SAN FRANCISCO—Filmmaker Henry Jaglom’s latest hit “Queen of the Lot,” which recently debuted in Hollywood and New York City was released to a packed theater on Wednesday, December 8, at the Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinema. The 2010 winner of Best Picture at the Wild Rose Film Festival in Iowa met with a very welcoming audience in the Bay region. Lifelong resident Michael Canepa tells San Francisco News, “Tommy, I was excited to see you make your big screen debut. Congratulations to you for a great appearance. I also wanted to see how much Tanna Frederick has grown as an actress, and she is amazing. I can see why all of you refer to her as the new Bette Davis.” Canepa was a friend of the late Bette Davis and a movie fan for over 75 years. “Seeing this film brought back so many great memories. Henry Jaglom has a unique style, and when you watch his films you feel like you are in the scene living it with all the characters. That’s very rare today,” said Canepa.

The film’s very fast-paced and comedic theme was very exciting to moviegoers, who felt that the writing was rich and engaging. In the film, Maggie Chase has become a comedic and action star, but she longs to be a serious dramatic actress. Before that can happen, she finds herself in legal turmoil, after receiving her second DUI in as many weeks. Frederick makes the viewer fall in love with her. She has a strong, but very charismatic screen presence, which she’s honed perfectly for this film. Her enormous talent as an actress was showcased in the 2006 film “Hollywood Dreams” and in last year’s “Irene in Time,” which was considered one of the best films last year not to be Oscar nominated.

Rounding out the cast in “Queen of the Lot” is Noah Wyle, who has leading man looks and talent. Film, TV and stage actress Constance Towers tells Canyon News, “He has such great potential. I really enjoyed Noah Wyle in ‘ER’ but his work in this film really caught my attention. He and Miss Frederick have such great chemistry, which cannot be faked. They are both stars to watch.”

Chris Rydell’s contribution to this film is huge. He is one of Hollywood’s most sought after leading men. In this film, his character is the brother of Noah Wyle’s character. They both have feelings for Maggie, but for different reasons. Wydell’s gambling scenes opposite Charlie Matthau and David Proval are called hilarious by critics. Mary Crosby and Sabrina Jaglom round out a magnificent cast. Crosby may be the woman who is best known as Kristen, the shooter of J.R. Ewing in 1980, but she’s become such a lovely actress just like her mother Kathryn Crosby, who is the matriarch in the film. Jack Heller plays the patriarch Louis Lambert, whose power in Hollywood is compared to Louis B. Mayer of MGM Studios. Sabrina Jaglom is a rising star. The Greta Garbo-esque styled actress just simply has what it takes to make it in this business.

Tanna Frederick’s triumph over the fog and cold winds in San Francisco will be known to the ages. Perhaps an Oscar nomination is in her future? Noah Wyle and Chris Rydell deserve nominations for their work as well. San Francisco residents, who attended the film’s first screening gave me a resounding Two Thumbs Up!

“Queen of the Lot” can be seen at the Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinema throughout the holidays.