Every year, a lot of actors win awards on Oscar night, but the ones who most often win the evening are the young stars and starlets who get to walk the red carpet. Sometimes they even win Oscar gold too. With any luck, the young star of “The Florida Project” Brooklynn Prince will make a splash at this year’s ceremony, but here are some of the cutest kids of years’ past:
Jackie Cooper – “Skippy” (1930)
Jackie Cooper was nominated for Best Actor for his role in 1930’s “Skippy.” To date, he’s the youngest boy to ever be nominated in the Best Actor category. He lost to Lionel Barrymore, who thanked Cooper in his acceptance speech. But Cooper didn’t hear it: he fell asleep on Marie Dressler’s arm during the ceremony (which started after midnight) and no one wanted to wake him.
Shirley Temple – (1934)
Shirley Temple was the...
Jackie Cooper – “Skippy” (1930)
Jackie Cooper was nominated for Best Actor for his role in 1930’s “Skippy.” To date, he’s the youngest boy to ever be nominated in the Best Actor category. He lost to Lionel Barrymore, who thanked Cooper in his acceptance speech. But Cooper didn’t hear it: he fell asleep on Marie Dressler’s arm during the ceremony (which started after midnight) and no one wanted to wake him.
Shirley Temple – (1934)
Shirley Temple was the...
- 3/14/2023
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The 2023 Oscar nominees for Best Director are Todd Field (“Tar”), Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Ruben Östlund (“Triangle of Sadness”), and Steven Spielberg (“The Fabelmans”). Our odds currently show that Kwan and Scheinert – aka the Daniels – are most likely to win (16/5), followed in order by Spielberg (19/5), McDonagh (9/2), Field (9/2), and Östlund (9/2).
Spielberg is the only returning directing contender in the bunch, with eight past bids under his belt for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1978), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1982), “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1983), “Schindler’s List” (1994), “Saving Private Ryan” (1999), “Munich” (2006), “Lincoln” (2013), and “West Side Story” (2022). He prevailed on both his fourth and fifth outings and shared in a Best Picture win as a producer of “Schindler’s List.” This new notice makes him the first back-to-back directing nominee since 2015 and 2016 champion Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Birdman” and “The Revenant”).
For the first time in Oscars history,...
Spielberg is the only returning directing contender in the bunch, with eight past bids under his belt for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1978), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1982), “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1983), “Schindler’s List” (1994), “Saving Private Ryan” (1999), “Munich” (2006), “Lincoln” (2013), and “West Side Story” (2022). He prevailed on both his fourth and fifth outings and shared in a Best Picture win as a producer of “Schindler’s List.” This new notice makes him the first back-to-back directing nominee since 2015 and 2016 champion Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Birdman” and “The Revenant”).
For the first time in Oscars history,...
- 3/10/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Awards season always turns up note-worthy moments: showstopping outfits, witty speeches or egregious faux-pas are instantly turned into memes and circulated endlessly on social media.
In 2021, one moment in particular captivated viewers worldwide, and that was watching eight-year-old actor Alan Kim – dressed in a tuxedo – tear up while accepting a Critics Choice Award for his scene-stealing part in the critically acclaimed film Minari.
After a successful season, however, which included a Bafta nod, the young star was eventually shut out of the Oscars. It was a shame – in a year of history-making nominations for the Academy Awards, seeing Kim recognised would have been the cherry on top.
But it was always a long shot. Child actors are a welcome but infrequent inclusion at the Oscars – their rarity though, does make every instance especially memorable.
In the run-up to next month’s ceremony, here is a list of the 13 youngest stars...
In 2021, one moment in particular captivated viewers worldwide, and that was watching eight-year-old actor Alan Kim – dressed in a tuxedo – tear up while accepting a Critics Choice Award for his scene-stealing part in the critically acclaimed film Minari.
After a successful season, however, which included a Bafta nod, the young star was eventually shut out of the Oscars. It was a shame – in a year of history-making nominations for the Academy Awards, seeing Kim recognised would have been the cherry on top.
But it was always a long shot. Child actors are a welcome but infrequent inclusion at the Oscars – their rarity though, does make every instance especially memorable.
In the run-up to next month’s ceremony, here is a list of the 13 youngest stars...
- 2/7/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - Film
Steven Spielberg brought his semi-autobiographical film, “The Fabelmans,” to the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10, his first feature ever to debut at TIFF. To say that Spielberg is performing at the top of his game is no hyperbole. This dramatic opus, which pulls at the heartstrings, could bring Spielberg his third directing statuette (after “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan”), and maybe his second for best picture (after “Schindler’s List”).
“The Fabelmans” is the story of Sam Fabelman, a young boy who falls in love with cinema, but finds himself fighting family turmoil to keep his dream alive.
Spielberg’s direction is the glue that holds “The Fabelmans” together, and the film touches on many of his landmark styles, nodding to “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Saving Private Ryan” and more.
The script, by Tony Kushner and Spielberg, brilliantly illustrates the birth of a filmmaker,...
“The Fabelmans” is the story of Sam Fabelman, a young boy who falls in love with cinema, but finds himself fighting family turmoil to keep his dream alive.
Spielberg’s direction is the glue that holds “The Fabelmans” together, and the film touches on many of his landmark styles, nodding to “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Saving Private Ryan” and more.
The script, by Tony Kushner and Spielberg, brilliantly illustrates the birth of a filmmaker,...
- 9/11/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Before the academy expanded the Best Picture race in 2010, the winner of that award almost always picked up the Best Director prize as well. But since then, these two awards have aligned at only seven of the dozen ceremonies. We thought that we’d see another case of double-dipping this year with Jane Campion winning for both directing and producing “The Power of the Dog.” But now it looks like “Coda” will claim the top prize of Best Picture, with Campion consoling herself with being the third woman to win Best Director.
Why the change?
When the decision was made to increase the number of nominees for Best Picture, it was also decided to bring back the preferential ballot that had been used by the academy until the mid 1940s. The rationale was that by ranking the nominees, the winner would be the film that had the broadest level of support.
Why the change?
When the decision was made to increase the number of nominees for Best Picture, it was also decided to bring back the preferential ballot that had been used by the academy until the mid 1940s. The rationale was that by ranking the nominees, the winner would be the film that had the broadest level of support.
- 3/27/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The cast of Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast,” including Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench, will follow young Jude Hill’s lead on the road to the Academy Awards. Variety has learned exclusively that Focus Features will campaign Hill for lead actor consideration during the awards season, with the rest of the cast going for supporting recognition.
Balfe and Dornan’s category submissions have been a question mark since the film’s debut at Telluride, riding the line between leading and supporting characters. Balfe, in many ways, has the more accessible and resonating role of the cast. Aside from delivering a beautifully orchestrated turn, it can easily be packaged with all the “Oscar clip” bells and whistles that you see in award-winning contenders. Her star has been growing for years now; she appeared in best picture nominee “Ford v Ferrari” (2019) and has gained a massive following as Claire Randall...
Balfe and Dornan’s category submissions have been a question mark since the film’s debut at Telluride, riding the line between leading and supporting characters. Balfe, in many ways, has the more accessible and resonating role of the cast. Aside from delivering a beautifully orchestrated turn, it can easily be packaged with all the “Oscar clip” bells and whistles that you see in award-winning contenders. Her star has been growing for years now; she appeared in best picture nominee “Ford v Ferrari” (2019) and has gained a massive following as Claire Randall...
- 10/11/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Awards season always turns up note-worthy moments: showstopping outfits, witty speeches or egregious faux-pas are instantly turned into memes and circulated endlessly on social media.
But so far this year, one moment in particular has captivated viewers worldwide and that was watching eight-year-old actor Alan Kim – dressed in a tuxedo – tear up while accepting a Critics Choice Award for his scene-stealing part in the critically acclaimed film Minari.
After a successful season, however, which included a Bafta nod, the young star was eventually shut out of the Oscars. It is a shame – in a year of history-making nominations for the Academy Awards, seeing Kim recognised would have been the cherry on top. But it was always a long shot. Child actors are a welcome but infrequent inclusion at the Oscars – their rarity though, does make every instance especially memorable.
In the run-up to next month’s ceremony, here is a...
But so far this year, one moment in particular has captivated viewers worldwide and that was watching eight-year-old actor Alan Kim – dressed in a tuxedo – tear up while accepting a Critics Choice Award for his scene-stealing part in the critically acclaimed film Minari.
After a successful season, however, which included a Bafta nod, the young star was eventually shut out of the Oscars. It is a shame – in a year of history-making nominations for the Academy Awards, seeing Kim recognised would have been the cherry on top. But it was always a long shot. Child actors are a welcome but infrequent inclusion at the Oscars – their rarity though, does make every instance especially memorable.
In the run-up to next month’s ceremony, here is a...
- 4/8/2021
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - Film
For someone who follows the awards season with a close, particular eye, you read the tea leaves of a cinematic year based on precedent. What have the Oscars done in their history that warrants such a prediction or outcome? Statistics are heavily scrutinized and precedents are meant to be broken under the right circumstances, as we’ve seen in recent years.
Always expecting the unexpected, I took a look at some of the longest-standing Oscar stats, expecting to be proven wrong at some future ceremony; but when it comes to the age of nominees, these records are likely never to be broken under Hollywood’s current behaviors.
The youngest lead actor nominee was 9 years old.
This record has been owned by Jackie Cooper, who was nominated for lead actor for Norman Taurog’s classic comedy “Skippy” (193o-31) at the fourth Oscar ceremony at the age of 9. This declaration of Cooper...
Always expecting the unexpected, I took a look at some of the longest-standing Oscar stats, expecting to be proven wrong at some future ceremony; but when it comes to the age of nominees, these records are likely never to be broken under Hollywood’s current behaviors.
The youngest lead actor nominee was 9 years old.
This record has been owned by Jackie Cooper, who was nominated for lead actor for Norman Taurog’s classic comedy “Skippy” (193o-31) at the fourth Oscar ceremony at the age of 9. This declaration of Cooper...
- 3/1/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
There’s no better time than the first time, at least when it comes to actors debuting in their inaugural feature films.
In the history of the Oscars, more than 25 actors have been nominated for their feature debuts across all four acting categories. Among them are winners like Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”) and Anna Paquin (“The Piano”) and nominees such as Edward Norton (“Primal Fear”) and Barkhad Abdi (“Captain Phillips”). This year, an intriguing mix of performers, both seasoned and youthful, are trying their hand at the game of awards season.
Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” casts real-life nomads from different areas of the United States for her moving portrait of the American West. The brilliant Swankie tackles her role like a veteran in what one could argue is the film’s most effective element. Her counterparts Linda May and especially Bob Wells also have their moments, and it...
In the history of the Oscars, more than 25 actors have been nominated for their feature debuts across all four acting categories. Among them are winners like Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”) and Anna Paquin (“The Piano”) and nominees such as Edward Norton (“Primal Fear”) and Barkhad Abdi (“Captain Phillips”). This year, an intriguing mix of performers, both seasoned and youthful, are trying their hand at the game of awards season.
Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” casts real-life nomads from different areas of the United States for her moving portrait of the American West. The brilliant Swankie tackles her role like a veteran in what one could argue is the film’s most effective element. Her counterparts Linda May and especially Bob Wells also have their moments, and it...
- 11/26/2020
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
By now we all know that the film the Academy selects as the “Best Picture” of any given year is rarely the actual Best Picture, but some years it’s hard to explain why they picked what they picked. Never mind “Shakespeare in Love” beating “Saving Private Ryan,” because at least “Shakespeare in Love” is a handsome production with a witty script. Never mind “Dances with Wolves” beating “Goodfellas,” because at least “Dances with Wolves” is a respectable western. We’re taking a look at the films that we can’t watch, even in a vacuum, without cringing nowadays. And when you compare them with the nominees that didn’t earn the Oscar, it’s just plain hard to justify why the Academy voted the way it did.
“The Broadway Melody” (1929)
The second Best Picture winner, and the first synch sound movie to win the top prize, was innovative for the time.
“The Broadway Melody” (1929)
The second Best Picture winner, and the first synch sound movie to win the top prize, was innovative for the time.
- 1/7/2020
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Fresh from its People’s Choice Award win at the Toronto Film Festival, Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit” received a rapturous reception at the London Film Festival. This Fox Searchlight release will unspool stateside on October 18 and is poised to be a major contender this Oscar season.
Waititi adapted Christine Leunens novel “Caging Skies.” He boldly added a layer of humor to her serious-minded story about a young boy (Roman Griffin Davis) in Nazi Germany who has Adolf Hitler as an imaginary friend. His script blends comedy and drama and is certain to figure in the Adapted Screenplay race at the Academy Awards. Waititi, who also directed, pulls triple duty by playing Hitler as well. His edgy portrayal of the dictator as a complete moron was a stand-out and could well reap him a third nomination. Indeed, you wish there were more scenes with him.
The evolving relationship between Jojo...
Waititi adapted Christine Leunens novel “Caging Skies.” He boldly added a layer of humor to her serious-minded story about a young boy (Roman Griffin Davis) in Nazi Germany who has Adolf Hitler as an imaginary friend. His script blends comedy and drama and is certain to figure in the Adapted Screenplay race at the Academy Awards. Waititi, who also directed, pulls triple duty by playing Hitler as well. His edgy portrayal of the dictator as a complete moron was a stand-out and could well reap him a third nomination. Indeed, you wish there were more scenes with him.
The evolving relationship between Jojo...
- 10/11/2019
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
There are times when it might seem unkind and even uncaring to say that someone we enjoyed back in the day is washed up and hasn’t done anything significant since his one big role on a TV show back in the day, but, well, Marc Price is one of those guys. To be fair he’s been trying to stay relevant for a while and he’s managed to get out and do his own thing, but when you show up on a site titled Washed Up Celebrities you’ve got to assume that things didn’t turn out all that well. Without being
Whatever Happened to Marc Price Aka “Skippy” from Family Ties?...
Whatever Happened to Marc Price Aka “Skippy” from Family Ties?...
- 4/17/2019
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
Turner Classic Movies (United States feed) has scheduled the 1931 movie Skippy for this Wednesday, February 27th, at 10:15 pm. The movie is based on Percy Crosby’s comic strip Skippy, one of the comics that Charles Schulz had in mind when making Peanuts. Joseph Nebus tells you exactly why it’s so important to comics history:
Crosby supposed that kids had feelings and desires and interests that they took seriously, and that good stories would come from taking them seriously. Every comic strip that follows the child’s point of view owes something to it. It’s not only influential, though. It’s good. I mean, a lot of early comic strips are good, but you have to work a bit to understand them. Like, I enjoy George Herriman’s Krazy Kat, but if take any given day’s strip and ask me what the joke is I’ll often be in trouble.
Crosby supposed that kids had feelings and desires and interests that they took seriously, and that good stories would come from taking them seriously. Every comic strip that follows the child’s point of view owes something to it. It’s not only influential, though. It’s good. I mean, a lot of early comic strips are good, but you have to work a bit to understand them. Like, I enjoy George Herriman’s Krazy Kat, but if take any given day’s strip and ask me what the joke is I’ll often be in trouble.
- 2/26/2019
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Last year Timothee Chalamet made history when he earned a Best Actor nomination for “Call Me by Your Name.” He was 22 years, 27 days old, which made him the third youngest nominee in the category’s history behind Jackie Cooper for “Skippy” (9-years-old) and Mickey Rooney for “Babes in Arms” (19-years-old). This year Lucas Hedges could join Chalamet on the list of the all-time youngest contenders if he makes the cut for either “Boy Erased” or “Ben is Back,” but he’d just barely miss third place by two weeks.
Chalamet was born on December 27, 1995, and he earned his Best Actor nom on January 23, 2018. This year the Oscar nominations will be announced one day earlier, but Hedges’s birthday falls 15 days earlier than Chalamet’s, so when nominations morning rolls around Hedges will be 14 days older than Chalamet was: 22 years, 41 days.
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Chalamet was born on December 27, 1995, and he earned his Best Actor nom on January 23, 2018. This year the Oscar nominations will be announced one day earlier, but Hedges’s birthday falls 15 days earlier than Chalamet’s, so when nominations morning rolls around Hedges will be 14 days older than Chalamet was: 22 years, 41 days.
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- 11/3/2018
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Last season, 22-year-old Timothée Chalamet could have become the youngest Best Actor winner in Academy Award history for his breakthrough performance in Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me By Your Name.” Even though Gary Oldman (“Darkest Hour”) prevailed, Chalamet is still the third youngest Best Actor nominee, just behind Jackie Cooper and Mickey Rooney.
This year, however, he could become the second youngest Best Supporting Actor winner for his performance in Felix Van Groeningen‘s biographical drama “Beautiful Boy.”
Based on the memoirs “Beautiful Boy” by David Sheff and “Tweak” by his son Nic Sheff, the film follows Nic (Chalamet), a teenager who leads a seemingly perfect life, but in reality struggles with an addiction to crystal meth, threatening to destroy his and his family’s entire lives. His father David (Steve Carell) watches his son as he slips into addiction and does everything in his power to prevent his son...
This year, however, he could become the second youngest Best Supporting Actor winner for his performance in Felix Van Groeningen‘s biographical drama “Beautiful Boy.”
Based on the memoirs “Beautiful Boy” by David Sheff and “Tweak” by his son Nic Sheff, the film follows Nic (Chalamet), a teenager who leads a seemingly perfect life, but in reality struggles with an addiction to crystal meth, threatening to destroy his and his family’s entire lives. His father David (Steve Carell) watches his son as he slips into addiction and does everything in his power to prevent his son...
- 10/28/2018
- by Luca Giliberti
- Gold Derby
This article marks Part 3 of the Gold Derby series reflecting on films that contended for the Big Five Oscars – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted). With “A Star Is Born” this year on the cusp of joining this exclusive group of Oscar favorites, join us as we look back at the 43 extraordinary pictures that earned Academy Awards nominations in each of the Big Five categories, including the following 11 films that scored a pair of prizes among the top races.
At the 4th Academy Awards ceremony, “Cimarron” (1931) made Oscar history as the first motion picture to ever score nominations in the Big Five categories. On the big night, the western took home the top prize in Best Picture, as well as the Oscar in Best Adapted Screenplay (Howard Estabrook). Not as successful were the picture’s director, Wesley Ruggles, topped by Norman Taurog (“Skippy”), and the leads,...
At the 4th Academy Awards ceremony, “Cimarron” (1931) made Oscar history as the first motion picture to ever score nominations in the Big Five categories. On the big night, the western took home the top prize in Best Picture, as well as the Oscar in Best Adapted Screenplay (Howard Estabrook). Not as successful were the picture’s director, Wesley Ruggles, topped by Norman Taurog (“Skippy”), and the leads,...
- 10/11/2018
- by Andrew Carden
- Gold Derby
With his farewell film, three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis could break the record for most wins by an actor while Meryl Streep, who just extended her nominations record with bid #21, could match the achievement of four-time winner Katharine Hepburn.
Below, we offer up 13 more facts, stats, and figures regarding this year’s Academy Awards nominees announced on Jan. 23. Winners of the 24 competitive races at the Oscars will be revealed on March 4 during a live telecast on ABC hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
See 2018 Oscar nominations: Full list of Academy Awards nominees in all 24 categories
Lucky 13?
“The Shape of Water” is the tenth film in Oscar history to earn 13 nominations. The current record of 14 nominations is held by three films, “All about Eve” (1951), “Titanic” (1998) and “La La Land” (2017)
Best Actor mainstay
With his sixth Best Actor Oscar nomination, Daniel Day-Lewis (“Phantom Thread”) is now tied with Richard Burton for recognition in the category.
Below, we offer up 13 more facts, stats, and figures regarding this year’s Academy Awards nominees announced on Jan. 23. Winners of the 24 competitive races at the Oscars will be revealed on March 4 during a live telecast on ABC hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
See 2018 Oscar nominations: Full list of Academy Awards nominees in all 24 categories
Lucky 13?
“The Shape of Water” is the tenth film in Oscar history to earn 13 nominations. The current record of 14 nominations is held by three films, “All about Eve” (1951), “Titanic” (1998) and “La La Land” (2017)
Best Actor mainstay
With his sixth Best Actor Oscar nomination, Daniel Day-Lewis (“Phantom Thread”) is now tied with Richard Burton for recognition in the category.
- 1/23/2018
- by Andrew Carden
- Gold Derby
It’s been almost 10 years since Heath Ledger was posthumously awarded the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2009 for playing the comic book super villain the Joker in “The Dark Knight.” More and more superhero movies like it have earned critical praise on par with more traditional prestige films. So how is it possible that we’re still waiting for a comic book superhero movie to be nominated for its writing? Two such acclaimed crusaders, “Logan” and “Wonder Woman,” could change that this year.
There have been a few nominated screenplays over the years that were adapted from graphic media: “Skippy” (1931) came from a comic strip. “American Splendor” (2003) was taken from an autobiographical comic book series. “Ghost World” (2001) and “A History of Violence” (2005) both came from graphic novels. But those were all real-world-based stories, and not the fantastic realities of superhero films. And there have been plenty of scripts considered by...
There have been a few nominated screenplays over the years that were adapted from graphic media: “Skippy” (1931) came from a comic strip. “American Splendor” (2003) was taken from an autobiographical comic book series. “Ghost World” (2001) and “A History of Violence” (2005) both came from graphic novels. But those were all real-world-based stories, and not the fantastic realities of superhero films. And there have been plenty of scripts considered by...
- 1/19/2018
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
It is with great sadness the Awg reports that Ted Roberts, the highly respected television writer and producer, died of cancer on Monday February 23.. He was 83..
In a career spanning more than 40 years he wrote more than 500 hours of television drama: Skippy, Homicide, Elephant Boy, Boney, Lindsay.s Boy, Rush, Patrol Boat, A Country Practice, Willing and Able, G.P., Mission: Impossible, Water Rats, and Blue Heelers. In addition, he was supervising producer on Water Rats.
He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and the publisher Pat Woolley, who loved him for 16 years.
Close friends, industry colleagues and family are invited to the wake to mourn and praise him, on Saturday at 2pm in Ultimo, Sydney. Email your interest to books@fastbooks.com.au before Friday 6pm for further details.
Grateful thanks to everyone at Wolper Jewish Hospital, Woollahra, who cared for him so tenderly the last 6 weeks of his life,...
In a career spanning more than 40 years he wrote more than 500 hours of television drama: Skippy, Homicide, Elephant Boy, Boney, Lindsay.s Boy, Rush, Patrol Boat, A Country Practice, Willing and Able, G.P., Mission: Impossible, Water Rats, and Blue Heelers. In addition, he was supervising producer on Water Rats.
He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and the publisher Pat Woolley, who loved him for 16 years.
Close friends, industry colleagues and family are invited to the wake to mourn and praise him, on Saturday at 2pm in Ultimo, Sydney. Email your interest to books@fastbooks.com.au before Friday 6pm for further details.
Grateful thanks to everyone at Wolper Jewish Hospital, Woollahra, who cared for him so tenderly the last 6 weeks of his life,...
- 2/25/2015
- by Australian Writers Guild
- IF.com.au
Stars: Donald Pleasence, Gary Bond, Chips Rafferty, Sylvia Kay, Jack Thompson, Peter Whittle, Al Thomas, John Meillon, John Armstrong | Written by Evan Jones | Directed by Ted Kotcheff
John Grant (Gary Bond) is a bonded school teacher who finds himself teaching in the outback. When travelling back to Sydney he stays overnight in the mining town of Bundanyabba where the lure of gambling and alcohol soon traps him in a nightmare. Seemingly trapped in his own hell Grant clings to the hopes of Sydney while his life spirals to a point so low that the only escape may be the one bullet he has left in his rifle.
At the start of Wake in Fright John Grant is an educated man who looks at his current situation as a form of slavery to the system, being a bonded teacher means that he has to work wherever he is put, and the...
John Grant (Gary Bond) is a bonded school teacher who finds himself teaching in the outback. When travelling back to Sydney he stays overnight in the mining town of Bundanyabba where the lure of gambling and alcohol soon traps him in a nightmare. Seemingly trapped in his own hell Grant clings to the hopes of Sydney while his life spirals to a point so low that the only escape may be the one bullet he has left in his rifle.
At the start of Wake in Fright John Grant is an educated man who looks at his current situation as a form of slavery to the system, being a bonded teacher means that he has to work wherever he is put, and the...
- 3/26/2014
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
After 50 years in the film industry, producer Sue Milliken is convinced the current funding structure of government investment and the producer tax offset isn't working. Milliken regards the formation of Screen Australia as a wasted opportunity to revitalise the industry and she questions the value of the Australian Film Institute/ Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta). She outlines her vision for a more efficient and better targeted funding system in her new book, Selective Memory: A Life in Film. The tome is primarily an insightful and colourful memoir of a producer who served her apprenticeship at the ABC in the 1960s on Skippy and worked with the legendary TV producer Hector Crawford before embarking on films including The Odd Angry Shot, The Fringe Dwellers, Black Robe, Sirens,.. Dating the Enemy and Paradise Road, and serving as a completion guarantor. Like many in the industry, she hoped the amalgamation...
- 6/25/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Marine conservationist and film-maker who started out by hunting sharks and ended up defending them
Ron Taylor, who has died aged 78, was a great observer and defender of sharks. He began his career earning a living as a spearfisher, and later filmed some of the most exciting sequences for Steven Spielberg's 1975 film Jaws, but then spent the rest of his life educating people about the animals he regarded as "fascinating marine creatures". "There are over 360 different shark species in the world's oceans," he noted in an interview in 2007, "yet only a few of those are potentially dangerous. Each one has its own characteristics. Sharks have evolved to fulfil a different niche in the marine environment."
Sharks existed before the dinosaurs, and prospered for millions of years, yet during their lifetime Taylor and his wife, Valerie – an equally passionate advocate – saw them come under threat. Many are killed for their teeth,...
Ron Taylor, who has died aged 78, was a great observer and defender of sharks. He began his career earning a living as a spearfisher, and later filmed some of the most exciting sequences for Steven Spielberg's 1975 film Jaws, but then spent the rest of his life educating people about the animals he regarded as "fascinating marine creatures". "There are over 360 different shark species in the world's oceans," he noted in an interview in 2007, "yet only a few of those are potentially dangerous. Each one has its own characteristics. Sharks have evolved to fulfil a different niche in the marine environment."
Sharks existed before the dinosaurs, and prospered for millions of years, yet during their lifetime Taylor and his wife, Valerie – an equally passionate advocate – saw them come under threat. Many are killed for their teeth,...
- 9/11/2012
- by Philip Hoare
- The Guardian - Film News
Australian screen veteran Bill Hunter is gravely ill in a Melbourne hospice with inoperable cancer. The actor, who has appeared in some of Australia's most iconic films including Muriel's Wedding, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Strictly Ballroom checked into Kew hospice two days ago. Hunter's film and television career has spanned more than 40 years. Since one of his earliest appearances as an uncredited Guardian in Doctor Who in 1966, the actor has featured in everything from Skippy and Prisoner to Gallipoli and The Square. He is most notable for having worked with many of Australia's great filmmakers and actors including Peter Weir, Mel Gibson, Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving, Baz Luhrmann and P.J Hogan. A favourite of the AFI awards, Hunter...
- 5/18/2011
- by Amanda Diaz
- IF.com.au
Millions of Australians grew up watching Dot and the Kangaroo and Blinky Bill, but the story of Yoram Gross, the man behind such beloved characters, is far more interesting than any piece of fiction.
Jerzy gross was born in October in 1926 in Krakow, Poland, where his family owned a couple of fine home mart stores. His father disappeared, presumably killed, when Gross was almost 13 and preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. But that coming-of-age ceremony would never take place; the German forces invaded the country in 1939.
The following years, documented in his new autobiography My Animated Life, saw the Gross family divided, constantly on the move and eventually managing to survive the war – a true story that would make a fascinating film.
Gross have filmmaking dreams when the war ended in 1945. Poland’s prolific film industry had disappeared during the Nazi occupation, but after the war it started to come back to life.
Jerzy gross was born in October in 1926 in Krakow, Poland, where his family owned a couple of fine home mart stores. His father disappeared, presumably killed, when Gross was almost 13 and preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. But that coming-of-age ceremony would never take place; the German forces invaded the country in 1939.
The following years, documented in his new autobiography My Animated Life, saw the Gross family divided, constantly on the move and eventually managing to survive the war – a true story that would make a fascinating film.
Gross have filmmaking dreams when the war ended in 1945. Poland’s prolific film industry had disappeared during the Nazi occupation, but after the war it started to come back to life.
- 5/9/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
We begin this episode with Fiona and Steve having hot morning sex. Badly lit hot morning sex, unfortunately, so we're still denied seeing Justin Chatwin do a Steve Howey.
Steve and Fiona's dirty sex talk consists of, "I have to make sandwiches for lunch." "What kind of sandwiches?" "Peanut butter ... with the ... oh God ... oh God ... crusts cut off." "What brand, baby?" "Oh, oh, oh, oh ... Skippy! ....Crunchy!"
Steve is just about to get his "crusts cut off" when the lights flicker and the power goes out. Fiona yells out, "Carl!"
It's easy to blame poor Carl. Sure, he has Barbie strapped up to a makeshift electric chair and is about to punish her "for her sins," (which hopefully includes "Botched liposuction Barbie" and "Getting out of limo pantyless Barbie"), but it's not so unusual.
What Carl is doing is not cause for concern. All little boys go through a creative killing phase.
Steve and Fiona's dirty sex talk consists of, "I have to make sandwiches for lunch." "What kind of sandwiches?" "Peanut butter ... with the ... oh God ... oh God ... crusts cut off." "What brand, baby?" "Oh, oh, oh, oh ... Skippy! ....Crunchy!"
Steve is just about to get his "crusts cut off" when the lights flicker and the power goes out. Fiona yells out, "Carl!"
It's easy to blame poor Carl. Sure, he has Barbie strapped up to a makeshift electric chair and is about to punish her "for her sins," (which hopefully includes "Botched liposuction Barbie" and "Getting out of limo pantyless Barbie"), but it's not so unusual.
What Carl is doing is not cause for concern. All little boys go through a creative killing phase.
- 2/14/2011
- by snicks
- The Backlot
Mad Cow Pictures will begin production of the U$25m independent animated CGI film Trouble Down Under in Sydney next month, directed by the company’s founder Steve Trenbirth.
“It is still being considered whether this will be full 3D stereoscopic… currently plans are being formulated depending on cost. It will qualify for the Offset, with an Australian writer/producer/director, production company, pre and post-production, and the creation of a new a CGI studio,” Trenbirth told Encore.
For this project, Trenbirth (who directed Disney’s home entertainment releases The Lion King II and Jungle Book II) has partnered with producer Tony Findlay and California-based Fastlane Entertainment.
“I learned so much during my 15 years at Disney that it’s difficult to note any one particular influence. It’s from both a creative/artistic point of view, as well as the efficiencies required as part of the production process, and the...
“It is still being considered whether this will be full 3D stereoscopic… currently plans are being formulated depending on cost. It will qualify for the Offset, with an Australian writer/producer/director, production company, pre and post-production, and the creation of a new a CGI studio,” Trenbirth told Encore.
For this project, Trenbirth (who directed Disney’s home entertainment releases The Lion King II and Jungle Book II) has partnered with producer Tony Findlay and California-based Fastlane Entertainment.
“I learned so much during my 15 years at Disney that it’s difficult to note any one particular influence. It’s from both a creative/artistic point of view, as well as the efficiencies required as part of the production process, and the...
- 7/14/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Actor husband of Googie Withers, he co-created Skippy the bush kangaroo
The ruggedly handsome Australian actor John McCallum, who has died aged 91, enhanced the golden era of postwar British cinema with his extrovert muscularity. He starred in films such as The Loves of Joanna Godden and It Always Rains On Sunday (both 1947), then returned to Australia with his wife and frequent co-star, Googie Withers, to become an impresario in theatre, film and television. His TV hits included the popular series Skippy (1966-68), developed with the producer Lee Robinson, which followed the escapades of a daredevil kangaroo which McCallum had first named Hoppy. More than 90 episodes were filmed, and the series became one of the best known Australian TV exports.
McCallum's Scottish grandparents emigrated as farmers but edged their son into the role of a church organist in Brisbane. His father moved on to concert management and built the 3,000-seat Cremorne theatre in Brisbane,...
The ruggedly handsome Australian actor John McCallum, who has died aged 91, enhanced the golden era of postwar British cinema with his extrovert muscularity. He starred in films such as The Loves of Joanna Godden and It Always Rains On Sunday (both 1947), then returned to Australia with his wife and frequent co-star, Googie Withers, to become an impresario in theatre, film and television. His TV hits included the popular series Skippy (1966-68), developed with the producer Lee Robinson, which followed the escapades of a daredevil kangaroo which McCallum had first named Hoppy. More than 90 episodes were filmed, and the series became one of the best known Australian TV exports.
McCallum's Scottish grandparents emigrated as farmers but edged their son into the role of a church organist in Brisbane. His father moved on to concert management and built the 3,000-seat Cremorne theatre in Brisbane,...
- 4/7/2010
- by Dennis Barker
- The Guardian - Film News
John McCallum, the man who created cult Australian TV show Skippy, has died aged 91.
McCallum passed away on Wednesday at a nursing home in Sydney. No other details about his death were released as WENN went to press.
The Brisbane-born TV guru began his career as an actor, training in London and going on to star in numerous roles on the stage both in the U.K. and in his native Australia.
He later moved on to roles in TV and film, before stepping behind the camera to write, direct and produce.
McCallum famously created 1960s TV hit Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, which became a global success, and worked on a string of movies including 1982 war picture Attack Force Z - which gave starring roles to then-unknown actors Mel Gibson and Sam Neill.
In 1971 McCallum was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Cbe) for his services to drama and theatre, and he was later named an Officer of the Order of Australia (Ao) in 1992.
McCallum is survived by his wife Googie and children Joanna, Nicholas and Amanda.
McCallum passed away on Wednesday at a nursing home in Sydney. No other details about his death were released as WENN went to press.
The Brisbane-born TV guru began his career as an actor, training in London and going on to star in numerous roles on the stage both in the U.K. and in his native Australia.
He later moved on to roles in TV and film, before stepping behind the camera to write, direct and produce.
McCallum famously created 1960s TV hit Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, which became a global success, and worked on a string of movies including 1982 war picture Attack Force Z - which gave starring roles to then-unknown actors Mel Gibson and Sam Neill.
In 1971 McCallum was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Cbe) for his services to drama and theatre, and he was later named an Officer of the Order of Australia (Ao) in 1992.
McCallum is survived by his wife Googie and children Joanna, Nicholas and Amanda.
- 2/3/2010
- WENN
Australian TV star Tony Bonner has lost a court bid for a share of the profits from hit 1960s children's show Skippy The Bush Kangaroo.
Bonner took legal action against programme bosses at Fauna Productions alleging he was owed $600,000 (£400,000) from the sale of show merchandise and DVDs - despite no mention of such a clause in his contract.
A Sydney Supreme Court judge sided with TV executives on Wednesday and dismissed the case, ruling Bonner had no right to the show's earnings.
Justice Ian Gzell said, "Under the (employment) agreement Mr. Bonner assigned to Fauna the sole and absolute rights throughout the world to all results and proceeds of the services rendered by him.
"There was no incurrence of expenditure for which Mr. Bonner was not paid, nor did he perform work for no consideration."
Skippy the Bush Kangaroo aired Down Under between 1966 and 1968, but became a worldwide hit after being shown in more than 80 countries across the globe.
Bonner took legal action against programme bosses at Fauna Productions alleging he was owed $600,000 (£400,000) from the sale of show merchandise and DVDs - despite no mention of such a clause in his contract.
A Sydney Supreme Court judge sided with TV executives on Wednesday and dismissed the case, ruling Bonner had no right to the show's earnings.
Justice Ian Gzell said, "Under the (employment) agreement Mr. Bonner assigned to Fauna the sole and absolute rights throughout the world to all results and proceeds of the services rendered by him.
"There was no incurrence of expenditure for which Mr. Bonner was not paid, nor did he perform work for no consideration."
Skippy the Bush Kangaroo aired Down Under between 1966 and 1968, but became a worldwide hit after being shown in more than 80 countries across the globe.
- 7/2/2009
- WENN
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