Memosaic

Thursday, March 09, 2017

Maureen O'Hara On Demand

Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day by listening to a MAUREEN O’HARA TRIBUTE show on Movie Addict Headquarters. This popular episode airs ON DEMAND from March 10 through March 18 on BlogTalkRadio. Listen any time by clicking the link at the end of this post.

Brought to Hollywood from Ireland by Charles Laughton during the late 1930s, O’Hara achieved immediate acclaim for her fiery performances in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Jamaica Inn. She remained a popular box-office draw throughout her long acting career (seven decades!) and played opposite a host of A-list actors, including John Wayne, Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart. O’Hara, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 95, appeared in such classic movies as The Quiet Man, Miracle on 34th Street, How Green Was My Valley, The Spanish Main and McClintock.

Because of her beautiful red hair, O’Hara has been called the Queen of Technicolor, and her work in so many Western movies earned her a Golden Boot Award in 1991. She also received an Honorary Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. O’Hara displayed a talent for acting as a child and was accepted into Ireland’s Abbey Theater at the age of 14. Ironically, her operatic training there seemed wasted in Hollywood. Although she was the number one choice for the lead in The King and I musical, the director didn’t want someone who made “all those pirate movies” playing Anna -- so the role went to Deborah Kerr, whose vocals had to be dubbed. Go figure!

During this encore episode, classic movie experts Diana Saenger and James Colt Harrison discuss their favorite Maureen O’Hara films and performances. Saenger is the founder of Classic Movie Guide and Harrison is a film historian who contributes movie commentary to a variety of outlets including Classic Movie Guide and Review Express.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, movie fans!

HOST:  Betty Jo Tucker
PRODUCER: Nikki Starr  
LINK:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters/2015/03/17/actress-maureen-ohara-tribute



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Friday, April 01, 2016

Happy Birthday, Debbie Reynolds!

On April 5, Movie Addict Headquarters shines the spotlight on the unsinkable Debbie Reynolds, who celebrates her 84th birthday today (April 1). Debbie has a new book out titled Make Em Laugh and received the Gene Hersholt Humanitarian Award earlier this year. Joining in the festivities will be Peter Keogh, James Colt Harrison, and Gloria Walters. 

Peter, author of My Hi De High Life, started out as a Debbie Reynolds fan, became her friend, and then the producer of Irene, her stage production in Australia. James, a film historian, confesses that he has always loved Debbie. And Gloria is in the running to be her greatest fan. All three guests will reveal their favorite Debbie Reynolds films or performances as well as why they think this talented show biz legend has remained popular worldwide for so long. 

As generous with her time as with her talent, Debbie has done fundraising for the Girl Scouts and is a founder of the Thalians, a charitable organization responsible for raising millions of dollars for emotionally disturbed children. She has also worked tirelessly to preserve Hollywood costumes and memorabilia. Debbie is truly a national treasure.


“Spotlight on Debbie Reynolds” airs on BlogTalkRadio at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time) on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. During the live show, listeners are invited to call in and to participate in a chat. An archived segment will also be available. This show is a must-hear for Debbie Reynolds fans everywhere.

HOST: Betty Jo Tucker
PRODUCER: Nikki Starr



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Saturday, August 01, 2015

For Al Pacino Fans

Al Pacino is on a roll this year! His impressive performances in Danny Collins and Manglehorn are earning rave reviews. He nails both characters and makes us care what happens to them despite the many mistakes of their past. I look forward to talking about these films on our August 4th Movie Addict Headquarters episode. Plus, noted critics James Colt Harrison and Diana Saenger will be dropping by to discuss their favorite Pacino movies and performances. James, a film historian, served as the premier film critic for the La Jolla Village News and has contributed film commentary for Rage Monthly, No Cover Music Magazine and San Diego Metro Weekly. Diana, founder of Classic Movie Guide, is the entertainment editor for the San Diego East County Gazette and operates her own site called Review Express.         

Considered by many to be one of the greatest actors in all of film history, Pacino began his movie career in Me, Natalie, a 1969 motion picture starring Patty Duke, Elsa Lancaster and James Farentino. He now boasts over 50 acting credits on IMDb. His awards include a Best Actor Academy Award for Scent of a Woman and additional Oscar nominations for Dog Day Afternoon, Glengarry Glen Ross, Dick Tracy, The Godfather, Serpico, And Justice For All and Godfather: Part II.


 “Al Pacino Double Feature” airs on BlogTalkRadio at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time, 2 p.m. Mountain Time, 3 p.m. Central Time) on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. During the live show, listeners are invited to call in and to participate in a chat. An archived segment will also be available.

CALL-IN NUMBER:  646-478-5668
HOST: Betty Jo Tucker
PRODUCER: Nikki Starr
LINK: 


   

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Saturday, June 13, 2015

Listeners Love The Birds

The results are in. Our The Birds Again show ranks as the most listened to Movie Addict Headquarters episode of the past EIGHT years. 

Congratulations and thanks to Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz, film historian James Colt Harrison, and actress Tippi Hedren!

If you missed this popular 2014 BlogTalkRadio show, just click on the link below.   




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Thursday, January 01, 2015

Going for the Gold

Happy 2015, everyone! I look forward to starting out the new year by talking with film historian James Colt Harrison and Classic Movie Guide founder Diana Saenger, who will be dropping by Movie Addict Headquarters on January 6 for a preview of the upcoming 72nd Golden Globe Awards, which will take place on January 11 with funny ladies Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as co-hosts again this year. James and Diana plan to focus on the awards for Best Picture as well as Best Actor and Best Actress in the drama and comedy/musical categories. This should be a fun and enlightening episode for movie fans!
Films in contention include Boyhood, Foxcatcher, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything, Selma, Into the Woods, Birdman, The Grand Budapest Hotel, St. Vincent and Pride. Nominees in the acting categories are: Eddie Redmayne, Steve Carell, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Oyelowo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Keaton, Bill Murray, Ralph Fiennes, Christoph Waltz, Joaquin Phoenix, Julianne Moore, Rosamund Pike, Reese Witherspoon, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Aniston, Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Helen Mirren and Quevenzshane Wallis.

James Colt Harrison has contributed film commentary to such outlets as the La Jolla Village News, Rage Monthly, No Cover Music Magazine and San Diego Metro Weekly. Diana Saenger not only heads up Classic Movie Guide, she's also entertainment editor for the San Diego East County Gazette and operates her own site called Review Express. 

Time: 4 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time) on BlogTalkRadio.
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Sunday, September 14, 2014

GWTW Anniversary Party!

I can hardly wait for our Movie Addict Headquarters Gone with the Wind 75th Anniversary Party. The date? Tuesday, September 23. The place? BlogTalkRadio. Film historian James Colt Harrison and Classic Film Guide founder Diana Saenger plan to join in the festivities. Plus, Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne has been invited to call in. We will also play a clip from Cammie King Conlon’s interview about portraying Rhett and Scarlett’s lovely but doomed daughter, Bonnie Blue Butler.

Gone with the Wind, released in 1939, won 10 Oscars. It has been screened millions of times throughout the world. Fans of this beloved epic – who are called “Windies” -- continue to celebrate the movie with various GWTW conventions. In recognition of this important anniversary, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has teamed up with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Fathom Events and The Harry Ransom Center for a multi-tiered celebration that includes a new Blu-ray release, screenings at over 600 movie theaters, an exhibit and new book on the making of the film, and a special screening of the movie on Turner Classic Movies. These activities are scheduled for the last part of September and early October.

The late Cammie King Conlon is the author of BONNIE BLUE BUTLER: A ‘GONE WITH THE WIND’ MEMOIR. She visited Movie Addict Headquarters a few years ago to discuss her delightful memoir, which is filled with fascinating inside information concerning what happened on and off the set, including what it was like to work with Clark Gable and director Victor Fleming. Movie fans should enjoy hearing Cammie talk about these experiences in the clip from her terrific interview.    


Gone with the Wind Anniversary Party!” airs on BlogTalkRadio at 4 p.m. Eastern Time ( 1 p.m. Pacific Time) on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. During the live show, listeners are invited to call in and to participate in a chat. An archived segment will also be available.


CALL-IN NUMBER: 646-478-5668
HOST: Betty Jo Tucker
PRODUCER: Nikki Starr
LINK: 
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters/2014/09/23/gone-with-the-wind-75th-anniversary-party  



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Thursday, August 07, 2014

It Had To Be Us Update


I feel very excited about our next Movie Addict Headquarters show! Misha Zubarev will be there for a discussion of his diverse filmmaking experience and to bring listeners up to date on the It Had To Be Us movie project. Plus, Denise Cassino, who published the Kindle edition of It Had To Be Us, will join in to share her plans for introducing new readers to this award-winning romantic memoir my husband and I co-wrote under the pen names of Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence. And our favorite film historian, James Colt Harrison, has agreed to co-host.   

Misha has worked in various capacities on such films as Shooter, Loneliness, Annapolis, Four Funny Families and Synedoche, New York. His film 18 and Out was chosen to be included in NBC's The Screening Room. He also directed an award-winning TV series titled "The Wisdom Tree" and was highlighted in MovieMaker Magazine. After reading It Had To Be Us, Misha became interested in adapting it for the screen. He completed the screenplay last year and plans to direct the film. 

Denise Cassino heads up the Long Story Short Publishing Company and also offers impressive promotional services through her Wizardly Web Designs site. As the publisher of the Kindle version of It Had To Be Us, she organized a launch for the book four years ago which led to a #1 ranking in an important Amazon category. She has now created an Anniversary Re-Launch, complete with the same bonus items from the original launch.  

James Colt Harrison, a founding member of the San Diego Film Critics Society, has written a history of Hollywood studios and contributed film commentary to Classic Movie Guide, Review Express, The La Jolla Village News, Rage Monthly, No Cover Music Magazine, and San Diego Metro Weekly.  

DATE: Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Time: 4 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time)

LINK: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters/2014/08/12/filmmaker-misha-zubarev-it-had-to-be-us-1   

An archived segment will be available after the live show.  









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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Congratulations, Cloris Leachman!

What a great time I had this Tuesday at the Movie Addict Headquarters SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY PARTY on BlogTalkRadio! We played clips of famous guests, talked about favorite shows, and announced a book-giveaway drawing.  Joining the festivities were: Mad Movie Man A.J. Hakari, Mr. Show Biz George Bettinger, film historian James Colt Harrison and Classic Film Guide founder Diana Saenger. The Top Ten episodes during the last twelve months were revealed as well as the guest with the most listeners during the past seven years -- who just happens to be the one and only Cloris Leachman (with almost one million listeners!).

The four film-related books below are being given away during our ANNIVERSARY random drawing that closes on August 1, 2014. (Instructions for entering the drawing are covered toward the end of the episode.)

Me and Orson Welles by Robert Kaplow
Hollywood or Bust by Susan Marg
Confessions of a Movie Addict by Betty Jo Tucker
It Had To Be Us by Harry & Elizabeth Lawrence

It was a fun -- and suspenseful -- party, so be sure to listen to the archived segment by clicking on this link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters/2014/07/15/seven-years-of-movie-fun



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Friday, September 13, 2013

Over the Rainbow Again

Follow the yellow brick road to The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Celebration at Movie Addict HQ on September 17th! Listen to Lorna Luft, Judy Garland’s daughter, talk about this great film classic. Also joining in the fun are: Barry Monush, author of the Screen World anthology series; film historian James Colt Harrison; and Diana Saenger from Classic Movie Guide. On September 20th, select movie theaters will be showing the 1939 gem in a re-mastered version for IMAX 3-D presentations. 4 p.m. EST. LINK: www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters

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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Yankee Doodle Dandy

What a great way to get ready for the Fourth of July! Movie Addict HQ pays tribute to James Cagney, the legendary film actor, on Tuesday, July 2. Film critics Diana Saenger, James Colt Harrison and A.J. Hockery plan to join this celebration of Cagney’s illustrious movie career, including his Oscar-winning performance in Yankee Doodle Dandy. After Cagney’s breakthrough gangster part in The Public Enemy, many moviegoers had a hard time accepting him playing “good-guy” roles, but it’s not surprising that in 1999 the AFI ranked Cagney as EIGHTH among the 50 Greatest American Screen Legends.

Date of Live Episode: Tuesday, July 2, 2013 (an archived segment will also be available)
Time of Live Episode: 4 p.m. Eastern Time, 1 p.m. Pacific Time
Call-In Number: 646-478-5668
LINK TO LISTEN: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters/2013/07/02/james-cagney-tribute

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Oscar Mania

Film historian James Colt Harrison, Mad Movie Man A.J. Hakari and entertainment journalist Diana Saenger drop by Movie Addict HQ on February 19th to share their predictions about the upcoming Oscar winners. Will these noted critics agree on the winning actors and films at the 85th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony scheduled for Sunday, February 24th? Listen in and find out!

James has served as premier film critic for the La Jolla Village News and is the author of a history of MGM and Twentieth Century Fox. Diana is founder/editor of Classic Movie Guide as well as the entertainment editor for San Diego’s East County Gazette. A.J. has contributed movie reviews for numerous sites including Classic Movie Guide, ReelTalk Movie Reviews, and Terror Tube. He recently created a popular new blog called Cinesplice. Because of their film expertise and insightful opinions, all three critics are favorite guests on Movie Addict HQ. It should be another fun show for movie fans.

“Oscar Mania” airs on BlogTalkRadio at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time) on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. During the live show, listeners are invited to call in and to participate in a Chat. An archived segment will also be available.

CALL-IN NUMBER: 646-478-5668

HOST: Betty Jo Tucker

PRODUCER: Nikki Starr

LINK TO LISTEN:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters/2013/02/19/oscar-mania  

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Friday, August 03, 2012

Fun with Rita Moreno and Robert Osborne

What a treat it was for BlogTalkRadio listeners when the great Rita Moreno -- who’s quite the Diva -- called in during our Movie Addict Headquarters SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN 60th Anniversary show last month and stayed for the entire time! I had no idea this was the FIRST time Robert Osborne and Rita had met each other and talked together, so I pretty much gave them free reign for most of the episode, and they were fascinating.


It was not the show I had planned, but sometimes opportunities like this are too hard to resist. Robert is the wonderful host of Turner Classic Movies, and Rita (who is an Oscar-Tony-Grammy-Emmy-winner) played Zelda in the film being honored. My decision to just let them talk together turned out to be a good one. Here are comments posted by listeners:

Absolutely terrific show! No network production could have been done any better. – Denny Reese from Wandering Press

Perfection! – Vicki S. Nikolaidis, Host at The Vicki Chats, Global Perspectives

Fabulous show! – Olivia Wilder, BTR Featured Host

Great show! – Nancy Lombardo, Actress/Comedian

We really appreciate those enthusiastic responses. Thanks also to Robert Osborne and Rita Moreno for being such terrific guests and to everyone who helped with this episode, including film historian James Colt Harrison, Diana Saenger from Classic Movie Guide, producer Nikki Starr, and Neil Haley, our production assistant.

Listen to the archived segment of this fun show by clicking on the link below.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters/2012/07/10/singin-in-the-rain-60th-anniversary

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Thursday, July 05, 2012

Happy Anniversary to Singin' in the Rain



My all-time favorite movie celebrates its 60th Anniversary this month. That's why we've scheduled a special Singin’ in the Rain 60th Anniversary Show on Movie Addict Headquarters next Tuesday, July 10. Robert Osborne, host of Turner Classic Movies, has agreed to kick-off the show -- and we also have a clip of Debbie Reynolds talking about working on this classic musical. Osborne will report on the special TCM/Digiplex Destinations collaboration in bringing one of American cinema’s most iconic films back to the big screen in select theaters on Thursday, July 12, as well as the release of a special 60th Anniversary DVD. Film historian James Colt Harrison and Diana Saenger, founder/editor of Classic Movie Guide, plan to join in the fun. Plus multi-award-winner Rita Moreno has been invited to call in.

This should be a fascinating Movie Addict HQ episode! It airs on BlogTalkRadio at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time) on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Click on the link below to hear the live show or the archived segment afterwards.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Here's Looking at You, Kid!

Casablanca is celebrating its 70th Anniversary today, and I want to thank author Tom Barnes, film historian James Colt Harrison and award-winning blogger Fausta Rodríguez Wertz for joining Nikki Starr and me on Movie Addict Headquarters yesterday to talk about this wonderful film. It was a fun show – one filled with fascinating information about this enduring Hollywood classic. We had a great time hearing about Tom’s Casablanca Film Trivia book and discussing our favorite performances, scenes and quotes from the 1944 Oscar-winning motion picture.

Kudos also to Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video for giving movie fans a chance to see Casablanca on the big screen in select theaters today. Tickets are available online at Fathom Events (http://www.fathomevents.com/).

If you would like to hear the Movie Addict Headquarters Casablanca podcast, please click on www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters.

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Saturday, June 25, 2011

CONFESSIONS Available on Kindle Soon


The paperback version of CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT, my amusing life-at-the-movies memoir, was released in 2001 -– and I’m happy to celebrate this tenth anniversary by making it available soon on Amazon’s Kindle. Because it was so much fun to write this book, I’m pleased when reviewers and fans have fun reading it. For example, Warren Epstein, who was a film critic for The Gazette in Colorado Springs back then, shocked me -– but made me laugh -- with his reaction below.

I hate Betty Jo Tucker. As a fellow Colorado film critic, I’ve loathed her for years. Sure, you can call it professional jealousy. But see it from my perspective. We all go to a film festival. Most of us get an article or two out of it. Betty Jo gets an adventure. She ends up being served dinner by the filmmakers, for heaven’s sake! Well, now I have to put up with her new book, CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT, and, believe me, it’s about as Betty Jo as it can be. She takes us behind the scenes of the entertainment industry, sharing her favorite celebrity interviews and revealing her personal connections and passions for the movies. As if we care. (OK, the mishap at her first porn film had me laughing. But just a little.) You’ll probably read this book and fall in love with Betty Jo. See if I care.

And film historian James Colt Harrison boosted my spirits when he wrote, “If Oscars were given out for the funniest book of the year, CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT would win hands down.”

Comedian Nancy Lombardo also perked me up considerably by declaring, “I love this book. Someone should buy the rights and make a movie out of it. It’s that good!”

More details about the 10th Anniversary release of CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT on Kindle are coming soon.

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Friday, June 11, 2010

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

I just realized that our Movie Addict Headquarters show has been running for three years now on BlogTalkRadio. So it’s true about time flying when you’re having fun! The show debuted on June 5, 2007, with a 15-minute commentary about Kevin Costner’s thriller Mr. Brooks.

Originally, I intended the format to include a weekly rant or rave about one current theatrical release. But things changed rapidly, and MAHQ has become a 45-minute talk show featuring spirited conversations with all kinds of film personnel. And, thankfully, it’s not just me doing the interviewing. The current MAHQ gang includes our savvy co-host Jazz Shaw and our producer extraordinaire Nikki Starr as well as frequent assistance from such respected movie critics as Mad Movie Man A.J. Hakari, entertainment journalist Diana Saenger, and film historian James Colt Harrison.

During the past three years, many fascinating guests have visited MAHQ, including Debbie Reynolds, Fred Willard, Cloris Leachman, Julie Benz, Joe Mantegna, Michael Emerson, Tippi Hedren, William Sanderson, Todd Fisher, Tanna Frederick, Henry Jaglom, Tim Reid, Amin Matalqa, Chris Lemmon, Nancy Lombardo, David Zayas, Christine Evangelista, Todd Langen, John P. McCarthy, Rosemary Gore, Misha Zubarev, Lorna Luft, Anya Monzikova, Michelle Monaghan, Nell Minow, Tim Daly, Tony Curtis, Barry Bostwick, Alan Menken, V. Ulea, Robert Osborne, Sally Kirkland, Larry Manetti, Ron Masak, Kherington Payne, Cammie King Conlon, David Worth, Gary King, Ravi Godse, Steven Bauer, Tony Luke, James Reynolds, Margaret Avery, Phil Hall, Legacy Perez, and Jason Connery. We’ve learned a lot about the movies from our wonderful guests!

Much of the fun at MAHQ comes from people who sign up for the Chat during the live shows. Our perceptive chatters have offered interesting comments and questions that enhance each show.

Thanks so much to founder Alan Levy for this almost miraculous technology and to all the folks at BlogTalkRadio for their splendid support. Special thanks to A.J. Daniels for permission to play “If You Knew How Much I Love You” as our outro music and to Will Griffiths for the show introduction.

Here’s a BIG SHOUT OUT to all our loyal listeners!

It’s been a great three years for a movie addict like me.

(Archived segments of all 150+ MAHQ shows are available for everyone’s listening pleasure by clicking on the link below.)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters.

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