- Mickey Rourke
By Jill Jackson
HOLLYWOOD … Mickey Rourke is set to play a famous barbarian’s father in the feature film “Conan,” the fantasy franchise that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star. The project will shoot in Bulgaria, and the plot is that Conan sets out to avenge the slaughter of his people. It’s all a bit complicated at the moment, as is the career of that other Conan, last name O’Brien, who traveled from New York to California to host a TV show. … And speaking of TV shows, I truly wonder why Letterman thinks it’s entertainment and fun to drop things from tall buildings to the street below. Recently, huge weights were dropped from a rooftop onto the top of automobiles below, completely destroying the vehicles.
Aside to Gisella T. of Santa Monica, Calif.: You ask how Oscar got the name. As far as I know, when the little gold man was created and shown to Academy members, Margaret Herrick, a prominent member, said, “He looks just like my Uncle Oscar.” From then on, that’s what the Academy Award prize has been named.
All kinds of awards are being given out. Drew Barrymore received the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation” Award. As for her personal life, Drew favors the “opposite” sex. And at the moment, I don’t know too much about that. As for the Academy Awards, I’m certain you have had your fill of that for this year. And to Nina D. of Brooklyn, N.Y.: Yes, there have been female emcees. They are called Mistress of Ceremonies. Ellen DeGeneres was one.
A bit more on award shows: I shall never forget an Emmy show held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, which had recently hosted an ice-skating show. The rink was still there, so they just put planks over the ice, then desks, typewriters, computers, etc. were in place. We sat on the planks, over the ice, and after about four hours, our “you know whats” were frozen. Another time I was at an Oscar-cast at the Chandler Pavilion. When I couldn’t catch an elevator to the fourth-floor press room, I kiddingly said, “If I don’t get up there and get a seat, I’m going to blow up this place.” The attending police did not think I was kidding. They grabbed me by the arms, hustled me to an outside spot and searched my purse, in which I unfortunately had a small jar of powdered milk I kept for coffee at outings. I was handcuffed, and they were about to take me off in the paddy wagon when, luckily, Bop Hope passed by on his way to his dressing room. He identified me, and I was let loose. So, enough of award shows for this reporter.
I thought everything that could be said about Katharine Hepburn had been said. But no, there’s even more in a new book by Charlotte Chandler titled “I Know Where I’m Going” (Simon and Schuster) that should be in every fan’s library.
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BITS ‘N’ PIECES: Angelina Jolie is in talks to develop several projects. No special one as yet. … W.C. Fields (known for his nipping) always kept a flask of martinis on the set, pretending it was pineapple juice. … Betcha didn’t know that old-time star Alan Ladd also was American Diving Champion in 1932. … And Richard Harris once said he believed sex ruined marriage. … And at the moment, I really don’t know if “Gorgeous” George Clooney is serious about any one femme.
© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.