No-one is recognised as knowing more about Hollywood and celebrities than David Hartnell MNZM. He’s not only spent a lifetime reporting on Hollywood’s trivia, gossip and scandals, but he counts many celebrities among his personal friends. Every Monday morning David will give you an exclusive weekly update on the gossip, scandals and trivia of Hollywood’s elite.
David is an award winning broadcaster and columnist he’s also the patron of The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc. Her Majesty The Queen, awarded David the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (formerly an MBE) in the Queen’s birthday Honours list 2011. In 2012 he was made an Ambassador St James Saviours, the trust formed to save the iconic Auckland theatre. In 2014 he was made an Ambassador to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.
Visit David’s Website
Known by some as the ‘Godfather of gossip’, David Hartnell MNZM has amassed a fabulous resource of detail about Hollywood and television movies and stars throughout his long career interviewing celebrities and reporting on trivia, gossip and scandals. His knowledge ranges easily from the 1950s to the present day.
Now David has written this quiz book as a celebration of the rich variety that the movies and television have brought us over many decades, and the personalities who’ve been working in both industries. Presented in an entertaining but informative fashion, the more than 1,700 questions and answers are arranged in rounds of three, with answers close by. There are also specialty feature quizzes with questions related to a single subject, such as Oscar-winning films, Lord of the Rings, Sequels and Remakes, even TV pets. Collected trivia about celebrities and stars also feature as interesting snippets through the book. People love to be an authority on celebrities – the celebrity pages are the most popular pages of any magazine.
Whether it is used for pub quiz nights, parties or even long car trips, David Hartnell’s Celebrity Quiz Book will highlight to a wide audience the important milestones in the development of this most popular of cultures, and test how well you really know the world of entertainment.
This book will appeal to everyone who watches television or film.This is his ninth book.
Available in all good books store’s and on line, published by New Holland $19.99.;
View David Hartnell
‘Written in the stars – David’s triple celebrations‘ in the NZ Woman’s Weekly. View the article here on David’s website.
Be in to win monthly DVDs
…simply answer a question correctly, from this week’s column and you will be entered into the draw.
This week’s DVD is a copy of The Forger, starring John Travolta.
Question: Name two celebrities from this week’s column. Answer by clicking here.
_____________________________________________________________________
MONDAY 21st September
I’m not one to gossip but…………….. I was saddened to hear the news of Jackie Collins passing when I woke up this past Sunday morning.
I interviewed her many times and visited her in her stunning Beverly Hills home, which was out of this world. She was one of the nicest and most down to earth people you would ever want to meet.
From People Magazine
Jackie Collins, the beloved best-selling novelist, passed away Saturday 19th September 2015
“It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today,” the Collins family tells PEOPLE in a statement.
“She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over four decades. She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss
her beyond words.”
Diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer six-and-a-half years ago, Collins, 77, chose to keep her illness almost entirely to herself, confiding primarily in her three daughters, Tracy, 54, Tiffany, 48, and Rory, 46.
Collins, who sat down with PEOPLE on Sept. 14 at her Beverly Hills home for what would be her last interview, had no regrets about the decision to keep her cancer journey private while she embraced a very full life until her very last days. “Looking back, I’m not sorry about anything I did,” she said during the far-ranging interview that saw her spirited, warm and utterly at peace.
“I did it my way, as Frank Sinatra would say. I’ve written five books since the diagnosis, I’ve lived my life, I’ve travelled all over the world, I have not turned down book tours and no one has ever known until now when I feel as though I should come out with it,” said Collins, whose treatments over the years included a lumpectomy, radiation and various drug courses and combinations.
“Now I want to save other people’s lives.”
While Collins was a prolific writer for over four decades – more than 500 million copies of her novels have been sold around the globe and her latest book, The Santangelos hit shelves in June – it was her family, including her sister, actress Dame Joan Collins, brother, Bill, her daughters and six grandchildren that brought her the most pleasure.
“I love being with my family,” she said. “I love sitting out by the pool and watching my [grandkids] play.”
As for her daughters, she said last week, “I’m so proud of them” and, her voice breaking, Collins added, “I want them to feel secure and I want them to feel whatever happens, I’ll always be there.”
Memorial services in both the United States and the United Kingdom will be held privately. The Collins family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization (in the U.S.) and Penny Brohn Cancer Care (in the U.K.).
For more of Jackie Collins’ final interview and photo shoot – and for interviews with her daughters – please pick up PEOPLE, on stands on Friday in the USA. By Elizabeth Leonard
*
Can you believe that 30 years ago last week were introduced to Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia – The Golden Girls TV series.
They, of course, are The Golden Girls and for 180 episodes we watched them navigate life and love – and eat lots of cheesecake!
Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty each won an Emmy during the show’s seven year run and the show twice won the Emmy for outstanding comedy series.
Betty is now the only living Golden Girl even though she is the oldest. Getty died in 2008 at 84 from Lewy body dementia, Arthur died of cancer at 86 in 2009, and McClanahan died at 76 in 2010 from a stroke.
I visited the Golden Girls set a number of times in L.A., but my all time favourite Golden Girls
is Betty White, 93, both on and off the screen she is a sheer delight. If you get the chance to watch the Golden Girls TV series all these years later, you’ll still get a laugh out it. Check out some funny bits here.
*
Madame Tussauds in San Francisco is delighted to announce that irreverent internet sensation Grumpy Cat will be the first ever cat to be immortalised in the attraction’s history.
“This is truly an honour…” said a distinctly unimpressed Grumpy Cat. “I hate it.”
Grumpy Cat shot to stardom when her photo was posted on Reddit on September 22, 2012. To dispel suspicions that the image had been Photoshopped, she posted two videos to YouTube. The videos went viral, making her the darling of meme-loving macro-makers everywhere. See more here.
In step with Grumpy Cat’s digital celebrity, her figure will be an animatronic with five different movements. The animatronic will be unveiled at Madame Tussauds’ San Francisco location later this year in typically aloof fashion by Grumpy Cat herself. After a short stay at Madame Tussauds San Francisco, the animatronic will tour the remaining five Madame Tussauds attractions across the US.
For real-time updates on the upcoming unveiling, follow Madame Tussauds San Francisco on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*
A small exhibition of some of the late Carmen Rupe’s costume pieces is on display at Te Papa.
Shortly before her death in 2011, Carmen selected items from her collections of clothing, accessories and objects that she wanted to present to the museum as taonga. These were handed over in 2013 by her dear friends Jurgen and Robin Hoffman.
The National Museum’s Curator, Communities and Diversity Lynette Townsend says the current exhibition features a selection of headdresses and a lei, from the outfits Carmen chose.
“It is a celebration of Carmen and her achievements, both in terms of
leading the way as an out and proud transgender person and a gay rights
activist, and all the volunteer community work she did.”
The display is located on L4, by the Margaret Sparrow exhibition in Te Papa Wellington.
*
Lupita Nyong’o looks as gorgeous as always on the cover of Vogue magazine’s October 2015 issue.
Here’s what the 32-year-old Oscar winner had to share with the mag:
On loving both America and Kenya: “I definitely feel there’s a lot of
America in me,” she continues. “The idea that you can be self-made is very vibrant in America. You can do anything that you want to do. That spirit pushes you on. But it took me leaving Kenya to really appreciate the glory of the place. Ultimately, I will always be a child of Kenya.”
On drama vs. comedy: “I’m definitely attracted to more dramatic roles. I like playing characters that stretch me and that allow me to investigate humanity in a different way.”
J.J.Abrams on Lupita in Star Wars: “We needed a powerful actress to play a powerful character. Lupita was someone I’d known a little and was enormously fond of. More important, her performance in 12 Years a Slave blew my mind, and I was vaguely desperate to work with her.
Lupita’s first Vogue cover was just over a year ago!
For more from Lupita, visit Vogue.com.
*
Vanessa Williams made a guest appearance at the Miss America pageant – more than 30 years after she was pressured to give up her crown with only seven months of her reign remaining.
It was all over some nude photos she had posed for that were never meant to be seen by anyone but ended up in Penthouse Magazine.
I was in America at the time and it was HUGE news at the time and I remember reading all about it in People Magazine. Felt so sorry for Vanessa but was impressed with how she handled it all and was rooting for her as she conquered music (Saving the Best For Last, Colours of the Wind), movies (Eraser, Soul Food), Broadway (Kiss of the Spider Woman) and, of course, television as Ugly Betty’s villainous Wilhelmina Slater and as Renee Perry on Desperate Housewives.
She is, easily, the most famous and successful Miss America of all time. During the ABC telecast of the pageant, Miss America CEO Sam Haskell addressed Williams and the controversy onstage with an official apology: “I have been a close friend to this beautiful and talented lady for 32 years. You have lived your life in grace and dignity and never was it more evident than during the events of 1984 when you resigned. Though none of us currently in the organisation were involved then, on behalf of today’s organisation, I want to apologise to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams. I want to apologise for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you are and the Miss America you always will be.”
Vanessa said: “I did the best that I could (during) my reign as Miss America, 1983 to 1984,” she said. “On behalf of my family, my mother in particular, Brian Edwards, who orchestrated this entire thing to bring me back, and your leadership, your integrity, and you bringing this pageant back to what it ought to be. I love you, I love the girls, and I’m so honoured to be back.”
*
Mary Poppins is coming back to theatres in a new Disney remake with director Rob Marshall!
USA’s Variety magazine is reporting that the new film will take place 20 years later and will focus on P.L. Travers’ children books and the adventures with the Banks family.
Dame Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke starred in the original 1964 movie together which garnered lots of Oscar nominations.
Rob is well known for his movie musicals, most recently having done Into the Woods.
No casting has been announced as of yet. I only have one word to ask about this remake and that is WHY?
*
First Lady: From Boyhood to Womanhood, Elizabeth Roberts with Alison Mau
First Lady is the honest, insightful, sometimes brutal but often hilarious
account of Elizabeth Roberts, the first New Zealander to undergo full
sex-change surgery in 1969.
Her transition from Garry to Liz broke new legal ground. Liz had to convince GPs, surgeons, psychiatrists and bureaucrats to do things they’d never attempted, nor considered; and she succeeded through sheer force of will.
But First Lady is not just about the transsexual experience. It documents the life of a creative, woman who had the courage to be herself, against all odds.
It has been a life punctuated by surgery and its ongoing effects, pain and heartache, often bizarre criticism and opposition, relationship upheavals and time inside both men’s and women’s prisons.
Journalist Alison Mau got to know Liz when she phoned her after a TV debate on same-sex marriage. Ali instantly recognised there was a story that needed to be told. “Although she had no way of knowing it at the time, Liz was breaking legal and ethical ground in an era when just wearing a woman’s dress could get a man thrown in jail.”
Ali says although Liz’s life story is an important one legally and historically, it is really, at its heart, simply a ‘bloody good yarn’.
Alison’s writing style flows and is very easy to read. I have never met Elizabeth Roberts and maybe in real life she is a bubbly person. But on my last page turn, I felt that she was a sad soul, but she certainly has had an amazing life.
*
So many celebrity interviews can end up sounding staged or rehearsed – like the star is always speaking on behalf of a brand or a sponsor – but not Dame Helen Mirren. No, no, no.
The profile of her in the British newspaper Mail On Sunday was totally
normal.
Take, for example, this off- the-cuff remark: “Yesterday, I whacked on L’Oréal Paris Excellence Age Perfect Hair Colour in Light Beige Blonde [shade 9.31] for 25 minutes, then washed it off – job done.”
Or: “I love cleansers and body creams that make me feel clean and fresh, but
my absolute favourite is L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Classic Night Cream”.
Maybe L’Oreal should try to snap her up as a celebrity spokesperson? Oh,
what’s that you say? She already is one? Well, fancy that!
*
SOME DVDs TO LOOK OUT FOR!
If you would like to win a DVD copy of “A Royal Night Out”, answer the question below and email me the answer.
How many times did Dame Elizabeth Taylor marry?
A ROYAL NIGHT OUT
On V.E. Day in 1945, as peace extends across Europe, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are allowed out to join in the celebrations.
It is a night full of excitement, danger and the first flutters of romance. This is a lovely movie, who knows if it was really true, but then who cares – it’s a great yarn.
THE JINX
2001: A dismembered corpse is found floating in trash bags in Galveston Bay, Texas. Police trace the body back to a grisly crime scene, and arrest Robert Durst for the killing of his neighbour, Morris Black.
Durst, scion of New York’s billionaire real estate family, makes bail and goes on the run. After months of eluding authorities, he is arrested again and assembles a dream team of lawyers to prepare his defence in the extraordinary case.
2012: Filmmakers Andrew Jarecki and Marc Smerling are preparing the release of All Good Things, starring Ryan Gosling, about the life of Robert Durst. After seeing the film, Durst – who has never spoken publicly about his life or the crimes of which he’s been accused – expresses his willingness to sit
down with Jarecki for an extended interview.
2 BROKE GIRLS: SEASON 4
TV’s favourite comedic duo that manages to turn life’s lemons into lemon cupcakes is back and more hilarious than ever as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings you 2 Broke Girls: The Complete Fourth Season.
Season Four serves up sweet success for two of Brooklyn’s hottest waitresses, Max (Kat Dennings) and Caroline (Beth Behrs), as they plan to strike it rich with their new cupcake T-shirt business! The shirts are selling like hot cakes, until a couple of unfortunate situations happen, and the two entrepreneurs are back at square one — and broke again.
Love is in the air as Sophie (Jennifer Coolidge) and Oleg (Jonathan Kite) plan their wedding, with Max and Caroline as the bridesmaids and Earl (Garrett Morris) and Han (Matthew Moy) along for the ride.
The girls still worry about ways to make money, but their friendship is worth a million bucks. Season Four also features appearances by guest stars Kim Kardashian West, Lily Aldridge and Sandra Bernard.
From Emmy® Award winner Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City), 2 Broke Girls stars Kat Dennings (Thor films, Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist), Beth Behrs (American Pie Presents: The Book of Love), Garrett Morris (Saturday Night Live), Jonathan Kite (Raising Hope), Matthew Moy (Scrubs) and Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie films). King created 2 Broke Girls with comedian Whitney Cummings (Whitney) and serves as executive producer/show runner. Michelle Nader (The King of Queens) is also an executive producer of the series from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with MPK Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
* As Seen on TV2 *
ARROW: SEASON 3
Based on the characters from DC Comics.
Oliver Queen’s Arrow has become a hero to the citizens of Starling City – but he will quickly discover that doesn’t mean he can lead a normal life in the spectacular third season of the hit series based on the DC Comics character.
A new wave of diabolical masterminds – including the insidious and pervasive havoc wrought by the lethal and secretive League of Assassins – threatens all he holds dear. Team Arrow has grown into a powerful force, but the dangers and secrets that bind them together often put them at odds with each other, as the shadows cast by Malcolm Merlyn and the omnipotent Ra’s al Ghul trigger shifts in loyalties and alliances that test them to their core. For matchless heroism under fire, this action-packed 5-disc,
23-episode Season Three can’t be beaten!
Arrow stars: Stephen Amell (Private Practice), Katie Cassidy (Gossip Girl, Melrose Place), David Ramsey (Blue Bloods, Dexter), Willa Holland (The O.C.), Emily Bett Rickards (Flicka: Country Pride), Colton Haynes (Teen Wolf, The Gates), with John Barrowman (Desperate Housewives, Doctor Who), and Paul Blackthorne (The River).
* As Seen on TV2
Until next week…………………. my lips are sealed!
Copyright David H. W. Hartnell MNZM 2015
*
MONDAY 14th September
I’m not one to gossip but…….Ellen DeGeneres opened the new season of her popular daytime talk show last week with a pre-taped interview with Caitlyn Jenner.
While the transgender Olympic legend and reality show star has drawn a lot of praise for her determination to shed light on trans issues, she’s not scoring so high on the same-sex marriage issue.
Jenner, a Republican, admitted to DeGeneres that she was ‘not for it’ 15 or 20 years ago because she was a traditional person. As the male Bruce Jenner, she has been divorced three times.
Jenner told DeGeneres that she doesn’t ‘ever want to stand in front of anybody’s happiness. You know? That’s not my job. If that word “marriage” is really, really that important to you, I can go with it.’
DeGeneres tells American shock jock Howard Stern in a new interview that she was taken aback by this lukewarm endorsement of marriage equality. ‘She still has a judgement about gay marriage,’ DeGeneres said to Stern. ‘You’re wanting people to understand and accept you – this is like really
confusing to people and you still have a judgement about gay people and marriage.’
Still, DeGeneres called her chat with Jenner ‘a great interview – I’m grateful that she was on the show. And I don’t really know her and I’m trying to understand it because I don’t fully understand it either – but I also want everyone to be happy. So I don’t fully understand all of that, but I want her to be happy – which is what I want for her [to want] for me.’
Watch the clip here:
*
A journey to the heart of FABULOUS AUCKLAND ONLY October 2016
I only have five words to say about this show. DO NOT MISS THIS MUSICAL!
Get ready for the musical bus journey of your life!
The critically acclaimed musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT – based on the hit film – is returning to the New Zealand stage in 2016.
The record-breaking stage spectacular that sold 100,000 tickets in the six amazing weeks it was here in 2008 will be performed at The Civic in Auckland next October. It will feature an international touring cast and returns to our shores by popular demand, brought by the producers of the current smash hit CATS as well as SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and ANNIE.
Producer Garry McQuinn says that one of the great highlights of Priscilla’s first Australasian tour was the wonderful reception it received from the New Zealand audience at The Civic.
“A decade later in 2016, our pink bus will re-visit the Land Of The Long White Cloud. She’s done a few kilometres since then – having been around the world a number of times with 17 international productions … including those on the West End and Broadway. She’s more fabulous than ever and I’m
delighted to be bringing her back.”
Fans are urged to sign up to the waitlist today to avoid the disappointment many experienced last time when the season sold out. Waitlist at priscillathemusical.co.nz and be first in the queue when the tickets go on sale.
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT — based on the hit 1994 film of the same name – is a heart-warming and uplifting tale of three friends as they hop aboard a battered old bus and go off on the adventure of a life-time across the Australian outback. On the way they find friendship, love and far more than they ever dreamed of.
With a dazzling array of over 500 award-winning costumes, 200 extraordinary head-dresses and a hit parade of dance floor favourites including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and I Love The Nightlife, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a
journey to the heart of FABULOUS!
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT has already been seen by close to five million people and grossed in excess of $300 million worldwide to become the most successful Australian musical of all time. A PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT double CD of original artist recordings was awarded Gold album status in July 2007 and due to popular demand an original cast CD was released in September 2007.
PRISCILLA is …
“Hugely entertaining… Insanely glitzy” Daily Telegraph
“Laugh aloud funny.” The Australian
“Vivid, daring and over the top.” Herald Sun
“Best show since Mamma Mia!” Sunday Express, London
“(Priscilla) outshines the Southern Cross.” New York Post
“Priscilla is a world-class musical spectacular.” The Age
“Joy leaps from the stage at every opportunity.” The Sunday Age
“(Priscilla) has guts, good humour and wears its heart on its sparkling sleeve.” The Sydney Morning Herald
*
Brooklyn Beckham’s modelling career is heating up with the cover of the UK Miss Vogue’s new issue, which is available on newsstands starting September 10.
The 16-year-old model/soccer player gave his first interview ever to the
mag. Check it:
On whose style advice he trusts most – his mum’s or his dad’s: “Both! My mum knows a lot about fashion, but obviously I listen to my dad as he has great style and we share clothes.”
On what he wants for his career: “I love football (soccer), but I’m also
very passionate about photography and film. I’m keeping my options open
right now.”
On hopes for college: “Yes, I’m hoping to study art and photography in the US, once I have finished my A Levels.”
For more from Brooklyn, see the full interview in the October issue.
*
Britney Spears has extended her contract in Las Vegas!
The 33-year-old entertainer announced that she will be continuing her residency at The Axis at Planet Hollywood for two more years.
“I have some big news tonight,” she told the crowd during her show on Wednesday (September 9). “Usually, I get you guys to help me count to three, but tonight I want you to help me count to two because I’m going to be in
Vegas for two more years!”
*
My dear old friend Dame Edna Everage has launched herself into the ice cream business in Australia, launching her GLAMINGTON Lamington flavour raspberry swirls. Her catch phrase is “Wrap your lips around this Possums!” There
marketed by the Australian company called Peters, unfortunately not available in New Zealand.
*
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is opening up about the crazy story that happened to him on Labour Day – his brand new puppy almost drowned in his pool right after arriving home!
“We just decided to add [two] new members to our Johnson family. Baby French Bulldogs. In my right hand is BRUTUS and in my left hand is HOBBS,” the 43-year-old actor wrote on his Facebook account. “Bring them home and immediately take them outside so they can start learning how to ‘handle their business and potty like big boys.’ I set them both down and they both take off in a full sprint and fall right into the deep end of our pool. HOBBS immediately starts doggy paddling while BRUTUS (like a brick) sinks heads first to the bottom of the pool,” Dwayne continued. “I take off into a full sprint, fully clothed, dive in the pool, swim to the bottom, rescue my brick, I mean BRUTUS and bring him back to the edge of the pool. He was a little delirious……….. took a moment, threw up all the water he swallowed and looked up at me as if to say, ‘Thank God you didn’t have to give me mouth to mouth!’ and then ran off to play with his brother.
“A few lessons I’ve learned today.. A) Not all puppies have the instinct to doggie paddle. B) Some puppies (like BRUTUS) will be so in shock by experiencing water they will sink extremely fast so react quick. C) While sprinting to save your puppies life, before you dive in, try and throw your cell phone to safety. Don’t keep it in your pocket. like I did,” said the Rock.
*
Sam Smith just officially announced that he will be singing the theme song for the upcoming James Bond film Spectre!
The 23-year-old Grammy-winning singer both penned and performed the song, titled Writing’s On The Wall.
It had long been rumoured that Sam would be following in Adele’s footsteps and singing the theme song, but he previously shot down the reports.
Sam took to his Instagram to share his excitement about the announcement. “This is one of the highlights of my career. I am honoured to finally announce that I will be singing the next Bond theme song. I am so excited to be a part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible line up of some of my biggest musical inspirations. I hope you all enjoy the song as much as I enjoyed making it,” Sam posted.
Writing’s On The Wall will be available for purchase on September 25.
*
Zachary Quinto looks so handsome on the cover of the Hamptons magazine.
Here’s what the 38-year-old Star Trek actor had to share with the mag:
On the late Leonard Nimoy choosing him for the role of Spock: “I mean director JJ Abrams was a little concerned, obviously, with honouring the history of the franchise, and because Leonard was involved in the first movie, he participated in the process. To my knowledge, I was the only person who auditioned for the role. It was something where he saw some of my work and thought that I was a good pick. Then we met, and our relationship took on a life of its own and we became close. I became close with his wife and his family.”
On Leonard’s death: “Losing him has been really hard, but also in a way beautiful. To be with someone, to experience someone at the end of his life, and to have that life be so well lived and fulfilled, he really left this earth just surrounded by love. I’m not afraid of exploring stuff like death and what life adds up to in the end, so he was a shining example of how to do it right. I feel now like my connection with him is just on a deeper level. It’s much more spiritual. I have felt very embraced by fans, and people seem to be on board with what I’m bringing to the role.”
On using his celebrity status proactively: “The more you get out there and the more you get co-opted into different things, if you’re just kind of willy-nilly, it can dilute the power of the platform we have as celebrities. So I wanted to hone that and be more specific [his work with the Trevor Project and the Direct Relief organisation]. Being able to do that has been a really nice aspect of my career.”
For more from Zachary, visit Hamptons-Magazine.com.
*
Australasia’s superstars of OPERA AND STAGE FROM BROADWAY TO LA SCALA
Teddy Tahu Rhodes – Dame Malvina Major – Greta Bradman – David Hobson – Jennifer Ward-Lealand
NEXT WEEK Auckland Town Hall, Friday 18 September and Christchurch Isaac Theatre Royal, Sunday 20 September
An evening of glamour, passion and romance!
Australasia’s most celebrated opera stars, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Dame Malvina Major, join TV and theatre star Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Baz Luhrmann’s favourite tenor David Hobson in FROM BROADWAY TO LA SCALA — two beautiful nights of glamour, passion and romance in Auckland and Christchurch next week.
From Puccini to Rodgers and Hammerstein, Bizet to Gershwin and Verdi to Cole Porter, these unique concert experiences at Auckland’s Town Hall on Friday, 18 September and Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal on Sunday, 20 September, will feature many of the greatest songs, arias and duets ever composed.
Joining this magnificent lineup for her New Zealand debut is soprano Greta Bradman – granddaughter of cricketing legend Sir Donald – who is set to thrill audiences with her seamless blend of classical elegance and theatrical glamour.
Good seats are still available for these two magical theatrical performances.
Auckland
Ticketmaster 0800 111 999
Christchurch
Ticketek 0800 842 538
Teddy Tahu Rhodes is looking forward to “perform not only some of our favourite songs, but some of the world’s most-loved pieces of music.”
Jennifer Ward Lealand said it is a “thrill to be part of this very special concert and, alongside my esteemed colleagues, sharing some of the world’s great music. If you, like me, love opera and musical theatre, you are in for a wonderful experience.”
David Hobson, who is known from his Opera Australia performance as Rodolfo in Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème, said while he loves the intricacies of opera, “there really is nothing like the spark of musical theatre, so I am really looking forward to being able to perform all the music from genres that I love, all together in one great concert.”
Backed by a full orchestra featuring some of New Zealand’s finest musicians in Auckland and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in Christchurch, under the musical direction of Vanessa Scammell, From Broadway to La Scala will transport audiences with a richly entwined repertoire of all time classics, drawn from two of the world’s most enduringly popular musical genres. Please note, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra was wrongly billed for the Auckland concert. APO players are already committed to engagements with NZ Opera and a conductor development programme during this time, and number of excellent Auckland freelance musicians have been enlisted for ‘From Broadway to La Scala’.
Greta Bradman: “The opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life is such a privilege and one of my favourite parts of being a performer. This concert is really a wonderful way for anyone to enjoy a diverse selection of music, from contemporary masterpieces to world-famous operas, which they might not otherwise get to experience.”
For details visit www.frombroadwaytolascala.co.nz
For media inquiries, contact Sandra Roberts, 021 525104 or email: Sandra@skip.co.nz
Setlist:
1. ‘Something’s Coming’ abridged into…‘Tonight’ (Full Company) from ‘West Side Story’ Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim
2. ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ from ‘South Pacific’ by Rogers and Hammerstein (Teddy)
3. ‘So in Love’ from ‘Kiss Me Kate’ by Cole Porter (Teddy and Greta)
4. ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’ from ‘Pal Joey’ by Rodgers and Hart (Jennifer)
5. ‘Una Voce Poco Fa’ from ‘The Barber of Seville’ by Rossini (Greta)
6. ‘E luce van le stelle’ from ‘Tosca’ by Puccini (David)
7. ‘You’re Just in Love’ from ‘Call Me Madam’ by Irving Berlin (David and Lisa)
8. ‘Toreador’ from ‘Carmen’ by Bizet (Teddy)
9. ‘Lilly’s Eyes’ from ‘The Secret Garden’ by Lucy Simon (Teddy and David)
10. O Mio Babbino Caro by Puccini from ‘Gianni Schicchi’
11. Libiamo (The brindisi) by Verdi (Greta/The Dame and David/ Company)
ACT TWO
1. ‘Largo’ (Teddy)
2. ‘Broadway Baby’ from “Follies’ by Stephen Sondheim (Jennifer)
3. ‘Falling’ from ‘Once’ (Jennifer and David)
4. ‘Anything You Can Do’ from ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ by Irving Berlin (Quartet)
5. Magic Flute Papageno/a duet by Mozart (Greta and Teddy)
6. Che gelida manina (David) from ‘La Boheme’ by Puccini
7. La Boheme duet (David and Greta) by Puccini
8. I’m Not Getting Married Today (Jennifer/David/Greta) from ‘Company’ by Stephen Sondheim
9. Casta Diva by Bellini
10. Bess You is My Woman Now from ‘Porgy and Bess’ by Gershwin (Dame M and Teddy)
11. Pearl Fishers (Teddy and David) by Bizet
12. Never Walk Alone from ‘Carousel’ by Rogers and Hammerstein
*
SOME DVDs TO LOOK OUT FOR!
VAMPIRE DIARIES: SEASON 6
The Vampire Diaries continues its sixth season with more delicious drama to sink your teeth into.
In Season five, after a passionate summer with Damon, Elena headed to Whitmore College with Caroline, not knowing Bonnie sacrificed her life for Jeremy’s. Meanwhile, Stefan and Caroline’s friendship deepened as they stood up to the Travellers, a nomadic witch tribe driven to strip Mystic Falls of magic and cast out its supernatural residents. In the shocking season finale, Damon, fearing he would lose his loved ones on the crumbling Other Side, made a huge sacrifice to bring them all back – with catastrophic and heartbreaking results. Season six follows the characters’ journey back to each other as they explore the duality of good versus evil inside themselves.
Matt Davis reprises his role as Alaric Saltzman, alongside Nina Dobrev, Paul
Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Steven R. McQueen, Kat Graham, Candice Accola, Zach
Roerig, Michael Trevino, Matt Davis and Michael Malarkey.
Special features include: Deleted Scenes Audio Commentary. The Vampire Diaries – Good Bite and Good Luck. The Vampire Diaries – Best Reactions Ever. Second Bite: Gag Reel. Come Visit PSA . The Vampire Diaries ComicCon Panel 2014
* As Seen on TV2 *
THE BIG BANG THEORY: SEASON 8
Drs. Leonard Hofstadter (Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Parsons) are brilliant physicists – geniuses in the laboratory, but socially challenged everywhere else. Enter beautiful, street-smart neighbour, Penny (Cuoco-Sweeting), who aims to teach them a thing or two about life. Despite their on-again, off-again relationship in the past, Leonard and Penny have finally gotten engaged. Even Sheldon has found a female companion – entering into a “Relationship Agreement” with neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler (Bialik).
In their free time, Leonard and Sheldon enjoy fantasy role-playing games with their ever-expanding universe of friends, including fellow scientists Rajesh Koothrappali (Nayyar), Howard Wolowitz (Helberg) and Howard’s adorable microbiologist wife, Bernadette (Rauch).
* As Seen on TV2 *
THE MENTALIST: SEASON 7
EmmyR and Golden GlobeR nominee Simon Baker is back for the seventh and final season of the clever crime series The Mentalist. The FBI’s masterfully manipulative criminal consultant Patrick Jane is back at it again. Formerly employed by the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Jane spent two years off the grid and in exile after tracking down and exacting vengeance upon Red John, the serial killer who murdered Jane’s wife and daughter. After crafting a deal to work for the FBI, Jane convinced
former CBI agent Teresa Lisbon to join him. Supervised by the no-nonsense Agent Dennis Abbott, Jane and Lisbon work alongside their former CBI comrade Kimball Cho, FBI analyst Jason Wylie and the young, ambitious agent Michelle Vega. Now that Lisbon and Jane have confessed their love for one another, they must find a way to be partners in both their professional and personal lives as they begin their new relationship.
Also starring: Robin Tunney (Prison Break), Tim Kang (The Forgotten), Rockmond Dunbar (Sons of Anarchy), Joe Adler (Shameless) and Josie Loren (Make It or Break It), The Mentalist was created by Bruno Heller (Gotham), who executive produces along with Chris Long (Criminal Minds) and Tom Szentgyorgyi (Lie to Me).
* As Seen on TVOne
Until next week…….. my lips are sealed!
Copyright David H. W. Hartnell MNZM 2015
*
MONDAY 7th September
I’m not one to gossip but…………….. Last week while having a cleanup of old
video tapes (seeing as how they are now obsolete) I came across this one. It’s a story
60 Minutes did on my life back in 1997. I was very happy to find it, as it
had the only bit of footage I have of my late mother Gina. Thought I would
share it with you, so here it is.
*
A teaser for the sixth and final season of Downton Abbey has debuted online, and the amount of tears the characters shed in the clip will be rivalled only by the waterworks generated by fans devastated by the series’ end.
“If I could stop history in its tracks, maybe I would,” Lord Grantham tells Mr. Carson in the clip, likely indicating that the Crawley family and its servants will continue to struggle to adjust to the modern era, as they have in seasons past.
All the fan-favourite actors appear in the minute-long trailer, including Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery and Joanne Froggatt. The action is underscored by a tearjerking rendition of the appropriately named Time to Say Goodbye.
Downton creator Julian Fellowes discussed the series’ ending with Variety earlier this summer.
“I’ve lived with these people for seven years now,” he said. “They’ve taken me and all of us to the top of the mountain. We’ve had this incredible global phenomenon. Most people in this business, even those who have been very successful, never have something like that.”
He added, “Each time I realise I’ve written the last line of a particular character, I feel rather sad. At the same time I don’t think we’ve done the wrong thing. I’ve never felt, “Oh my God, what are we doing? This is a mistake!” It may be reborn as a movie or a play or a musical or a ballet. Who knows if we’ve seen the last of it?”
Downton Abbey’s final season hits the U.K. TV screens on Sept. 20.
Watch the promo for the last season here:
*
Former council porter Alfred Leslie Goddard was jailed for targeting runaway boys nearly 30 years ago.
He had been part of a gang that included Britain’s most notorious paedophile, Sidney Cooke, who was convicted of the gang rape and killing of a teenage boy.
The child sex ring dubbed the Dirty Dozen, targeted youngsters and may even have passed on their victims for MPs to abuse.
A link between the singer’s dad, who died in 1997, and the gang was revealed by former Tory MP Harvey Proctor. Mr. Proctor, who denied allegations of being involved in child abuse or knowing Goddard, said: “I was asked if I knew a number of people including Leslie Goddard.”
Adam Ant, 60, has revived his pop career and is planning to release a new album. His dad was jailed in 1987, when he was aged 58, after being convicted of sex offences against two boys.
Goddard had been living in Pimlico, close to Dolphin Square apartments where the VIP child abuse ring is believed to have been based. Two years after Goddard’s sentencing, Cooke was put behind bars for the manslaughter of Jason Swift.
By Helene Perk Daily Star UK
*
I recently saw a movie called The Women He Undressed on Australian Oscar winning costume designer Orry Kelly, which was one of the best documentaries I’ve ever watched. Now there is a book Women I’ve Undressed: A Memoir by Orry Kelly. This is a beautiful book with a collection of stunning pictures,
from the days when Hollywood and movie stars were at the very best.
Found in a pillowcase, the fabulous long-lost memoirs of a legendary Hollywood designer – and a genuine Australian original, Orry-Kelly created magic on screen, from Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon to Some Like It Hot.
He won three Oscars for costume design. He dressed all the biggest stars, from Bette Davis to Marilyn Monroe. He was an Australian. Yet few know who Orry-Kelly really was – until now.
Orry-Kelly’s long-lost memoirs reveal a wildly talented and cheeky rascal who lived a big life, on and off the set.
From his childhood in Kiama to revelling in Sydney’s underworld nightlife as a naïve young artist and chasing his dreams of acting in New York, his early life is a wild and exciting ride.
Sharing digs in New York with another aspiring actor, Cary Grant, and partying hard in between auditions, he ekes out a living painting murals for speakeasies before graduating to designing stage sets and costumes.
When The Kid from Kiama finally arrives in Hollywood, it’s clear his adventures have only just begun. This book is fearless, funny and outspoken; Orry-Kelly lived life to the full. Published by Penguin.
In Women I’ve Undressed, he shares a wickedly delicious slice of it. – See
more here:
*
Colin Farrell is dapper on the cover of Men’s Health magazine’s September 2015 issue, out on newsstands now.
Here’s what the 39-year-old True Detective star told the mag:
On how he quit smoking: “I wrote a breakup letter to the Spirit of Tobacco. I got a frying pan and tossed the letter with a load of tobacco, put some paraffin over it, and lit a match that sent a big, wallowing cloud up into the sky. Then I didn’t have a cigarette for another two years.”
On being single for five years: “It’s not that I don’t get lonely sometimes,
but I’m okay about it.”
On what is important to him: “The most significant aspect of my life lives
far away from anywhere that a camera is needed. You play the part and do interviews but don’t overextend yourself or put on a mask or change your name. Because when you get home, the only thing that matters is your son is not eating his turkey sandwiches and he’s not into avocado anymore, so you
have to find something new that he’ll eat for lunch.”
*
Judging from the gorgeous trailer for The Danish Girl, it won’t be a
surprise if freckle-faced heartthrob Eddie Redmayne continues his
award-winning best actor reign. The 33-year-old thespian, who numerous
awards for his compelling turn as Stephen Hawking in last year’s The Theory of Everything, returns to the screen in another real-life role.
This time he headlines as Lile Elbe, the Danish painter born Einar Wegener and considered one of the world’s first trans women and who underwent the first gender reassignment surgery in 1930. The dramatic love story, adapted from the book by David Ebershoff, opens in New York and Los Angeles on November 27 and in
additional cities in December. We can’t wait!
Take a look at the trailer here.
*
Well, that didn’t take long.
It’s been less than four weeks since Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy announced they were splitting after four decades together, but it appears the plush amphibian has already moved on.
Kermit, who is still working with Miss Piggy on her late-night American talk show Up Late with Miss Piggy – a situation that is being documented on the upcoming ABC series The Muppets – has been spotted around town numerous times with a head of marketing at ABC named Denise, a source tells PEOPLE exclusively.
“She’s always stopping by the set of Up Late,” the source says of Denise.
*
Can you believe it that last Friday will mark the one-year anniversary of Joan Rivers’ death due to complications from a surgical procedure, and on Tuesday, her daughter, Melissa Rivers, revealed that she has scattered some of her mom’s ashes in a place that holds fond memories for her family.
Melissa told the TV show ET that she scattered some of the comedy legend’s ashes in Wyoming last month. It’s where Joan, Melissa and her son, Cooper, 14, would vacation each year.
“Coop and I took our annual family vacation to Wyoming. [The] first without my mom and scattered some of her ashes there so we can still be together every August as a family.”
*
The Melbourne-born beauty Cate Blachett is set to star in a new biopic about the legendary Hollywood actress, Lucille Ball.
The Oscar-winning star will star in the flick which is cantered on Ball’s 20-year marriage to Desi Arnaz, with whom she created and starred in the classic TV sitcom, I Love Lucy.
Ball’s children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr will produce the film alongside Sony-based Escape Artists (who recently produced Jake Gyllenhaal’s SouthPaw). Lucille Ball was a model in the late 1920s before beginning her performing career on Broadway under the stage name, Diane Belmont and Dianne Belmont.
She then moved on to small movie roles before becoming to huge television star thanks to the success of her series, I Love Lucy. Cate is a great actress and I’m sure she will do a great job and recreating Lucille Ball.
By the way Cate’s Sydney mansion has been on the market for just three weeks. And earlier last week she sold her luxury property for a princely sum of $20million (AUD). The 47-year-old Australian, who is relocating to the United States next year, made a whopping profit of $9.8million (AUD) from
the swift sale after purchasing it for $10.2 million(AUD) in 2005.
*
SOME DVDs TO LOOK OUT FOR!
SAFE HOUSE
Safe House is a thrilling new four-part mini-series, powered by a stellar cast of internationally recognised acting talent. Led by Emmy® Award winning actor Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who), alongside Marsha Thomason (White Collar) and Paterson Joseph (The Leftovers), this sophisticated, contemporary drama is a compelling thriller, delivering a fresh take on the investigative crime genre.
This nail biting series tells the story of a married couple – Robert (Eccleston), a former police detective and Katy (Thomason), a school teacher – who turn their guest house, set in a remote and idyllic part of northwest England’s Lake District, into a police safe house. Their first guests are a family at great risk, pursue