Sunday, October 25, 2009
‘Endgame’ to go from PBS to a run in U.S. theaters
PASADENA — The traditional feature-film release cycle is to start on movie screens and then move to television via DVDs, cable or network broadcasts.
A different approach has been plotted for “Endgame,” which airs tonight on the PBS series “Masterpiece Contemporary” and then will have a theatrical run.
Rebecca Eaton, “Masterpiece Contemporary” executive producer, says the original plan was to open “Endgame” in theaters first to earn Oscar attention. Because the movie aired on British TV, it’s no longer eligible for Oscar consideration.
Now Eaton wants to see the film’s message get to the largest audience possible.
“We’re not going to make a ton of money from this even if it is a hit. But we want to make sure that everybody knows about it and can see it wherever, preferably on ‘Masterpiece,’ then possibly screening in the movie theaters, buy the DVD,” Eaton says.
“Endgame” is based on Robert Harvey’s book “The Fall of Apartheid,” which revealed how Goldfields, a gold-mining company, was instrumental in bringing together members of the South African government and the leadership of the African National Congress for secret talks in England that led to the end of apartheid in South Africa.
‘Shrek the Musical’ to close on Broadway
NEW YORK — Say goodbye, New York, to that smelly green ogre.
DreamWorks Theatricals producer Bill Damaschke says “Shrek the Musical” will close Jan. 3, 2010, on Broadway after a yearlong, 441-performance run.
The expensive musical has seen its grosses dwindle since the end of summer. Last week, the show grossed about $580,000, filling less than 60 percent of the seats at the Broadway Theatre, one of New York’s largest playhouses.
“Shrek” is based on the company’s successful animated film and the characters in William Steig’s book. The show opened last December to mostly mixed reviews.
A national tour is to begin in July at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago.
Movies on The Weather Channel? ‘Storm’ is first
NEW YORK — The Weather Channel plans to show movies for the first time in its 27-year history.
First up? “The Perfect Storm.”
The network has slipped longer programming into its constantly rotating forecasts in recent years. But over a four-week period starting the night before Halloween, the cable network will try Friday night movies.
Its managers figured the George Clooney movie about a horrific storm off the New England coast would be a good first choice — particularly since it’s airing on the 18th anniversary of the actual event.
Today’s birthdays
Actress Marion Ross is 81. Country singer Jeanne Black is 72. Singer Jon Anderson of Yes is 65. Singer Taffy Danoff of Starland Vocal Band is 65. Guitarist Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest is 62. Actor Brian Kerwin is 60. Guitarist Matthias Jabs of Scorpions is 53. Actress Nancy Cartwright (“The Simpsons”) is 52. Country singer Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown is 51. Drummer Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers and of Chickenfoot is 48. Actress Tracy Nelson (“Father Dowling Mysteries”) is 46. Actor Michael Boatman (“Spin City”) is 45. Singer Speech (Arrested Development) is 41. Actor Adam Goldberg (“Saving Private Ryan”) is 39. Guitarist Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies is 39. Country singer Chely Wright is 39. Actor Craig Robertson (“The Office”) is 38. Actor Mehcad Brooks (“Desperate Housewives”) is 29. Singer Jerome Jones of Immature is 28. Singer Katy Perry is 25. Singer Austin Winkler of Hinder is 25. Singer Ciara is 24.