St. John's Confidential File

HELLO AMERICA!—When hearing that young Donald Glover, an actor, writer and director who has proven to so many in the entertainment industry he has so much to offer in every creative direction, I was anticipating to view something quite extraordinary in his “Atlanta” TV series. However, I sat watching two episodes in utter horror at the blatant ignorance, stupidity,...

HELLO AMERICA!—It’s good to find that there is no perfect family in this world, contrary what many people believed of Beyonce’s talented group. The recent kicking and throwing of punches by younger sister Solange Knowles  in an elevator aimed at Beyonce’s husband Jay-Z has  people talking everywhere it seems. The elevator footage showed how Beyonce maintained her calm and dignity...

HELLO AMERICA!—There are so many positive things one can say about the general press, no matter what some of the politicians living on the edge expose in Washington. For example, because I am known to be open and upfront concerning films, people and life in America, a place where I have been taught and nurtured about one’s hopes and...

HELLO AMERICA!—The theme of the evening was “Dance to Wellness,” and that theme was carried through with considerable panache, as the energetic ensemble of 19 dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy took to the floor and impressed an enthusiastic audience of Yo San University supporters at the Pacific Design Center (PDC) recently.  With their flowing gymnastic and emotionally...

HELLO AMERICA!—When arriving at U.S.C. from Earlham College, I had no idea what to expect. It was quite a change from the scent of ‘Hamshire Hogs’ to sweet smelling Palm trees which lined nearly every major area of Los Angeles. Admittedly, the confrontation with the KKK which seemed to be powered in Richmond, Indiana was an experience one would...

HELLO AMERICA!─Attempting to get a bin Hollywood is often a crazy and at times is insane under the best of circumstances. One is forced to deal with egos and hidden submerged needs and frustrations of those who believe they were born to be watched and applauded for their god given talents. Very few can handle the pressure and the...

HELLO AMERICA!—If you believed that “Love Story” would end the collaboration of Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal you would be terribly shortsighted.  The first supported indication of that was their remarkable and moving appearance in “Love Letters” on Broadway in 2014. Producer Michael Plaster caught their magical appearance as quite loving and memorable. “The audience gave them a standing ovation,...

HELLO AMERICA!—Usually when the Payne sisters (Scherrie and Freda) leave Hollywood they are heading for Europe or some other exotic trip to shake hands with their many fans over the years.  This time they landed in Indian Shores, Florida which is off of Tampa. Scherrie who is applauded throughout Europe for her shows which includes music from the past as...

HELLO AMERICA!—He's from the streets of New York and proud of it! This is a guy who touched your hearts when he exploded on the screen in “The Godfather: Part II."  YES!  Robert De Niro had arrived and the world would experience his sting from that moment on. When I first met De Niro, it was during the early 1970s,...

HELLO AMERICA—When many of you read that I had been featured in the Broadway play, “The Desk Set” which starred Oscar-winning star Shirley Booth, who is remembered for her hit series “Hazel,” they begged me to hear about my relationship with the great lady. Like many of the stars or those in filmdom or theatre-power, we had our ups...