Confessions of a FILM FOX

Confessions of a FILM FOX

Although still in the blueprint stages, the lead for the Bessie S mith film is being eyed by Broadway's Linda Hopkins and a dieting Aretha Franklin.

Ray Stark (who brought you Funny Girl and Funny Lady) is sweet-talking Linda Ronstadt to star in his upcoming movie Ruby Red.

Abbott and Costello revisited: Cheech and Chong are planning a major motion picture in the guise of the late great duo.

Apple, the legendary record headquarters * (SavilleRow, the Beatles' former recording studio and site of the Let It Be film) is up for sale. Any takers?

New York's Radio City Music Hall will have rock/jazz concerts begirding this spring. This is one of the last of the grand old establishments to fall to rock 'n' roll.

Whose Anger is rising? The latest pink slip to be issued on the set of Kenneth Anger's Lucifer Rising went to Zeppelin ace Jimmy Page. Said Anger (in an article sent directly to your Fox from Anger himself) in New York's Soho Weekly News, "I'm certainly jaded with that rock superstar syndrome..." Asked whether he felt vindictive towards Page, he replied, "You bet I do. I'm not a Christian, turn the other cheek kind...In fact, I'm ready to throw a Kenneth Anger curse." Maybe that's behind all of those icky reviews of The Song Remains The Same... At least one cast member has survived the Anger onslaught: Marianne Faithful's st-ill hanging in there, though it would have been more of a curse if Mick Jagger had hung around for a few scenes with his ex-bird!

Dick Clark's anniversary show (televised this month) will include guest appearances from some of the punks (including Stevie Wonder, Frankie Avalon, the Carpenters) who helped put America's first rock 'n' roll host on the map. (Earth News Service)

Wearing his name: Keith Moon, upon bei ng informed that he couldn't enter a posh LA eatery draped in jeans, promptly slipped them off and walked on in. Was he dressed to the left or right? Kilti Dee (with the help of EHon) has truly arrived. The British songbird was among those picked as the "most exciting women in the world" by the London-based International Bachelors Society. Or was it Elton?

Speaking of Elton, the mondo-neutro wonder apparently left his manners at home when he arrived at one of Manhattan's hottest discos. The lad tried to'take cuts in line outside of the trot spot and was physically encouraged by a 300 lb. relative of King Kong to go to the end of the line.

It had to happen sooner or later.

Gregg and Cher Allman arecohabitating muscially. The couple is in the process of recording, now that they've got Mo Ostin's (the man behind the button at Warners) approval. Mo thought Cher's sweetie was just another crazed doper. Til he heard their demo, then he was convinced.

Richard Thomas is trading his overalls for Brooks Brothers! John-Boy's TV contract expires, and he won't be back on Walton's Mountain (except for an occasional guest-slum).

> According to Zodiac News, David Bowie is being wooed by Hollywood promoter BUI Sargent to star in both the stage and screen versions of playwright Noel Coward's life. Sargent is also stalking that devilmay-care Hollywood hand-out Alice Cooper for the lead in his flick about revivalist preacher Billy Sunday.

Butch and Sundance ride again: Although the first movie (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) killed them off, Robert Bedford and Paul Newman have signed to replay those lovable villains. They won't reincarnate them, but feature flashbacks prior to their heroic demise in South America. (ZNS)

Columbia Pictures announced that Bette Midler will flutter across the screen in a musical comedy called The Tour. Her manager, Aaron Russo, is commissioning three more scripts:

' send those cards and letters in, writers.

You've seen the movies written and directed by Monty Python's Eric Idle for. George _ Harrison, featuring George, on Saturday Night by now. Does this mean a renewed screen career for the ex-Fab? Perhaps... in Sgt. Pepper? His former playmate, the mighty Macca, is poring over home movies of last year's Wings Over America tour, for enough footage for a "commercial film.

The popular British syndicated Monty Python show is numero uno in Japan. The kicker's the title change to Gay Boys' Dragon Show.

Oh god, John Denver. No tongue-in-cheek this time, the Rocky Mountain heehaw (full-fledged, now that's he's made it to the stage of theGrand Old Opry) has been signed by Warner Bros, to co-star with George Burns in a Carl Reiner/Jerry Weintraubfilm entitled Oh God. Contrary to bur cover story on him a year back, Denver neither plays God nor is God. There's talk that the musical film version of the best-selling novel Ragtime is considering Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen for heavy roles.

Are the Fonz's days numbered? Henry Winkler's new flame, fJsa Mordente (her mama's Chita Rivera), is one hot tamale that close friends predict will hustle him down the altar (at last).

Ex-Mouseketeer and former Donna Reed Show brat Paul Peterson has penned a little tune called "Walt, Mickey and Me"—hopes are that he'll reminisce about some of the good old sordid day s. Speaking of ex-mice, did you catch Doreen Tracy in a recent skin mag unveiling some of the biggest Mouse Club assets this side of Annette?

Practically the only award pretty Peter Frampton hasn't grabbed is the Oscar, but never say never. The Robert Stigwood Group and Dee Anthony (the Framp's manager) are producing Sgt, Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and stars.. .guess who? AwaitingPetah's choice for leading lady: Linda Ronstadtand Olivia Newton-John. Production is slated for this spring, with release around Xmas.