St. John's Confidential File

HELLO AMERICA!—This has been quite a year, 2017, one drama after another, politically, entertainment as well, on a social level. Everything has impacted film productions, story-telling, how we watch and even what we believe about our nation when it comes to the rights of all our citizens and who would reform the rules of survival in America! It was...

HELLO AMERICA!—Hearing about the passing of Keely Smith, one of the music industry’s most talented performers was quite sad. I first was introduced to Keely during the early ‘60s.  She was appearing in one of the major theaters on Sunset Boulevard with partner Louis Prima who was dynamite! Keely was cool and captivating. Backstage it was as though I...

HELLO AMERICA!—For all those thousands of fans of Sean Scruby, former basketball star of the Dominican University of California team, to be snagged as one of the co-stars in a mini-series based on book, “Hollywood Through the Back Door,” is no surprise. Watching Scruby plant the ball through the basket was like watching a superhuman in action performing the...

HELLO AMERICA!—Hollywood studios and production companies are seriously in talks with writers to come up with stories based on a MIKE FLYNN type character that cleverly joins Russia in bringing down the United States government following a presidential election. This idea, of course, relates to what is currently happening today in America. Once this Flynn character manages to get his...

HELLO AMERICA!—There are numerous reports from young filmmakers throughout the country that they are confused concerning marketable “storylines” for their assigned film projects on a personal level or a school assignment. For example, students at Los Angeles City College, as well as those matriculating at College of Marin in northern California, are in agreement that their film students are...

HELLO AMERICA!—Ever since the beginning of filmdom, leading men and women dreaded one reality and that was and still is AGE. Hollywood star, George Clooney is no different. Now at the age of 56, he realizes that the characters he is known to bring to life in a very exciting way is a bit behind him. The days of...

HELLO AMERICA!—As it was during the early part of the 20th century, the powerful draw of Hollywood has always been a powerful reason why thousands of innocents jumped on buses and trains as well as hitchhiking to reach the promise land of possible fame and fortune. Upon the arrival of tons of star-struck young hopefuls easily ready to fall prey to...

HELLO AMERICA!—It seems that we are receiving so many positive reactions to my various experiences in Europe, especially London and Venice. The memories of a few of those times are quite special and unforgettable. For example, English actor John Collin was shooting a film with Julie Andrews  in the FOX film “Star.” As a result, we became rather close during the filming;...

HELLO AMERICA!—Since so many people around the nation realized how long I have been on the Hollywood Entertainment in one area or another, I have been receiving tons of queries about their favorite actors and films which made a difference in the way they thought about themselves, the country and what they ultimately wanted to achieve as their life’s...

HELLO AMERICA!—Millions of cinema lovers are hungry for stories and characters that inspire them; ones which kept theatre audiences in tears, laughter and even inspired. There are very few films that represent hope or a better life like: Mrs. Miniver, “Gone With the Wind,” “Singing in the Rain,” “American in Paris,” “Red Shoes,” “Ziegfield Follies,” “The Corn is Green,” “Dancing...