CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.
Frank Sinatra
Podtalk: Author Shelley Herman Remembers ‘My Peacock Tale’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 4, 2023 - 9:48amCHICAGO – When a smart and ambitious California girl moves from her “one horse town” to early 1970s Los Angeles, what better way to break into the show business than being an NBC-TV Studio Page for “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and other programs of the era. Author Shelley Herman tells “My Peacock Tale.”
Film News: Movies for 2022 Season with ‘Pat & Ken At the Holidays’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 19, 2022 - 1:38pmCHICAGO – It’s Christmas countdown week and the first day of Chanukah, so what better time to serve up “Pat & Ken At the Holidays” for 2022, featuring Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com and his faithful companion Ken Candela, whose off-kilter commentary has blessed him with the nickname, The Movie Wag.!—break—>
Podtalk: Director Michael Caplan of the Documentary ‘Algren’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 1, 2021 - 8:16am- A Walk on the Wild Side
- Algren
- Chicago
- Chicago: City on the Make
- Columbia College
- First Run Features
- Frank Sinatra
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Interview
- Michael Caplan
- Nelson Algren
- Otto Preminger
- Patrick McDonald
- Podcast
- Podtalk
- The Man with the Golden Arm
- The Neon Wilderness
- The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me
CHICAGO – When Michael Caplan began his journey creating the film biography of legendary Chicago author Nelson Algren, he was a self-described “fan” but not much else. After spending several years with the man who wrote “The Man with the Golden Arm,” Michael Caplan has certainly got to know him well.
Audio Film Review: Man With the Golden Pen! Review of ‘Algren’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 19, 2021 - 5:12pmCHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review on the new documentary film “Algren” – regarding iconic Chicago author and character, Nelson Algren – in select theaters and through Video on Demand.!—break—>
Film Review: Revealing ‘Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 13, 2018 - 1:13pmCHICAGO – Any “secret history” inevitably reveals some totally human trait that somehow counters a delicately constructed facade. Show business is no stranger to those histories, and the new documentary “Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood” is a doozy. Ex-Pimp to the Stars Scotty Bowers reveals all.
Entertainment News: ‘Mr. Warmth’ Don Rickles Dies at 90
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 7, 2017 - 9:24amLOS ANGELES – With the flourish of trumpets in “The Bullfighter’s Song,” a pugnacious man would strut on stage and launch a volley of hilarious insults on some unsuspecting targets. That act was Don Rickles, whose show business nicknames included “The King of Zing,” “The Merchant of Venom” and the magnificently ironic “Mr. Warmth.” Rickles died in Los Angeles on April 6th, 2017. He was 90.
Film News: Remembering Debbie Reynolds, in 2009 Interview
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 29, 2016 - 5:05pmLOS ANGELES – The shocking news of the passing of Debbie Reynolds, hours after her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away, is still resonating in the 2016 atmosphere. Ms. Reynolds died of a massive stroke on December 28th, at her son’s home near Los Angeles, while making funeral arrangements for her daughter. She was 84.
Theater Review: A Star Blazes in ‘Marilyn Monroe, Whoever You Are’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 29, 2014 - 1:50pmCHICAGO – The many sides of the mega film legend Marilyn Monroe was like a prism in an ever-changing kaleidoscope. Yet somehow actor and playwright Amber Hargroder was able to capture Monroe’s essence in a one woman show.
Interview: Mitzi Gaynor Lights Up the TCM Classic Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 25, 2013 - 11:48pmCHICAGO – This weekend is the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Classic Film Festival, and few movie stars alive represent that classic status better than Miss Mitzi Gaynor. Whether co-starring in movies with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, or starring in the film version of “South Pacific,” Mitzi Gaynor always inspires the old “razzle dazzle.”
Blu-Ray Review: MGM Releases Catalog Hits For Father’s Day
Submitted by BrianTT on May 17, 2011 - 10:02amCHICAGO – Twentieth Century Fox & MGM released an onslaught of catalog titles on Blu-ray, many for the first time, on May 10th, and most seem well-timed to the upcoming Father’s Day holiday. The company was kind enough to send us a sample of the ten titles and it seems like this will be an odd mix, from which you can surely choose at least one or two faves.