We lost one of the greats this past week. Sidney Lumet, a national treasure and the quintessential New York filmmaker (sorry, Woody Allen) died last week at the age of 86. In a career that spanned over 50 years in both live television and the big screen, Lumet was nominated for the Best Director Oscar four times and has left an indelible filmography of titles that are distinguished by their social relevancy and strong caliber of acting. Lumet’s most famous films were shot in and were ...

   Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman With the Connecticut Film Festival (www.ctfilmfest.com) launching on Tuesday, it is interesting to note the many film, television and artist celebrities who have once called or currently call Connecticut their home (those departed are also included, just to round out the list). With this kind of talent in droves, is it any wonder that Connecticut is celebrity country? Carol Alt, Greenwich Lauren Ambrose, New Haven Kevi...

I have beaten myself up all week long. Do I want a known actresses or actresses? Do I want older Diva's and good Broadway actors (we are in New York) or do I just want good looking people with acting ability. I have chosen both. Wayne Newton's manager has had a chat with Tony Cee. We will wait on that! Diana Ross will be courted and loved. But, I need great looking girls with talent. I was watshing T.V. the other night and tuned in the WWE. The action was good and a few of the girls were so ver...

The conversation this week between myself, Tony Cee, and female representative Frankie Spagnolo of First Sight is, can we convince Diana Ross to act again. Ms. Ross is one of the finest personalities on stage but does live a quite life. I have asked Tony Cee to explore a percentage deal with Ms Ross and Wayne Newton. We did make contact with Ms. Kim Kardashian this week ,but due to the disarray of her representation, we could not get any straight talk. Ms Kardashian has never acted but wears clo...

By Maria Esteves - June 8, 2008  The phenomenal "Body & Soul" Memorial Day Weekend dance celebration presented by John Davis with world renown DJs Joaquin "Joe" Claussell, Francois "K" Kevorkian (MAESTRO documentary film), and Danny Krivit (MAESTRO, and featured in Mel Cheren's The Godfather of Disco documentary films), was held at the historical Webster Hall ballroom, New York, Sunday, May 25, 6:00 PM. The outstanding Sunday tea dance included producers, remi...

1920s 1928 Janet Gaynor - Seventh Heaven as "Diane", Street Angel as "Angela", and Sunrise as "The Wife (Indre)" Louise Dresser - A Ship Comes In as "Mrs. Pleznik" Gloria Swanson - Sadie Thompson as "Sadie Thompson" 1929 Mary Pickford - Coquette as "Norma Besant" Ruth Chatterton - Madame X as "Jacqueline Floriot" Betty Compson - The Barker as "Carrie" Jeanne Eagels - The Letter as "Leslie Crosbie" Corinne G...

By Maria Esteves - December 16, 2007 The Fifth Annual New York AIDS Film Festival 2007 press coverage is dedicated in Loving Memory of Mel Cheren (January 21, 1933 - December 7, 2007). The Fifth Annual New York AIDS Film Festival (NYAFF) 2007 Red Ball was held at The Riverhouse on World AIDS Day, Saturday, December 1, 2007, 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM. The 2007 NYAFF Red Ball hosted by Suzanne Engo, Lauren Bush, Maggie Rizer, and Greta Cavazzoni included a VIP sunset dinner, awards ceremony, fashion s...