Nebraska On Film

Who is that familiar face on TV?

2011-08-14T17:15:00.000-05:00

Do you recognize these folks with Nebraska roots or connections?

The William Jennings Bryan Prank, Part Two - NYTimes.com

2011-07-30T09:47:00.000-05:00

From Dick Cavett's New York Times blog: Evidence of Cavett's dastardly childhood prank when he and a pal tossed paint on the statue of William Jennings Bryan on the steps of the Nebraska State Capitol.

The William Jennings Bryan Prank, Part Two - NYTimes.com

Gage County Historical Society holding celebration for actor Robert Taylor

2011-07-28T06:12:00.000-05:00

Gage County Historical Society holding celebration for actor Robert Taylor

Dick Cavett: I Owe William Jennings Bryan an Apology

2011-07-09T07:15:00.000-05:00

Dick Cavett again writes of his Nebraska memories on his NY Times blog:

I Owe William Jennings Bryan an Apology

Cable Guy bleeds Nebraska red - Omaha.com

2011-06-22T06:51:00.000-05:00

Cable Guy bleeds Nebraska red - Omaha.com

Larry the Cable Guy heading back to Nebraska as his primary residence.

Dick Cavett: How Do You Open for a Mind-Reading Horse?

2011-02-26T07:18:00.000-06:00

How Do You Open for a Mind-Reading Horse? - NYTimes.com

Dick Cavett relates another great story about his memories as a 14 year old magician in Nebraska.

Robert Taylor Centenary Film Series starts with "Magnificent Obsession"

2011-01-23T05:59:00.000-06:00

The Robert Taylor film festival starts today at the Nebraska History Museum.

The film series, "Just a Punk Kid from Nebraska: A Robert Taylor Centenary Tribute" begins today with Magnificent Obsession (1935). All film showings begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Nebraska History Museum, 15th and P Streets. All are free and open to the public.

Jan. 30: Camille (1936)

Feb. 6: Waterloo Bridge (1940)

Feb. 13: Johnny Eager (1941)

Feb. 20: Ivanhoe (1952)

Feb. 27: Party Girl (1958)

Robert Taylor Centenary Film Series starts with "Magnificent Obsession"

Film Series Pays Tribute to Nebraska movie star - JournalStar.com

Review of Robert Taylor: A Biography - JournalStar.com

A Bittersweet Christmas Story - NYTimes.com

2010-12-26T07:21:00.000-06:00

Dick Cavett recalls a long lost Christmas back in Nebraska - from the New York Times Opinionator.

A Bittersweet Christmas Story - NYTimes.com

Dick Cavett to be inducted into Lincoln High School Athletic Hall of Fame

2010-08-14T13:29:00.000-05:00

Dick Cavett is being inducted to the Lincoln (Nebraska) High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1953-54 state championship gymnastics team.

The induction ceremony will be held in Lincoln this fall.

TMZ Reports Battle Over Marlon Brando's Ashes

2010-08-14T07:52:00.002-05:00

Battle Over Marlon Brando's Ashes | TMZ.com

TMZ.com is reporting that there is a fight over the cremated ashes of Marlon Brando. The site reports the ashes are currently in the possession of the former girlfriend of the late actor's son, Christian Brando.

Nick Nolte interviews himself in film airing on Sundance Channel

2010-08-14T07:44:00.001-05:00

Sundance Channel : Film : Nick Nolte: No Exit

From the Sundance Channel's website:"In a surprising and brutally honest interview, veteran actor Nick Nolte answers probing questions from someone who knows him best: himself. A dapper and composed Nolte (filmed separately) grills a disheveled and less-made-up reflection, probing into his Nebraska childhood, thoughts on acting, admiration of Marlon Brando and history of drinking - including the notorious 2006 photo taken when he was charged with DUI. Intercut with soundbites from Jacqueline Bisset, Rosanna Arquette, Ben Stiller, Paul Mazursky and others. Tom Thurman directs."

Marg Helgenberger Prepares to Leave CSI

2010-08-14T07:31:00.001-05:00

In this TV Guide interview, Marg Helgenberger talks about leaving CSI, her reduced work schedule and plans for the future.

Keck's Exclusives: Marg Helgenberger Prepares to Leave CSI

Johnny Carson's Tonight Show now digitized, indexed and available to researchers

2010-08-13T11:06:00.001-05:00

During his 30 years on NBC as host of The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson interviewed more than 22,000 guests. The legendary entertainer introduced Jay Leno, David Letterman, Joan Rivers, Ellen DeGeneres, Ray Romano, Jerry Seinfeld, Drew Carey, and Roseanne Arnold to national audiences for the first time on The Tonight Show, and most significant musicians, actors and comedians from 1962 through 1992 made an appearance on the show. Today, Carson Entertainment Group (CEG) released its iconic, long-awaited television archive for the first time through www.johnnycarson.com and announced a series of upcoming DVD releases. Audiences may view a wide range of selected clips on the website, and a clip licensing link at licensing.johnnycarson.com provides the media and production industry with 3,300 hours of searchable show content.

"We have received so many inquiries and requests for this material over the years that we have taken steps to make the materials more accessible and instantly searchable," said Jeff Sotzing, President of CEG. "Segments have been used in films like Fargo, Talk to Me, and Watchmen -- as well as in commercials and other productions."

Until 1999, the archive had been stored in a salt mine in Kansas, in three different media formats. Last year, Deluxe Archive Solutions was engaged to migrate the footage to a digital format. Leveraging its domestically based distributed workforce, Deluxe generated contextual metadata, full transcripts linked to video and presented a searchable user-interface for clip browsing and licensing. Now, by typing in a single name, word, or phrase into a search engine, a producer can immediately browse thumbnail images representing each occurrence of the term, and view clips alongside their transcripts.

"The Carson Library represents both an important record of our recent past and serves as a model for media archives in the future," said Tyler Leshney, Vice President of Deluxe Archive Solutions. "We are enormously proud to have worked with such an amazing piece of American entertainment history," adds Leshney.

CEG will also continue to release archived shows for general viewing audiences through the Johnny Carson website, and forthcoming announcements in 2010 will include a new DVD and deluxe collector's box set, produced in association with Respond2 Entertainment.

source: press release from MarketWire

JFK Advisor Ted Sorensen returns to Lincoln in November

2008-11-01T04:11:00.000-06:00

Lincoln native Ted Sorensen will return to the Capital City later this month to deliver a lecture as part of the E. N. Thompson Forum series.

America and the World, 1962 to 2008: Contrasts and Contradictions
Theodore C. Sorensen
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 7 p.m.
Other Forum Activities
Pre-talk in the Steinhart Room, Lied Center, 6:30 p.m.,
Dr. Michael Wagner, Assistant Professor of Political Science, UNL

Cavett to receive Comedy Legend Award in Norfolk June 21

2008-06-08T14:55:00.001-05:00

NEWS RELEASE

Think baseball and apple pie go well together? How about comedy, Nebraska and Dick Cavett?

The native Nebraskan who has enjoyed a renowned career in the entertainment industry will be a featured guest this June at the inaugural Great American Comedy Festival in Norfolk, Neb.

In recognition of his stellar career, Cavett will be first recipient of the festival's Comedy Legend award, which is designed to be an annual presentation to a person who has contributed greatly to the world of comedy. The Great American Comedy Festival is designed to pay tribute to the career of the late Johnny Carson, who grew up in Norfolk.

Cavett will be presented the award at the festival's showcase performance set for Saturday, June 21, at the Johnny Carson Theatre. The award is being created by Norfolk artist and sculptor. Karl Reeder.

While in Norfolk, Cavett also will serve as one of the judges for the stand-up comedy competition finals on Friday, June 20, also at the Johnny Carson Theatre.

On Saturday afternoon, June 21, he will be featured at question-and-answer session about his career, his association with Carson and other topics. The specific location and time of that appearance, which will be free and open to the public, have not yet been determined.

"We are thrilled to have Mr. Cavett be a part of this inaugural comedy festival," said Sheryl Schmeckpeper, vice chair of the festival's board of directors. "And for all he has done and accomplished in his career, he's a natural choice to be the first recipient of our 'comedy legend' award."

Robert Klein, the veteran comedian and actor who will headline the Saturday evening showcase at the festival, and Eddie Brill, the talent coordinator for David Letterman who is helping produce the festival, both said they are excited to learn that Cavett had agreed to be in Norfolk for the event.

"He's one of my idols," Brill said.

Source: Norfolk Comedy Festival

Charlie Rose - DICK CAVETT

2008-06-08T14:54:00.001-05:00

Charlie Rose interviews Dick Cavett.

Lunch Date with Harley Jane Kozak on June 18

2008-06-08T14:14:00.000-05:00

The Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries, in cooperation with the Nebraska Summer Writers’ Conference, is hosting A Lunch Date with Harley Jane Kozak on Wednesday, June 18, at Chez Hay, 210 N. 14th St., Lincoln.

Doors open at noon and a sandwich buffet lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 each, and proceeds benefit the Foundation. For ticket information, call (402) 441-0164.

Lincoln native Kozak is the author of three best-selling mystery novels: Dating Dead Men, Dating is Murder, and most recently Dead Ex. Kozak has had a successful career as a stage, screen and television actress, best known for her work in the films Parenthood and Arachnophobia and the soap opera Santa Barbara.

Kozak is a faculty member of the 2008 Nebraska Summer Writer’s Conference, a weeklong program of writing workshops sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Information about the conference can be found at nebraskawriters.unl.edu or by calling (402) 472-3067.

Kozak’s books will be available for sale at the event through Lee Booksellers, Lincoln’s local independent bookstore.

Ms. Kozak's official site

Ms. Kozak will also be participation in the Nebraska Summer Writer's Conference this month.

JFK Advisor Ted Sorensen on tap for Lincoln book signing

2008-06-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

Ted Sorensen, Nebraska native, advisor and speechwriter for President John F. Kennedy will appear at a book signing in Lincoln on June 18. He will sign copies of his latest book Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History.

Time: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 7:30 p.m.

Location: Lee Booksellers
Edgewood Center
5500 S. 56th Street, Suite 4
Lincoln, NE 68516
Tel: 402 420-1919
Fax: 402 489-2770

Source: Lee Booksellters

Read an Excerpt in the New York Times

Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, and Communism

2008-06-08T10:54:00.000-05:00

New biography on Robert Taylor now available

Linda Alexander
Paperback: 364 pages
Publisher: Tease Publishing LLC (April 30, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934678643
ISBN-13: 978-1934678640

Order below

Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, and Communism

PRESS RELEASE

The House Un-American Activities Committee Hollywood Media Circus – 60 Years Later:
How Did it Affect Film Industry Conservatives?

Sixty years after Robert Taylor’s infamous House Un-American Activities Committee appearance, Linda Alexander, multi-published author, announces the sale of her latest book, “Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism.” As a recognized Taylor biographer, Alexander has spent years engrossed in his life’s details, particularly the historically single most remembered period . . . his appearance in front of international cameras for the 1947 House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) meeting.

Robert Taylor was ultra-conservative, active in local and national politics, with a keen eye on the international stage. In 1947, he led the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals (MPA). Like-minded industry professionals, most of whom worked for MGM, were determined to preserve what they believed was the “American Way.” On their watch, Communism—the biggest threat of their time—would not infiltrate their country.

Taylor was subpoenaed in front of the HUAC in Washington, DC, on October 23, 1947, the only movie star whose appearance was pre-announced to the media, and the event was, in Taylor's words, a "circus." Alexander’s book reveals that he was originally officially classified as a “Reluctant Witness” but through studio and government coordination, he became the face to blame for the “Hollywood Ten’s” imprisonment and blacklisting.

“Reluctant Witness” shows Taylor’s many facets—beginning as son of a strict Midwestern father and histrionic mother; meteoric rise as a Hollywood heartthrob and longest-running studio contract player in film history; and a tumultuous personal life, including affairs with well-known women. He finally found peace through his second marriage, to German model/actress Ursula Thiess, with whom he had two children, and supported her two children from a previous marriage.

Linda Alexander has written about Taylor since 1993. She was a Featured, and a Keynote, Speaker at Nebraska conferences held in his name, and has written many articles about him. Her book will be published in May, 2008, with an e-book version due in March. Her publisher, Tease Publishing LLC, is a small press in North Carolina.

Years of entertainment interviews, with articles in Soap Opera Update, The Washington Times, Spotlight Magazine, regional publications like The Baton Rouge Advocate, and others, gives Alexander a strong background in listening—to the heart of a life story, and the essence of that life. Author of four published books, 2 novels and 2 biographies, she has long-standing experience in bringing character—and characters—to life . . . and back to life.

Source: MBSTIA

Marg Helgenberger stays with CSI

2008-06-08T10:22:00.000-05:00

Catherine Willows isn't leaving CSI anytime soon. Marg Helgenberger, who portrays the blood spatter analyst on the forensic drama, has decided to sign a new contract to keep her character on the CBS show for two more years. This 49-year-old actress is reportedly the last original cast member to re-up her contract.

Source: Buddy TV

Alexander Payne set to do HBO project

2008-06-08T10:12:00.000-05:00

HBO has lined up another big Hollywood name for a new project. Alexander Payne, the director and Oscar-winning co-writer of “Sideways,” will direct and serve as an executive producer of “Hung,” a new dark comedy series about a former basketball coach.

Source: New York Times