Confessions of a FILM FOX

Confessions of a FILM FOX

Jaan Uhelszki

EJ Goes Broadway? Old Bright Eyes Elton John, will return to the silver screen in the starring role of the film version of Leonard"The Original Longhair" Bernsteins Candide.

Allen Carr and Robert Stigwood. that flamboyant twosome, have hought the film rights for the musical and will start filming next year this time down Rio de Janeiro way. That ever buoyant and schizophrenic pal of the Pink Panther, Peter Sellers will play seven roles in the production, and Olivia Newton-John will be given a screen test to see if she can possibly frown, fora leading role in the film.

Once more around the park. Warner Brothers is re-releasing their monumental, unforgettable and dated film Woodstock, but only in Pittsburgh. Where? Its reported to be on the same bill as The Day The Earth Stood Still.

What do you mean, do we know the story of the boy who cried wolf? This time we really mean it, or rather Swan Song Records does. The long overdue Led Zeppelin movies (Thp Song Remcfms The Same) distribution deal has been finally clinched and we should see that enigmatic heavy metal quartet up on the silver screen sometime next month. And for an extra addend attraction (as in an album), Zep will be releasing their first live album, which is coincidentally a sound track to the movie. It should be in the stores by the time you get to the popcorn stand.

Alice Doesnt Live Here Anymore because hes going back to school. We know, Mr. Entertainment sang "Schools Out" for all the underage masses a few years hack, but the Coop ate his words as he (Alice, that is) enrolled in a Los Angeles acting school in preparation for his role in Robert Altmans Breakfast Of Champions. Has our boy Alice abandoned the wide wide wide world of backstage passes and transistor microphones forever? Were not sure, but Alice told us that he plans to take his current albums, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell and Welcome To My Nightmare, along with a third music/ macabre extravaganza and combine them as a three act musical, then take the package to Broadway, with Alice directing, but not starring. In fact he told us hed like to see either The Fonz or Elvis play the part of Alice, but confidentially, we think Dean Martin would be a better choice. >

Speaking of the Fonz, Hemy Winkler has been having a few temper tantrums at Happy *Days—no, someone didnt swipe hisbrylcreem but Fonzie is fu ming over some contract negotiations so he had a bad case of the black leather flu, and didnt show up for the filming of the showsThird season which begins with a three part segment called "Fonzie Loves Pinkie.The Harvard grads happy days are numbered because hes made it public that next year hes turning in hisducktailand leaving the series. Warner Pictures is eating its words, and trying to swallow Barbra Streisands and Kris Kristoffersons. Last week they bragged that A Star Is Born wasfinished ahead of schedule, and under budget. That was before a bigwig at the company had screened the film, and was so appalled at the four-letter (and 11-letter) words and to the constant References to cocaine. So the guy ordered the filmmakers to reshoot and re-edit the rough spots.

Shake out the sand from your beach blanket , bingo and tune in to Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. because these two soda sippers will be cohosting their own musical variety .series this fall called Easy Does It.

Another alumni of the Mousketeer-earsis Bo Wagner, the tap dancing percussionist of the southern band, Starbuck. Bo apparently thought he should plug in, set up. and save his life with rock “n roll ifistead of checking in with Uncle Disney, J immy and Roy. According to ENS when his band recently played LA, Bo paid a visit to The,Screen Actors Guild and discovered he had a lot of loot in residuals from old reruns of The Mickey Mouse Club, as well as some bucks for a TV commercial he did, Where a seven-year-old Botapdanced onasimonized floor to prove that even his twinkle toes wouldnt scratch the newly waxed floor.

And all this time you thought that Evel Knievel ate steel wool for breakfast, and could care less if the youth of America took a flying leap, as long as they didnt jump over 42 new Chevrolets. Well, Evel isnt true to, his name; in fact hes a regular Joe. Mr. Nice Guy gifted the 12 grade school grads who played orphans in, his Viva Knieval picture with brand new bicycles. At least he could have given them Hondas with training wheels.

All in a days work? The director of The Pink Panther Rides Again has run into a bladder problem . according to Daily Variety. They held a mass "interview" to find the proper pooch who would pi. . . urination the U.N. building. They finally chose the unusually talented Fido, but it . took them over an hour to "cooperate." When they finally convinced the animal to perform on cue. the film proved to bq faulty.

Woody Allen is making another movie, but he's keeping such a tight lid on the production that not only has he refused to release the title but Woody's only giving hi$ cast two pages of script at a time, so none of the stars know whether theyll make it to the end of the film, or get killed off in the first half hour. With all the mystery and paranoia shrouding the show, youd think Woody was filming The Howard Hughes Story, but then again, maybe he is.