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Author Gene Hackman to promote novel
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
They’re a little giddy over at the Margaret Mitchell House and Literary Center at the moment. Authors? A dime a dozen. But Oscar-winning actors? That’s when the vapors set in. So they’re hyperventilating a bit over landing Gene Hackman to promote his novel “Escape from Andersonville,” which he co-wrote with Daniel Lenihan (both pictured above).
“To me this is the biggest name I’ve ever booked,” said Julie Bookman, director of the Literary Center. Hackman and Lenihan will appear May 16 at the Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, for a 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. program and 8 p.m. signing. Tickets are $35, but for that you get nibbles, wine, a copy of the book and you get to tell Hackman how much you liked him in the first “Poseidon Adventure” (not that cheesy remake) while he’s scribbling in your book. Proceeds go to the PEN/Faulkner Authors in Schools program; no word yet on whether Hackman will pop into any schools here.
This is the third novel the two have collaborated on and is set, in case you weren’t clear, in the infamous Confederate Civil War prison in south-central Georgia near Americus.
Host of “The Daily Show” returns to stage
Before he was host of ”The Daily Show” or host of the Oscars, or a best-selling author or even remotely famous for being funny, Jon Stewart (right) was a stand-up comedian.
He still is, when he has the time. With “The Daily Show” on four nights a week, 40 weeks a year, Stewart doesn’t have a lot of time to be a road warrior. But he’s coming to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre for two shows (7:30 and 10 p.m.) on May 10, even though he’s not doing a tour. Tickets are a very impressive $77, $57 and $47, which isn’t much compared to what the Eagles are getting in May at Encore Park. It should still net Stewart a nice payday.
Two shows; 2,750 seats in Cobb; average seat price about $60. Even without a sellout, that’s probably going to pull a gross between $200,000 and $300,000. And he doesn’t have to pay any roadies. Despite such payoffs, Stewart doesn’t have the time to do much stand-up these days, said Steve Albini, publicist for “The Daily Show,” and he only does occasional shows.
Stewart took over hosting duties on “The Daily Show” in 1999 from Craig Kilborn and turned it from a lightweight, celebrity-driven show into a political heavyweight that regularly skewers newsmakers, politicians and the media. All three current presidential candidates have appeared on the show to court the show’s coveted audience of younger viewers who tend not to watch other TV news shows. “The Daily Show” has won two Peabody Awards and spun off the best-selling book “America: The Book” and another Comedy Central show, “The Colbert Report.”
Story of Georgia woman’s execution told in film
Writer-director Ralph Wilcox has signed a deal with distributor American World Pictures for his movie “The Lena Baker Story,” and his film will screen at May’s Cannes Market for potential worldwide distribution (see the trailer here). Made in Colquitt, in southwest Georgia, and set mostly in the 1940s, “Lena Baker” is the real-life story of the only woman ever to be executed in Georgia’s electric chair. She later was posthumously pardoned. The film had its world premiere last week at the Atlanta Film Festival.
Baker’s (Tichina Arnold) sad, affecting story involved mistreatment by her white employer (Atlanta actor Chris Burns), who beat her, and his father (Peter Coyote), who held her captive as a sex slave. After Coyote’s character was killed in a struggle with Baker over a gun, she was quickly convicted and later executed.
“Lena’s legacy has been to inspire and that all her trials and tribulations did not go in vain.” Arnold said. “What attracted me to this story is that it is so parallel to what a lot of women live right now — being abused by their counterparts or their husbands. Lena was always stuck between that rock and a hard place. She wasn’t afforded many opportunities.”
The Cannes Market, where “Lena Baker” will be screened May 16, is an annual companion to the Cannes Film Festival.
Georgia man told to stay away from supermodel
Brady Green of Dublin has been ordered to stay away from supermodel Tyra Banks or face going to jail. According to a criminal complaint filed in New York, Green has followed Banks from coast to coast since January, sent her letters and flowers and tried to telephone her. He was arrested when he showed up several times at the Manhattan building where “The Tyra Banks Show” is taped and asked to speak to her. Banks told police that Green’s actions had caused her to fear that she was in danger. Police charged Green, 37, with stalking, criminal trespass and harassment.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Country singer Loretta Lynn is 73. Actress Julie Christie is 68. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is 63. Actor John Shea (“Lois and Clark”) is 59. Actor Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 48. Actor Robert Carlyle (“Angela’s Ashes,” “The Full Monty”) is 47. Singer-guitarist John Bell of Widespread Panic is 46. Actor Anthony Michael Hall is 40. Actor Adrien Brody (“The Pianist”) is 35. Singer David Miller of Il Divo is 35. Rapper Da Brat is 34. Actor Antwon Tanner (“One Tree Hill”) is 33. Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar is 31. Actress Abigail Breslin (“Little Miss Sunshine”) is 12.
CELEBRITY DOCKET
Vanilla Ice was held without bond Friday following his arrest on a charge of simple domestic battery after an alleged argument with his wife at their South Florida home. The 39-year-old rapper’s wife called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday night, saying he had kicked and hit her. She later told deputies he had only pushed her, the arrest report said. The report said Vanilla Ice denied pushing her. Vanilla Ice spent a night in jail in 2001 after being arrested following a domestic dispute.
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Contributing: Bob Longino and news services
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