Movie Addict Headquarters

Who doesn’t love Gilda Radner? Love, Gilda – a revealing documentary about Gilda Radner – is reviewed during this special episode, and Gilda’s famous tap dance audition gets special attention. This splendid documentary is a well-deserved homage to a terrific entertainer. Although appearing in seven movies, Gilda received her highest acclaim for the hilarious characters she brought to life on Saturday Night Live. Who can forget Emily Litella, Roseanna Roseannadanna and Bawba Wawa? In fact, Gilda was the first performer hired for SNL, and she won an Emmy for Outstanding Performance on that show. She also starred in a one-woman Broadway show called Gilda Live.  In addition to her films and TV credits, Gilda wrote It’s Always Something, a candid memoir about her struggle with cancer.   Gilda’s movies include: HAUNTED HONEYMOON, ANIMALYMPICS, THE WOMAN IN RED, THE LAST DETAIL, MOVERS AND SHAKERS, HANKY PANKY and FIRST FAMILY.

During this popular interview taped several years ago, Zack Ward, who plays the ferocious red-haired bully in A Christmas Story, reminisces about his experience filming the beloved 1983 holiday movie. Zack has been very busy since his first screen gig as the scary Scut Farkus. He’s appeared in over 80 movies and TV shows. Zack’s films include Transformers, In the Void, Aurora Borealis, Almost Famous, and Resident Evil: Apocalypse. Among his numerous television credits are such popular series as Warehouse 13, Lost, Dollhouse, Deadwood, and Crossing Jordan.  A Christmas Story is celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year!    

Love is all around during the holiday season. That’s why Movie Addict Headquarters is presenting a special medley of songs about Christmas and Love. During this fifteen-minute episode, listeners are encouraged to sing along with such performers as Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Lucie Arnaz, Alice Faye, Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and Dave Barnes. Each song represents the season or an oldie-but-goodie film, including MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, THE BAND WAGON, HELLO FRISCO HELLO, and MARY POPPINS. Among the songs scheduled are: All I Want for Christmas Is You, You and the Night and the Music, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, You’ll Never Know,  Here Comes Santa Claus, and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

During this unusual episode, the fearless Movie Addict Players poke fun at three movies in skits performed on past Movie Addict Headquarters shows. Films receiving attention are: EAT PRAY LOVE, starring Julia Roberts and released in 2010; THE MUPPETS, which opened back in 2011; and THE LITTLE MERMAID, one of Disney’s most beloved animated musicals. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sebastian the Crab, Harry Lawrence, and Elizabeth Lawrence are the characters focused on during these short skits. Movie Addict Players providing their excellent voice talents include A.J. Hakari, Larry Tucker, Danielle Honeycutt, and Morgan Lawrence. Host Betty Jo Tucker and producer Nikki Starr join in the fun. 

This episode of Movie Addict Headquarters focuses on the remarkable journey of a true romance from page to screen. George Bettinger -- the popular actor, comedian, impressionist and radio host -- has given his permission to replay his recent Dream Stream Radio interview with Betty Jo Tucker about how It Had To Be Us -- a romantic memoir she and her husband wrote under the pen names of Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence -- became the inspiration for filmmaker Misha Zubarev’s award-winning short film titled CAKE: A Love Story. Included in this fun recorded conversation is actor/musician Richard Vernon’s moving rendition of “Remember the Day,” Zubarev’s original song for the movie. As an added attraction, a medley of favorite film love songs will be played, including: You and the Night and the Music (from The Band Wagon) performed by Lucie Arnaz; You Made Me Love You (from The Jazz Singer) belted out by Tony Babino; and You’ll Never Know (from Hello, Frisco, Hello) sung by Alice Faye.

Acclaimed actress Tanna Frederick returns to talk about her intriguing new movie, Train to Zakopané. An award-winning actress, director, and environmentalist, Tanna  was named Favorite Female Star by Movie Addict Headquarters listeners who voted in an e-mail election held in  2012. Her upcoming film, written and directed by Henry Jaglom, takes us back to 1928 Poland prior to World War II. Based on a true story, it deals with two strangers who meet on a train and fall for each other despite their very different backgrounds and attitudes. Tanna's impressive resume includes the following Jaglom films: Hollywood Dreams, The MWord, Irene in Time, Queen of the Lot, Ovation, and 45 Minutes from Broadway. Tanna made her directorial debut while also starring in a theatre production of Why We Have a Body at the Edgemar Center for the Arts. For her performance in Hollywood Dreams, her first feature with Jaglom (who is now her husband), Tanna was named Best Actress at WorldFest Houston, Montana International Film Festiva

On February 27, noted film critics Mack Bates and Geoff Roberts drop by Movie Addict Headquarters to discuss the latest Oscar nominations as well as to predict winners in these six key categories: BEST PICTURE; BEST DIRECTOR; BEST ACTOR; BEST ACTRESS; BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR; and BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS.  Both Bates and Roberts share a deep interest in the Academy Awards each year, and they really know their movie stuff! Roberts has been fortunate to be a guest on a variety of Canadian and American radio and TV programs. From 2006-2009 he was a guest on "daytime" in Mississauga, Canada, giving his detailed perspective on the Academy Awards. From 2013-2014 he was the host of Front Row Center on WhiStle Radio 102.7 FM in Stouffville, Canada. Bates has written freelance articles for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and served as a staff blogger for Milwaukee Magazine’s official film blog. He also received an Emmy for his work on the The Robert and Rosie Show. The 90th Annual Academy Award nominations were announce

Filmmaker Misha Zubarev and cast members discuss CAKE: A Love Story, the award-winning short film based on It Had To Be Us, a romantic memoir Betty Jo Tucker and her husband Larry wrote under the pen names of Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence. Zubarev, co-director/writer of the movie plans to reveal why he undertook this particular project and how the film differs from the book. Debra Lord Cooke and Richard Vernon, who play Elizabeth and Harry, have agreed to talk about what it was like bringing these characters to life on screen. Plus, George Bettinger and Nancy Lombardo, who portray Elizabeth’s friends, have been invited to join in the discussion. The film’s plot focuses on how two people rediscover their lost love after being divorced and estranged from each other for almost 20 years. Although this is a serious theme, the movie includes humor – and, of course, lots of romance!   CAKE: A Love Story earned First Place in the Short Film category at the NSAEN International Film Festival and an Award of Merit from

Three noted film critics reveal their picks for the Top Ten Films of 2017 during this highly anticipated episode.  Diana Saenger, James Colt Harrison, and Richard Jack Smith also plan to discuss the most disappointing films of the year. All three critics have a passion for the cinema, They contribute reviews to ReelTalk Movie Reviews and pull no punches with their opinions. Diana, the founder of Classic Movie Guide, also operates Review Express and is the entertainment editor for San Diego’s East County Gazette. James, a film historian, has served as premier critic for the La Jolla Village News and contributes reviews to various other sites including Review Express and Classic Movie Guide. Richard, author of Incidental Gold and A Poet Among Critics, writes additional film commentary and soundtrack reviews for his own website, Hip-Notic Movie Reviews.   What movies will make it to their Top Ten lists? Films that might be under consideration include: BREATHE; THE SHAPE OF WATER; THE DARKEST HOUR; DUNKIRK; LADY

Film critics Diana Saenger and James Colt Harrison drop by Movie Addict Headquarters to salute Bette Davis, one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history. Davis received two Oscars for her extraordinary work in Dangerous and Jezebel. She became known as the intense actress who could play a variety of strong and complex characters. The Internet Movie Data Base lists 124 acting credits for this remarkable star. That list includes such diverse films as All about Eve, Now Voyager, The Letter, The Virgin Queen, A Pocketful of Miracles, Mr. Skeffington, Dark Victory, Dead Ringer, The Catered Affair, Hollywood Canteen and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? An example of the enduring interest in Bette Davis, Feud -- FX’s new limited series -- focuses on her stormy relationship with Joan Crawford. Susan Sarandon portrays Davis, and Jessica Lange plays Crawford. What inspired casting!  Saenger is the founder of Classic Movie Guide and Harrison is a film historian who contributes movie commentary to a variety of outle

Noted film critic Susan Granger drops by to discuss her book 150 Timeless Movies – a marvelous collection of film reviews -- and to share her reactions to the 89th Academy Award results. Susan is an international film critic who grew up in Hollywood. She was born into a film-business family. Her father was director and producer S. Sylvan Simon, whose credits include Son of Lassie, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood and Born Yesterday. After his death, her mother remarried Armand Deutsch, an MGM producer. As a child actress, Susan appeared in movies with Abbott & Costello, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball and Lassie. For more than 25 years, Susan has been an on-air television and radio commentator and entertainment critic. Her commentaries, reviews and interviews are distributed around the world by SSG Syndicate. Susan is also the film critic for the monthly magazine, Video Librarian.  Among the films included in Susan's excellent book are: 2001: A Space Odyssey, African Queen, Avatar, The Bucket List, City

Movie Addict Headquarters invites you to sit back, relax and listen to some Great Movie Love Songs performed by an all-star cast including Linda Ronstadt, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Bryan Ferry, Debbie Reynolds, Rita Graham, Tony Babino, Lucie Arnaz, Alice Faye, and Lily James. The songs have been featured in such popular movies as BANDWAGON, WORDS AND MUSIC, CINDERELLA, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, LEAVING LAS VEGAS, THE JAZZ SINGER, and HELLO, FRISCO, HELLO. Listeners are encouraged to sing along with the stars. What fun! 

Author Pamela Jaye Smith visits Movie Addict Headquarters to talk about her book ROMANTIC COMEDIES: THESE FILMS CAN SAVE YOUR LOVE LIFE!  Pamela is a perfect guest to get us ready for Valentine’s Day. She loves both romance and adventure in myths and movies. Her book is a tribute to love and the movies that show us how to find, hold, and relish it in our romantic relationships. Pamela's fascinating movie guide is filled with some of the best-loved and most popular romantic comedies, including Sabrina, Sleepless in Seattle, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Princess Bride and Four Weddings and a Funeral. The lessons learned from watching movies like these offer valuable advice about keeping your love life healthy. An added treat during this episode is the debut of Remember the Day, an original song from the upcoming film Cake: A Love Story. 

Movie Addict Headquarters celebrates Valentine’s Day early with this special episode. Noted actors/comedians George Bettinger and Nancy Lombardo have been invited to drop by for a discussion of their experiences as cast members in the upcoming short film based on IT HAD TO BE US, an award-winning romantic memoir co-written by host Betty Jo Tucker and her husband under the pen names of Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence. Filming of CAKE: A LOVE STORY was completed in late December, and the project is now in postproduction. It co-stars Debra Lord Cooke and Richard Vernon as Elizabeth and Harry. Co-writers/directors Misha Zubarev and Vera Zubarev report that Nancy and George, who portray Elizabeth’s friends, kept everyone in stitches on the set!  A clip about It Had To Be Us from George’s YOU TELL, YOU SELL show will also be played during this episode.

Film critics Nell Minow, Mack Bates and Geoff Roberts drop by Movie Addict Headquarters to discuss the latest Oscar nominations as well as to predict winners in six key categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. All three critics share a deep interest in the Oscars each year. Nell, the famous Movie Mom, writes film commentary for Belief.net and is the author of several fascinating film-related books. Geoff has been a guest on a variety of Canadian and American radio and TV programs. Mack has written freelance articles for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and served as a staff blogger for Milwaukee Magazine’s official film blog. The 89th Annual Academy Award nominations will be announced on January 24, and the winners will be revealed on February 26. 

Film critics Diana Saenger and James Colt Harrison visit Movie Addict Headquarters to talk about Annette Bening’s films and performances. No stranger to acting honors,  Bening earned Oscar nominations for her brilliant work in American Beauty, Being Julia, The Grifters and The Kids Are All Right. She received a Tony Award nomination for Coastal Disturbances and Golden Globes for Being Julia and The Kids Are All Right plus numerous other accolades. This year, Annette was honored with a Career Achievement Award at the Palm Springs Film Festival. Her new film, 20 Century Women, is generating Oscar buzz. Will she receive another nomination – or perhaps even take home the little golden guy this year?  She has two other films scheduled for 2017: The Seagull and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (in which she plays the late Gloria Grahame).  Diana Saenger and James Colt Harrison are two favorite guests on Movie Addict Headquarters. Diana, founder of Classic Movie Guide and Review Express, is also Entertainment Edito

Noted film critics Diana Saenger, James Colt Harrison, Richard Jack Smith and A.J. Hakari share their picks for the top ten movies of 2016. They also plan to discuss the most disappointing films of the year. All four critics have a passion for the cinema and pull no punches with their opinions. Diana, the founder of Classic Movie Guide, also operates Review Express and is the entertainment editor for San Diego’s East County Gazette. James, a film historian, has served as premier critic for the La Jolla Village News and contributes reviews to various sites including Review Express and Classic Movie Guide. Richard, author of Incidental Gold and A Poet Among Critics, does film commentary for ReelTalk Movie Reviews; and A.J. Hakari, The Mad Movie Man, writes reviews for outlets like ReelTalk Movie Reviews and his own popular movie blog CineSlice. 

Actors Zack Ward and Julie Matthews discuss their experiences as cast members of A Christmas Story, one of filmdom’s favorite family comedies. Film critic A.J. Hakari, the Mad Movie Man, also joins in the fun. Back in 1983, Zack Ward portrayed Scut Farkus -- the scary red-haired bully -- in A Christmas Story. Since then, he has appeared in many other movies and TV shows. Among Zack’s films are Transformers, Almost Famous and Resident Evil: Apocalypse. His television credits include work on such series as Deadwood, Dollhouse, Crossing Jordan, Cold Case, CSI, NCIS and Titus.  Julie Matthews, one of the carolers in A Christmas Story, also helped with the film’s casting. During the past 20 years, she has achieved success as a character actress, vocalist and model. Her impressive show biz background includes work as an agent, casting director, talent scout, producer, TV director, acting coach, publicist and writer. In addition to A Christmas Story, Julie has appeared on-screen in such movies as Major League and Bo

As a special holiday treat, showbiz stars George and Lizette Bettinger are featured again on Movie Addict Headquarters reading the first chapter of IT HAD TOBE US, an award-winning romantic memoir which has been adapted for the screen by Misha Zubarev and Vera Ulea. They play co-authors Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence in this audio version of Chapter One, which deals with two important Christmases for the estranged Lawrences. How does Christmas help bring these two together after being divorced for almost twenty years? Listen in and find out! Also, host Betty Jo Tucker (aka Elizabeth Lawrence) will give an update of the filming progress.The Bettingers are a fun couple with a passion for bringing back the Golden Era of radio on their popular Mom & Pop Shop Show. George is an actor, comedian, producer, writer and director. He’s won acclaim for his uncanny impressions including Groucho Marx, George Burns and the Three Stooges but may be best known as the voice of the red M&M. Lizette is a versatile actress

Lisa Loving Dalton, best-selling author of Falling for the Stars: A Stunt Gal’s Tattle Tales, talks about her terrific book - a magical behind-the-scenes look at the stars and moviemaking through the eyes of a woman who went toe-to-toe with the Hollywood elite. The book also tells a compelling story of an insecure Hollywood arrival who rose to the top of her field but paid a high price and sought non-traditional healing to survive her stunt injuries. Dalton has stunt doubled for celebrity superstars like Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Katharine Hepburn, Sean Connery, Robin Williams, Madonna and Robert Downey Jr. She appeared in over 200 films and TV shows including Ghostbusters, Carnavale, FX, Legal Eagles, Splash, Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman and Melrose Place. She knows what it’s like to hang over cliffs, get hit by a moving car, drop from five stories up, and dodge a bridge full of speeding cars. But after a career-ending spinal injury, she researched medical and alternative paths and is now certified in NLP, H