Judy 100

The 2022 Bates Film Festival will pay tribute to screen icon Judy Garland with a centennial celebration in Freeport, Maine on April 2nd. At 10am, Nordica Theatre screens Garland's 1944 classic "Meet Me In St. Louis," directed by Vincente Minnelli.  This acclaimed MGM musical will be introduced by Minnelli biographer Mark Griffin. 

At 1:30, Griffin hosts "Judy 100: A Centennial Celebration" at Meetinghouse Arts (40 Main Street, Freeport). Attendees will learn about Garland's life and multifaceted career, participate in a trivia contest and view memorabilia from Griffin's personal collection. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit...

www.bates.edu/bff 

https://course-wp.bates.edu/rhet391/mark-griffin/

Maine in The Movies

Join us as we celebrate Maine's 200th birthday with the 17-city bicentennial event "Maine In The Movies," which showcases 35 films with connections to The Pine Tree State.

On Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm, Mark Griffin introduces a special screening of the 1946 classic A Stolen Life at the Nordica Theater in Freeport.  Oscar-winner and longtime Maine resident Bette Davis not only starred in the film but produced it as well. Learn more and view the official festival trailer at MaineMovies200.com.

Rock of Ages

Mark Griffin's new book, All That Heaven Allows: A Biography of Rock Hudson, will be published by HarperCollins on December 4, 2018.   Drawing on more than a hundred interviews with Hudson's co-stars, family members and former companions, All That Heaven Allows pays homage to the screen legend whose life and death had a lasting impact on American culture.

Click the link below to pre-order the book that Kirkus Reviews calls "an engrossing  and carefully documented account of a beloved film icon's life."

KIRKUS REVIEWS

Hooked on "Dolls"

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the publication of Jacqueline Susann’s immortal bestseller, Valley of the Dolls, Mark Griffin will introduce a special screening of the 1967 film adaptation starring Barbara Parkins, Sharon Tate and the incomparable Patty Duke (as tormented superstar Neely O’Hara).  

Released by 20^th Century-Fox a year after Susann’s novel became a publishing industry phenomenon, the movie version of Valley of the Dolls is widely considered ‘The Queen Mother of Cult Classics’ and the ultimate guilty pleasure.  In addition to the three leads, the film also features Oscar winners Susan Hayward and Lee Grant and in a contractually arranged cameo appearance, Jacqueline Susann herself.  

This invitation only event takes place on Saturday, July 16^th, 2016 at the Eveningstar Cinema in Brunswick, Maine.  In addition to Griffin’s introductory remarks, this Valley extravaganza includes surprise guests, a trivia contest and a thematically appropriate luncheon served at Henry and Marty restaurant (as Lee Grant says in the movie, “I’ll start heating up the lasagna…”).    

The Best of Bond: All About 007

On newsstands now...i-5 Publishing explores the enduring influence of the James Bond film franchise in its new special edition magazine ("James Bond: The World's Most Famous Spy"). Mark Griffin celebrates "The Sound of Bond" by interviewing Dame Shirley Bassey, Carly Simon, Sheena Easton and Bond theme composer Monty Norman. Get the inside story on the most stylish secret agent in cinema history by picking up your copy today.

For The Love of Lucy

On newsstands now...Celebrate the enduring popularity of America's best-loved sitcom with i-5 Publishing's special edition tribute to "I Love Lucy."

This collector's magazine examines the unprecedented success of the series while providing readers with a glimpse behind the scenes of many of the best remembered episodes.

Mark Griffin's profiles of Vivian Vance and William Frawley reveal how these two seasoned veterans came to be cast as Fred and Ethel Mertz and why they were far from fond of one another. Pick up your copy of the magazine today. 
Up Next: 007.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

The Hills Are Alive (and Thoroughly Fabulous) at 50

Now available on newsstands nationwide…Mark Griffin interviews the cast of the Oscar-winning blockbuster The Sound of Music for i-5 Publishing’s special edition magazine celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the classic film. 

Starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer and directed by Robert Wise, The Sound of Music has been described as “the most mainstream cult film ever made.”  Released in 1965, this widescreen adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s hit Broadway musical won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.  

In addition to exploring the production history of The Sound of Music, this collector’s edition magazine pays tribute to the glory days of the Hollywood musical and also features Griffin’s articles on the making of three other 60’s spectaculars: Mary Poppins (1964), Star! (1968) and Hello, Dolly!(1969).  

Julie Andrews won an Oscar for her film debut as the “practically perfect” nanny in Mary Poppins (1964).  While Andrews and co-star Dick Van Dyke were roundly applauded for their performances, neither actor was Walt Disney’s first choice in terms of casting.  The magazine reveals who Disney initially had in mind to play Mary Poppins and her friend Bert, the amiable chimney sweep and street performer.  

After their shared Sound of Music triumph, Julie Andrews and director Robert Wise reunited for an ambitious musical biography of the “thoroughly fabulous” theatrical legend Gertrude Lawrence.  Entitled Star!, the movie boasted elaborate production numbers built around songs written by Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin and Lawrence’s quick witted confidante, Noel Coward.  In the magazine, Griffin recounts how Star! was subjected to some studio tampering and reckless editing after its initial release in 1968.

 

Hello, Dolly! (1969) seemed to have it all...An impressive Broadway track record to build from, an infectious title tune and the most exciting musical star of the era.  With Barbra Streisand headlining and Gene Kelly directing, how could a movie version miss?  20^th Century-Fox pulled all the stops out and Dolly - which was nominated for seven Academy Awards - still stands as one of the costliest musical extravaganzas ever produced.  And by all accounts, it was one tough shoot.

To learn more, look for i-5 Publishing’s 50^th Anniversary tribute to The Sound of Music and the last of the great Hollywood musicals.