Eye On New York
Text and Photos by Jules Peimer
The New Millennium2004
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Eye On New York Text and Photos by Jules Peimer |
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Here's to the Next 100 Years The Holly Kristen Collection West Indian Sea Island Cotton A star Studded Evening Jazz Music Relaxes Football Great Frank Would Have Loved It Serenade of the Seas The Other Side Of The Bed CafÈ Society, Before Its Time HBO's My House In Umbria premiere party Phone Booth Kiss The Bride Volvo For Life Awards NY Jets Tasting |
Here's to the Next 100 Years:
"Our first speaker Alan King, legendary comedian, actor, author, producer, concert impresario, social and political activist, philanthropist, and Abbot of the Friars Club was the perfect person to launch the Friars Centennial Luncheon Series celebrating its one hundredth year as the bastion of show business," said Producer Randie Levine-Miller to a packed house of members and friends in the Frank Sinatra Room of the Friars Club.
Senior correspondent of WB11 News at 10 Marvin Scott, acting as host, wondered how King's career started.
"I was the youngest of a large family during the depression," said King. "I received a lot of love but no attention. I wanted to be heard so I acted as a clown. Realizing I could make a living being funny I decided to become a comedian."
King's 60-year career started with Major Bowes Amateur Hour and progressed to burlesque, the Catskill Hotels and Bungalow Colonies, and finally the Ed Sullivan Show, which eventually leading led to stardom.
"Milton Berle, Danny Thomas and of course Judy Garland were the most important influences on my career," he said. " Berle was known as the thief of bad jokes. He did everyone's act better than they did."
Milton Berle unable to do the benefit show that he did every year for the Bowery Mission asked King to go on for him. "I didn't have enough time to prepare so I did his act which got tremendous laughs. Milton comes in unexpectedly, forces me off the stage and does his act that I just did. There's no reaction from the audience. He couldn't understand why he didn't go over. Later I told him why. He wouldn't talk to me for six months."
King was with Judy Garland on
and off for seven years. . "She was the best," he said.
She missed many performances due to a drug problem. One day she
says to me, 'Alan how can you stay with me after what I put you
though?' Because, there's nobody in America that says ladies and
gentlemen Miss Garland will not appear tonight better than I do.
"I worked with Frank Sinatra. He was the best. Even if he
wasn't, who would dare say he wasn't. There were great singers
during those times but they were just crooners. All of a sudden
Frank comes along with a very limited education. He brought a
sense of drama to the lyrics.
"Boy did he drink. I remember when I worked with him in Atlantic City. I had jaw surgery. He called my room and my wife told him I wasn't taking calls. He told her to put the phone near my ear, then said 'you must take care of yourself. No more smoking, no more drinking.' As a youngster I studied ventriloquism and learned to throw my voice without moving my lips. "Frank how can you - living the life of a Kamikaze pilot - give me advice on how to behave." 'How can you talk? Didn't you have a jaw operation?' he replied. Yes but that's nothing. I'm drinking a glass of water while I'm talking to you."
King was known to be quite liberal. During a television show he said that America had the John Wayne mentality; up San Juan Hill, damn the torpedoes and so on.
King was in Acapulco having a few drinks in the cocktail lounge. He looked up and there was John Wayne standing in front of him. He said, 'I hear you had a few things to say about me on television." I was frightened at this gigantic man looking down at me but he sat down and we proceeded to get bombed."
King's wife is upstairs waiting
to go to a dinner party. He phoned and she screamed, 'Where are
you?' " I'm in the cocktail lounge getting drunk with John
Wayne. She answered, 'I'm here screwing Paul Newman.' I
fell down laughing. I couldn't stop laughing. I never knew my
wife had a great sense of humor. I told Wayne what happened and
he insisted upon meeting my wife. We went up to the suite and
I asked her to come out of the bedroom and say hello to John Wayne.
She then shouted, 'Paul let's join them.'"
Randie Levine Miller, who has become a major force at the Friars
Club, and executive director Jean Pierre Trebot lent their
expertise and know-how to make the kick-off luncheon a highly
entertaining and hilarious event.
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Marvin Scott, Alan King & Randie Levine-Miller.
Creative Director Holly Kristen Nolan of Holly Kristen presented her Fall 2004 Collection consisting of glamorously sophisticated and stunning designs at Gotham Hall.
To my surprise the show drew a young crowd.
"Even though our clothes have a classical look," Kristen said, "they still attract a young crowd through the edginess of the designs. I've been told that I'm the next Armani."
I asked Kristen how someone so young had established a thriving and successful business in just two years.
"I never thought I had it in me,"she said. "It seems to have just happened. It's important to make a woman look beautiful, also give her a unique look; yet bring out the woman in my designs.
"I keep the fabrics in mind as I design. The shine and line of every garment, making sure it will lay perfectly."
Many of Kristen's creations have been worn at the Oscars, Grammys and other glamorous events.
Within the next five years Kristen is planning to have a men's line, a high-end ready-to-wear women's line and an accessory line.
Holly Kristen Nolan
Queens, Dukes and Secret Agents Have Used Only West Indian Sea Island Cotton
ENK produced its annual trade show The Collective, a collection of men's wear and accessories from around the world at the New York's Westside Piers.
I came across a booth where two gentlemen, a buyer for a chain store and Martin Carstarphen, CEO of Carstarphen , were discussing a subject that fascinated me. It was about Sea Island cotton, a long forgotten product.
The saga of Sea Island Cotton - known as the black cotton seed - began in the Caribbean more than 300 yeas ago.
Queen Victoria used only 100% Sea Island cotton for her handkerchiefs; Edward the VIII, the Duke of Windsor wore only Sea Island cotton and fictional James bond only wore shirts made from Sea Island Cotton.
"I've formed a partnership with Caribbean growers to manufacture a classic line of sportswear using only 100% Sea Island Cotton which is considered more luxurious and lighter than cashmere," said Carstarphen, whose company GulfSream Trading of McAdenville, North Carolina is producing 100% pure Sea Island cotton
Martin Carstarphen, and Bryan
Frahm
A Star Studded Evening! "I was struck with the frightening thought that as a producer I'm going to produce the hit show Guys and Dolls that will open and close in one night," said producer Cyma Rubin at the kickoff reception at the Harry Winston Salon for An Evening of Music from Guys and Dolls to be held at Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on February 23, which will benefit the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center at Weill Cornell Medical Center/New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
"The thought left me when every star we approached agreed to join us," she said. "We have Tony Bennett, Vanessa Williams, Susan Lucci, Dick Latessa, Delta Burke, Whoopi Goldberg, Mary Testa, a man that I've fallen madly in love with, which hasn't happened in a long time, Federico Castelluccio and Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei
Mr. Castelluccio took time out from his
studio, creating paintings for his upcoming exhibit at Lawrence
Steigrad Fine Arts Gallery in October of this year to attend the
reception.
He told me it was it was one of life's unexpected happenings that
brought him here. He was selecting a frame for his latest commissioned
painting of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson at Henry Heydenryk Frames,
when a lovely woman (Iris Cantor), approached him saying, "You
look familiar. "Are you the guy from the Sopranos?"
"Yes I am." I replied.
"She told me she was involved in a musical evening of Guys and Dolls to benefit breast cancer and asked if I would be willing to participate. I agreed and adjusted my schedule to do it. We go into rehearsal in about a week and as yet I don't know the part I'll be playing."
He has a wonderful singing voice and would be perfect in either role that Marlon Brando or Frank Sinatra made famous in the movie Guys and Dolls.
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Jazz Music Relaxes Football Great
"Fans are always asking me if I'm looking to break records set by former football greats," New York Giants' running back Tiki Barber told me at the airing of ESPN's The Tiki Barber Show presented by Remy Martin and Berk Communications at New York City's 40/40 Club.
"I have no time to think about breaking records," Barber continued. "Football season is pressure time for me and my wife. To relax, we go out to dinner and listen to jazz music."
Frank Would Have Loved It.
At the opening of SINATRA: His Music. His World. His Way at
Radio City Music Hall, Ol' Blue Eyes returned through computerized
technological magic. It was mesmerizing to watch him sing again.
Conceived and directed by Des McAnuff, featuring John
Pizzarelli and the Radio City Rockettes, this spectacular
show will have you cheering, yet bring a tear or two to your eyes.
Carol Ault was one of the many glitterati that came with
fond memories of the Chairman of the Board: "I remember seeing
him perform in Rome. After the show we went up to his suite. He
was very sweet, cordial and just a very nice guy with me."
Is that all,? I asked.
"What do you want me to say, that I stayed late enough to
see the shenanigans that may have gone on? I was a good girl and
went home early. Going to bed early is the secret of remaining
young."
Sylvia Miles saw him perform many times. "My
good friend Sammy Davis arranged a date for me with Frank
at a party in Miami. At that time, I was performing in Coconut
Grove. No, I won't tell what happened. It's sad that he's not
here to enjoy this special evening."
John Turturro, who just finished shooting Secret Window
co-starring Johnny Depp and Timothy Hutton,
arrived with his mother who was an original bobby soxer and Sinatra
fan.
"I grew up loving his music as my mother did," Turturro
said. "His music was a big influence in my life. I would
have loved to have met him."
Dann Florek of Law & Order: SVU
remembers one song that touched him emotionally. "When my
father was passing away I heard Sinatra sing When I Was Seventeen.
My father had always loved that song. Hearing the song about aging,
getting to the autumn of your life, brings back very powerful
memories."
Regis Philbin and his wife Joyce were anxious to
see what they did with Frank Sinatra digitally. "He was one
of the most brilliant entertainers we had when I was growing up,"
he said. "There was an electric look to him. He had that
kind of charisma."
Sinatra's granddaughter AJ Azzarto arrived with husband
Matt and Sinatra's daughter Tina. " I just
hope I inherited his sense of humor and talent," AJ said.
"I'm preparing an act with my husband, who is a musician."
"She's great," her husband said. "She as an exquisite,
passionate voice and delivers a meaningful lyric. She's learning
songs from the best of Ella Fitzgerald and the best
of her grandfather."
Kim Cattrall went to Sinatra's 80th birthday party
but never met him. ""I fell like I did," she said.
I asked if she could imagine Sinatra being in Sex & the
City as one of her boyfriends. "Just thinking about that
sets my heart pounding, " she sighed.
Serenade of the Seas
Jack Williams, president and chief operating office of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruise Line, introduced their latest cruise ship Serenade of the Seas at a press reception/luncheon, held aboard the ship in New York City,
Mr. Williams claims to have been with the
company for 127 years and looks 35, only because he spends most
of his time at sea. Seriously, it will be seven years in January.
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"We're delighted to show off our newest addition in such
a great city as New York," he said. "Besides resembling
a luxurious hotel she also has a nice, elegant yacht feel to her."
I wondered why he kept referring to the
ship as a she and not a he? "I really don't know. It goes
way back to the early days of shipping. Ask the captain. I'm sure
he knows"
The ship was named after the Viking Serenade that was taken
out of service last year. Whoopie Goldberg, who was the
godmother on the Viking Serenade, is now the godmother
of Serenade of the Seas.
"The ship is now cruising out of New York and in November I'll be running the marathon to benefit Cystic Fibrosis." Williams said. "Folks in Miami have raised $300 thousand which will go to CF if I start and finish the race."
He's training hard and has lost 20 lbs so far. His waist is down to 31.Inches. He runs at least eight miles every morning in the park.
The Captain told me that a ship is always referred to as a she because of its beauty and grace. And just like a lady the ship always needs lots of tender loving care.
Captain Nikolaos Antalis took command of Serenade of the Seas in Germany. "Normally during its maiden voyage there are usually many problems;" he said. "We have 860 crew members of different nationalities and our executive chef is a woman with a galley staff of 150. To my surprise there were only a few minor problems."
Captain Antalis is Greek, handsome and single so all you single women that sail with the ship inform the captain that Jules Peimer, who interviewed him, sent you. And your cruise will be a memorable one.
The Other Side of the Bed
At the premiere party for the Sundance Film Series, The Other Side of the Bed, the first of four films shown in ten cities throughout the country, director Emilio Martinez-Lazaro told me that it all started with an uncompleted script written by a young writer that contained several scenes, which caught his attention.
"It was an extremely long process
completing the film," he said. "Originally the script
presented to the producers included some scenes combining story
and singing. They were not sure how to present it properly.
We had planned to have the actors mouth the original singers'
voices. It was finally resolved when they decided to have the
songs performed by the actors."
Martinez-Lazaro definitely believes in improvisation to a certain point. "I permit my actors to improvise only during rehearsals. Once rehearsals are over I stick strictly to the script."
The Other Side of the Bed is a delightfully titillating enjoyable movie that will arouse your libido.
Seen at the party held at the Kenneth Cole Store on Fifth Avenue were film's actress Natalia Verbeke, Sylvia Miles and Sabrina Lloyd, who stars in Dopamine that will be released October 10th.
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July, 2003
CafÈ Society, Before Its Time
In 1939 jazz lover Barney Josephson made a strong racial statement when he launched CafÈ Society in Greenwich Village where not only blacks and whites performed together but they also catered to blacks and whites.
It was always said, CafÈ Society was the wrong place for the right people.
Executive director Linda Herring told me little-known Billie Holiday opened the club that thrived in two locations for twenty years.
She said, The cafÈ presented performers that went on to fame and fortune as Lena Horne, Big Joe Turner, Hazel Scott, Mildred Bailey, instrumentalists Art Tatum, Lester Young, Burt Ives, Teddy Wilson and comics Imogene Coca, Zero Mostel and Carol Channing.
Tribecca Performing Arts Center has relived those wondrous times. It has presented a musical revue CafÈ Society. A highly entertaining fast paced two-hour revue with a tremendously talented ensemble of sixteen performers.
Highlights of the musicalís 42 songs were I'm Just Wild About Harry, I Cover The Waterfront, Lucky Old Moon, God Bless The Child, Good Morning Heartache and Strange Fruit.
CafÈ Society was produced by Linda Herring and written and directed by, renowned performer, recording artist and actor Adam Wade.
HBO's My House In Umbria
premiere party at the Four Season's Restaurant.
Movie to air on May 25 on HBO
"Hug me," Dame Maggie Smith told me at HBO's My House In Umbria premiere party at the Four Season's Restaurant.
I had told her I was so affected by her brilliant, mesmerizing and poignantly heart-tearing performance that I wanted to hug and comfort her and say, "Everything will be all right."
I couldn't refuse. Imagine being hugged by Dame Maggie Smith, one of the greatest actresses of screen and theater. My feelings were inexplicable. She's quite a woman.
Emmy Blake, who plays a child in shock and unable to speak after her parents were killed in a bomb explosion said, "It was hard to do those scenes since I have a big mouth and love to talk."
I asked Marisa Berenson to critique the movie. She said, "I'm not a critic but I'll tell you exactly how I feel. It was absolutely magical."
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Chris Cooper, Dame Maggie Smith, Emmy Clarke and Executive producer Frank Doelger. ...............Publicist Debbie Bancroft & Marisa Berenson.
An Irishman Has Taken
Over
At the premiere party for Joel Schumacher's new film Phone Booth, a 20th Century release, heartthrob Colin Farrell - who is destined for super-stardom - told me that he has been extremely lucky since meeting Joel Schumacher.
He studied at a Theater Guild in Dublin for a couple of years, made a few films and did a lot of TV. "Then I got lucky," said Farrell. "I met with Joel. After a few readings he offered me a part in Tigerland. Since then I did a few movies so I owe him a lot of gratitude."
Colin Farrell, a sleazy publicist, hears a phone ringing in a public phone booth on 53rd St. and 8th Avenue, NYC. He picks it up and is told that if he hangs up he will be shot.
Phone Booth is a tension-packed riveting film that will keep you glued to your seat to the very end
Making Phone Booth has been quite difficult for him. "Twelve hours every day. Shooting in that f-----g phone booth nearly drove me crazy. I found making films in Ireland were more laid back.
"I was so into making the movie that I didn't pay any attention to the funny stuff going on around me"
It's easy to see why people, especially women are attracted to him. He's accessible, friendly and handsome and has a wonderful sense of humor. He says exactly what he feels and at times uses barroom language to express his feelings, which no one seems to mind.
"I love premiere parties," Farrell said "So many beautiful women to dance with and love."
What is his secret with the ladies? "I got a mother and two sisters back in Ireland. They taught me to respect and love women and that's what I do. Love and respect them."
Liz Smith, Dominick Dunn, Ralph Lauren, director Joel Schumacher and co-star Katie Holmes were just a few of the celebrities seen at the premiere and party.
 Joel
Schumacher & Colin Farrell |
 Katie
Holmes |
Italians Answer to My Big Fat Greek Wedding
General Art's Kiss The Bride, winner of many awards and the Italian's answer to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, opened it's Eighth Annual Film Festival at the Loews Lincoln Square Theater.
Starring a wonderful ensemble of actors,
Vanessa Parise, Brook Langton, Monet Mazur, Amanda Detmer,
Alyssa Milano, Jonathon Schaech. Sean Patrick Flanery,
Talia Shire and Burt Young gave formidable performance
as the family gathers for their daughter's wedding.
 Johnathon
Schaech & Amenda Detmer.J |
"It took me six months to learn how to write a screenplay and another six months to write it," said screenwriter and first-time director Vanessa Parise.
"After raising the money," she said, "shooting the film became a family affair and a labor of love since it was based upon my family."
To keep the budget down, her family helped whenever it was necessary.
After reading the script Jonathon Schaech thought it had great possibilities so he decided to do the film.
"I enjoyed shooting the movie and loved working with such wonderful actors," he said.
His latest film Judas & Jesus, shot in Morocco, was completed in 2001. He played Judas;
"Here we are with a group of Islamic men praying with them during a religious film about Jesus Christ," Schaech said. "They kept telling me he was one of their prophets and not the messiah. I made a lot of Arab friends and then coming home a month before the 9/11 tragedy, was a strange experience."
Schaech believes the film's release has been delayed because of the problems throughout the world. "The film needs to be seen," he said. "It's all about forgiveness which right now it's what we need in our lives."
The producers, who are still searching for actors to portray Superman and Montgomery Cliff, should consider Schaech..
He would be perfect for both roles. Has the looks and strength to be Superman.
And also has the handsomeness, sensitivity and acting ability to be Montgomery Cliff.
Volvo Recognizes Heroes
"For our 75th Anniversary Volvo decided to do something different,"
said Vic Doolan, President & CEO of Volvo Cars of North
America, at the 2003 Volvo For Life Awards ceremony held at New
York Times Square Studios
"In recognition of real life heroes, the Volvo for Life Awards were created to honor every day people that do extraordinary deeds."
Of the 2,036 names received from every state throughout our nation Volvo chose fifty semi-finalists, then ten finalists," said Doolan.. "It was an almost impossible task to choose three Volvo For Life Award winners, so we asked Hank Aaron, Senator Bill Bradley, Dr. Jane Goodall, Maya Lin, Dr. Sally Ride and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to make that decision."
The ever funny and talented Jim Belushi should be complimented for the wonderful job he did as host for the evening.. When the videotape sound failed he went into an impromptu act that had the guests applauding.
The three top winners, each receiving $10 thousand and $50 thousand for their favorite charity, were: Pamela Stack, who was stabbed multiple times, beaten and strangled by her estranged husband.. Over the past 12 years she has helped hundreds of women and children leave abusive relationships.
Bao Xiong, came to Wausau, Wisconsin as a refugee with four children and spoke little English. She learned that Hmong women in the 4,000-member community also had no education. She studied hard. Earned a degree as a social worker and is now helping the women to improve their lives.
Robert Young, owner of a successful sportswear company, heard the story of three Native American elders who froze to death in their homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, simply because they did not have adequate housing. He also discovered thousands of other Native Americans elders and families in a similar plight. Robert sold his company in 1995 and founded the Red Feather Development Group where he serves as director.
When it was announced that Robert Young was the grand winner, receiving a new Volvo every three years for life, Doolan said, "I was hoping the winner would be 86 years old."
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 Vic
Doolan, Jim Belushi, Billye and Hank Aaron. |
New York Jets Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner
Among the Jets seen mingling with guests at the first New York Jets Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, were Randy Beverly, Emerson Boozer, Kevin Mawae, Bobby Jackson, Marty Lyons, Freeman McNeil, Gregory Murphy, John Nitti, Ken Schroy and Anthony Becht.
Chefs from New York's finest restaurants including Waldy Malouf of Beacon, Ken Callaghan of Blue Smoke, John Mooney of Heartbeat, Uwe Toedter of Hilton New York, David Walzog and Cenovio Canalizio of Monkey Bar, Shin Tsujmura of Nobu, Todd English (also owner) of Olives, David Walzog and Rene Lenger of Strip House, Sam Hazen of Tao and Stephen Lewandowski of Tribeca Grill offered their signature dishes to charity minded guests.
"Now that we had another year of playing together, we're a much better team" said Jets' Becht and Mawae. "We're on our way to the Superbowl."
Proceeds from the NFL-sanctioned event, sponsored by the NY Jets, ShopRite Supermarkets, Kraft and Nabisco, will be used to feed children and the homeless in the United states.
 Anthony
Becht |
 Kevin
Mawae |
JULES
PEIMER