Expecting Mary Premiere in Palm Springs

Jim Casey, Lainie Kazan, Della Reese, Linda Gray and Kim Waltrip

Last night was the official Palm Springs premiere for the brand new film 'Expecting Mary'. It was held as a benefit to the Desert Aids Project, a non-profit organization that provides medical care and comprehensive support services to people living with HIV/AIDS in the desert community. Expecting Mary has close ties to the desert; J&J and Wonderstar Productions are both based here in Palm Springs.

Members of the supporting cast of Expecting Mary

Expecting Mary was completely sold out for this special viewing, just one day before the official opening Friday September 10th in select cities. Principal cast members attended, including Linda Gray, Della Reese and Lainie Kazan. If you missed my interview with Linda Gray, you can still listen to it on demand here. In addition, a broad group of supporting cast were also on hand to support this presentation, including Duncan Bravo, Kathy Lampkin, Kinsey Packard, Matt Kaminsky, Mandell Butler, & Larry Bates. I've seen Expecting Mary multiple times, having attended screenings in several cities. The audience reaction to the film was electric; people were experiencing the full range of emotions that the script so masterfully elicits. 

After the film, the key stars were on stage for a Q&A moderated by local personality Gloria Greer from Palm Springs Life magazine and CBS2 TV. The stars happily answered questions from an enthusiastic audience for about 20 minutes before attending a lovely reception held outside under the clear desert sky.

Until you see the film, this yellow VW bug won't mean much, but once you've seen it, it will make you laugh! The reception had an array of delicious cupcakes and cookies with various movie logos on them.

Della Reese and I chatted for awhile and caught up since we last saw each other in New York. She is such an incredible lady, and a true talent on many levels. Della's role in Expecting Mary is a scene-stealer for sure. Della plays 'Doris Dorkus", the grumpy owner of trailer park where much of this story takes place. She punctuates the screen with a bold, direct sense of humor, and draws in the viewer wondering what made her become so cantankerous and surly to the ditsy and innocent Darnella whom she encounters several times. But soon, even Doris has a transformation, along with several characters making her a lovable woman with great appeal. This film is filled with great characters, each colorful and likable. If you live in one of the cities where this opens for its initial run, please go check it out this weekend (see yesterday's post below for cities). Strong openings are very important to the success and sustainability of independent films. Go see the film and tell me what you think. With a dash of good luck and your support, it will expand to additional screens in time for Thanksgiving...stay tuned!
-Rick Rockhill

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Hollywood Inside Scoop: The Christmas Movie in Production

Since the early 1940's, Palm Springs has maintained close ties to Hollywood. Even today, many actors, directors, writers, producers, and cinematographers have a home in Palm Springs or visit on weekends. Its just a quick 90 mile drive east of Los Angeles to experience the peace and serenity of the desert and escape the prying eyes of the paparazzi. Being The Palm Springs Savant, my social circle includes a number of Hollywood insiders; actors, publicists, agents, managers, and the "movers-and-shakers" within the entertainment industry.

While I certainly write about public experiences and photos with celebrities here on this blog, discretion is essential. I never breach trust of a friendship or the sanctity of someones personal life. Every so often I get the inside scoop on things and can share them publicly right here on this blog. Such is the case with a fantastic new film currently in production. The photos here in this post are exclusive behind the scenes photos taken on the movie set! It is an awesome film called The Christmas Movie, a marvelous story written and directed by Dan Gordon and punctuated by a prestigious and talented cast. Photo below: actress Linda Gray on set of her latest film in production.

The Christmas Movie stars Emmy nominated, Golden Globe winner and German Bambi award winner (German Oscar) Linda Gray; Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman; Academy Award nominee Elliot Gould; Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Lanie Kazan; three time Golden Globe award winner and four time People’s Choice award winner Cybill Shepard; comedian Fred Willard, instantly recognizable from the indie feature hits “Best in Show,” “Mighty Wind,” and “For Your Consideration;” Olesya Rulin co-star of all three “High School Musical” movies (remember my friend Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were also in High School Musical); singer Gene Simmons whose Kiss fans alone make up a nearly rabid demographic; and the incomparable Della Reese, singer/actress and star of "Touched by An Angel".

The Christmas Movie is the story of pregnant young Mary, who’s had all the trappings of an upscale life, but it’s only when she finds herself in a small New Mexico town, in a downtrodden trailer park, that she learns the real meaning of
love, sacrifice and family. I've read the script. It is entertaining and funny, yet reinforces family values in a non-controversial manner. Photo below: scene from the set of The Christmas Movie, in production August 2009.

CLICK THIS LINK: Sneak Peek: Behind the Scenes of 'The Christmas Movie'

Why do I think The Christmas Movie will be a success? Well aside from a terrific story, an incredible cast, and first rate producer, the film has a top notch director. Film buffs will no doubt recall Dan Gordon's impressive track record: Academy Award nominated “The Hurricane” (Denzel Washington for Best Actor); “Wyatt Earp” (starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid and Gene Hackman); “The Assignment” (starring Sir Ben Kingsley); “Murder in the First” (starring Kevin Bacon, Christian Slater and Gary Oldman); “Passenger 57” (starring Wesley Snipes); etc. In addition, Gordon’s plays have appeared both in the West End of London (the stage adaptation of “Rain Man,” nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor); and most recently “Irena’s Vow” on Broadway (nominated for an Outer Critics’ Circle award for Best Play of 2009). In addition, Gordon was nominated for the Cable Ace Award for Best Screenplay and Best Picture for the HBO motion picture “Gulag,” starring David Keith, Malcolm McDowell and David Suchet. In addition to the Dan Gordon's directing skills are complimented by cinematographer Michael Goi, a two time ASC nominee.

Since this is an independent movie, it probably won't have all the big movie budget hype. I thought I'd start blogging about it to to see how it gets picked up by the Blogging community who may be interested in these actors and create a buzz about a film in production. The Hollywood Reporter just posted a brief article about The Christmas Movie being in production, and Entertainment Tonight posted a clip from the movie set. I have these exclusive photos from the set that I've included here in this post!

No doubt you like Elliott Gould, Linda Gray, Lainie Kazan, Cloris Leachman, Della Reese, Oleysa Rulin, Cybill Shepherd, Gene Simmons and Fred Willard, so you'll be interested in seeing this film with such a great cast. Once I get a clip I'll post it on the blog. In the meantime, check out the clip from ET above and if you are a fan of any of these actors, do me a favor, write a little post on your blog and link back to this post. I'd like to see what happens. You remember that shampoo commercial on TV- "and they told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on, and so on..." ah you get the picture. So will you help me out and do a post too?

-Rick Rockhill