bhryun Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 WOW!! I just saw this on the news - Catherine Zeta Jones has just signed to play LANA TURNER! Huh? I can see her as Ava or Gene Tierney but not Lana! Wait it gets WORSE - KEANU REEVES is in talks to play Johnny Stompanato!!! HUH?! It's a project by Adrian Lyne (Lolita, Fatal Attraction) .... I enjoy both Catherine Zeta Jones and Keanu Reeves, but I just can't see them in those roles. Maybe they will pleasantly surprise us .... -Madge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted August 24, 2005 Author Share Posted August 24, 2005 Oh Horrors! I didn't even know this was in the works, but now that I do, I'm horrified! Geez, who's casting this thing? She's no Lana and, OMG, Keanu? Can you say "box office bomb"? Sheesh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyweekes70 Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 Hi Madge, Like the suggestion for Paltrow to play Dietrich, which I strongly disagreed with in the thread devoted to that one, all I can say about Zeta Jones playing Turner is why oh why oh why? As for Keanu Reeves, I just don't understand his stardom. I suppose he's good-looking enough, whihch entirely qualifies him to be a 'star' these day, but I suppose I'm missing something when it comes to an appreciation of his acting ability, though I really doubt it! Did you ever Duncan Regehr's Errol Flynn in the TV movie of Flynn's My Wicked, Wicked Ways? One would have figured Hollywood bio-pics would have ground to a halt after that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bansi4 Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 It's too bad that Sharon Stone didn't get to play Lana Turner as was planned a few years ago. I believe she could have pulled it off. Mongo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyweekes70 Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 I never heard the rumour but I think so, Mongo. There's that strong element of mystery, danger and seething sexuality in Stone's on-screen personality that was present in much of Turner's work. Too bad indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vecchiolarry Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 Hi, Gadzooks!!!!! Who does the casting now-a-days for movies and TV??? 1) I don't really know if I like Caterine Zeta Jones or not... -- in general, in anything..... I thought she did a good enough job in that TV movie about Catherine the Great but I'm not sure yet if I liked her in "Chicago". In real life, I find her annoying and cloying and grasping. Just my impression... 2) Lana was the grand blonde star after Jean Harlow and before Marilyn Monroe; she was all white, gold and pink... CZJ is dark and swarthy and doesn't resemble Lana. 3) Keanu Reeves is too baby faced and not menacing and studly like Johnny Stompanato. 4) Sharon Stone would have been a better choice; she would have been OK as Lana - at least she resembles her more than CZJ..... Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted August 24, 2005 Author Share Posted August 24, 2005 Hi - Okay - I am prepared to be totally clubbed over the head for this post! Lol! And be forewarned for the following assault of adjectives - Regarding the casting of Lana - first of all yes - she is indeed a legend (Lauren Bacall would agree on that one I'm sure!) - but if one was to cast this film on pure physicality (is that a word?) you should "Google Images" for a young (mid 20's) soap (yikes!) actress named BREE WILLIAMSON - I have no idea if she would have the acting chops, but when you see her (here come the adjectives) she has the classy, busty, fleshy, pouty, peaches and cream "candy box blonde" vibe for the role - Wow - I know I'll get creamed for this one - but when you see her she really gives (as well as an imitation can) a Lana vibe. - Ducking - Madge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 hey maybe they can get horse-faced Gwen Stefani to play JEAN HARLOW??? Oh wait! They also screwed that casting too! What was the movie in which Mackenzie Phillips played Lilliam Gish???? Whatever happened to Uma Thurman as Dietrich? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chandler5710 Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 OMG I LOVE Bree Williamson! She's outrageously gorgeous and she would be PERFECT for Lana. I'm so glad someone else has noticed her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted August 24, 2005 Author Share Posted August 24, 2005 Chandler- I'm glad to see that I'm not totally crazy!! - Madge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deborahwakid11 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Dear Madge: What are they, totally nuts. Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is one of the few modern actresses I actually like, playing Lana Turner. I could see her playing Ava Gardner or Linda Darnell, but not Lana. Worst is Keanu Reeves as Johnny Stompanato. Ugh? Of course, with Duncan Regher as Erroll Flynn and Lynda Carter as Rita Hayworth, can we get much worse? How about Brolin and Clayburgh as Gable and Lombard? Take care. Deborah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chandler5710 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 For Madge: For some reason, casting directors never go to the soaps, where there are some truly beautiful actresses, Bree being one, who could definitely play some of the old stars. Rebecca Budig, who is Greenlee on All My Children, played Natalie Wood in a film, and you can see where she would be perfect. Soaps in general have too many blonds that look alike, but they also have some very beautiful and interesting looking women as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted August 25, 2005 Author Share Posted August 25, 2005 Deborah - I forgot about Clayburgh and Brolin!! How about Tony Orlando as Jose Ferrer in the "Rosemary Clooney Story" or Barry Bostwick as John Gilbert in "Moviola?" They haven't shown those in years... What a shame - I really like Catherine Zeta Jones, too - she could have made a really lucious (sp) Cyd Charisse ... Now the younger generation STILL won't know Lama Turner ... - Madge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyweekes70 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 And let's not forget Loni Anderson as Thelma Todd. Oh, wait a minute, let's DO try to forget that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted August 25, 2005 Author Share Posted August 25, 2005 Oh! Oh! - Yes - How about Loni Anderson as Jayne Mansfield and "AH-NOLD" as Mickey Hargitay!! - Madge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandykaypax Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 You know, a lot of times stuff like this gets announced and the movie never gets made. So, I won't worry about it until I see it. And actually, I try not to judge the merits of a film unless I've seen it. I couldn't picture Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn when I first heard that she would be playing her in THE AVIATOR, but I thought that she was fabulous. I agree, though, that Catherine Zeta-Jones seems an odd choice, looks-wise, to play Lana. Sandy K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deborahwakid11 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Hi, Madgeowens: I had forgotten all about that Movieola miniseries. I only saw the last two episodes (on "Gone With the Wind" and the Garbo/Gilbert thing. I missed the Marilyn episode. It seems to me that in the one on "Gone With the Wind," they had Sharon Gless playing Lombard, not as badly as Clayburgh, mainly she because she was not on the screen as long. I cannnot believe that "Gable and Lombard" movie is actually on DVD, while you can hardly buy any of the real Carole Lombard's movies on video or DVD, which I think most of would prefer to see. Hot Toddy was definitely cold toddy. Barry Bostwick as John Gilbert! What a last. At least they have kept that stuff off the airwaves. I don't remember who played Garbo, nor do I remember who played Eleanor Boardman or King Vidor. Take care. Deborah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencerl964 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Hello to the most intelligent crowd on the net-(when it comes to the history of motion pictures!) I knew about "Stompanato!" That is was coming up next yr. However, the casting was not as yet set. But, I must split with you fans on *C.Zeta Jones! Not about her "ridiculously" being cast as Lana Turner-(1920-95)-(P.S. Is that a done-deal by the way? I get tons of info, including "EW" & have as yet to hear-(ET, Access Hollywood, Variety,etc) or read that bit. I'm not doubting you though. With an obviously needed blonde wig-(or hair being dyed, she could likely pull it off. But, there are other actresses I personally would choose 1st for that role? I rank her among top 10 most beautiful women ever in cinema, but thats an entirely different matter-(see, with *Zeta-Jones aka: Mrs. M. Douglas) They are obviously thinking B.O. & especially with: Keanu Reeves-(given, his "Matrix series"-(I'm not a fan of his though. Just my opinion) I may surprise many to know that that guy is actually 41? She's 35. You did hit a bullseye with Ava though. Up to now, the closest they have gotten was when OSCAR winner: Marcia Gay Harden played her in a mini-seris on *"The Chairman>Francis Albert" I actually think they are making a larger error in regard to Reves as J. Stompanato!? (TRIVIA: For those not aware of him very-much. He was a lesser version of: Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel-(1906-47) Due to of course "Bugsy," getting whacked in '47. But, Stompanato loved to hit woman. Something Siegel woulda' despised & was more of a "Face" & "Bagman" for Luciano at that time. I've been by the infamous & nice house too. Also, check-out '97's nearly great "L.A. Confidential" on this matter. It has a couple marvelous bits on Lana & this "Bully>Stompanato!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencerl964 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 To johnnyweekes70, I am no big fan of the highly overrated OSCAR winner: *Gwyneth Paltrow-(her being cast as Marlene is far more "asinine" than *Catherine Zeta as Lana though! 1998's OSCARS were not only a travesty-("Pvt. Ryan," losing the biggie to her nice, but nowhere near the same level of moviemaking: *"Shakespeare in Love?"-(I've heard from a lotta' former OSCAR watchers, that said that yr. was it for them. They were so disgusted. I knew she'd win, but it was more of a popularity contest.(& *Zeta-Jones is far more talented than her as well.-(just my view anyway) Glad someone brought up 1980's passable, if you are among-us-("Golden Age Fans") "Movie-ola" It's aired once in awhile, but it edits out certain segments. I recall when the sadly already gone> "King of Latenight TV: Johnny Carson" had Sharon Gless on & she was in it as Lombard. Actually, though it's a tv mini-series. It's the type of thing TCM should possibly consider airing-(intact of course) Tony Curtis was also in it, among many. & as ok (**1/2-out of 4) as it is/was. It's great compared to "Gable & Lombard" Another tv-movie. It looked as though J. Brolin had his *Gable down alright, but Jill Clayburgh came off ridiculous as Carole Lombard-(1908-42) A good bio of our favorite era, I wish would air more often, is the same yrs 1976 "W.C. Fields & Me" *Rod Steiger-(1925-2002) was brilliant as "The Great Man!" & I try to catch everything concerning Hollywood & especially it's glorious past-(something we will never see the likes of again. & if the people that live & own most of the property there would take the same attitude, they wouldn't tear down everything they get their greedy hands-on!? & have caught the forementioned: "My Wicked, Wicked Ways"-(yet another tv-movie?) a few times. & it's not exactly even on par with Flynn's lesser films? If anything comes of the theatrical release-(Stompanato!")It will be that for once, it's not solely television movies, that air this bit of history Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencerl964 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Mongo, per usual, you hit a "Bullseye!" & just remember, it's all smoke & mirrors & it may not be too-late for Stone?-(though, they go by how much her newest-latest pix does at the B.O.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencerl964 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Darn-it, I remember something as soon as I finish. What about Pfeiffer? & on that note, she is doing a re-make of 1957's "Witness for the Prosecution" Though I am not certain which role she is playing-(Dietrich was 56 in the film) & Michelle is 48-(some stats sat 47?) The reason we rarely hear anything of her is she & David E. Kelly, live in N. Carolina.-(plus, she keeps a low profile anyway) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classicmoviedear Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 I think I am going to be sick! Tabitha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandykaypax Posted August 27, 2005 Share Posted August 27, 2005 I think that Michelle Pfeiffer would be wonderful in WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION. She is a very good actress whose career has waned a bit. Two of my favorite performances of hers are in DANGEROUS LIAISONS and THE AGE OF INNOCENCE. You know, since I work in theatre, I'm used to seeing different actors play the same roles. I think that's why movie remakes really don't bother me at all. I enjoy seeing a different take on a role. Sandy K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leobertucelli Posted August 27, 2005 Share Posted August 27, 2005 Aside from whose going to play what, the real point is why in hell do they (either so-called studio heads or funders) think a remake of a 4 star film can be made better? It can't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracey65k Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Are they really remaking "Witness for the Prosecution?" With Michele Pfeiffer? She'd be good in the Christine Vole role. It has to be that--can you see her playing the nurse??? And since the evil Production Code is no longer in effect, maybe they can end it the way it was meant to be ended--after Christine says, "I knew he was guilty." They'll have to set it in the past though--maybe the 20's or 30's like the play. With the modern veiwer's "knowledge" of forensics (thanks to "CSI" and similar) the plot, as written, would never fly. People would complain--"What about fibers?" "DNA?" and so on. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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