SceneAroundTown... About Last Nite ... Cinecon 58 presented by Hollywood Heritage was the hot ticket in town after a 2-year absence... Beloved screen legend Mitzi Gaynor was honored with a coveted Legacy Award at the beautiful American Legion Theatre on Highland in the heart of Hollywood. Her friend Michael Feinstein hosted the great Q&A. It was a fantastic and very memorable evening long to be remembered!
Thank you to Stan Taffel, Bryan Cooper, staff and volunteers!! Great to see Ruta Lee, Frank Sheftel, Patty McCormack, nephew Fred Cerullo, Jimmy Hunt and granddaughter Hayley Hunt, Cora Sue Collins. Hollywood Heritage's Brian Curran, George Pennacchio, Hillary Hellstein, Art Deco Society's Margo Gerber, Michael Schlesinger, Gay Parker, Joe Locurcio and the lovely Teresa Ganzel (for a split second).
Kudos to Eric Dol on your terrific Cinecon opening video and Kevin Dole on your extraordinary award worthy 3D tour of the American Legion... Wonderful to see my late great pal, Columnist Supreme Army Archerd in a fun intro short about the media in Hollywood's Golden Age..
Opening nite audiences enjoyed screenings of the 1956 musical Anything Goes (personally requested by Mitzi) starring screen legends Bing Crosby and Donald O'Connor... Followed by Laurel & hardy's 1932 hilarious SCRAM! And the very entertaining reconstructed 1924 King of the Circus starring controversial great silent cinema star Max Linder.
The opening nite soiree was catered by Chef Jodi Taffel "The Bacon Babe" and the food and drink were delicious.
The name of the late great casting director/celebrity wrangler Marvin Paige was brought up many times.. I'm personally dedicating this weekend to you, Marvin.