Pennies from Heaven News

Bing Crosby always reminds me of Christmas. And not just because of his famous movie and song, White Christmas , but because he encapsulates everything about Christmas -- the dreams, the hopes, the sentiment, the lights , the well meaning and the holiday, and yet, the haunted quality of tradition -- the Shining like reminder of times gone past.

In Richard Kelly's excellent recent book Ten Bad Dates With De Niro: A Book of Alternative Movie Lists, one of the standout contributions was from the celebrated filmmakers the Coen brothers.

Interview: Terry Teachout Greatness always finds itself under siege. It can't be helped.

How's this for an intriguing role? Christopher Walken will play a man searching for his missing hand in "A Behanding in Spokane," Martin McDonagh's black comedy opening March 4 on Broadway.

Bernadette Peters will perform at 8:15 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks.

Why we read newspapers: Last month, a viewing of All the President's Men brought renewed respect for the film's cinematographer, Gordon Willis , known fondly as "The Prince of Darkness" for his ability to provide just enough light to a setting to extract the maximum effect.

Will Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin be winning Oscars hosts? Tuesday's announcement of Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin as hosts of the Oscars was generally well-received by the other Oscar bloggers.

Attractive, bright-eyed, and talented leading lady with a winning smile and a soothingly placid quality.

Two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters will perform a one-night-only evening of song, Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert for Broadway Barks Because Broadway Cares , on November 9 at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre.

If, as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Steve Martin must have really liked Michael Jackson.

Two acts of movie sacrilege are guaranteed to turn any film buff purple: a remake of anything - but especially a "classic". And for those of a more anglophile bent, turning a TV masterpiece into a movie.

Now in its ninth year, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival has begun its presentation for 2009 under the new Artistic Directorship of Adelaide born entertainer David Campbell .

Sam Butera, a hard-swinging tenor saxophonist who formed a rowdy and successful onstage partnership with entertainers Louis Prima and Keely Smith in the 1950s, died June 3 at a hospital in Las Vegas.

John Karlen was born John Adam Francis Kazrlewicz in Brooklyn on May 28, 1933. The actor is best known for his work in television.

Ben Allison, a bassist/composer/bandleader, performs May 29 at Firehouse 12, with his Man Size Safe band.