THEATER BEAT
'Laura' a Mystery Between Drama, Camp

Vera Caspary and George Sklar's "Laura," now at the Tiffany, is a daring but somewhat imprudent vehicle for its star, Linda Hamilton. Famous more for the haunting strains of its score than for any dramatic merit, the 1940s-era film, based on Caspary's best-selling novel, has become indelibly associated with the film performance of Gene Tierney in the title role.
The stage play differs considerably from the film in terms of plot, but it's inevitable that any actress playing Laura will be compared to the luminous Tierney. Not that Hamilton isn't perfectly trim and attractive, or that she doesn't acquit herself surprisingly well under difficult circumstances.
She simply lacks the iconic glamour of Tierney--a real stumbling block, considering that craggy Detective McPherson (Robin Thomas) must fall in love with Laura sight unseen, inspired solely by her portrait.
However, even if Tierney could be channeled from the back of beyond to star, Caspary's stage noir would still seem badly dated, not least because director Lynette McNeill allows it to drift in that no actor's land between drama and camp.
Stanley Kamel's performance as Waldo Lydecker, played in the film by the famously waspish Clifton Webb, also inspires unfortunate comparisons. Although we can better believe that Kamel's more subtly macho Lydecker entertains an unresolved sexual obsession for Laura, Kamel fails to convey the intellectual superciliousness that was Webb's stock in trade. What results is a kind of Waldo-light, a half-baked pundit whose cerebral qualifications are a bit in question. As for Thomas, he skims through it all with a breezy panache that smacks of the tongue-in-cheek--not so bad an approach to this period chestnut.
Apart from the stunning set and interiors by John Iacovelli and Pat Emery, respectively, there really seems little reason to have trotted this play out of mothballs except as an ill-considered vanity showcase for Hamilton. Nevertheless, against all odds, Hamilton's acting talent almost compensates for her miscasting. Almost.
* * * * "Laura," Tiffany Theater, 8532 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Dec. 17. $25-$30. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes.

F. KATHLEEN FOLEY, L.A. TIMES, November 17, 2000.

What does F. Kathleen Foley know?!

The L.A. Times runs the first more detailed article on Linda playing "Laura".

Theater * Famous for her 'Terminator' roles, the stage-trained actress hits the boards in title role of 'Laura' at the Tiffany

[...]
   The director, who had no idea that Hamilton had a theatrical background, was pleasantly surprised when the actress approached her about the part of Laura.
   "Linda has a combination of a strength, a vulnerability and a sensuality that I though was wonderful for the part," McNeill says.
   "This is so wonderfully right for me right now," says Hamilton. "It's hugely melodramatic and glamorous. . . . They moved with elegance and grace, with hands and so much style."
[...]

Read the whole piece in the "Archives" section "Articles & Interviews"!

The L.A. Times reports the following:

Laura

Tiffany Theater
8532 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

Linda Hamilton headlines in "Laura," the romantic thriller by Vera Caspary and George Sklar, adapted from Caspary's best-seller about an intriguing woman who captivates even after her mysterious death. -- Los Angeles Times

Nov. 10 - Dec. 17
Sundays, 2 p.m.
Thursdays, 8 p.m.
Fridays, 8 p.m.
Saturdays, 8 p.m.

Price: $25 to $30
Information: 310-289-2999

The Appeal-Democrat reports the following:

WEST HOLLYWOOD - "Terminator" toughie Linda Hamilton who began her professional acting career on TV, now goes to the stage, where she'll star in a whodunit beginning next Friday.

Hamilton will play Laura Hunt in a theatrical adaptation of the 1944 film noir mystery "Laura" at the Tiffany Theater in West Hollywood. In the story, Laura is found murdered days before her wedding to a playboy.
Hamilton starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the James Cameron-Directed "The Terminator" (1984) and the sequel "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991). She married Cameron in 1997 but they spilt a little more than a year later.

LAURA
Actress Linda Hamilton stars in Vera Caspary and George Sklar's adaptation of Sklar's romantic mystery.

Wed 11/8 8pm, Thu 11/9 8pm, Fri 11/10 8pm
Tiffany Theater
8532 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
For tickets and seating arrangements please call: 310-289-2999

Guys, if any of you have the chance, please go there and see Linda on stage, and maybe you could write an exclusive review for LHOW.

October 31, the L.A. Times carried this article:

And the Ovation Awards Go to . . .

by DON SHIRLEY, Times Theater Writer

The Mark Taper Forum's "Metamorphoses" and Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities' "Dreamgirls" were the big winners at the Ovation Awards ceremony Monday at the Ahmanson Theatre.
Both productions won four trophies each, with "Metamorphoses" named best play and "Dreamgirls" best musical in the larger theater category.
The evening also was a triumph for Deaf West Theatre, which won both of the production awards top honors in the smaller theater category.
Operating out of its new home in North Hollywood, Deaf West produced only two shows this year. "Oliver!" received the Ovation for best musical in a smaller theater, plus direction and choreography honors, while "A Streetcar Named Desire," was picked best play in a small theater and also won a script adaptation award.
Accepting the production honor for "Oliver!," Deaf West artistic director Ed Waterstreet noted that the upraised arms of the human figure represented in the Ovation trophy resembles the way "deaf people applaud"--also with arms stretched above the head, while the hands and wrists quiver. The large Deaf West contingent in the hall used that distinctive form of applause often on Monday.
Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities won the best larger musical award for the second year in a row, again facing down some big-league competition, among them, Cameron Mackintosh's touring "Les Miserables." Last year, the group's "West Side Story" defeated such shows as the touring "Cabaret," the Tony-winning "Fosse" and the Pasadena Playhouse's nationally televised "Play On!"
The company's executive director-producer James Blackman used his acceptance speech to suggest to Ahmanson Theatre artistic director Gordon Davidson that perhaps a reprise of "Dreamgirls" could be booked into the Ahmanson or elsewhere at the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County.
Besides the production award, "Dreamgirls" won three of the four musical acting awards, for Kecia Lewis, Billy Porter and Tonya L. Dixon. Lewis thanked the South Bay company "for allowing us to meet onstage every day for prayer, which is why I believe the show was so successful."
The fourth musical acting honor went to Douglas Sills of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," who noted that L.A. is his home and delivered a plea for Los Angeles theater "to stick to our own personality." His enthusiasm for L.A. theater was seconded by Kathleen Chalfant, who was named best actress in a play for "Wit." Although she lives in New York, where she received immense acclaim for her off-Broadway performance of "Wit," "Los Angeles audiences were the best we ever played to," she said.
The relatively unknown Dominic Hoffman was named best actor in a play for his self-written solo "Uncle Jacques' Symphony," which also won a writing award as best world premiere. It was produced at the small Stages in Hollywood.
Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner, accepting a previously announced award for leadership in theater, said the company became involved in theater as "a natural evolution" from the live entertainment at Disney theme parks. "Our goal was not a monetary goal," he said. However, with the success of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King," "we've come out of it with an economic platform that seems to be working."
Actor Ray Stricklyn accepted a previously announced lifetime achievement award with this advice to young actors: "You'll be up and you'll be down. Remember that neither place is permanent."

Award presenters included such big names as Kevin Spacey, Linda Hamilton and Patrick Stewart. Each presenter related a memory from L.A. theater, the funniest of which was Megan Mullally's story of how an errant costume plunged her briefly into inadvertent top-lessness during a performance of "You Never Know," at the Pasadena Playhouse.
The awards are sponsored by Theatre L.A. This year, 320 shows registered for Ovation consideration. Center Theatre Group received more awards than any other producer or presenter, taking five for shows at the Mark Taper Forum and two for shows at the Ahmanson. There were 120 voters, representing Theatre L.A. members or serving as at-large voters appointed by Theatre L.A.

The winners:
Play/Larger: "Metamorphoses," Mark Taper Forum
Play/Smaller: "A Streetcar Named Desire," Deaf West Theatre
Musical/Larger: "Dreamgirls," Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
Musical/Smaller: "Oliver!" Deaf West Theatre
Writing of a World Premiere: Dominic Hoffman, "Uncle Jacques' Symphony"
New Translation/Adaptation: Bob Daniels, Linda Bove and Phyllis Frelich, "A Streetcar Named Desire"
Director/Musical: Jeff Calhoun, "Oliver!"
Director/Play: Mary Zimmerman, "Metamorphoses"
Leading Actor/Play: Dominic Hoffman, "Uncle Jacques' Symphony" Leading Actress/Play: Kathleen Chalfant, "Wit"
Leading Actor/Musical: Douglas Sills, "The Scarlet Pimpernel"
Leading Actress/Musical: Kecia Lewis, "Dreamgirls"
Featured Actor/Play: Joe Hart, "The Angels of Lemnos"
Featured Actress/Play: Kathryn Joosten, "Ladies of the Corridor"
Featured Actor/Musical: Billy Porter, "Dreamgirls"
Featured Actress/Musical: Tonya L. Dixon, "Dreamgirls"
Ensemble Performance: Cast of "Forbidden Broadway Y2K/LA"
Set Design/Larger: David Gallo, "Jitney"
Set Design/Smaller: Thomas Buderwitz, "Against the Glass"
Costume Design/Larger: William Dudley, "Amadeus"
Costume Design/Smaller: Alvin Colt, "Forbidden Broadway Y2K/LA"
Lighting Design/Larger: T.J. Gerckens, "Metamorphoses"
Lighting Design/Smaller: David Flad, "The Angels of Lemnos"
Sound Design/Larger: Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman, "Metamorphoses"
Sound Design/Smaller: Jef Bek and Eric Snodgrass, "Nosferatu"
Choreography: Brian Paul Mendoza, "Oliver!"
Career Achievement Award: Ray Stricklyn
James A. Doolittle Award for Leadership in Theater: Michael D. Eisner and Walt Disney Co.

November 2, 2000: Linda Hamilton Bows Out of "T3"

The Los Angeles Daily News - LA Life Section: Celebrities by Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith, carried this item:

"Terminator 3" will go before the cameras without Linda Hamilton. When her ex-husband, director James Cameron, decided not to be involved in the follow-up to the follow-up, speculation grew that Linda would return to her "Terminator" role as the mother of the future savior of the world, beside Arnold schwarzenegger and Edward Furlong. It's not happening.

"I was asked. I turned it down," she wants us to know. "I felt it was more courageous not to do it -- after spending nine years trying to get the image of my 'Terminator' character out of people's minds. I'm tired of being ever-earnest and sticken. Oh, the suffering I've done."

Right now, she's suffering for real as she prepares to take to the boards at West Hollywood's Tiffany Theatre in a revival of the haunting romantic mystery play "Laura."
Hamilton, who has had scant stage experience, reveals, "I don't know how to be convincing loud. I go home and burst into tears. I'm terrified."
She says of the production that will run from Nov. 8 - Dec. 17, " We've been rehearsing for four weeks and it feels like forever."
Still, she is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the role handled by Gene Tierney in the 1944 classic film noir adaptation.
"The truth is, I'm having a good time. I always have a good time when I'm working. I love to act. I'm game for anything."

The Scott Bakula Sightings offer postings on "It's A Girl Thing" and especially the press release of Showtime:

-- New York, NY, June 6, 2000 --

Continuing its commitment to providing its viewers with quality original programming, SHOWTIME has greenlighted IT'S A GIRL THING (Tentative Title). It was announced today by Jerry Offsay, President of Programming for Showtime Networks Inc.
IT'S A GIRL THING is a four hour limited series, each story dealing with the life of a different woman, who is tied together with the other women by their common therapist.

IT'S A GIRL THING is a Lee Rose production.
The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast including: Kate Capshaw ("The Love Letter," "How to Make an American Quilt"), Stockard Channing (SHOWTIME's THE BABY DANCE, "Six Degrees of Separation"), Rebecca DeMornay (SHOWTIME's THE WINNER, "Risky Business"), Mia Farrow ("Hannah and Her Sisters," "Rosemary's Baby"), Elizabeth Franz (SHOWTIME's DEATH OF A SALESMAN, "Sabrina"), Bruce Greenwood ("Rules of Engagement," "Double Jeopardy"), Buck Henry ("Heaven Can Wait," "The Graduate"), Irma P. Hall ("Soul Food," "Beloved"), Linda Hamilton (SHOWTIME's RESCUERS: STORIES OF COURAGE: TWO COUPLES, "The Terminator"), Glenne Headly (SHOWTIME's MY OWN COUNTRY and BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA), Allison Janney ("The West Wing," "American Beauty"), Tina Lifford (SHOWTIME's MANDELA AND DEKLERK and RUN FOR THE DREAM: THE GAIL DEVERS STORY), Elle Macpherson ("Sirens," "If Lucy Fell"), Camryn Manheim ("The Practice," "The 10th Kingdom"), Margo Martindale ("Dead Man Walking," "The Firm"), S. Epatha Merkerson ("Law & Order," "Jacob's Ladder"), Kelly Rowan ("Three to Tango," "187"), Brent Spiner ("Star Trek: Insurrection," "Phenomenon"), Lynn Whitfield (SHOWTIME's THE PLANET OF JUNIOR BROWN, "The Josephine Baker Story") and Peta Wilson ("La Femme Nikita," "One of Our Own").

Dr. Beth Noonan (CHANNING) is a psychologist on the brink of burning out while she is treating four women, each going through various crises in their lives.

In the first story, Lauren Travis (MACPHERSON), a high-powered attorney, suddenly finds herself attracted to another woman, Casey Montgomery (CAPSHAW), and as a result struggles with her sexual identity.

In the second story, Helen McCormack's (HEADLY) mother has just died, and in order to inherit under her mother's will, Helen must live with her two sisters, Kathy (JANNEY) and Kim (DEMORNAY), and their housekeeper, Alice (HALL), for one week in her late mother's home. Because Helen and Kathy despise each other, Helen is forced to choose whether or not to obey her mother's wish thereby re-defining the meaning of "sister."

In the third story, Nia Morgan (WHITFIELD) hires a decoy, Rachel Logan (HAMILTON), to spy on her cheating husband, only to find that the object of his affection is an older waitress, Betty McCarthy (FARROW). Together the three women plot revenge.

In the fourth story, Suzanne Nabor (MANHEIM) is a new patient who is seriously disturbed. When Dr. Noonan decides to terminate their relationship, Suzanne holds the doctor hostage along with another patient, Alex (WILSON), a co-worker (MERKERSON) and a coffee house owner, May (MARTINDALE).

These are stories about life, love, loss and all things human.

Production began earlier this week on IT'S A GIRL THING. Lee Rose ("A Mother's Prayer," "The Color of Courage") serves as writer, director and executive producer for the film. The creative executives for Showtime Networks are Deborah Spera and Katy Coyle.

This weekend the director of "Skeletons in the Closet" - Wayne Powers - contacted LHOW offering help in answering questions on the movie:

"i'm the writer-producer-director of skeletons in the closet which stars treat williams, linda hamilton and jonathan jackson. i noticed your web site. if you have any questions about the movie, i may be able to answer them. WP"

Wow, and of course LHOW asked a first bunch of questions which Mr. Powers so kindly answered right away... Read the whole piece in the "Archives" section "Articles & Interviews"!

Tina is a strong-minded woman who works with Will (Treat Williams). She wants him. We know it, but he's afraid to get involved. Our first sighting of them together is at a work party in his home. They worked together on a project at work, and it had gone really well. They decide to toast with champagne. Linda has a pretty cool toast that is so funny. Everyone in the theater laughed. She said "Here's to you, here's to me, may we never disagree, but if we do, fuck you, here's to me." That gives you a picture of her character right there.

After this, they kiss. It's awkward, they apologize, and that's that. Then they end up working together again, and she gets him to open up a little, they are finally able to consumate their relationship. In a very moving scene he mentions that he's really scarred up on his back. She takes off his shirt and says "We all have scars." and then proceeds to kiss him on the scars on his back. It was very touching and extremely well played by Linda. I was very impressed.

From this point on they are boyfriend and girlfriend. Will's son Seth (Jonathan Jackson) flirts with her a few times and tells her some disturbing things and memories of his father. When Will starts believing his son is a serial killer and actually openly accuses him of it in a court and to the police she starts to get suspicious of Will. She ends up hearing both sides of some things and sees Will act out in a violent, paranoid way.

She doesn't know what to believe. Then she's poisoned. Will is at her side when she wakes up in the hospital and she basically says "Did he do it or did you?" That's the last we see of her until the end of the movie, which I can't reveal as it would give away who the killer was and other important things.

I was very impressed with her performance, she was light and funny when she needed to be. She was romantic, sweet and scared when she needed to be. I loved her in this movie. This is definitely a must-see movie for all Linda fans.

Dee

More general reviews on the movie you can find at the Jonathan Jackson fansite "J2".

In Harry Knowles' "Ain't It Cool News" a first review of SITC was submitted:

A film for your Radar... SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET

Well folks, Harry here... and this time I have word on a movie that we should've had word on... about.. oh... 3 weeks ago, but some evil genius somewhere slept late or just plum forgot to make his screening. BUT... as always, we find out anyways. I've received two words on this film thus far... both positive... both from film students. Personally, I'm very interested in seeing this film... it sounds quite good... Here ya go...

I'm a student at the L.A. Film School and a group of us were invited to a cast/crew screening of the movie SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET because the d.p. sometimes lectures at our school (he's in NYC working now.)

The screening was on the Warner Brothers lot but the movie was made by Artisan. The director said beforehand that it was made for 1.5 million on High Definition Video and it was screened on High Def. I've seen a lot of low budget films and this one looked like it cost a lot more than that, so he's either full of shit or they got a lot for their money -it had helicopter shots and some underwater stuff and some fire stuff. The High Def looked like film, so I'd like to pick his brain some on how they it.

The movie stars Treat Williams and Jonathan Jackson as his son, and Linda Hamilton.

The movie opens with a fire and the voice over of Jonathan Jackson's character saying that his mother died in the fire and he doesn't remember anything about it, but he does have a recurring dream that his father set the fire. This sets up the central mystery - is the father the bad guy, or is it the son?

After a classmate is found dead, Jonathan confesses to the killing to his dad in a scene that is CREEPY. The father is tormented by this, until the next day when someone else confesses to the crime and Jonathan says he was just "testing" his dad. But as the movie progresses, more people turn up missing and the father becomes convinced his son is the killer. For a while we believe he's right, but later the plot does a 180 and we begin to think that Treat is paranoid, and that he did kill his wife. To give away what really happened to the mother would spoil the film.

I loved this movie. I would say that it's a paranoid thriller. It reminded me in style of ROSEMARY'S BABY (just saw it on DVD, awesome), in that you see the movie through one person's eyes and you don't know if they're right or if they're paranoid. You never see any killings in the movie, not gore, but IT'S SCARY AS HELL. My girlfriend (okay, I admit, I wish she was my girlfriend) screamed twice and hid her head a lot. You care a lot about the characters - including Linda Hamilton who plays Treat's girlfriend (and still looks do-able.)

My girlfriend knew Jonathan Jackson because he played Luke and Laura's son in GENERAL HOSPITAL. (Luke was in the audience.) There also seemed to be a good number of Jackson fans in the audience. I'd never seen him before but he is THE REAL DEAL. This movie should be a breakout for him. He's good looking and you feel for him, but he can also be creepy and vicious. He's like a young Johnny Depp.

Treat Williams surprised me. Sometimes I like him, sometimes he's boring. But he was really good in this. This movie is from his point of view and you don't know if you should trust him or not; and at other times you believe him and feel his torment. The film has a great, dark sense of humor and it got a lot of laughs from the audience that appreciated its Kafka-esque sense of irony. Linda Hamilton also has some strong moments. I also noticed the red headed guy from NYPD BLUE in the mix.

What I dug about this movie is that it's really smart. The twists and turns are great, but also it really has something to say about the reality of killers and abuse, and being a father.

The music is also really cool, and Jonathan did a bunch of songs in it, so he writes music and sings, too.

I would highly recommend this movie, so keep an eye out for it.

Samson Agonistes

The Jonathan Jackson fansite "J2" reports that:

ARTISAN ENTERTAINMENT
invites you to a screening of

Skeletons in the Closet

on Friday, October 6, 2000 at 7:30 pm
at Warner Brothers Studio, Screening Room 12
(enter through Gate 4 on Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91522)

You must RSVP by calling 310.230.9425 to specify number of guests and a phone number where you can be reached.
(please note, the movie has an "R" rating)

September 27, 2000: Linda in Stageplay

The Los Angeles Daily News - LA Life Section: Celebrities by Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith, carried this item:

"T3 Or Not T3: Linda Hamilton, who may or may not appear in Arnold Schwarzenegger's next Terminator sequel, is slated to appear on stage at Hollywood's Tiffany Theatre in December. She'll play the mysterious 'Laura' in a stage version of the famous movie."

September 27, 2000: Review of "Terminator 2 - Ultimate Edition" on DVD

Directed by: James Cameron

Written by: James Cameron & William Wisher Jr.

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Earl Boen, Joe Morton, S. Epatha Merkerson, & Castulo Guerra

Genre: Need Help?

MPPA Rating: (violence) | 152 Minutes

Format: Widescreen anamorphic format

Studio: Columbia/Tristar Pictures

Extras: DVD-ROM Features, Documentaries, Audio Commentary, Theatrical Trailer, Story Boards, Cast/Crew Bios, Included Trivia Booklet, Scene Access, Additional Footage, & Interactive Menus

Release Date: 08/29/2000

Overall Grade: See Grades Below

Review By: Nick Lyons The Movie Insider

When Arnold Schwarzenegger said "I'll be back," he wasn't kidding. He's back in a big way on this DVD and let me tell you, you won't be disappointed.

For those who don't know, "T2: Judgment Day" follows the adventures of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton.) In the original, you learned that her son is the future leader of the resistance against the machines, and that she must protect him by all means, or mankind will be wiped out by a nuclear blast. Now, years later Sarah learns who created the chip that could lead to the up rise of the machines, and decides to take it upon herself and save humanity. With the help of the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who was sent back through time to protect John, they may defeat the odds and change the future. Unfortunately, there's a machine called the T-1000, (who is also sent back from time) who is trying to prevent the group from altering the future, in order for the machines to rule humanity.

Aside from some corny dialogue, this movie is absolutely superb. The action is intense, the script is filled with humorous one-liners and poignant scenes about advanced technology and nuclear war, solid acting all around (especially by the bad-ass Robert Patrick), the direction is stunning, the FX are mind blowing (it's amazing how they create such visuals) and so on. Every element for a successful film is here. In other words, it's brilliant.

Overall, forget the original Terminator, this is the real deal. A must see film.

WOW! This DVD is amazing! You couldn't ask for anything more. The sound is nice and loud (nothing beats Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound), the video quality is pretty solid (it's fuzzy at times) and the extras are out of this world. First off, there's the usual dull features. Trailers/teasers and cast and crew information, but honestly when there's a disk this loaded, WHO CARES! The real goodies consist of a 30 minute making of T2 fetaurette, "T:2 More Than Meets the Eye" featurette, "Making Of T2: 3D: Breaking The Screen Barrier" (which is an interesting segment about the Universal Studios attraction), there's the entire screenplay, 700 storyboards audio commentary featuring 26 members of the crew and cast (including Stan Winston, James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger) and there's supplemental materials, which talks about F/X, make-up and how they filmed T2. There's also 3 versions of the film. There's the theatrical version of the film, the special edition (which includes 20 minutes of unreleased scenes) and there's the extended version (which includes two new scenes). On top of that, T2 has the most impressive screen menus to date. Thank Artisan for going all out on this disk, because quite frankly It Rocks.

Overall, No problems....

Movie: Video: Audio: Extras: Overall:

Linda & Leslie turn 44 today, so all the best from LHOW :)

September 24, 2000: Linda in cookbook

There is a new cookbook out that also contains Linda:

Star Grazing
by Harry Schwartz
Paperback - 203 pages
JSA Communications; ISBN: 0970098901
Amazon.com Price: $21.95

Amazon.com Editorial Review

Book Description
A cookbook based upon the popular PBS series "Chef Harry & Friends", now in its third season. A unique cookbook that offers more than just recipies, but an intimate look at the lifestyle and personalities of his celebrity guests from Coolio to Linda Hamilton. Beautifully photographed.

The author, Chef Harry , August 22, 2000
A Multi-ethnic collection of recipes created for celebrities
Star Grazing is full of beautiful color, photos, predominately quick and easy recipes and a look inside celebrity homes. My style is casual and I do quick, gourmet and fresh dishes that are easily assembled and presented proudly to your family and guests. Usually, you won't have to go to more than 1 store to prepare my meals as I don't like cooking to be stressful or hard work. What's important to me is the people gathering around the table and the thoughts and feelings that are shared. I like to be a guest at my own parties. From designer Thai for Coolio to casual Mediterranean for Linda Hamilton and Vegan Vegetarian for Patrick Bauchau, Star Grazing will give you recipes that you will make again and again as well as stimulate you to create your own variations to suite your own style and tastes. Come, enjoy with me!

About the Author
Now in its third season, Chef Harry is host to the popular PBS series "Chef Harry & Friends" which airs in over 150 markets - and is a regular host and guest on such programs as The Today Show, PAX TV's "Great Day America", Home and Garden's "Smart Solutions" and has done numerous apperances on The Home Shopping Network, BBC, KTLA, KTLA, FoodTV, and E! plus infomercials and commercials. Harry also writes a weekly celebrity interview column for Copley call "Chef Harry Presents" which reaches about 1000 newspapers.

August 24, 2000: Linda in "Terminator 3"?

The Los Angeles Daily News - LA Life Section: Celebrities by Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith, carried this item:

"Don't be surprised if Linda Hamilton returns to her role as Arnold Schwarzenegger's co-star in "Terminator 3"---now that her ex-husband James Cameron has decided he won't be directing the picture. You might recall she played the mother of Edward Furlong---who's also signed on for "T3"."

Well, the next weeks/months will be interesting: on the one hand there was this - back then dirty - divorce from Cameron, on the other hand Linda talked about him kindly early this year and did not want to reprise her role as Sarah Connor without Cameron directing.
Currently he definitely will not direct "T3", but the future is not set... and so we still have to wait and see what will happen. Maybe it is all about money anyway.

August 13/July 31, 2000: "Terminator 2 - Ultimate Edition" on DVD

The "Terminator 2 - Ultimate Edition" will be released on DVD August 29!
This version offers 6 hours of material incl. the theatrical release, the special edition, the 'Making Of', 'More Than Meets The Eye', several trailers plus never before seen footage, etc. Detailed info you can find here.

Disney's new animation "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command - The Adventure Begins" will premier on Video and DVD August 8 in the USA.

The British Columbia Film Commission reports the following:

IT'S A GIRL THING Mini - Series
Girl Thing Prod. Inc. for Showtime
Exec. Prod: Rose Lam
Prod: Lee Rose, Cydney Bernard
Director: Lee Rose
DOP: Erik Van Haren Noman
PM: Tracey Jeffrey
PC: Jo Friesen
LM: Janice Frome
ALM: Colin McCarthy
PD: Sheila Haley
Casting: Sid Kozak
Extras: Sandra Couldwell
Cast: various
Sched: June 5 - July 21/2000
4455 Juneau Street
Burnaby, BC V5C 4C4
419-1300 fax: 419-1301

July 12, 2000: "Terminator 3"

Variety reports the following:

Cameron won't be back for T3

While Arnold Schwarzenegger made good on his cyborg's promise to be back for "Terminator 3,"´ it's been confirmed that the franchise's creator, director James Cameron, won't follow suit.
Longtime Cameron producing partner Rae Sanchini said the helmer's involvement hasn't been a real possibility for more than a year.
The sequel rights to the sci-fi series are held by Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna, the former chiefs of the defunct Carolco studio which produced the first two films. The duo reteamed under their C-2 Pictures banner.
"I don't think (Cameron) has talked to Mario or Andy about this in over a year," Sanchini said.
Kassar and Vajna recently attached Schwarzenegger to star in the franchise's third installment, which is slated for a late spring 2001 start. No domestic distribution is in place, following the collapse of talks between C-2 and Fox.
Sanchini acknowledged that speculation rose when Schwarzenegger joined the project, but that Cameron's participation was never a real possibility.
"Yes, (Schwarzenegger and Cameron) are fabulous friends," Sanchini said, "and yes, they love working together, but no, he won't be directing the movie."
When Schwarzenegger committed to star in T3 last month, he said, "My big wish is that Jim Cameron and I will work together again. "For now, that wish will be restricted to "True Lies 2," which Cameron is developing at Fox.
Kassar and Vajna did not immediately respond to calls for comment.

June 27, 2000: New audio book out today!

Linda's new audio book "Be The One" by April Smith published by Random House is released today!

The Story again:
"Cassidy Sanderson is a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers - the only female scout in the major leagues. Hard-living and hard-drinking, she takes pride in successfully competing in an all-male world. But on a scouting trip to the Dominican Republic, two men unexpectedly change her life: Alberto Cruz, the 18 year-old "phenom" she takes into her heart, and Joe Galinis, a seductive developer she takes to bed. When they return to Los Angeles, all three find themselves entangled in a blackmail scheme laced with otherworldly voodoo and real-life violence: a tightening triangle of suspicion and deception that takes us into the back rooms (and backstabbing) of the high-stakes worlds of sports and finance."

The Voice again:
You can get more info and a sample of Linda's reading here.

June 27, 2000: "Terminator 3"

Corona's Coming Attractions reported the following over the last three months:

April 5, 2000... On the March 30th edition of Entertainment Tonight Linda Hamilton stated that she was interested in making another Terminator movie, but only if her former husband James Cameron is onboard. Hamilton told ET that she still thinks he is the creative mastermind behind the films and still has a lot of respect for him (the couple divorced back in '98). She was hoping to see a script in the near future. Entertainment Tonight also mentioned that Edward Furlong has stated he is interested in reprising his role of John Connor.
[Hasta la vista to 'Dinger', Rachel, 'CMF' and Travis Kirkland.]

June 21, 2000... Well now we're really interested in understanding how this one came together. Arnold Schwarzenegger excited all the fans of the Terminator franchise this week when he was quoted on Access Hollywood as saying he'll be plans to return to the franchise after all.

As you may recall from earlier T3 postings on this page, Schwarzenegger was remaining non-committal to either of the two Terminator projects recently announced by C-2 Pictures.
Schwarzenegger was even quoted as saying he wouldn't be coming back to the franchise that launched his career unless the other major player in the creation of The Terminator also returned, that being writer/producer/director James Cameron. Cameron hasn't said anything publically about the matter.

Then from out-of-the-blue, Arnold tells Access Hollywood that he's warmed up to playing another T-800 chassis again. Schwarzenegger told AH "We'll make an announcement soon. It's all a matter of the script, the director and all of those kinds of things."

Then he added this interesting side-note: ""My big wish is Jim Cameron and I work together again." So now we're left wondering: it looks like Schwarzenegger has at least attached his name to the project, something he said he wouldn't do unless James Cameron were involved. Has Cameron given his blessing to the T3 project, to Arnold, or is there perhaps a deal going on behind the scenes to get Cameron on-board the film in some position? In short... what's going on??

In any case, the rest of the entertainment media jumped all over the Access Hollywood story. We've been receiving reports that the story was carried by Yahoo! News, Entertainment Weekly Online, New York Daily News, E! Online, USA Today, ABC News, the BBC as well as other local radio and entertainment news reporters that picked up the piece. From the amount of email we received about this one news item, a lot of people's interest just perked way up.

We're going to place a call tomorrow with C-2 Pictures to see what they have to say -- and if this latest development also means Schwarzenegger would be involved in some capacity with Terminator 4, which is also in developement at C-2.
[Reports received from 'A', 'Mos Terais', 'sjames19', 'Pinkus', Jeff Schafer, Nick, 'Eastham', 'Mr.XL', 'Grason', 'Pabst187', Marcus, Chris Drake, 'RedDoggX', Stewart Nolan, Dave Rudd, Ken Rocker, Chris Fornwalt, 'The DJ Wood', Dominic Fragomeni, Patrick Unger, Cameron, Jean-Francois Bouchard, Brian Hester, Mulekiller and more anonymous sendersl information originally appeared on Access Hollywood.]

Morning, June 22, 2000... Today's Variety and The Hollywood Reporter are both running the story that Arnold Schwarzenegger has officially committed to star in Terminator 3, set to begin production in the spring of 2001 in Los Angeles. Although details about the exact size of the film's budget and whether or not other Terminator co-stars would reprise their roles in the sequel were still unknown, the announcement that Schwarzenegger is coming back to the franchise that launched his career is a huge win for the project. No doubt Terminator fans will be pleased.

While both industry trade magazines ran the story, The Hollywood Reporter's coverage of the Schwarzenegger/T3 announcement gathered even more interesting speculation. According to the Reporter, the magazine's sources said that there had been discussion between Schwarzenegger and Cameron about the Oscar-winning director helming T3; in fact, the Reporter says Cameron's already read Tedi Sarafian's T3 script chronicling the events leading up to Skynet declaring war on the humans.

Although no studio distribution deals have been made, you better believe there will be one soon. There was no mention in either magazine that Schwarzenegger's deal included the actor starring in Terminator 4.
[Originally appeared in The Hollywood Reporter, Variety.]

Afternoon, June 22, 2000... Variety has updated their breaking story about Schwarzenegger's T3 deal. Right now the T3 movie has been targeted for a release in summer of 2002. Sources within the Cameron camp have told them that the director will come on board only if the film winds up at Fox, due to the positive experience Cameron had working with them on Titanic. Finally, Variety was able to find out that the proposed script for T4 (assigned to screenwriter David Wilson) is still being written. The T3 script has already been completed.
[Originally appeared in Variety; reported by Widgett.]

June 9, 2000: New project for Linda greenlighted

Daily Variety reports the following:

Committing to another miniseries, Showtime has given the go-ahead to "It's a Girl Thing,'' a comedy-drama featuring an ensemble cast, including Linda Hamilton, Rebecca De Mornay and Stockard Channing.

"It's a Girl Thing'' deals with a psychologist (Channing) and four of her patients. Other cast members include Kate Capshaw, Mia Farrow, Camryn Manheim and Peta Wilson, among others. "Girl'' will make it to Showtime's schedule early in 2001.

May 25, 2000: More news on "Skeletons in the Closet"

Production wrapped up on the principal shooting for Wayne Powers’ independently produced, "low"-budget film, "Skeletons in the Closet" Sunday, May 21, thus ending a memorable three-week span here in the Valley that left many residents both "psyched" and "thrilled" to have been a part of the digitally shot psycho-thriller.

You can find the complete article in the "Archives" section "Articles & Interviews".

May 22, 2000: New audio book to be released

Linda has a new audio book coming out on June 27. It's called "Be The One" by April Smith and published by Random House.

The Story:
"Cassidy Sanderson is a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers - the only female scout in the major leagues. Hard-living and hard-drinking, she takes pride in successfully competing in an all-male world. But on a scouting trip to the Dominican Republic, two men unexpectedly change her life: Alberto Cruz, the 18 year-old "phenom" she takes into her heart, and Joe Galinis, a seductive developer she takes to bed. When they return to Los Angeles, all three find themselves entangled in a blackmail scheme laced with otherworldly voodoo and real-life violence: a tightening triangle of suspicion and deception that takes us into the back rooms (and backstabbing) of the high-stakes worlds of sports and finance."

The Voice:
You can get more info and a sample of Linda's reading here.

May 15, 2000: More news on "Skeletons in the Closet"

Filming finally began in Jackson and will continue over the next few weeks.

You can find the complete article in the "Archives" section "Articles & Interviews".

May 2, 2000: News on "Skeletons in the Closet"

According to guestbook signer Nat Howe Linda is filming her new psycho thriller in northern NH-MT Washington Valley over the next week.
In addition to Treat Williams Gordon Clapp and Jonathan Jackson also join the cast. The movie is being directed by Wayne Powers.

April 23, 2000: PEOPLE Poll

PEOPLE Magazine is doing the "50 Most Beautiful People Poll 2000"!
Vote for Linda here!

April 18, 2000: News on Linda's upcoming projects

The Los Angeles Times from April 11 reports that ABC's animated TV series based on Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear will be called The Adventures of Buzz Lightyear and the "fanciful, eccentric piece for Touchstone and ABC" is titled Bailey's Mistake.

You can find the complete article in the "Archives" section "Articles & Interviews".

April 10, 2000: News on Linda

The April 8-14 TV Guide ran these comments on Linda's new movie, Sex & Mrs. X, and on Linda herself:

Susan Stewart's Hits and Misses

Moments after Joanna Scott's husband of 10 years leaves her for a sexier woman, her editor sends her to Paris to do a story on sexiness. Her subject: a high-class madam (Jacqueline Bisset), who tutors Joanna (Linda Hamilton) in flirting, "flesh" and general man control. "He eez neutralized!" Bisset murmurs triumphantly after making eye contact with one victim. Part "Pygmalion," part soft porn, this dumb TV-movie manages to objectify both men and women. It neutralized me. My score: 2

Hollywood Grapevine: showbiz buzz and celebrity scoop by Mark Schwed

It's been nearly 13 years since Linda Hamilton launched CBS's Beauty and the Beast -- time enough for her to think about returning to series TV.
"I'd love to do a sitcom like Frasier," says Hamilton, or something "wonderfully written and family-friendly." In the meantime, she's in Lifetime's movie Sex & Mrs. X (April 10), in which she plays a reporter investigating a madam (Jacqueline Bisset). But the big question is : Will Hamilton say "'I'll be back!" for Terminator 3?"
"I've been approached," she says. "The next thing would be to read a script." She says she'd only consider it if her ex-husband, Titanic director James Cameron, agrees to direct it. "I know well enough he is the genius behind those projects," she says. "My loyalty is to James."

March 27, 2000: New Projects for Linda!

The Los Angeles Daily News from March 23 reports that Linda is up with two new projects in the near future:
First she'll do a big-screen psychological thriller, Skeletons in the Closet, with Treat Williams, going into production next month. And in June she'll begin making "a fanciful, eccentric piece for Touchstone and ABC."

March 22, 2000: Info on 'Sex and Mrs. X'

From Lifetime Online:
"Linda Hamilton and Jacqueline Bisset star in 'Sex and Mrs. X', an exotic drama that explores how one woman regains her sense of self through a sexual reawakening.

Joanna (Hamilton) is a woman secure in the knowledge of who she is: a perfect wife, a successful magazine journalist and a woman who's just celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary with her husband, Dale. But when Dale suddenly leaves her for another woman, Joanna's world collapses. Her self-esteem shattered, Joanna questions her attractiveness as a woman and her value as a human being. How did this happen to her?

Follow Joanna as she escapes to Paris and learns the many secrets of seduction under the tutelage of Madame Simone (Bisset). Slowly, empowered by her newfound knowledge and self-confidence, Joanna comes to understand her true self-worth."

March 13, 2000: 'Toy Story' for TV

From E! Online's "Watch with Wanda", Week of March 6:
"From Carradine: What's this I hear about a Toy Story TV show?
You heard right. ABC just announced they are making a Saturday-morning cartoon based on Buzz. Seinfeld's Puddy (aka Patrick Warburton) will voice Buzz, with Seinfeld's Newman (aka Wayne Knight) as the evil Zurg. Also listen for the vocals of French Stewart, Linda Hamilton, Adam Carolla and Larry Miller."

March 13, 2000: Chat with Majandra Delfino

From E! Online's "Watch with Wanda", February 14:
"From Meredith White: Of all the actors you have worked with, who did you like best? And who would you like to work with in the future?
I'd have to say it's a tie between Kathleen Quinlan and Linda Hamilton. I would love to work with them again. I'd also want to work with Jack Nicholson and Johnny Depp, baby."

February 9, 2000: Video Releases

"The Secret Life Of Girls" is now available on video in the US as well.

"Batman Beyond: The Movie" is now available on video in the US; Linda again voices Dr. Stephanie Lake.

February 8, 2000: Linda wins Golden Satellite Award

January 16, 2000 Linda won the Golden Satellite Award as Best Actress in a Miniseries or Telefilm for "The Color of Courage".

Congratulations !!!

January 22, 2000: "Sex and Mrs. X"

We received the following info from Lifetime:

Thank you for your email. The program about which you inquired, "Sex & Mrs. X", is scheduled to run on April 10th at 9:00 pm, April 16th at 8:00 pm, April 19th at 9:00 pm, April 29th at 4:00 pm, and April 30th at 12:00 pm.

January 10, 2000: "The Secret Life Of Girls"

"The Secret Life Of Girls" already aired on Pay TV in Europe (Belgium and Netherlands). So probably it will be released on video or air on Pay TV in the USA soon as well.