A Fun Interview

A new film version of Jane Austen’s Emma opens this week in L. A. and NYC. So I can’t help thinking about the fun interview I had with Douglas McGrath, who adapted and directed his Emma movie (starrimg Gwenyth Paltrow), back in 1996. Drawn to comedy because of his own humorous outlook on life, McGrath explained he knew right away that Austen’s novel would make a wonderful movie.  

“I took my screenplay and recommended myself as the director,” he admitted.  He got the job, but only after explaining that he wanted to pace the movie like George Cukor’s bubbling comedies of the 1930s and 40s and to give it a visual impact similar to Vincente Minelli’s famous musicals (Gigi and Meet Me in St. Louis).

When I asked him why he added an archery contest between Emma and Mr. Knightley that wasn’t in the book, he laughed and said, “To tie into the summer Olympics. McDonald’s may soon offer little Emma puppets complete with their tiny bows and arrows!”

Like most humorists, McGrath “always leaves them laughing.” For my last question, I inquired what he wanted readers to know about him. “Where to send money!” he replied. 

Happy Anniversary, CAKE: A Love Story

CAKE: A Love Story is celebrating its second-year anniversary release on Amazon Prime today. We are so grateful to everyone who worked on Misha Zubarev and Vera Zubarev’s lovely short film version of our romantic memoir It Had To Be Us -- and to the wonderful people who have supported it. We are also surprised and happy because of the following information:

Amazon views: 6272

Amazon Rating Average: 4.5 stars (out of 5)

IMDb Rating Average: 8.5 stars (out of 10)

Awards: First Place in Short Film Category at the NSAEN International Online Film Festival, Award of Merit at IndieFest, Official Selection of the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival
 
It’s like a dream come true for us. We will always remember the hard work and happiness involved in this labor of love.

Oscar® Reflections

As poet laureate of the movies, I am pleased to write a poem about the 92nd Annual Academy Awards event which took place on February 9, 2020.

Congrats to wins on Oscar night.

Sometimes voters get Awards right.

Not always though. There was a year

when Garland’s snub caused me to jeer.

Another time Paul Newman missed,

and I remember how I hissed.

Enough bad thoughts. Let’s talk of now.

Who are the ones to take a bow?

Ironically, Zellweger’s win

makes me happy and want to grin.

It’s like redemption for Garland’s slight.

And almost feels like pure delight.

Phoenix’s award as Joker

no surprise to any gambler.   

Dern and Pitt, a pair of shoo-ins,

pleased most viewers with their two wins.   

Best Picture nod I won’t complain.

Read on, dear friends. I will explain.

Nominated films here were nine.

I think many of them are fine.

Parasite won Best Picture gold

and received cheers for being bold.

Gerwig’s film or Marriage Story

still to me deserved the glory.

Hitting me hard, sorry to say

Gerwig’s directing not in play.

Little Women, a masterpiece.

But men again owned that tight lease.

My wish for the next Oscar show:

A talented host in the know.

Bring Jackman back to entertain.

My interest then would never wane.

Director and Cast Discuss CAKE: A Love Story

During the month of February, Movie Addict Headquarters is showcasing CAKE: A Love Story, the award-winning short film based on It Had To Be Us, a romantic memoir my husband Larry and I wrote under the pen names of Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence. Listeners can hear this on demand episode at any time during the month by clicking on the link at the end of this article.

Misha Zubarev, co-director/writer of the movie reveals why he undertook this particular project and how the film differs from the book. Debra Lord Cooke and Richard Vernon, who play Elizabeth and Harry, talk about what it was like bringing these characters to life on screen. Plus, George Bettinger and Nancy Lombardo, who portray Elizabeth’s friends, also join in the discussion. The film’s plot focuses on how two people rediscover their lost love after being divorced and estranged from each other for almost 20 years. Although this is a serious theme, the movie includes humor – and, of course, lots of romance!

CAKE: A Love Story earned the following laurels on the 2017 film festival circuit:

First Place in the Short Film category at the NSAEN International Film Festival

Award of Merit from IndieFest (for being “a notable artistic and technical production”)

Official Selection by the Toronto International Short Film Festival.

The movie was also voted top spot at a live audience screening of short films in Savannah, Georgia.

LINK TO LISTEN: Click here.

HOST: Betty Jo Tucker
CO-HOST: Larry Tucker
PRODUCER: Nikki Starr  
To watch CAKE: A Love Story on Amazon Prime click here.
To order It Had To Be Us, click here.