Audio: Lux Radio Theater — “The Thin Man”

With a remake of “The Thin Man” in the news, we thought the time was ripe to share this little gem from our archives:  The Lux Radio Theater’s adaptation of “The Thin Man” with William Powell and Myrna Loy.

This was a special phenomena of old time radio.  Lux would offer condensed versions of hit movies, sometimes when they were still playing in theaters, with as much of the original cast as they could gather.  It was like radio’s version of the network tv premiere.  And who do we have to thank for this genius idea?  Cecil B. Demille and Lux soap.

So just say, “Ready when you are, C.B!”  Hit play.  And enjoy the show!

Johnny Depp Gets “Thin”!

With the Gore Verbinski “Lone Ranger” project on hold, due to budget issues, Johnny Depp is currently eying the prospects of doing a remake of Dashiell Hammet’s “The Thin Man”.  The original adaptation of this story of the married detective team of Nick and Nora Charles, staring William Powell (above) and Myrna Loy, spawned a successful series of films which ran from 1934-1947.   There was also a successful radio show and TV show.  And unofficial remakes like “McMillan and Wife”  and “Hart to Hart” .  In short, this is an idea that’s worked and worked and worked.  The Depp version will be produced and directed by Pirates 4 helmer Rob Marshall.  Guess, Depp can’t quit him.

So what do you think of this idea for a Depp project?  And who do you think Depp’s Nora Charles should be?

Depp and King Take a Journey to “THE VAULT”!

Back in June, we previewed an exciting comic book series called “The Vault”.  And it seems we weren’t the only one excited about this undersea adventure.  Super producer Graham King has snatched up the film rights.  And the film will be produced by his company (GK Films) in conjunction with Infinitum Nihil (Johnny Depp’s production company).  Sam Sarkar, the author of “The Vault”, is an executive at Infinitum Nihil.  The first issue of the comic hit shelves last week, and has already sold out!  If you haven’t yet picked up this comic, we urge you to tell your comic store.  The company needs this pressure to get a second print going.

Johnny Depp Discusses DARK SHADOWS Film!

In a recent interview with MTV, Johnny discussed his role in the upcoming movie remake of cult favorite Horror soap  “Dark Shadows”.    He will play vampire Barnabas Collins the role originated by actor Jonathan Frid.   The film will be directed by frequent Depp collaborator Tim Burton.   Depp discusses his approach to the part:

For me, even the conversations I’ve had with Tim, what Jonathan Frid did with that character and that classic look he created, I find it very difficult to stray very far from that … I think it’s going to be somewhere in that arena, with maybe just a couple of different touches here and there. There’s something about this vampire coming back after 200 years into this modern world, with a touch of the poetic, with maybe a tendency to maybe wax a little poetic now and again. I have a good feeling about it. But Jonathan Frid’s Barnabas was so special.

All good news to fans of the series.

PIRATES 5 Script Already Commissioned!

Pirates of the Caribbean 4:  On Strange Tides is months from opening,  but Disney already has their eye on the next film in the series.   They’ve even opened their wallet too!  Today they  closed a deal with Pirates scribe Terry Rossio to pen the next film in the series.  Rossio has co-written all the previous films, but this marks the first one he’ll write without long-time collaborator Ted Elliot.   And a little mouse tells us they’ve also begun talks to with first time Pirates series helmer  Rob Marshall.   Clearly, Disney wants this golden goose alive and kicking.

Anne Rice Wants Johnny Depp to Play Jesus!

In a recent interview with Chuck Palahniuk’s website The Cult, Anne Rice had this to say about actors who might play Jesus in a film adaptation of one of her novels:

Well, for the man Jesus, I have always wanted Johnny Depp. I think he would be exactly the person to radiate the goodness and gentleness of Jesus. I think he would be extraordinary. But there are other people who could do it. There’s a great English actor, Richard Armitage, that I think would be wonderful as Jesus. There are quite a few young British actors who I think could do it, but that’s just who springs to mind right now. I don’t think Johnny Depp wants to do it, but I don’t know, maybe he would. It would be wonderful to me if he did. You know who else could do it, is the same person who played him for Mel Gibson, James Caviezel. But I don’t think he would want to play Jesus again.

UK readers will know Richard Armitage (below) for his roles in “Robin Hood” and “Spooks”.

Disney Suits Feared that Captain Jack Sparrow was Gay!

In an upcoming interview with Johnny Depp in Vanity Fair, the actor said that higher-ups at Disney were initially worried by his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean.   He recalls one of the executives querrying him about the character:

‘What’s wrong with him? Is he, you know, like some kind of weird simpleton? Is he drunk? By the way, is he gay?’

Depp, wishing to have some fun with the exec, responded:

‘But didn’t you know that all my characters are gay?”

According to Deep, this greatly disturbed the exec.

Video: New WONDERLAND Trailer Focuses on Depp

Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter takes center stage in this new trailer for Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton’s take on the Lewis Carroll classic.

PIRATES 4 Gains New “Powers”!

Author Tim Powers confirmed that his novel On Stranger Tides was optioned recently to become the basis for Pirates of Caribbean 4.  Powers’ 1988 historical fantasy seems a good fit for the franchise.  It features a pirate named Jack and his search for the fountain of youth.  The film will be titled Pirates of the Caribbean:  On Stranger Tides.  It will hit theaters in the summer of 2011.   The novel was re-issued in 2006 and is currently available on Amazon and in quality bookstores everywhere.

Video: THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS (Trailer)

Brand new trailer for Terry Gilliam’s latest fim The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, featuring the final performance of Heath Ledger.  Looks stunning.

The film will be released in Europe this fall, but no news yet on a US release date.