published on in blog

Heches Wild Side to be seen on cable

GOOD MORNING: The steamy love scene between Anne Heche and Joan Chen in “The Wild Side” will air again, on Cinemax in July and on HBO in September. The NuImage movie stars Chris Walken and the ladies. “Wild Side” exec producer Avi Lerner told Variety last May 6, the movie “wasn’t a gay picture, it was about two women falling in love and about the evolution of that love.” It opened theatrically in Europe and went to cable here. The writer-director Donald Cammell died of a self-inflicted bullet wound, again as reported here “because, friends said, he’d fallen into depression when ‘The Wild Side’ was re-edited by its production company and premiered on cable.” He removed his name as director. … Ellen Degeneres is planning to produce a movie — tentatively titled “Mother Nature.” She’ll also write another book during the TV hiatus. The book is as yet untitled. … Harrison Ford, readying for the start of “6 Days, 7 Nights” (co-starring Heche) in which he plays a pilot, wants to fly his own plane in the pic, he told director Ivan Reitman. Ford’s new, small plane is a Beaver. Reitman thinks the insurance company will OK it. Hmmm. Director Reitman also says Heche won the role because “of the chemistry between her and Ford” in the audition film he shot. Does he think (general) audiences of the romantic movie will be affected by the space (currently) being given Heche’s relationship with Degeneres? “Who knows — I just know I thought she was the best actress for the part.” He claims Harrison knew of her relationship. “Not true,” says someone close to Ford, “It came out of the blue.” Producer Roger Birnbaum echoes Reitman’s opinion of Heche’s abilities. “Besides,” he added, “It’s a dated issue.”

Related Stories

A hand holding up a controller into the air VIP+

Why the Video Game Industry Can’t Shake Its Struggles

Sweetpea

'Sweetpea' Trailer: Ella Purnell Plays an Unassuming Serial Killer in Sky and Starz's Thriller Series

Popular on Variety

FRANK SINATRA WAS SURROUNDED by his children and grandchildren and wife Barbara Tuesday night at dinner celebrating word he was voted the Congressional gold medal On Monday night, Tina and Nancy Sinatra surprise birthday-partied (50 ) Bob Finkelstein along with his family at Drai’ s Cafe, which closed to the public for the event. The Sinatra children are the “keepers of the flame” regarding their father’s legacy and they consider attorney Bob the “gatekeeper” watching out for all of them. It was a first time out for Jack Haley Jr., well on his way to complete recovery. … By the way, those cheery ties worn by all the servers at Victor Drai’s two eateries benefit “Save the Children” — and are for sale at Bloomingdale’s well as other stores. … Over at the Bistro Garden at Coldwater Canyon in Sherman Oaks, Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton sang alongside the eatery’s versatile pianist Doug Sprague until the wee hours of the ayem. His specialty — a rendition a la Elvis on “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Thornton was with Laura Dern. … Wolfgang Puck cameos as a wedding caterer in “The Family Bloom” feature — as he cooks up dishes for Ron Silver and Caroline Goodall. … Spago on Sunset has reopened with renovations including sound-softening carpeting. … Doug Cramer acquired film rights to Architectural Digest editor Paige Rense’s first novel, “Manor House” (Doubleday) set in the milieu of the decorating world and based on the murder of Rense’s Digest predecessor who was killed outside a gay bar in West Hollywood. Cramer tells me the book’s detective lead character lends itself to the two more books. … Rense plans to write and Doug says the initial telefilm could be a prototype for a series set in that world of decorators which Cramer says he knows well — he’s had three homes featured in Architectural Digest. He’s now bought another, on 50 acres in Roxbury, Conn. Cramer’s just gotten an order form CBS for a third “Family of Cops” in which Charles Bronson plays the lead. Bronson, who laughingly tells me he’s trying not to work, admits why he’s back: “It’s the money.” And — the movie will be shot in Toronto, not too far from his (other) home in Vermont.

SHOWBIZ, POLITIX — and demo big spenders get together Thursday at the Presidential Victory Gala, a Demo. National Committee fundraiser honoring the Clintons and Gores at the D.C. Armory. Arturo Sandoval who performed with Celine Dion at the Oscars, will perform “Hail to the Chief” with his orch. The Pointers Sisters, Az Yet, will also perform. Tommy Lee Jones, Al Gore’s Harvard roommate will emcee. Celebs attending include: Michelle Phillips, Marilyn Horne, Jon Voight, Timothy Dalton, Neve Campbell, Andie McDowell, Sharon Lawrence, Carol Channing and Charles Lowe. … (Bobby) Zarem Inc., a longtime Demo party supporter, set up the showbiz contingent. Top $upporter$ will also be invited to private, salon dinners Wednesday p.m. hosted by administration toppers The Ronald Reagan Foundation’s Freedom Award is presented to Bob Hope on his 94th birthday May 29 at the BevHilton. Nancy Reagan will make the presentation and clips by Presidents Clinton, Bush, Ford and Carter congratting Hope will be shown — also one by Reagan from the 1990 Hal Roach Entertainment Award dinner which also honored Hope. … David Hayes unveiled his spectacular fall fashions (he even danced with his models!) at the “Operation Children” benefit at the BevHilton honoring Gwen and Arthur Hiller and Roger Barkley.

Jump to Comments

More from Variety

Most Popular

Must Read

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Variety Confidential

A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9mhnqDjq%2BmopuVqHyku8uupKerX52ypLTEZqpmr5mhsW6%2FyJ2cZqyfYq%2BmedKenKdln6N6pK3BpZxmaWFmhHmCkmlta2c%3D