Former Child Actor and 'Superman' Star Jackie Cooper Dies at 88

Jackie Cooper who was nominated for an Oscar when he was 9-years-old passed away yesterday at a hospital in Beverly Hills after a sudden bout with illness.  He wass also the youngest performer to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, an honor he received for the film Skippy (1931

Cooper found renewed fame in the 1970s and 1980s as Daily Planet editor Perry White in the Superman film series starring Christopher Reeve. In the commentary track for Superman, director Richard Donner reveals that Cooper got the role because he had a passport, and thus was able to be on set in a few hours, after Keenan Wynn, who was originally cast, suffered a heart attack.

Cooper was a highly respected director in his adult years -- winning Emmy awards for his work on "M*A*S*H*" and "The White Shadow."

Academy to Premiere 40th Anniversary Restoration of Foreign Language Film Winner “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis"

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will premiere a restored print of “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis” in celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary on Thursday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.  The evening will feature an onstage discussion with the film’s producer, Arthur Cohn, following the screening.

http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2011/20110504.html

Original Cuban Movie Posters Arrive at Academy

One hundred twenty-five hand-silkscreened posters for Cuban-produced and international films, including “A Clockwork Orange,” “The Shining,” “The Bicycle Thief,” “Z,” “Strawberry and Chocolate” and “Fallen Gods,” will be on display in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new exhibition “Cuban Film Posters: From Havana to the World,” beginning Friday, May 13, in the Academy’s Grand Lobby Gallery.  The exhibition, open to the public, will run through Sunday, August 28.  Admission is free.

http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2011/20110503.html

Academy Presents "The War Film Collection"

The War Film Collection became part of the Academy Film Archive's holdings when it was created in 1991. Today, there are approximately 230 titles in the collection.

http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/features/war-films/index.html

Race for an Osama Bin Laden Movie

No surprise here, in keeping with films love of imitating life or in this case reenacting it.   Hollywood is a buzz and the race is on for the first post Osama Bin Laden raid project.

The Hollywood Reporter examines which project will be first and why movie makers might have an edge over TV.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/inside-hollywood-s-race-an-185319?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thr%2Fnews+%28The+Hollywood+Reporter+-+Top+Stories%29

Today in Hollywood History May 4th 2011

Today in Hollywood History May 4th 2011

1927 - Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Founded
1929 - Actress Audrey Hepburn born

1975 - Moe Howard of the Three Stooges dies in Los Angeles at age 77

1984 - Sixteen Candles starring Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall directed by John Hughes is released

Today in Hollywood History May 1st 2011

Today in Hollywood History May 1st 2011

1916 - Glenn Ford, Quebec Canada, actor (Cade's County, Big Heat, Midway) Born

1937 - Snitz Edwards, actor (Phantom of the Opera, College), dies at 75
1941 - "Citizen Kane," directed & starring Orson Welles, premieres in NY

1952 - William Fox, [Fried], US film pioneer (Nickelodeon), dies at 73

1981 - Friday the 13th Part 2 released

1991 - Richard Thorpe, director (Jailhouse Rock, Night Must Fall), dies