" Here HOLLYWOOD REPORT Bill Murray "Scrooge" Bill Murray, the laziest actor in Hollywood (and we say that only because we miss him so), returns in this pseudo-remake of the Dickens classic, Murray plays the heartless producer of a televised production of "A Christmas Carol," and many of the same supernatural occurrences that haunted old Ebenezer come to haunt Murray when he starts losing the Christmas spirit, Karen Allen ("Raiders of the Lost Ark"), Bob Coldthwait, Michael I Pollard and David lohanson co-star in the film, and the hot gossip at press time was that Marlon Brando would play Scrooge in the show that Murray is producing. The film is being made by director Richard Donner ("Lethal Weapon") in New York and Los Angeles. Co-producing with Donner is Art Linson, who produced "The Untouchables " The script is by Mitch Glazer and Michael O'Donoghue. The film — probably under a different title — will be released by Paramount at Christmas. "Gleaming the Cube" Gladden Entertainment is producing this contemporary action thriller that takes place in the bright sunshine of Orange County, Calif,, and in the shadows of the mysterious and exotic Vietnamese community which has sprung up in its midst. Christian Slater ("The Name of the Rose") portrays a rebellious teenager who sets out to avenge his adopted Vietnamese brother's death, and Steven Bauer ("Running Scared") plays the street smart detective in charge of the case. Graeme Clifford ("Frances") directs, and 20th Century Fox will release the film this summer. "Rainman" There may be a new president in the White House before we ever see this film, but It's a big enough project to announce early. Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise star in this drama about an idiot savant (Hoffman) whose gift of total recall is exploited by his brother (Cruise). Many writers and directors came and went on this project — including Steven Spielberg — before Sidney Pollack ("Out of Africa") signed on. This caused some bemused smiles among industry insiders, because the fights between Pollack and Hoffman on the set of their hit "Tootsie" were the stuff of legends. MGM/UA is promising the film for this fall, but that may be contingent on how everyone gets along. "Innocent Heroes" Oscarwinner Ellen Burstyn stars in this drama about Hannah Senesh, a heroine, warrior and humanitarian who ultimately gave her life in her fight against fascism. Maruschka Detmers ("The Devil in the Flesh") co-stars as Hannah's freedom-fighting daughter, and Anthony Andrews ("Brideshead Revisited"), Donald Pleasance ("Prince of Darkness"), David Warner ("Time After Time") and Denholm Elliott ("September") play supporting roles. The film IS being directed in Hungary by Cannon Films chief Menahem Golan ("Delta Force," "Over the Top"), from a script that he wrote. "Mr.Christmas Dinner" This very black comedy marks the second directorial effort of actor Anthony Perkins, who debuted behind the camera with the surprisingly effective "Psycho ill he is at the helm of this story about a 300-pound man (ioe Alasky) who is desperate to fall in love and marry. When a beautiful young girl (Donna Dixon, recently seen in "The Couch Trip") dumps her boyfriend and agrees to marry our hero, he is understandably thrilled It isn't until he is taken to her family's home for Christmas dinner that he realizes that he is going to be Christmas dinner We warned you. The script is by Pat Proft, writer of such simple-minded comedies as "Police Academy" and "Bachelor Party." New Line Cinema intends to release the film this September. "Patty" One of the strangest sagas of the '70s is brought to the screen in this drama from Paul Schraeder ("Light of Day"). British actress Natasha Richardson (daughter of Vanessa Redgrave and director Tony Richardson) stars as Patty Hearst, the American heiress to the Hearst publishing empire, who was kidnapped by radical terrorists, transformed into a bank-robbing urban guerilla, captured by the FBI and put on trial. The real Patty Hearst is acting as a consultant on the film, which is based on her book, "Every Secret Thing." The script is by Nicholas Kazan ("At Close Range"), and the film reportedly uses a sometimes surreal approach in documenting the story. Atlantic Releasing will distribute the film this summer. "Flying Blind" NBC Productions, a new feature film entity headed by NBC honcho Brandon Tartikoff, is responsible for this drama about the impact of the Vietnam war on stateside American youth. Taking place among the coffeehouses of Philadelphia, the film is set in 1965 and follows a young photographer caught in the middle of the social upheaval caused by the war A cast of newcomers - including Richard Panebianco, Frank Whaley, Maura Tierney and Emily Longstreth — stars. The film is directed by Vince DiPersio, an Oscarwinning documentary filmmaker, and is produced by actor Charles Haid ("Hill St. Blues"). A Columbia Pictures release. "Woody Allen Untitled '87" Following production of the downbeat "September," Allen went immediately back to work on this film It is reportedly very serious, dealing with the mid-life crisis faced by star Cena Rowlands, jane Alexander, John Houseman, Ben Gazzara, BIythe Danner and Martha Plimpton co-star, with Gene Hackman and Betty Buckley reportedly showing up in cameos. As usual, the film is being made within the confines of Woody's beloved New York, with Sven Nykvist, Ingmar Bergman's cinematographer, capturing the images Orion is produ( ing the film and will [irobdt)ly release it next winter. Dudley Moore "Arthur on the Rocks" Dudley Moore revives the character that earned him an Oscar nomination in 1981, and will hopefully revive a career that has been sagging ever since. He will play, of course, Arthur, the tipsy, child-like millionaire who believes that money Is only good if you spend it extravagantly whenever and wherever possible. Also returning is Liza Minnelli, who plays Arthur's working class girlfriend, and John Gielgud, who stole the original film as Arthur's intolerant butler (Gielgud's character died at the end of "Arthur," so his presence will now be of a supernatural nature) Writing the script Andy Breckman, who wrote IS for "Saturday Night Live" and "Late Night With David Letterman," in addition to writing "Moving," Richard Pryor's new film Directing is Bud Yorkin, who co-created "All in the Family" as well as directing the film "Twice in a Lifetime." Warner Bros, is producing the film. "The Wizard of Loneliness" This World War II drama is about a bitter 12-year-old boy whose cynical nature is gradually softened by the grandparents that he has come to live with Lucas Haas ("Witness ") stars as the boy, with Lea Thompson ("Some Kind of Wonderful"), John Randolph, Anne Pitoniak and Lance Guest co-starring Director jenny Howen is making the film in Burlington, Vt., with Phil Porcella and Thom Tyson acting as co-producers The film is being produced by Skouras Pictures and Virgin Vision, in association with American Playhouse Skouras will release the film. 6 BOXOFFICE
CUSTOM FABRICATION A TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED POPCORN WARMER MUST: n Be Profitable & Dependable [] Have Its Own Hot Air Circulating Systenn n Be Designed For Operation In Peak Periods I 1 Have A Factory-set Thermostat [J Be Manufactured By Ouality Craftsnnen [.1 Insure Fresh Crisp Popcorn LI Be Fully Insulated STEIN IMDUSTRIES INC. 22 Sprague Avenue, Amityville. NY. 117010536 RMponMNo. 7 r5Y6) 789-2222
Change language