By Jill Jackson
HOLLYWOOD … Makes me happy — the crowds pouring in to see “Alice In Wonderland.” When I was young, I read and reread the book until the pages were all shredded. So, it’s good to see that this generation of young moviegoers isn’t totally computer-oriented. Again, it’s great to know there is a wonderment!
Aside to Barbara H. of Pensacola, Fla.: I can’t speak for Angelina as to why she doesn’t trot around to talk and interview shows. However, I can surmise she doesn’t need to. Her popularity at the box office is assured, and as far as I know, she has a great home life with a loving husband and all those kids. So, I would say her career is not her numero uno priority.
Betty White is one remarkable lady! At a rather advanced age, she just goes on and on, both in real life and “up there” on the big screen and the little one. Come May she will host “Saturday Night Live,” and her comedy pilot, “Hot In Cleveland,” has been picked up for a summer run by TV Land. With all this going on, she still manages animal-rights organizations and sees that no “critter” goes unfed.
Harking back to the Voight family, Jon has been cast in the pilot film “Midland.” Interesting plot: A con artist in two Texas cities with two women, one the daughter of a Texas legend (Voight). My only brush with Mr. Voight was back several years when actress Hermione Baddely’s funeral was held at a Beverly Hills church. Voight appeared wearing the perennial white scarf and asked if he could speak. He gave a long talk about a person he didn’t know, but he DID know her talent, and paid respect to that. And there’s no doubting HIS acting ability. He is one of the best.
Aside to Hubert W. of Pineville, La. Yes, stars are still putting their hand and footprints in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. That’s free. When they get their star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame, that costs around $3,000.
It’s a whole new Kirstie Alley. She’s still big in a thin way, because she’s a big woman. But there’s a fresh face there (a nip and tuck, maybe?) and long, heavy, beautiful blond hair. Now we’ll wait and see how her reality show fares. Many times I have been behind her walking a grocery aisle, and it’s like a canoe behind an ocean liner.
To those of you who have asked: Yes, that lovely, thin and graceful Monica Seles who has been “Dancing With the Stars” is the same Monica Seles who as tennis champ was rather chunky and clumsy. I don’t know how, but she did it.
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BITS ‘N’ PIECES: Way back when Dustin Hoffman was filming “Little Big Man,” he accidentally shot himself in the leg when he tried to pull his gun from the holster. … AND John Garfield accidentally knocked himself out when filming a scene for “Body and Soul.” … Where’s Julia, you ask. She’s enjoying life with husband and babies, but you will be hearing from her soon. … And speaking of Julia. No one but she and Kiefer Sutherland know why they didn’t marry. … And “Where’s Paris?” you ask. “I dunno,” I answer.
© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.