St. John's Confidential File

HELLO AMERICA!—Recently I spoke again with my dear friend Juanita Moore who was the third Afro-American to be nominated for an Oscar in a supporting role at the Academy Awards.  She is over 90 years old, but still eager and ready to face the camera or a theatre audience. MSJ: Juanita even after all these years I still hear that...

HELLO AMERICA!—Young producer Michael Plaster who is also an associate writer for this column was very anxious and excited to review a new play “It’s The Biz” a comedy which is right up his alley. It is always fascinating to sit in a theater viewing a new work from a just as new playwright. Since “it’s The Biz” is also...

HELLO AMERICA!—His name is Bobby Wright. He is not only an actor and writer, he is a guy who has a passion for finding financing of motion pictures. Home for Bobby is watching the results in a theater on the screen. MSJ: Since you are a California native, how did this affect the image you had of the rest of...

HELLO AMERICA!—When I first met Eddie Murphy years ago at Paramount Studio in Hollywood, I knew instantly that he  would be a major surprise in the film industry. Everything about him was perfect for the camera, the way he looks, facial expressions and even that insane, animal-like laugh he has would work for film characters.  It was good to...

HELLO AMERICA!—She’s a woman who will easily get in your face and tell you what’s on her mind, after all she is Patti LuPone! Even after befriending stars like Bette Davis and Agnes Moorehead who were known to be two of the toughest gals in the business, I still was slightly intimidated by LuPone who is definitely a star! MSJ:...

HELLO AMERICA!—There’s no one like Little Richard and frankly we don’t need a copy because one is enough! Enough said! MSJ: Were you always considered outrageous as a kid? LR: Well, I was different that’s for sure. I would say exactly what was on my mind. And most of the time the elders didn’t like or appreciate it. But I didn’t...

HELLO AMERICA!—His name is Ryan Lewis McKeon he is a filmmaker who knows what he likes and wants.  He is very upfront about the type of films he wants to make.  Spielberg would be lucky to have him aboard because he is fresh and extremely wise for his age.  All one has to do is engage him in a conversation...

HELLO AMERICA!—The Hollywood that many of us knew and was a part of is absolutely dead! There was a time when if one really needed to meet or connect with a director or producer, all one had to do is make a request and a time was set up. Now the only person connectable is an assistant to an...

  HELLO AMERICA!—It is always exciting when you can introduce a young talent that already has that special scent of creative magic when it comes to the art of film making. Anthony Liuzzi is an amazing artist who no doubt will leave his mark on the film and television industry. Having seen some of his film shorts, it leaves no...

HELLO AMERICA!—I was hoping that this year’s 65th Annual Emmy Awards show might be more fun or interesting.  It wasn’t. Some of the presenters were given boring one-liners and boring presenting situations that didn’t work, mainly because many of these new people are definitely not interesting on or off camera. The highlight of the evening was, of course, Neil...