sound pretty silly.
RICKY Of course it’s silly. Only an idiot would believe a story like that.
THE PHONE ON THE TABLE RINGS. FRED HANDS THE PHONE TO RICKY.
RICKY Hello? (BEAT) Kenny. Now look. What is the matter with you,
Kenny, are you trying to get me kicked out of show business? (BEAT) You know what I’m talking about, the story in the paper – the story. (BEAT) Look, that is
the most ridiculous, the most stupid, the silliest, the phoniest… (BEAT) What? (BEAT)
How ‘bout that. (BEAT) Okay. Talk to you later, kid.
RICKY HANGS UP.
RICKY I guess it’s true.
FRED Somebody around here just said only an idiot would fall for a story like that.
RICKY Now wait a minute, Fred. Now let’s look at it this way. Here’s this poor girl sitting in her castle in far away Franistan – she gets a hold of one of my records,
she finds my voice irresistible – and she falls madly in love. There’s nothing far fetched about that.
FRED Maybe I ought to go out and come in again.
RICKY Gee, I wonder what you do when you’re introduced to royalty. How ‘bout this, Fred.
RICKY STANDS UP AND BENDS TO A GRACEFUL BOW.
RICKY Your Highness. I am delighted to meet you.
FRED (WITH FEMALE AFFECTATION) Oh, Mr. Ricardo. You send me.
END OF SCENE.

IT SHOULD BE A FUN SHOW!

Film Packaging

2010-07-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

A little news on the Agent front. I just finished packaging a feature film that will begin shooting this August in Los Angeles. "The Victim" is a thriller starring Michael Biehn from The Terminator, The Abyss, Aliens...

Jennifer Blanc from Dark Angel

Danielle Harris from Halloween.

And Ryan Honey from Hallowed Ground

A QUICK BLURB ON THE FILM

ANNIE'S (Jennifer Blanc) life is in jeopardy after she's witnessed the horrific rape and murder of her closest FRIEND (Danielle Harris). Fleeing from two ATTACKERS (Ryan Honey, Denny Kirkwood) she stumbles across KYLE (Michael Biehn), a recluse living in the middle of the woods. KYLE finds the stillness of the woods comforting. The ruggedly handsome loner stays far from civilization - that is - until a single knock on his door throws his solitary life into chaos. Two worlds collide in this psychological thriller that will make you question your trust in mankind.

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

2010-05-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

May 4 is called Star Wars Day (also sometimes known as Luke Skywalker Day) because of a pun on the similarity between "May the 4th be with you" and "May The Force Be With You", a phrase often spoken in the Star Wars movies.

Zoe Whittaker came up with the idea of "May the 4th be with you" while they were shooting Star Wars Episode III in the UK Janurary 2005.

She told Rick McCallum and they all went over to tell George Lucas. This take was new to them and they liked it a lot. Zoe suggested that they release Episode III on this day. They both laughed and found it entertaining but everything was already set for the release on the 19th of May 2005 which could not be changed.

The phrase originally appeared in the Episode "The Vampire Strikes Back" of the British Cartoon "Count Duckula" in 1988.

May the 4th be with you!

Hollywood's Ups and Downs

2010-04-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

In 1978 NBC was casting a comedy pilot for the upcoming season called "Coast to Coast". I was called in to audition for the male lead. I first read for the casting director. They seemed to respond to my reading and called me back the next day to read for the Producers and Director. I connected well enough in that reading to get screen tested. I showed up at the studio and they filmed my audition with one of the leading actresses that had already been cast. The actress was Melanie Griffith. We had some good chemistry and the screen test went well. The other actor being screen tested for my role was Adam Arkin. I drove home and waited for the phone to ring...

Why isn't my agent calling???

Ring! Ring!

I got the role!! A Hollywood UP moment!

..So we filmed the pilot episode. In the show, the three of us worked for the Airlines and flew "Coast to Coast" from Los Angeles to New York. We lived in the Marina. Life was good. The show was directed by Bud Yorkin and picked up for a full season by NBC. We were mentioned in Times magazine.

After the filming was done we all were very excited to start filming the first episode of the season.

...and then THE BOMBSHELL!

I received a call from the Producers. Bad news. The network President at NBC was replaced. The new President decided that he wanted to do a series about a Train...Not a Plane. And so...

.....And there's the Hollywood DOWN.

But a great life lesson learned. For every door that closes another opens.

Knock! Knock!

HAPPY EASTER

2010-04-02T18:21:00.000-07:00

IT'S EASTER. LET'S CELEBRATE!

The Pull Of The Moon...

2010-03-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

The stage play, Dark Of The Moon, is a supernatural romantic tragedy set in the haunting atmosphere of the Smokey Mountains. It deals with witches, humans, and the intersection of their worlds. Based on the legend of Barbara Allen, it recounts the story of a Witch Boy who once beheld the beautiful Barbara Allen and instantly fell in love with her. He is given human form to woo and marry her on the condition that she remain true to him.

The marriage is consummated and Barbara gives birth to a witch child whom the midwives burn. In a frenzy of religious revival Barbara is led to betray her witch boy husband, breaking the spell. She dies and he returns forever to the world of the mountain witches.

I played the role of The Witch Boy in a college production in Los Angeles in 1970.

3000 miles away, at the exact same time of year, my future wife Barbara was playing the role of Barbara Allen in her Syracuse High School Production of Dark Of The Moon.

In 1978, the pull of the moon brought us together.

I drove down a winding canyon road, under a full moon, to a bar in the City. My waitress was Barbara. We've been together ever since.

That crazy Moon Goddess holds destiny in her fingertips...

This Summer It's Bummer!

2010-02-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

An acting career has to start somewhere...In 1972 I was cast in "Bummer". I played a musician in a rock group called "The Group". Our bass player turned out to be a psycho who killed groupies. No academy award nominations for this one. It played at drive-in theaters over the summer. Remember Drive-ins? The psycho bass player was played by Dennis Burkley. We became friends and have been friends to this day. One of the perks of the acting business.

Dennis went on to have a terrific career. "Sanford" with Redd Fox, "Mask", "Murphy's Romance", "Tin Cup" to name a few. Hurray for Hollywood!

Passing the torch...

2010-02-15T17:06:00.000-08:00

I have this new Grandson. My first. He's pure joy! One of the eight world wonders for sure!

God bless the child...

Pilot Season

2010-02-06T10:17:00.001-08:00

I'm not referring to the exciting art of flying an airplane. No, I'm talking about that time of year when the Agents in Hollywood pick up the phone and try to convince casting directors to give their actor clients an opportunity to audition for a role on a new Television Pilot.

Sometimes it takes a little push to get them in the door.

I keep myself motivated with the "belt sander to the head" technique.

"Why can't a vampire be short!""

After all the smoke clears, another happy Television Season is ready to air. Gotta love it!
Stay tuned...

Lost and Found in Translation

2010-01-21T20:47:00.001-08:00

Star Wars brought me to Japan which turned out to be an amazing journey.
While in Kyoto, I had a yen for a blessing. No, I'm not looking for my dropped contact lens. Actually, I paid ten yens for a blessing from a monk.

I had the opportunity to speak to some Star Wars fans in a mall in Tokyo. They were very gracious. Sitting to my right is Barrie Holland. He played Imperial Officer Lt. Renz in Return Of The Jedi. His signature line in the film "You rebel scum!" was a classic.

We took the train from Osaka to Tokyo. My traveling companions were a wild bunch. Barrie Holland, Ken Foree (Dawn Of The Dead), Lightning Bear (Legendary Native American Actor/Stuntman), and Ian Whyte who played The Predator in AVP.

Ken hunting Zombies in Dawn Of The Dead.

Lightning Bear as a Biker Scout in Return Of The Jedi.

Ian attacks!

Our host was Abbey. He was a bundle of pure joy.

I left Japan with a smile... And a yen to return!

Bi Polar Bear

2010-01-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

2010 Blog Odyessy. Is there life beyond the Hollywood Stars?

2010-01-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

    The Year 2010. Planet Earth. Somewhere in Van Nuys.


          (A suburban Dad enters the kitchen)

                              Dad
          "Open the refrigerator door Hal."

                      Home Computer
            " Sorry Dave, I can't do that."

                             Dave
   "Come on Hal. Just one more slice of Pecan Pie."

                      Home Computer
   "Sorry Dave. What about those New Years resolutions?"

                            Dave
    "Screw 'em. I need some pie! This is my house."


                     Home Computer
       "Not according to Wells Fargo Dave."

                            Dave
     "Don't be a wise ass Hal. If you don't open that door
      I'm going to give you the reboot."

                       Home Computer
       "Ooooh. I'm shaking in my console"

                            Dave
              "You don't believe me?"

                     Home Computer
      "You're not sticking to your resolutions Dave.
        Why should I believe you?"

                            Dave
            "I'll deal with you in a minute."

       (Dave storms down the hallway.)


                             Dave
           "Open the bathroom door Hal!"

                      Home Computer
             "Sorry Dave, I can't do that."

To be continued....

The Princess And The Blog

2009-12-18T11:46:00.000-08:00

Princess Leia paid me a visit at Comic Con last summer. She interrupted our visit with a flossing demonstration.

May the floss be with you.

Happy Holidays!

The Rain In Spain Falls Mainly on "Da Plane! Da Plane!"

2009-12-11T08:43:00.000-08:00

We called our comedy troupe "Three And A Half ". David Arkin, Betty Thomas, Herve Villechaise and me.

We created a improvisational sketch comedy show and performed on weekends at The Hollywood Canteen on Melrose Ave back in the 1970's.

One of our sketches opened with a dark stage. The announcer says "And now, another episode of

Little House On The Prairie". The lights came up. On the stage was a small toy cabin.

That always got a laugh. But when Herve Villachaise walked onto the stage in a western outfit, standing 3 feet tall in cowboy boots, the laughs got bigger.

Our show was well received and we continued our run at the Canteen for several months. Some great opportunities were born from the show. Herve was cast in Fantasy Island

I landed the role of Adam Stephens in Tabitha

and Betty went on to work on Hill Street Blues.

David Arkin did several films with the legendary director Robert Altman.

Most remember Herve for his role of Tatu on Fantasy Island.

I remember him for his friendship, sense of humor, his passion for the arts. He was a true romantic. A small man with a big heart. And he loved his French Wine, Women and Coq Au Vin!

One evening he showed up at my house with a wild bird and a bottle of Burgundy. He said he was going to cook up a french dish. He proceeded to light a fire in the stone fireplace and when he felt it was ready he tossed in the bird. Sometime later, Voila! We dined on the most delicious Coq Au Vin.

Years later when I read about Herve's suicide, it broke my heart.

Not long after that I attended David Arkin's funeral. He died too young as well.

Two very talented actors, wonderful human beings and good friends. They are missed. I am so grateful our paths crossed for that moment in time.

Betty is now a successful film director.

Me... I'm a talent agent. Much like Eugene Levy's character in "For Your Consideration". Morely Orfkin.

Keep your eye on the prize

2009-12-02T08:40:00.001-08:00

When I was 12 years old our family moved into a new house in a suburb of Los Angeles and across the street from a geeky kid named Dennis. We were the same age and we soon became friends. My younger brother, Cary, and I helped Dennis out with his special effects experiments that he was conducting in his backyard and garage. Flying saucers attacking the neighborhood, stop-action latex monsters destroying a building, Battleships exploding at sea (well, actually in our pool). Cary and I were the actors in his special effects tests.

Dennis also had a great collection of photo stills from all the sci-fi and horror films from the 1950's. We asked him where he got them and he wouldn't tell us. That's when we came up with THE PLAN. Espionage.

One day we were all working on a giant flood experiment in Dennis's backyard. While Cary kept Dennis busy building the fake dam that was going to burst, flooding everything in it's path (toy cars, trucks, trees), I snuck into Dennis's room and bingo! I found the address to The National Screen Service in New York.

A passion was born.

Cary and I would save up our paper route money and then send away for the photos from some of our favorite films. We would request any photo that included the monster. A couple of weeks later the package would arrive!.

We’d rush out to the mailbox, tear open the envelope and stare in awe at the amazing photos. The total joy in seeing shots of Frankenstein, “Oh yeah!”

Rodan, “The big bad bird!”

Gorgo, “El Destructo!”

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad with a shot of The Dragon. “Cool!”

We continued collecting photos and lobby cards and posters and soon had quite a collection. The three of us combined our collections and put together a monster museum in my garage.

Here I am with my little brother and Dennis Muren in our Monster Museum back in 1961.
That's Dennis on the left.

Forest J Ackerman the editor of Famous Monsters magazine came to do an article on us.

A couple of years later we moved again. To Hollywood. We lost touch with Dennis, but he continued his dream. He made his first full length feature film "Equinox" when he was at Pasadena City College. He borrowed the money from his parents to finance it.

It’s out now in a special edition DVD through The Criterion Collection. In the extra features on the DVD, Dennis talks about his days making special effects experiments with us in his backyard.. He even shows some clips. There I am, a 60 foot giant stomping on my little brother. Crushing him to bits with my Tennis Shoe.

When Star Wars premiered at the Chinese Theater in 1977 and I saw Dennis Muren's name in the credits under special effects, a warm feeling came over me.

I was still an actor in his special effects experiments. Different backyard. Same dream.

Dennis went on to win more Academy Awards than any other special effects artist. He recieved a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Visual Effects Society. Presented to him by George Lucas.

Dennis kept his eye on the prize.

Like this guy...

Colonel Fielding, Colonel Fielding

2009-11-27T13:55:00.000-08:00

When you have a father who saves the world from Martian Invaders, you should feel pretty safe at night. Right?

Yeah, that's him on the phone. My dad, the Colonel.

I know it was just a movie. And it was a long time ago that we rode our bikes down to the local matinee and shelled out our fifty cents for the Saturday double feature. But to this day, every time I see sand, I can't help but think of "Invaders From Mars."

Occasionally, I catch myself searching the backs of stranger's necks to see if that little Martian device is protruding out. Crazy, I know.

But, seriously, have you ever been to Walmart?

My First Post

2009-11-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

In 1977, I walked into a post production facility in Hollywood and was greeted by George Lucas. He was putting the finishing touches on his latest film. He led me into a sound booth. From there I could see a small movie screen on the wall. He explained to me that I was going to be voicing a character in his film. He gave the go ahead and the movie screen came to life.

There, in front of me, I saw my first X-Wing zooming through space. At the controls was WEDGE ANTILLES..also known as RED 2.

Wedge was being played by the terrific Scottish actor, Dennis Lawson. The first words out of his mouth..."Look at the size of that thing!" He spoke in a thick Scottish brogue. George gave me a few directions. I put the head set on and stepped up to the microphone.

"Look at the size of that thing" I said, seeing the Death Star for the first time. George gave me the thumbs up. And I continued on. "I'm on him Luke,"... "Right with you boss."... "What about that tower?" ..."Fighters coming in point three!" ... "I'm hit!"

In between takes, Mark Hamill entered the sound stage and plopped down on the sofa. Blue jeans and bare feet. He was full of life and great energy and it was a pleasure to meet him. A couple hours later I finished the job. George shook my hand. I was now the voice of Wedge Antilles in Star Wars.

An additional bit of Star Wars trivia...George also had me voice another sequence in the film. A briefing room scene with Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles. In this scene a different actor was hired to play Wedge. Dennis Lawson was unavailable so Colin Higgins took his place. The line I voiced in this scene:

"That's impossible, even for a computer."

Luke responds, "It's not impossible, I used to bulls-eye womp rats in my T-16 back home. They're not much bigger than two meters."

...when I walked out of the sound studio and stepped onto the Hollywood sidewalk, I had no idea what I had just become a part of.

More to come...

"Red 2, standing by"....