St. John's Confidential File

HELLO AMERICA!—When I heard that one of my first Hollywood directors. Gerald Gordon, was directing-producing a film “Showdown at Twin Bluffs” allowing the return of two of the most talented women we have ever had in TV and Broadway, Barbara Eden (of “I Dream of Jeannie” fame) and Neile Adams McQueen from Broadway stardom as the elderly Dolly Sisters...

HELLO AMERICA!—Hollywood like everywhere else, it seems, is riveted with dealing with those of color: Blacks, Brown, Red, Yellow, you name it, they are all pitted against each other for power as executives, performers, production leaders, you name it when it comes to film or TV development, casting especial when it involves the process of production control. Because there...

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!—He was basically educated as an electrician, but his dream was always to perform as an actor-musician in front of the camera in America. “When I was very little, I use to watch and listen to old songs from Frank Sinatra, Frankie Avalon, The Beatles and even Ricky Nelson and so many more great singers. I also loved...

HELLO AMERICA!—I must admit once learning that writer and filmmaker Daniel Gross was also an alumnus of U.S.C., where I had my beginning years before, I immediately was interested in his view of the book by a mutual friend Sofia Lvsh. Once reading Gross’ review I contacted him asking if I might republish it in my column with the...

HELLO AMERICA!—Millions of Americans sat shocked listening to President Donald Trump’s rhetoric concerning Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election. His put-down of the nation’s highest and most powerful investigative agency, the FBI was something which rocked folks from coast to coast. Documentary filmmakers from coast to coast had their new-aged cameras rolling at every point. Without a doubt, it...

HELLO AMERICA!—Since there is a major film in the planning based on my book “Hollywood Through the Back Door,” one of the highlighted scenes, of course, will focus on the fire-bombing of my dorm room when first attending Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana during the early 50s. Should it be decided to that the focus of "Hollywood Through the...

HELLO AMERICA!—When hearing the latest report concerning the opening of the Pre-Broadway play with music, “I Feel Sin Comin’ On,” it is reminiscent of one of MGM’s films that before the big opening, there were so many stumbling and surprising issues to face; it always turned out as a miracle why and how the show actually made on a...

HELLO AMERICA!—I had high hopes this year when deciding to view the 2018 BET Awards, hoping it would inspire and indicate there was genuine movement forward as far as Afro-American talent is concerned, but I was seriously disappointed. Jamie Foxx hosted the show and he tried at times too hard to be funny like many comedians, but the audience...

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...