Exclusive: Brett Ratner talks about new Polanski�doc

Exclusive: Brett Ratner talks about new Polanski�doc

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Jeremy Piven: I Will Be Stalking the Audience at My New Flick

Jeremy Piven: I’ll Be Stalking the Audience at My New Flick

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Armand Assante to Tinseltown: Don’t Dispose of Distinguished Directors

Armand Assante to Tinseltown: Don’t Dispose of Distinguished Directors

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The Michael Jackson Film Career That Almost Was

Michael Jackson Planned to Step into Jimmy Cagney’s Shoes, says ‘Captain EO’ Producer and Longtime Pal Rusty Lemorande

Unlike his idol Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson never established himself as a movie star - namely in a musical remake of the 1938 James Cagney flick Angels with Dirty Faces - and it’s a reget he took to his grave.



That, according to the King of Pop’s Captain EO collaborator, and friend of 25 years, Rusty Lemorande.


CAPTION: "He really wanted a film career," Rusty tells us of Michael (above in 1999).

"He really wanted a film career," Rusty tells us of Michael (above).


In an exclusive interview with BlogTalkRadio, Rusty - who produced and co-wrote the 3-D, Francis Ford Coppola-directed Captain EO as a Disney theme park attraction in 1986 - recounts how Michael came to sign on for Angels and another feature during the early ’90s.



“Michael was pretty pleased with our relationship, and he had just set up his film company at Sony-Columbia. And the problem was, with all the development people, etc. - and it was a pretty thick company with people - he wasn’t committing to anything,” Rusty, whose other production credits include the 1983 Barbra Streisand star vehicle Yentil, tells Movie Geeks United! host Jamey DuVall of the pop star, who died June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest.



“I think people didn’t understand how to relate to him. I used to say to him, ‘You’re a little like Arnold Schwarzenegger. You can’t do any part. The part has to be tailored to you. He became a star because of Terminator.



“Well, Michael said, ‘You come up with some ideas.’ And I came up with two fairly quickly.


CAPTION: Jimmy (right) was among the screen idol Michael hoped to emulate.

Jimmy (right) was the screen idol Michael (left) hoped to emulate in "Angels with Dirty Faces."



“One was to remake an old film called 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, which was a [1964] Tony Randall film that involved a child protagonist, and the other was to remake the film Angels with Dirty Faces, which is a James Cagney film. Michael was a huge James Cagney fan.



“Michael loved both projects. Part of it was the way I explained it to him, talked him through it. We had sketches done and creatures made - you really had to turn it into the toy version.



“On Dr. Lao, we had the set miniatures built of the circus and he committed to both, which was a major event at the time.



“One was set up at Warners. And the other was set up at Turner - who owned the remake rights. And everything was going great. Fantastic!



“And then the first scandal hit.”


CAPTION: The King of Pop with Francis during the production of "Captain EO."

The King of Pop with Francis during the production of "Captain EO."



(In 1993, Michael was accused of child abuse by the father of then 13-year-old Evan Chandler. Though he denied the allegations, the pop idol eventually settled the suit out of court for $22 million.)



“I remember it as vividly as I remember when I heard President Kennedy was shot. I was in my car driving to this studio where we were building these miniatures, where people were going to come and see them. And someone called me and said, ‘Did you see what’s on the news? Michael Jackson’s ranch has been raided,” continues Rusty.



“The truth of the matter is, very simply - and in fairness to Hollywood and the big studios - they have huge investment obligations to their shareholders. So they got very nervous. They didn’t know if the audience would still be there for Michael.



“Suddenly, nobody wanted to touch him… It was quite sad that it never happened, because it was very important for Michael to be in movies.



“He used to talk about Elvis Presley’s career and say, ‘If Elvis hadn’t made all those films, he wouldn’t be as remembered as he was.’”



During the 30-minute interview, Rusty also reveals how he came to earn Michael’s trust while he and The Godfather director were working on Captain EO.


As the title character in "Captain EO."

As the title character in "Captain EO."



“The secret of working with Michael Jackson was to think, how would you, literally, deal with a 10-year-old boy?



“Francis got it. At one point, he was having trouble directing Michael. Michael didn’t seem to respond to the kind of word dialogue that a director largely uses.



“So [Francis] sent out for some masks: happy masks - like clown masks - and scary masks. And when he wanted to elicit an emotion from Michael, he would put on those masks and it would be as if a child were reacting to a mask. And it was effective!



“Michael loved to go toy shopping. But the adult in him wanted to drive his car. And he drove like a maniac. I was always grippin’ my seat.



“He loved masks. He had masks in his glove compartment, which he would put on as he drove. His explanation was, ‘If I don’t put it on, people will see it’s me and they’ll chase me.’



“Then we’d go into a toy store. Then it was funny, because the mask he’d wear into the store would usually be like a woman’s harem mask kind of thing, with a veil across his face.”



To hear Rusty’s full interview, go to:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited/2009/06/28/MIKE-MEDAVOY-Michael-Jackson-cinematographer-Daniel-Pearl-1

Michael Jackson 'Billie Jean' cinematographer Sunday nigtht on MGU!

Chairman and co-founder of Phoenix Pictures, and involved in some of the great films of the past four decades, including "Rocky", "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Annie Hall", MIKE MEDAVOY joins the Movie Geeks to discuss his new book 'American Idol After Iraq' with co-author Nathan Gardels...PLUS...Daniel Pearl, cinematographer of MICHAEL JACKSON's classic videos 'Billie Jean', ' 'You Are Not Alone', and 'Give In to Me', reflects on this remarkable talent.

Sunday at 6pm EST/ 3pm PST at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited

Studio mogul MIKE MEDAVOY SUnday night on MGU!

Chairman and co-founder of Phoenix Pictures, and involved in some of the great films of the past four decades, including "Rocky", "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Annie Hall", MIKE MEDAVOY joins the Movie Geeks to discuss his new book 'American Idol After Iraq' with co-author Nathan Gardels...PLUS...Daniel Pearl, cinematographer of MICHAEL JACKSON's classic videos 'Billie Jean', ' 'You Are Not Alone', and 'Give In to Me', reflects on this remarkable talent.

Sunday at 6pm EST/ 3pm PST at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited

Our most impressive filmmaker line-up yet!

Find these podcasts live or anytime on replay only at www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited

Wednesday, March 27 at 10pm EST/ 7pm PST:






Director Brad Silberling (City of Angels) chats about his new film 'Land of the Lost'...PLUS...Paul J. Salamoff, author of 'On the Set'....IndieWire critic Eric Kohn discusses his take on the films at this year's Cannes Film Festival.



Sunday, May 31 at 6pm EST/ 3pm PST:





Director Todd Phillips (Road Trip, Old School) chats about his new film 'The Hangover' (opening June 5th in theatres nationwide)...PLUS... filmmaker Robert Saitzyk discusses his new film 'Godspeed', which premieres June 14th at the Cinevegas Film Festival.



Wednesday, June 3 at 10pm EST/ 7pm PST:






The Movie Geeks examine the classic film GONE WITH THE WIND with special guests. The first part of a new series.



Sunday, June 7 at 6pm EST/ 3pm PST:





Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola joins the Movie Geeks to discuss his new film 'Tetro'...PLUS... actress Tanna Frederick (Irene in Time) and director Jennifer Lynch (Surveillence).



Wednesday, June 10 at 10pm EST/ 7pm PST:







The Movie Geeks celebrate Michael Mann's epic crime film 'HEAT' with special guests. The first part of a series.



Wednesday, June 17 at 10pm EST/ 7pm PST:






A celebration of the cinematic releases during the latter half of the Summer of 1984, featuring examinations of 'Purple Rain', 'The Last Starfighter', 'The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai' and more with special guests. Hear the first part of the series at www.blogtalkradio.com/back-by-midnight.

Celebrating the Classics, New and Old

Introducing the premiere episodes of two new original series from the top-rated movie-themed podcast on the internet and iTunes.


Wednesday, June 3 at 10pm ET:




Inside the Classics:
GONE WITH THE WIND

with an in-depth examination of the film and it's major payers, including stars Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, and director Victor Fleming.



Wednesday, June 10 at 10pm ET:




The New Classics:
HEAT

featuring special guests who speak to the experience of making and studying the film.


only at www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited

Exclusive and RARE interviews with 2 of our GREATEST character actors!!!

Don't miss either of these RARE conversations with two of our top character actors!







www.blogtaklradio.com/moviegeeksunited

Mr. Rebhorn career highlights:

Scent of a Woman
Carlito's Way
Meet the Parents
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Independence Day
The Game
Basic Instinct
Snow Falling on Cedar


Mr. Walsh career highlights:

Blood Simple
Blade Runner
The Mighty Quinn
Clean and Sober
Ordinary People
The Music of Chance
Brubaker
Straight Time
Serpico
Back to School

Joe Pantoliano and Sarasota Film Festival filmmakers

This Wednesday, March 25 at 10pm EST/ 7pm PST (and anytime on replay):




Actor Joe Pantoliano discusses his new documentary effort ‘No Kidding, Me Too’, which will celebrate a premiere at this year’s Sarasota Film Festival (SFF).



PLUS…a conversation with several filmmakers whose new works are featured in this year’s SFF program including Robert Kenner (Food Inc), Darius Marder (Loot), Tze Chun (Children of Invention), Rahmin Bahrani (Goodbye Solo), and Jody Lee Lipes (Brock Enright).

Hear it all at www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited.

The Art of Editing with Bobbie O'Steen

Sunday, March 22 at 6pm EST/ 3pm PST (or anytime on replay):



Her husband, Sam, edited some of our most memorable films from the past forty years (The Graduate, Chinatown). Now, Bobbie O'Steen (an Emmy-nominated editor in her own right) demystifies the art with her new book 'The Invisible Cut'.



What's it like to be a part of the worst movie ever made...and have millions of fans the world over for it? Michael Stephenson, George Hardy, Darren Ewing and Jason Wright share the story behind 'Best Worst Movie', which was the hit of this year's SXSW film fest.

Tune in and get your geek on at www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited.

Burt Young dishes on Stallone and 'Rocky'

Now we know why Burt Young played Sylvester Stallone’s dyspeptic bother-in-law Paulie so convincingly in the penultimate Rocky picture: He was peeved at the he-man.

Interviewed on Movie Geeks United, the legendary character actor says it was only his daughter’s fond memories of his earlier collaborations with Sly that repaired an epic rift.
CAPTION: Burt (above): Much, ah, happier in the final Rocky flick.

Burt (above): Much, ah, happier in the Rocky finale.

“Rocky V…was a clinker. I was sore. In fact, he and I didn’t talk because I was sore about what we didn’t do to help that movie,” Burt tells host Jamey DuVall of the 1990 film.

“We really didn’t talk for years and years and years – until they told me he’d written another story [which] was turned down. But he believed in it,” Burt continues.

“My daughter…grew up with the Rocky things, and she was reminding me how we used to work together – write together, rehearse together – and the joy we used to have out of each other from working.

“So I was invited as part of the audience when [Sly] was doing that Contender [TV] series with Sugar Ray Leonard. And it was the first time we said hello in many years.
Yo, Paulie! With on-again pal Sly at the “Rocky Balboa” premiere.

Yo, Paulie! With on-again pal Sly at the “Rocky Balboa” premiere.

“And he said, ‘Burt, I’ve been turned down on this,” he adds of Sly’s script for Rocky Balboa, which would be brought to the big screen in 2006.

“But I only want to hear what you have to say about it.’ So he sent me a copy. And it was magnificent.”

Burt also chats with Jamey about working with co- star Jon Voight and the late director Hal Ashby on the 1982 comedy Lookin’ To Get Out, and about working with the late Rodney Dangerfield on 1986’s Back to School.

“At the beginning, we got off the wrong start,” Burt says of Rodney.

“So for a while I barred him from my trailer for poor conduct and deportment.”

To hear Burt’s full interview, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited.

Jon Voight discusses lost Hal Ashby film

Talk about art imitating life, or vice-versa – or something like that.

Here’s the story: In 1981, Jon Voight signed on to star in a comedy called Lookin’ To Get Out, which he’d co-written.

Co-starring would be Burt Young of Rocky fame, and the stunning Ann-Margret.

Directing would be Hal Ashby, a maverick who’d made such hit flicks as Harold and Maude (1971), Shampoo (1975) and Being There (1979), and who would die of cancer 1988.

Jon had been pals with Hal since 1977, when Hal directed the golden boy opposite Jane Fonda in Coming Home, for which Jon won his first and only Oscar (just as Jane won hers).

Cut to 2007. “A young Scottish writer by the name of Nick Dawson, who’d fallen in love with Hal’s work. . .called me up and said, ‘I’d like to interview you. I’m doing a book on Hal Ashby,’” Jon tells Movie Geeks United host Jamey DuVall.
CAPTION: Fatherhood, interrupted: (l-r) Jon with Angie and Ann-Margret in “Lookin’ to Get Out.”

Fatherhood, interrupted: (r-l) Jon with Angie and Ann-Margret in “Lookin’ to Get Out.”

A few months later, Nick called again, to arrange a meeting with Jon.

“May I bring Hal’s daughter with me?” said Nick.

“I didn’t know he had a daughter,” said Jon.

“She was trying to get in touch with [Hal] during his lifetime,” Jon tells Jamey. “But they never met. . .I’m sorry I didn’t know about this, because I was close enough to Hal that I definitely would have been able to get them together.”
Angie: Lookin' to get in – to pictures.

Angie: Lookin' to get in – to pictures.

A few days later, Jon met with Hal’s daughter, Lee Ashby McManus, and Nick.

“They started to talk about how much they loved Lookin’ to Get Out. And I asked Lee, ‘Why is it your favorite film?’” says Jon.

“She said, ‘Because I think the girl in it’ – the little girl at the end, played by Angelina Jolie as a little baby – ‘was me,’” adds Jon of his daughter, to whom he has barely spoken since 2002, when he said in a TV interview that she had “severe emotional problems.”

“And I thought about it and I said, ‘Yes, it’s very possible that it was you,’” he continues.

“I remember the discussions [Hal and I] had. We were thinking of going with a little boy. But Hal wanted it to be a girl.”
CAPTION: “He was a very loving man,” says Jon of Hal (above). “He cared for everybody.”

“He was a very loving man,” says Jon of Hal (above). “He cared for everybody.”

Tonight, March 18, at 10 p.m. ET, Jamey unspools his full 20-minute chat with Jon, in which the actor also dis- cusses how he discovered the lost director’s cut of Lookin’ To Get Out; working with Hal on Coming Home; making the film that made him a superstar, Midnight Cowboy; and why his brother, who wrote the rock anthem Wild Thing, changed his name from James Lesley Voight to Chip Taylor.

And if that were not enough, Burt (as in the aforemen- tioned Burt Young) will be joining Jamey live to offer his on-set recollections of Lookin’ To Get Out.

Also on the show will be Nick Dawson, whose new bio is titled Being Hal Ashby: Life of a Hollywood Rebel.

The director’s cut of Lookin’ To Get Out makes its world debut April 3 at the Sarasota Film Festival. For more information on the event, click here.

To hear Jon’s full interview, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited.

More Oscar Nominees Sunday Night

Sunday, February 15 at 6pm ET on Movie Geeks United!

Oscar nominees for Best Short Film Steph Green (New Boy) and Reto Caffi (On the Line)
plus Beth Kruvant, director of 'Heart of Stone'.


Check through our archives for additional interviews with Oscar nominees Claudio Miranda (cinematographer, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Alexandre Desplat (composer, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), John Caglione, Jr. (make-up, The Dark Knight) and Mike Elizalde (make-up, Hellboy 2). And check out our two-hour Oscar predication special, too!

Movie Geeks United in March

Here are just a few of the guests and topics we'll cover in the upcoming month. New guests are being confirmed almost daily, so stay tuned!




'Watchmen' special with cast and crew members



Steven Spielberg Tribute Part 3: Empire of the Sun
with cinematographer Allen Daviau and biographer Joseph McBride




'Race to Witch Mountain' director Andy Fickman returns to the show




Actor Garret Dillahunt returns to discuss his new role in 'Last House on the Left'

6 Hours of 'Friday the 13th' coverage online now!

One of the top podcasts on the internet and iTunes, Movie Geeks United!, went inside the 'Friday the 13th' phenomenon with special guests!

This 2 and a half hour podcast featured exclusive interviews with actresses Betsy Palmer and Adrienne King, actor Ron Millkie, writer Victor Miller, 'Crystal Lake Memories' author Peter Bracke, 'His Name Was Jason' producer Anthony Masi, and Arlen Escarpeta, co-star of the new 'Friday the 13th' re-imagining.

Celebrating FRIDAY THE 13TH

All of these interviews are available in uncut versions as well...that's nearly six hours of 'Friday the 13th' material!


BETSY PALMER

ANTHONY MASI

ARLEN ESCARPETA

RON MILLKIE

ADRIENNE KING

VICTOR MILLER

PETER BRACKE

The Greatest Films of the 1970s: MCCABE & MRS. MILLER

Beginning Sunday, March 1 on Movie Geeks United!

The internet's top movie-themed podcast celebrates the greatest films of the 1970's in an epic series of podcasts. In the first installment, the Movie Geeks explore the ethereal pleasures of Robert Altman's revisionist Western 'McCabe & Mrs. Miller' with a line-up of exceptional guests.

Stay tuned for more details! In the meantime, subscribe to our show feed at
Movie Geeks United! and enjoy the following screenshots from this remarkable film.