Confessions of a FILM FOX

Confessions of a FILM FOX

Abba dabba do more than just cut hot discs, since the Swedish rock import’s manager gave the OK to director Lasse Hallstroem to muster up a feature film based on the group. He’s currently working on production in Australia, and the film will no doubt be released in the U.S. by the end of this year.

Olivia Newton-John’s not whining for “Sam” these days, but for a meaty movie role. The only catch is that the co-star be entitled to share hot love scenes with her, and his name had better be NickNolte.

Richard Burton is none too thrilled about being upstaged by actress-groupie Linda Blair. It seems the demon-mimic got more lines and top billing in the soon to be released Exorcist II. If Dicky could turn his head around and fly around the room, he’d have a legit gripe.

Singer Connie Francis, who received over $2 million in settlement from the hotel where she was raped a few years back, is spending a lot of time on a doctor’s couch these d&ys. She doubts that she’ll ever return to the stage, butthat comes as no surprise, since most of her fans gave up long ago.

Blairsvilie again, this time via Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, who claims there was nothing ' but a brief intro between he and Linda in his dressing room after a recent concert. [If she didn’t get in through the key hoik, Steve, what was she doing in you r dressing room?—Ed. ]

Bianca Jagger doesn’t worry about hubby Mick’s sideline activities with other women .because, according to Bianca, its he who fears he’ll lose her. (How’s that for confidence?) Did you know there was an Advisory Panel on Folk Music and Jazz in the State Department? Did anyone bother to inform the allmale panel that they forgot to include America’sfirst and foremost genre—ROGK ‘N’ ROLL? Remember cute little Kathy in all the Father Knows Best TVers? “Kitten Lartren Chapin, twice divorced, is doing a bit of purring on her own these days, hoping to make a comeback singing in a Los Angeles nightspot. Speaking of yesterday, Jay North (aka Dennis the Menace) was recently sworn into the Navy by another once snotty-nosed kid, NavalCaptain Jackie Cooper.

Nei) Sedaka ad mitted he is overweight, > because he goes off on food binges when he’s tense (money does that to you). “It’s better than smoking pot, isn’t it?” he asked. Is it? ■

In the midst of making a comeback, Fabian Forte (now 31) blamed the demise of his oncethriving career on his manager, who turned him into a puppet by supervising everything from his clothes to his voice. He insists he’s a much better singer than he’s given credit for, and will try to prove it when he releases a new album this summer.

The latest superstars to take up residence in kinky Aspen (Colorado) are Cher and Gregg Allman and Diana Ross. Diana, who made such a stink about having privacy, showed up at a local nitery recently With four gents in tow. Teatime in Malibu: Songbird Joni Mitchell and Ryan O'Neal have been reportedly sharing moonlight moments over pots of tea at his cozy hideaway at Malibu Beach.

Art Garfundel (once half of the chart-busting Simon and Garfunkel) recently streaked a posh Aspen hotel, butfor a good reason: he and a lady friend apparently lingered too long in the hotel’s sauna, causing his bird to faint into a state of well done, while Arty ran for first aid.

A noted U.S. psychiatrist [But aren't they all noted?—Ed. ] , upon examining the newspaper “Letters war” between John Lennon and ex-wife Cynthia, claimed that first marriages are too deep and permanent to be dissolved, and that although the former Mr. and Missus may appear to dislike eac h other, they share a very strong bond.

Now that the script for One Night Stand is completed, the Divine Ms. Bette Midler will star in the film about a female rock superstar who is on the verge of flipping out. (Perhaps this is a continuation of A Star Is Born?) At any rate, Bette should find the dialogue amusing— lots of four-letter words.

Bullet Ants (no, it ain’t another Clint Eastwood movie) are the world’s largest, and they’re being sought in great number in Brazil. American International Pictures is on a talent ant hunt to star theJittle critters in the upcoming H. G. Wells’ The Empire of the Ants, to be released in June.

Isaac Hayes, who won an Oscar for his Shaft soundtrack a few years back, starred recently in a Nashville court where he filed for bankruptcy to the tune of $6 million.

It was recently disclosed (via our secret source, natch) that the Beatles not only cut an albu m together, but taped a show for the telly, to boot. Don’t get your hopes up, though, ’cause this took place over a year ago in England and ended up being shelved because none of the lads thought the finished products were up to par. Evangelist-turned-actor Maijoe Gortner is busy hopping around the country looking for moneymen to back his planned film version of Broadway’s When Ya Cornin’ Back, Red Ryder? He managed to give off a few observations on working With Evel Knievel (having just wrapped up the Viva Knievel film .about... guess who?): it seems the daredevil arrived on location each day via his personal helicopter, donned in a velvet cape and wearing a crown. He also made a practice of toting around a bottle of Wild Turkey.