Ross Hawkins
Not an Oxymoron Writer Is a Hollywood Star
Writer, film critic, producer and occasional actor Charles Champlin was honored last Friday with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. According to the press release by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, his star, at 7076 Hollywood Blvd., across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre is the 2,344th star awarded to an entertainment celebrity.
After the ceremony presided over by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler, Champlin, along with friends, family and colleagues from the Los Angeles Times went over to Social Hollywood. At the old Hollywood Athletic Club on Sunset Boulevard, his son, Charles Jr., and the legendary producer A.C. Lyles hosted a reception and luncheon.
A Closer Look at Wartime, by Soldiers and Their Families
Keith Jeffries, the Artistic Director for the Los Angeles Area Veterans' Artists Alliance, invited me to a screening of "Muse of Fire" a documentary by Lawrence Bridges last weekend.
The 75-minute film highlights excerpts from memoirs, stories, poems and letters written by U.S. troops and their families during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
What We Dont Need: Culver Boulevard Under Siege
The first step taken toward improving living conditions for residents living near Culver Boulevard was to rip out all of the hideous shrubbery, useless trees and jogging path in the the center divider along the boulevard.
Residents won't be bothered by joggers using the pathway.
They will have more cars happily cruising toward Downtown or making their way to the 405 Freeway.
Here Is Something Different: Nurses Who Tote Guns
Not unlike Orson Welles War of the Worlds radio broadcast almost 70 years ago, it must be emphasized that none of what follows is true.
The entire scenario sprang from the pen of a creative and disgruntled Westside hospital employee. This is what he wrote:
Fred C. Dobbs, the new head nurse, was more than a little upset when he handed me a startling internal memo from the Administration/Groundskeeping Office.
An Epitaph for the California Dream?
An article in the June 1 edition of the L.A. Weekly is must reading for homeowners in Southern California.
Culver City homeowners, citizens concerned with the various development plans made by Culver City's Redevelopment Agency, and small business owners concerned that the city may swoop down and use eminent domain to take their property need to read "Is Our Commuter Nightmare Just Beginning?" by David Zanniser.
Mothers, Don’t Let Your Sons Grow Up to Be Cowboys
Once upon a time, the American cowboy was a folk hero and an icon.
But that has all changed since the 1960s.
Today, the term "cowboy" is used to define somebody who "shoots from the Lip."
New Meaning
If he actually uses a gun, he is just as likely to kill an innocent bystander as he is the villain.
Western movies began to change back in the 1950s when television Westerns were a staple on network television.
It All Began (and Ended) with Zukor
Second of 2 parts
[Editor’s Note: Part 1, “And the Winner Is…,” ran March 8.] The real founder of Legendary Hollywood (remember it's only a state of mind, not a location) was Adolph Zukor, an immigrant from Hungary.
He started out sweeping floors in a New York fur store and ended up the prosperous owner of a fur business in Chicago.
How It Started
In 1903, he entered the penny arcade business, joining forces with Marcus Loew, (who founded Loews Theatres.) In 1912, Zukor formed his own production company, "Famous Players."
Two years later, he teamed with Cecil B. DeMille, Jesse Lasky and Samuel Goldwyn (Goldfish) to form "Famous-Lasky-Paramount Pictures."
And The Winner Is…
First of 2 parts
Michael Hall, owner of the Fine Arts Theatre, Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, sent me an invitation to view the 79th Academy Awards on the big screen in high definition television at his 450-seat auditorium.
I drove there with my partner, Ken Lock, grabbed a box of popcorn. Along with 200 other non-contenders, I sat back in a plush seat and watched the drama unfolding from the Kodak Theatre.
It may sound nit-pickey.
But what was missing from the event was the glamour of earlier years.
Budd Schulberg - A Standout Face in the Crowd
I confess I have been AWOL from my duties as steward of the weekly Westside Calendar of thefrontpageonline.com for a month. I am returning from much needed rest in Palm Springs after producing the second Backlot Film Festival.
My personal highlight was a private meeting with the renowned Budd Schulberg in his room at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 3, the last day of the festival.
Westside Calendar/1.18
Thursday, Jan. 18
7 p.m. — "Cabaret Night- An Evening With Judy and Frank," presented by the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts at Culver City High School, Robert Frost Auditorium, 4401 Elenda Ave. Performances on Friday and Saturday at 7, and a matinee show on Saturday at 2. 310.842.4200, ext. 6094.
8 p.m. — "Drums In The Night," featuring The Actors' Gang, Culver City's resident theatrical troupe. at the Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd. Performances on Friday and Saturday at 8, Sunday at 2. Fee. Reservations, 310. 838.4264. Closes Saturday, Jan. 27.
Friday, Jan. 19
10 a.m. — Empowerment Conference and the swearing-in of Culver City’s new state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas, Council Chambers, City Hall, 9770 Culver Blvd. Reception to follow.
8 p.m. — Opening Night for “Ug,” a caveman musical, at the Attic Theatre and Film Center, 5924 W. Washington Blvd. Plays Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8, through Saturday, Feb. 24. Fee. 323.525.0600, ext. 2.
8 p.m. — Steve Allan's "The Wake," presented by the Kentwood Players, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 2, through Saturday, Feb. 17. Box office: 310.645.5156.
Sunday, Jan. 21
8 p.m. — "Dog Eaters," Jessica Hagedorn's play based on her best selling novel premieres at the Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre 9820 Washington Blvd. Performances are Tuesdays through Friday at 8, Saturdays at 2 and 8, and Sundays at 2 and 7. Through Sunday, Feb. 11. Tickets: 213. 628.2772.
Monday, Jan 22
7 p.m. — City Council meeting, Council Chambers, 9770 Culver Blvd. Free underground parking.
7 p.m. — "Cabaret Night- An Evening With Judy and Frank," presented by the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts at Culver City High School, Robert Frost Auditorium, 4401 Elenda Ave. Performances on Friday and Saturday at 7, and a matinee show on Saturday at 2. 310.842.4200, ext. 6094.
8 p.m. — "Drums In The Night," featuring The Actors' Gang, Culver City's resident theatrical troupe. at the Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd. Performances on Friday and Saturday at 8, Sunday at 2. Fee. Reservations, 310. 838.4264. Closes Saturday, Jan. 27.
Friday, Jan. 19
10 a.m. — Empowerment Conference and the swearing-in of Culver City’s new state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas, Council Chambers, City Hall, 9770 Culver Blvd. Reception to follow.
8 p.m. — Opening Night for “Ug,” a caveman musical, at the Attic Theatre and Film Center, 5924 W. Washington Blvd. Plays Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8, through Saturday, Feb. 24. Fee. 323.525.0600, ext. 2.
8 p.m. — Steve Allan's "The Wake," presented by the Kentwood Players, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 2, through Saturday, Feb. 17. Box office: 310.645.5156.
Sunday, Jan. 21
8 p.m. — "Dog Eaters," Jessica Hagedorn's play based on her best selling novel premieres at the Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre 9820 Washington Blvd. Performances are Tuesdays through Friday at 8, Saturdays at 2 and 8, and Sundays at 2 and 7. Through Sunday, Feb. 11. Tickets: 213. 628.2772.
Monday, Jan 22
7 p.m. — City Council meeting, Council Chambers, 9770 Culver Blvd. Free underground parking.
