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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 30th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 30th 2011


1917 - Lena Horne known for "Ziegfeld Follies" 1945 is born


1936 - "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell, published


1955 - "Johnny Carson Show," debuts on CBS-TV


1955 - "A Life in the Balance" starring Ricardo Montalban and Anne Bancroft is released.


1973 - "Burns & Schreiber Comedy Hour," TV Variety; debut on ABC


1984 - "The Last Starfighter" starring Lance Guest is released.


1992 - Actress Cecil Hoffman (Zoe-LA Law) marries Paul Slye


1993 - George "Spanky" McFarland known for "The Little Rascals"  dies at 64


2003 - Buddy Hackett known for "The Music Man" dies at 78

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Academy's Bruce Davis Reflects



After 22 years as executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Bruce Davis is retiring Thursday. For two decades, he's overseen the day-to-day operations of the Academy, providing continuity and institutional memory even as six different men have held the post of president.

Davis' tenure has been marked by several major accomplishments: He helped raise an endowment that supports the operation of the Margaret Herrick Library, which has occupied a former waterworks on La Cienega Blvd. in Beverly Hills since 1991. He encouraged the Academy's move into film preservation by establishing an archive at the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, which opened its doors in 2002.

Full story: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/academys-bruce-davis-reflects-best-206318

Today in Hollywood History June 29th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 29th 2011



1919 - Slim Pickens known for "Dr. Strangelove" is born

1944 - Gary Busey known for "The Buddy Holly Story" is born.

1950 - "The Next Voice You Hear" starring James Whitmore and Nancy Davis is released.

1951 - "Ace in the Hole" starring Kirk Douglas is released.

1967 - Jayne Mansfield known for "The Girl Can't Help It" 1956 dies at 34

1984 - "Conan the Destroyer" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is released.

1995 - Lana Turner known for "The Postman Always Rings Twice" 1946 dies at 74

2002 - Rosemary Clooney known for "White Christmas" dies at 74

2003 - Katharine Hepburn 4 time Academy Award Winner dies at 96

2005 - "War of the Worlds" starring Tom Cruise is released.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 28th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 28th 2011



1926 - The Road to Mandalay" starring Lon Chaney is released.

1926 - Mel Brooks actor, writer, producer known for "The Producers" is born

1932 - Pat Morita known for "The Karate Kid" is born.

1945 - "Blood on the Sun" starring James Cagney is released.

1948 - Kathy Bates known for "Misery" Academy Award Winner is born.

1957 - "The Beginning of the end" starring Peter Graves is released.

1966  - John Cusack known for "Say Anything" is born

1972 - "The Happiness Cage" starring Christopher Walken is released.

1975 - Rod Sterling known for "The Twilight Zone" dies at 50

1978 - "Heaven Can Wait" starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie is released.

1996 - "Nutty Professor," starring Eddie Murphy opens in theaters in the USA

Monday, June 27, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 27th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 27th 2011


1975 - Tobey Maguire know for "Spider Man" born

1986  "Labyrinth" starring David Bowie is released.

1993 - Actress Julia Roberts weds country singer Lyle Lovett

2001 - Jack Lemmon Academy Award Winner dies at 76

2008 - "Wanted" starring Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy is released.

2009 - Gale Storm known for "My Little Margie" 1952 dies at 87

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 26th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 26th 2011



1947 - "The Ghost and Mrs Muir" starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison is released.


1955 - Actor Geoffrey Holder marries Carmen de Lavallade


1974 - Liz Taylor's 5th divorce (Richard Burton)


1979 - "Moonraker" starring Roger Moore is released.


1981 - "For Your Eyes Only" premieres in US


1992 - "Unlawful Entry" starring Kurt Russell and Ray Liotta is released.


1993 - Actress Julia Roberts & country singer Lyle Lovett wed


1994 - Actor Brandon Cruz (32) weds Elizabeth Finkelstein (26)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 25th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 25th 2011


1925 - June Lockhart known for "Lost in Space" and "Lassie" is born.

1949 - Long-Haired Hare is released in Theaters starring Bugs Bunny.

1969 - "The Chairman" starring Gregory Peck is released.

1975 - "Rollerball" starring James Caan is released.

1976 - "The Omen" starring Gregory Peck is released.

1982 - "Blade Runner" starring Harrison Ford is released.

1982 - "The Thing" starring Kurt Russell is released.

1988 - Roger Rabbit Cartoon Character debuts in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"


2009 - Farrah Fawcett dies at 62

2009 - Michael Jackson dies at 50

Friday, June 24, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 24th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 24th 2011


1949 - "Hopalong Cassidy" becomes 1st network western (NBC)

1957 - "I Love Lucy," last airs on CBS-TV

1964 - "The Masque of the Red Death" starring Vincent Price is released.

1970 - "Catch 22" opens in movie theaters

1981 - "For Your Eyes Only" starring Roger Moore is released.

1983 - "Twilight Zone, The Movie" starring Dan Aykroyd is released.

1987 - Jackie Gleason known for "The Honeymooners" dies at 71

1997 - Brian Keith known for "Family Affair" and "The Parent Trap" dies at 75

2005 - "Land of  the Dead" directed by George Romero is released

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 23rd 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 23rd 2011


1955 - Walt Disney's "Lady & the Tramp" released

1956 - "Jimmy Durante Show," last airs on NBC-TV

1957 - Frances McDormand known for "Fargo" is born.

1960 - "Pat Boone Show," last airs on ABC-TV

1976 - "Logans Run" starring Michael York, Farrah Fawcett is released.

1980 - "David Letterman Show," debuts on NBC-TV daytime.

1980 - "Dressed to Kill" starring Michael Caine is released.

1982 - Mary Hart joins Entertainment Tonight.

1989 - Movie "Batman" starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson premieres.

1998 - Maureen O'Sullivan known for "The Thin Man" 1934 and "Tarzan and His Mate" dies at 87

2009 - Ed McMahon known for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" dies at 86.



Today in Hollywood History June 22nd 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 22nd 2011


1949 - Meryl Streep 16 time Academy Award Nominee is born

1958 - Bruce Campbell known for the cult classic "Evil Dead" is born.

1965 - David O. Selznick  producer of "Gone with the Wind"  dies at 63.

1966 - "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton released.

1969 - Judy Garland known for her role as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz dies at 47.

1977 - Walt Disney's "Rescuers" released

1987 - Fred Astaire Hollywood icon dies at 88.

2008 - George Carlin actor comedian known for "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" dies at 71.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 21st 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 21st 2011


1921 - Actress Jane Russell, "The Outlaw", "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" is born

1935 - "Charlie Chan in Egypt" starring Warner Oaland and Rita Hayworth is released.

1940 - "Charlie Chans Murder Cruise" starring Sidney Toler is released.

1940 - "The Ghost Breakers" starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard is released.

1975 - "Jaws" by Steven Spielberg opens

1985 - "Cocoon" starring Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche, Jessica Tandy is released.

1985 - "Return to Oz" is released.

1989 - Melanie Griffith & Don Johnson remarry

1990 - Little Richard gets a star on Hollywood's walk of fame

1992 - Actor Michael Chiklis (The Shield) marries Michelle Epstein

1992 - Actress Marina Sirtis (Star Trek NG) marries rocker Michael Lamper

2002 - "Minority Report" starring Tom Cruise is released.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Phil Robinson to Produce 2011 Governors Awards




Beverly Hills, CA - Writer-director Phil Robinson will produce the 3rd Annual Governors Awards for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy President Tom Sherak announced today. He will share the duties with the producing team of Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare of Don Mischer Productions. One or more of the Academy's highest honors – the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Honorary Award – will be presented at the event, set for Saturday, November 12.

Debbie Reynolds' Memorabilia Auction A huge Success



In 1970, movie legend Debbie Reynolds began to collect the costumes that defined Hollywood. She went to the MGM auction and bought everything she could. She held one of the biggest personal movie memorabilia collections in the world.

The world record for a dress being sold was $1.4 million, and that was one of Marilyn Monroe's dresses in 1999.

On Saturday night, the most famous dress in history, Marilyn's white dress from the film "The Seven Year Itch," sold for $4.6 million. Reynolds said she bought the dress for only $200.

The Wizard of Oz, Ruby slippers from the film "The Wizard of Oz," sold for $510,000, and the Dorothy Dress worn by Judy Garland sold for $910,000.

At the auction, there was an additional 20 percent buyers' 1 premium, tax and fees added onto all items. Which brought totals, such as Monroe's dress, to more than $5 million.

Full Story http://www.localnews8.com/entertainment/28289048/detail.html

Today in Hollywood History June 20th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 20th 2011


1909 - Errol Flynn known for "Robin Hood" 1938, "Captain Blood" 1935 born

1928 - Martin Landau Academy Award Winner for "Ed Wood" born

1931 - Olympia Dukakis Academy Award Winner for "Moon Struck" born

1948 - "Toast of the Town" hosted by Ed Sullivan premieres on CBS-TV

1952 - John Goodman born

1960 - 12nd Emmy Awards: Playhouse 90, Robert Stack & Jane Wyatt

1967 - Nicole Kidman Academy Award Winner born

1987 - Johnny Carson marries 4th wife Alexis Mass

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 19th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 19th 2011


1897 - Moe Howard of the Three Stooges is born

1940 - "The Blue Bird" starring Shirley Temple is released.

1954 - Kathleen Turner is born

1956 - Jerry Lewis & Dean Martin end partnership after 16 films

1966 - Ed Wynn known for "Mary Poppins" and "The Diary of Anne Frank" dies at 79

1983 - "Octopussy" premieres in US

1991 - 2 of Mia Farrow's daughters arrested for shoplifting lingerie

1991 - Jean Arthur known for "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" and "Shane" dies at 90

1992 - "Batman Returns," opens

2001 - "The Pledge" starring Jack Nicholson is released.



Saturday, June 18, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 18th 2011


Today in Hollywood History June 18th 2011
1914 - E.G. Marshall known as Juror #4 in "12 Angry Men" is born.

1952 - Isabella Rossellini born

1952 - "Clash By Night" starring Barbara Stanwyck is released.

1959 - Ethel Barrymore iconic actress and Great-aunt of Drew Barrymore dies at 79

1967 - "Frankenstien Created Woman" starring Peter Cushing is released.

1992 - Actor Jameson Parker weds actress Darleen Carr

Friday, June 17, 2011

Academy Invites 178 to Membership


Academy Invites 178 to Membership

Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 178 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2011 to the Academy’s roster of members.

“These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “Their talent and creativity have entertained moviegoers around the world, and I welcome each of them to our ranks.”

The Academy’s membership policies would have allowed a maximum of 211 new members in 2011, but as in other recent years, several branch committees endorsed fewer candidates than were proposed to them. Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.

In an unprecedented gesture, the list of new members includes documentary filmmaker Tim Hetherington, who was killed in action in Libya in April. Hetherington had been a 2010 nominee for his film “Restrepo,” but died prior to the Academy’s spring meetings to select new members. The Documentary Branch proposed that Hetherington’s name be included among the year’s invitees. The governors agreed.

The 2011 invitees are:

Actors Russell Brand – "Arthur," "Get Him to the Greek"
Gerard Butler – "The Ugly Truth," "300"
Vincent Cassel – "Black Swan," "Eastern Promises"
Robbie Coltrane – "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," "Mona Lisa"
Bradley Cooper – "Limitless," "The Hangover"
John Corbett – "Sex and the City 2," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"
Rosemarie DeWitt – "The Company Men," "Rachel Getting Married"
Peter Dinklage – "Find Me Guilty," "The Station Agent"
David Duchovny – "Things We Lost in the Fire," "The X-Files"
Jesse Eisenberg – "The Social Network," "The Squid and the Whale"
Jennifer Garner – "Arthur," "Juno"
John Hawkes – "Winter's Bone," "The Perfect Storm"
Thomas Jane – "The Mist," "The Thin Red Line"
Nastassja Kinski – "An American Rhapsody," "Tess"
Beyonce Knowles – "Dreamgirls," "Austin Powers in Goldmember"
Mila Kunis – "Black Swan," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"
Jennifer Lawrence – "Winter's Bone," "The Burning Plain"
Tea Leoni – "Ghost Town," "Spanglish"
Anthony Mackie – "The Hurt Locker," "Million Dollar Baby"
Lesley Manville – "Another Year," "Topsy-Turvy"
Rooney Mara – "A Nightmare on Elm Street," "The Social Network"
Dominic Monaghan – "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"
Connie Nielsen – "Brothers," "Gladiator"
Ellen Page – "Inception," "Juno"
Wes Studi – "Avatar," "The Last of the Mohicans"
Mia Wasikowska – "Jane Eyre," "The Kids Are All Right"
Jacki Weaver – "Animal Kingdom," "Cosi"

Animators
Geefwee Boedoe – "Let's Pollute," "Monsters, Inc."
Alessandro Carloni – "How to Train Your Dragon," "Over the Hedge"
Sylvain Chomet – "The Illusionist," "The Triplets of Belleville"
Jakob Hjort Jensen – "How to Train Your Dragon," "Flushed Away"
Biljana Labovic – "The Cow Who Wanted to Be a Hamburger," "Idiots and Angels"
Tomm Moore – "The Secret of Kells," "Backwards Boy"
Teddy Newton – "Day & Night," "Ratatouille"
Bob Peterson – "Up," "Finding Nemo" (also invited to the Writers Branch)
Javier Recio Gracia – "The Lady and the Reaper," "The Missing Lynx"
Andrew Ruhemann – "The Lost Thing," "City Paradise"
Kristof Serrand – "How to Train Your Dragon," "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas"
Shaun Tan – "The Lost Thing," "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!"
Simon Wells – "Mars Needs Moms," "The Prince of Egypt"

Art Directors
Anahid Nazarian – "The Virgin Suicides," "The Godfather, Part III"
Lauren E. Polizzi – "Cowboys & Aliens," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"

At-Large
George Aguilar
Barry Bernardi
Christopher Dodd
Ted Gagliano
James L. Honore
Dawn Hudson
Beverly Pasterczyk
Randall Poster
Ric Robertson
David Schnuelle
Randy Spendlove
Beverly Joanna Wood

Casting Directors
Nina Gold – "The King's Speech," "Jane Eyre"
Jina Jay – "The Reader," "Layer Cake"
Lora Kennedy – "The Town," "Syriana"

Cinematographers
Frank Byers – "Illegal Tender," "Boxing Helena"
Patrick Cady – "Lottery Ticket," "Broken Bridges"
Danny Cohen – "The King's Speech," "Pirate Radio"
Lukas Ettlin – "The Lincoln Lawyer," "Middle Men"
Steven Fierberg – "Love & Other Drugs," "Secretary"
Barry Markowitz – "Crazy Heart," "Sling Blade"
Charles Minsky – "Valentine's Day," "Pretty Woman"
Lawrence Sher – "The Hangover," "Garden State"
Eric Steelberg – "Up in the Air," "(500) Days of Summer"

Costume Designers
Odile Dicks-Mireaux – "An Education," "The Constant Gardener"
Sarah Edwards – "Salt," "Michael Clayton"
Danny Glicker – "Up in the Air," "Milk"

Directors
Gregg Araki – "Kaboom," "Nowhere"
Susanne Bier – "In a Better World," "After the Wedding"
Neil Burger – "Limitless," "The Illusionist"
Lisa Cholodenko – "The Kids Are All Right," "Laurel Canyon" (also invited to the Writers Branch)
Debra Granik – "Winter's Bone," "Down to the Bone" (also invited to the Writers Branch)
Tom Hooper – "The King's Speech," "The Damned United"
John Cameron Mitchell – "Rabbit Hole," "Shortbus"
Yojiro Takita – "Departures," "Himitsu"

Documentary
Jon Alpert – "China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province," "Lock-up: The Prisoners
of Rikers Island"
Amir Bar-Lev – "The Tillman Story," "Fighter"
Lesley Chilcott – "Waiting for 'Superman'," "It Might Get Loud"
Carl Deal – "Capitalism: A Love Story," "Trouble the Water"
Charles Ferguson – "Inside Job," "No End in Sight"
Tim Hetherington – "Restrepo" (posthumous)
Sebastian Junger – "Restrepo"
Thomas Lennon – "The Warriors of Qiugang," "The Blood of Yingzhou District"
Diane Weyermann – "Waiting for 'Superman'," "Food, Inc."
Ruby Yang – "The Blood of Yingzhou District," "The Warriors of Qiugang"

Executives
William J. Damaschke
Richard M. Fay
Donna Langley
Leslie Moonves
Vanessa L. Morrison
Bill Pohlad
Rich Ross
Jeff Small
Thomas Tull

Film EditorsTariq Anwar – "The King's Speech," "American Beauty"
Naomi Geraghty – "Limitless," "Reservation Road"
Jon Harris – "127 Hours," "Layer Cake"
Darren Holmes – "How to Train Your Dragon," "The Iron Giant"
Pamela Martin – "The Fighter," "Little Miss Sunshine"
Joel Negron – "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," "The Karate Kid"
Terilyn A. Shropshire – "Jumping the Broom," "Eve's Bayou"
Angus Wall – "The Social Network," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Andrew Weisblum – "The Black Swan," "The Wrestler"

Live Action Short Films
Luke Matheny – "God of Love," "Earano"

Makeup Artists and Hairstylists
Judy Chin – "Black Swan," "Requiem for a Dream"
Kathrine Gordon – "3:10 to Yuma," "Ocean's Eleven"
Trefor Proud – "W.," "Topsy-Turvy"
Cindy Jane Williams – "Burlesque," "Hancock"
Wesley Wofford – "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," "A Beautiful Mind"

Music
Terence Blanchard – "Inside Man," "Malcolm X"
Fernand Bos – "Crazy Heart," "Cold Mountain"
Graeme Revell – "Darfur Now," "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider"

Producers
Iain Canning – "Oranges and Sunshine," "The King's Speech"
Cean Chaffin – "The Social Network," "Fight Club"
Kevin Feige – "Thor," "Iron Man"
Gary Goetzman – "Where the Wild Things Are," "Mamma Mia!"
Sisse Graum Jorgensen – "In a Better World," "After the Wedding"
Jeffrey Levy-Hinte – "The Kids Are All Right," "Laurel Canyon"
Todd Lieberman – "The Fighter," "The Proposal"
Robert Lorenz – "Letters from Iwo Jima," "Mystic River"
Celine Rattray – "The Kids Are All Right," "Grace Is Gone"
Emile Sherman – "The King's Speech," "Candy"
Emma Thomas – "Inception," "The Dark Knight"
Gareth Unwin – "The King's Speech," "Exam"

Production Designers
Howard Cummings – "I Love You, Beth Cooper," "John Grisham's The Rainmaker"
Therese DePrez – "Black Swan," "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"
Guy Hendrix Dyas – "Inception," "The Brothers Grimm"
Jess Gonchor – "True Grit," "Capote"
Jane Musky – "Something Borrowed," "Finding Forrester"
Eve Stewart – "The King's Speech," "Topsy-Turvy"

Public Relations
Susan Ciccone
Alissa Grayson
Jeffrey Hall
Jill Ann Jones
Mark Markline
Carmelo Pirrone
Ira Rubenstein
David Schneiderman
Loren Schwartz
Lance Volland

Set Decorators
Judy Farr – "The King's Speech," "Death at a Funeral"
Gene Serdena – "The Fighter," "House of Sand and Fog"

Sound
Andrew DeCristofaro – "Hall Pass," "Crazy Heart"
Joe Dorn – "The Wolfman," "Spider-Man 3"
Marc Fishman – "Bridesmaids," "Crash"
Lora Hirschberg – "Inception," "The Dark Knight"
Chris Jargo – "Robin Hood," "American Gangster"
John Midgley – "The King's Speech," "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace"
Ed Novick – "Inception," "The Dark Knight"
Hammond Peek – "King Kong," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"
Brian Vessa – "Nemesis," "Lambada"
Mark Weingarten – "The Social Network," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Visual Effects
Tim Alexander – "Rango," "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
Rob Bredow – "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," "The Polar Express"
Tim Burke – "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," "Gladiator"
Peter Chesney – "No Country for Old Men," "Men in Black"
Paul Franklin – "Inception," "The Dark Knight"
Kevin Tod Haug – "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," "Quantum of Solace"
Florian Kainz – "Mission: Impossible III," "The Perfect Storm"
Marshall Krasser – "Iron Man 2," "Titanic"
Sean Phillips – "Alice in Wonderland," "The Polar Express"
Peter G. Travers – "Watchmen," "The Matrix Reloaded"
Brian Van't Hul – "Coraline," "I, Robot"
Mark H. Weingartner – "Sex and the City 2," "Inception"

Writers
Stuart Blumberg – "The Kids Are All Right," "Keeping the Faith"
Lisa Cholodenko – "The Kids Are All Right," "Laurel Canyon" (also invited to the Directors Branch)
Debra Granik – "Winter's Bone," "Down to the Bone" (also invited to the Directors Branch)
Karen McCullah Lutz – "The Ugly Truth," "Legally Blonde"
Aline Brosh McKenna – "27 Dresses," "The Devil Wears Prada"
Bob Peterson – "Up," "Finding Nemo" (also invited to the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch)
David Rabe – "The Firm," "Casualties of War"
Anne Rosellini – "Winter's Bone"
David Seidler – "The King's Speech," "The King & I"
Scott Silver – "The Fighter," "8 Mile"
Kirsten Smith – "The Ugly Truth," "Legally Blonde"
Aaron Sorkin – "The Social Network," "A Few Good Men"
Daniel Waters – "Batman Returns," "Heathers"

Additionally, the Academy invited John Coffey, Risa Gertner and Robert C. Rosenthal to Associate membership. Associate members are not represented on the Board and do not have Academy Awards® voting privileges.
Individuals invited to join multiple branches must select one branch upon accepting membership.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception in September.



# # #

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

Today in Hollywood History June 17th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 17th 2011


1963 - Greg Kinnear known for "As Good as It Gets" is born

1966 - Jason Patric known for "The Lost Boys" is born

1977 - "The Exorcist II" released

1977 - "Rollercoaster" starring Henry Fonda released

2008 - Cyde Charisse known for "Singin' in the Rain" and "Brigadoon" dies at 87

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 16th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 16th 2011


1890 - Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame is born

1937 - Marx Brothers' "A Day At The Races" opens in LA

1959 - George Reeves known for his role as Superman dies at 45

1960 - "Psycho," opens in NY

1966 - "Rowan & Martin Show," debuts on NBC-TV

1978 - "Grease" starring John Travolta is released

1980 - "Blues Brothers," premieres in Chicago

1989 - "Ghostbusters II" premieres

1995 - "Batman Forever" opens with a record $528 million weekend





Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Academy Change to Best Picture Rules



Academy Builds Surprise Into Best Picture Rules

Beverly Hills, CA – The governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted on Tuesday (6/14) to add a new twist to the 2011 Best Picture competition, and a new element of surprise to its annual nominations announcement. The Board voted to institute a system that will now produce anywhere between five and 10 nominees in the category. That number won’t be announced until the Best Picture nominees themselves are revealed at the January nominations announcement.

“With the help of PricewaterhouseCoopers, we’ve been looking not just at what happened over the past two years, but at what would have happened if we had been selecting 10 nominees for the past 10 years,” explained Academy President Tom Sherak, who noted that it was retiring Academy executive director Bruce Davis who recommended the change first to Sherak and incoming CEO Dawn Hudson and then to the governors.

During the period studied, the average percentage of first place votes received by the top vote-getting movie was 20.5. After much analysis by Academy officials, it was determined that 5% of first place votes should be the minimum in order to receive a nomination, resulting in a slate of anywhere from five to 10 movies.

“In studying the data, what stood out was that Academy members had regularly shown a strong admiration for more than five movies,” said Davis. “A Best Picture nomination should be an indication of extraordinary merit. If there are only eight pictures that truly earn that honor in a given year, we shouldn’t feel an obligation to round out the number.”

If this system had been in effect from 2001 to 2008 (before the expansion to a slate of 10), there would have been years that yielded 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 nominees.

The final round of voting for Best Picture will continue to employ the preferential system, regardless of the number of nominees, to ensure that the winning picture has the endorsement of more than half of the voters.

Other rules changes approved by the Board include:

In the animated feature film category, the need for the Board to vote to “activate” the category each year was eliminated, though a minimum number of eligible releases – eight – is still required for a competitive category. Additionally, the short films and feature animation branch recommended, and the Board approved, refinements to the number of possible nominees in the Animated Feature category. In any year in which eight to 12 animated features are released, either two or three of them may be nominated. When 13 to 15 films are released, a maximum of four may be nominated, and when 16 or more animated features are released, a maximum of five may be nominated.

In the visual effects category, the “bakeoff” at which the nominees are determined will expand from seven to 10 contenders. The increase in the number of participants is related to a change made last year in which the number of films nominated in the visual effects category was increased from three to five.

Previously, the Board approved changes to the documentary feature and documentary short category rules that now put those categories’ eligibility periods in line with the calendar year and thus with most other awards categories. The change means that for the 84th Awards cycle only, the eligibility period is more than 12 months; it is from September 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011.

Other modifications of the 84th Academy Awards rules include normal date changes and minor “housekeeping” changes.

Rules are reviewed annually by individual branch and category committees. The Awards Rules Committee then reviews all proposed changes before presenting its recommendations to the Academy’s Board of Governors for approval.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 14th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 14th 2011


1942 - Walt Disney's "Bambi" animated movie is released Thumper's 1st job

1967 - Steve Allen Show," premieres on CBS-TV

1974 - The Midnight Man starring Burt Lancaster is released.


1989 - Zsa Zsa Gabor arrested for slaping Beverly Hills motorcycle patrolman

1991 - "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" opens

1994 - Henery Mancini Academy Award wining composter dies at 70

1996 - "Cable Guy" starring Jim Carrey is released

2002 - The Bourne Identity released starring Matt Damon released.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 13th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 13th 2011


1953 - "Toy Story" star Tim Allen born

1962 - "The Breakfast Club" star and brat pack member Ally Sheedy is born.

1962 - "Bob Newhart Show," last airs on NBC-TV

1967 - "You Only Live Twice" starring Sean Connery premieres in US

1979 - Darla Hood known for "The Little Rascals" dies at the age of 47

1980 - Deborah Harry/Meat Loaf film, "Roadie," premieres

1986 - Olsen Twins born

1986 - Composer Benny Goodman dies at 77

1987 - Geraldine Page known for her role as Angie Lowe in 1953's "Hondo" dies at 62

1989 - Jerry Lee Lewis gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" Revives Adventure at the Academy



Beverly Hills, CA (May 31, 2011) - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a 30th anniversary digital screening of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” with a special onstage discussion featuring key members of the film’s crew, on Friday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2011/20110531.html

Charlie Sheen Fails to Submit Himself for Emmy Consideration



Charlie Sheen is not eligible for an Emmy this year for his performance on the aborted eighth season of CBS' Two and a Half Men. The actor's name is missing from the Emmy ballot list just posted on the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences website because Sheen failed to submit himself for consideration.

Full Story Hollywood Reporter http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/charlie-sheen-fails-submit-emmy-195214

Today in Hollywood History June 7th 2011


Today in Hollywood History June 7th 2011

1909 - Mary Pickford made her screen debut at the age of 16.

1909 - Jessica Tandy star of Driving Miss Daisy is born

1937 - Jean Harlow dies at 26

1944 - Christmas Holiday starring Deanna Durbin is released

1952 - Liam Neeson star of Schindlers list is born

1970 - 22nd Emmy Awards: Marcus Welby, Robert Young & Susan Hampshire

1985 - The Goonies is released

2002 - Signe Hasso known for 1943's Heaven Can Wait dies at 91

Monday, June 6, 2011

Golden Globes Donate Unclaimed Gift Bags to Military Families



According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, organizers of the Golden Globe Awards, have donated $275,000 worth of gift bags to The Fisher House, a not-for-profit organization assisting military service members and their families.

Full Story at http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-donate-unclaimed-gift-195162

Today in Hollywood History June 6th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 6th 2011


1933 - 1st drive-in theater opens (Camden NJ)

1947 - Robert Englund known for his role of Freddie Krueger is born

1956 - The Killing directed by Stanley Kubrick released.

1960 - Steve Allen Show," last airs on NBC-TV

1967 - Paul Giamatti is born

1971 - "Ed Sullivan Show" last broadcasts on CBS-TV

1979 - Jack Haley known for his role as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz dies at 80

1983 - Octopussy - starring Roger Moore is released.

2005 - Ann Bancroft known for her role as Mrs Robinson in The Graduate dies at 73


Sunday, June 5, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 5th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 5th 2011

1954 - "Your Show Of Shows," last airs on NBC-TV

1956 - "Milton Berle Show," last airs on NBC-TV

1971 - Mark Wahlberg born

1992 - Patriot Games starring Harrision Ford is released.

2004 - Ronald Reagan dies at 93

2009 - Land of the Lost starring Will Ferrell is released

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 4th 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 4th 2011

1880 - Clara Blandick who played Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz born


1949 - "Cavalcade of Stars" debuts (DuMont); Jackie Gleason made host in 1950

1955 - Mickey Rooney Show," TV comedy last airs on NBC

1967 - 19th Emmy Awards: Mission Impossible, Monkees, Don Knotts & Lucy Ball

1968 - Dorothy Gish star of silent films and sister of Lillian Gish dies at 70

1975 - Angelina Jolie born

1982 - "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," released in USA

Friday, June 3, 2011

James Arness dies at 88

From Robert Lloyd LA Times

In his size -- he was 6-foot-7 -- and his centeredness, James Arness suggested John Wayne, to whose production company he was under contract before he became the star of “Gunsmoke.” For 20 years, from 1955 to 1975, Arness, who died Friday at the age of 88, played Marshal Matt Dillon in what, along with “Law & Order,” is the longest-lived drama on American television. There was also in Arness something of the other tall men of the range, actors like James Stewart and Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea; and if he lacked their foregrounded complexity, their implicit darkness and latent violence -- there was a lot of “noir” in the postwar Western -- these were not things his role demanded, or which, indeed, could have reasonably sustained a character over two decades. Matt Dillon was not battling inner demons, making amends for past wrongs, or out to revenge wrongs done to him; indeed, he was for all intents and purposes a man without a past.

Full aticle http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/06/appreciation-james-arness-1923-2011.html

Today in Hollywood History June 3rd 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 3rd 2011


1910 - Paulette Goddard star of Chaplin's Modern Times and The Great Dictator born

1925 - Tony Curtis star of Some Like it Hot born

1969 - Last episode of Star Trek airs on NBC (Turnabout Intruder)

1975 - Ozzie Nelson star of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet dies at age 69

1983 - War Games, starring Mathew Broderick is released

1988 - Big, starring Tom Hanks premieres in US

2001 - Anthony Quinn star of Lawrence of Arabia dies at 86

2009 - David Carradine star of Kung Fu dies at 72

2011 - James Arness star of Gun Smoke dies at 88

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 2nd 2011

Today in Hollywood History June 2nd 2011

1934 - "Fog Over Frisco" starring Bette Davis released

1955 - Dana Carvey is born

1981 - Barbara Walters asks Katharine Hepburn what kind of tree she would be.

1983 - 1980 movie "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes," released in Germany

1989 - "Dead Poets Society" starring Robin Williams, premieres

1989 - "Vampires Kiss" starring Nicholas Cage is released

1994 - Sharon Stone files $12m lawsuit against her jeweler