Tony Curtis RIP

Sad news this morning about Hollywood icon Tony Curtis, who passed away at the age of 85.

I loved watching Tony on screen in movies like THE DEFIANT ONES, THE GREAT RACE, HOUDINI and SOME LIKE IT HOT.

But my fondest memory of this versatile actor will always be interviewing him last year on my BlogTalkRadio show, Movie Addict Headquarters. Both Tony and I were trying to communicate despite some serious hearing problems – and when I introduced myself as Betty Jo Tucker, he raved about my name, then said something like “I’ve got just the film for you. Listen to this: Betty Culpepper in MONTANA FALLS!”

From that day on, I became Betty Culpepper to many of my friends.

And that makes me smile.

Tony went on to charm listeners with fascinating personal stories, mostly about Marilyn Monroe and behind-the-scenes antics relating to SOME LIKE IT HOT.

Condolences to Tony’s family, friends and fans. He will be missed.

Spirit in Everyday Matters

Conscious Footsteps: Finding Spirit in Everyday Matters by Dianne Eppler Adams can be opened to any page at any time and will inspire your day. It is not a “how-to” book for arriving at a destination. It is a “what if?” book inspired by the author’s deep, heartfelt search for life’s greater meaning.

If you buy a copy today, you will also receive numerous exciting bonuses!

Here's the link:

http://www.consciousfootsteps.com

School-Themed Films

“School is a filmmaker’s dream environment,” writes Amy Matthew in her terrific article for The Pueblo Chieftain today. Describing school as a common experience – one “filled with friends, homework, confusion, laughter, bullies, tears, touchdowns, fumbles, love, heartache, silliness and hot lunch,” Matthew observes that it’s no wonder so many memorable movies have been made with this setting in mind.

Matthew was kind enough to mention some of my favorite school-themed flicks – Election, Fame and Sky High – as well as my comments about them in her well-researched piece that even includes a “Back-to-School Movie IQ” test.

Piggybacking on Matthew's splendid article, I’ve decided to focus on this topic during the September 21st “Movie Addict Headquarters” show on BlogTalkRadio. Noted film critic John P. McCarthy has signed on as our guest “professor” for a special class focusing on school-themed films like Take the Lead,
The Emperor’s Club, Easy A, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Stand and Deliver, Dangerous Minds, To Sir with Love, Lean on Me, Animal House and School of Rock. No tuition is required, but be prepared for at least one pop quiz!

Our “Back-to-School” episode will air at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. During the live show, listeners are invited to call in and to participate in a chat. An archived segment will also be available.

Link to listen:
www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters

The Wild Soccer Bunch

What a fantastic book deal! Landon Donovan, US Soccer MVP in the World Cup, has endorsed The Wild Soccer Bunch, an exciting kids' book, and if you buy a copy today (September 9) you can claim free bonuses worth thousands of dollars and also be entered in a drawing to win 2 tickets to a filming in Hollywood and the chance to meet Landon in person.

Check out the link below for more information.

http://www.wildsoccerbunch.com/launch

Jimmy Fallon at the Emmys

Doing impressions, singing, dancing, playing a guitar and telling jokes, Jimmy Fallon took over last Sunday night’s televised Emmy Awards show and proved what a talented performer he is.

How about that terrific opening number? The Glee parody really worked for me -- and was certainly appropriate, for that's one of television’s most popular shows.

By now, everyone knows who the winners were this year, but Jimmy Fallon is the biggest winner of all in my book

Are you listening, Oscar? Fallon just might be the guy who could give Hugh Jackman a run for his money as an Academy Awards host.