CELEB SIGHTINGS 29–NOVEMBER 2013

November was a juicy one, between all the SAG Nominating Committee screenings with celebrities speaking after, and the American Music Awards. On some of the days, I would double-dip sightings, but I listed them separately this time, to give each one his or her due. Or because they were so disparate. Let’s get to the highlights.

Colin Farrell, Emma Thompson, and Tom Hanks.
Photo by Karen Salkin.

11/6/13 The stage at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood was utterly aglow after the SAG Nominating Committee screening of Saving Mr. Banks, the story of the making of the Disney film, Mary Poppins. All six main stars were there: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, and BJ Novak. I must say that it was one of the most entertaining Q&A sessions I’ve witnessed for many seasons, and all six participants were witty and informative. I had never been a fan of Colin Farrell before, but I want to tell you he made the biggest impression of all of them on me. And now I know what neighborhood he lives in! Big mistake on his part.

11/6/13 I never know who else is selected to be on the SAG Nominating Committee with me, so it’s interesting to see a familiar face in a screening audience from time to time. As I was leaving the one for Saving Mr. Banks at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, (which I mentioned above,) I spied 80’s TV star Joan Van Ark doing the same. I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her without her husband.

Harrison Ford. Photo by Karen Salkin.

11/10/13 Here’s one I’ve never seen before, in all my years in show business: Harrison Ford! He was the lone actor interviewed after a screening of the Jackie Robinson biopic, 42, in Hollywood. (Ford played Dodgers President, Branch Rickey.) He was as low-key and boring as I knew he would be, but, dressed-up in a suit, he looked a heck of a lot better than I expected.

11/10/13 Former Barney Miller star, Max Gail, who is also in 42, (and had scenes with Harrison,) sitting in the audience, watching Harrison Ford talk about his own movie!!! Strange, but maybe he was doing espionage to see if Harrison would mention him.

(From L to R):Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson, Dermot Mulroney, Juliette Lewis, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, and George Clooney.

11/11/13 Talk about star power!!! The season’s first official screening of August: Osage County in Westwood Village, (at one of the few real movie theatres left in all of Los Angeles, which seats seventeen hundred patrons!,) featured a Q&A session with stars Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Juliette Lewis, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, Julianne Nicholson, and producer George Clooney. George was his usual entertaining self, but, in my opinion, Dermot stole the show. For example, when Julia mentioned that teen-age actress Abigail Breslin had the biggest condo of them all, Dermot quipped, “And she deserved it; she’s really paid her dues!” Loved him!

11/12/13 Britain’s Ralph Fiennes doing a rare Q&A in West Hollywood after the first industry screening of The Invisible Woman, which he both directed and starred in. Who knew he was mostly bald?

Tim Conway, signing his book. Photo by Karen Salkin.

11/12/13 Comedy veteran Tim Conway signing his new memoir, What’s So Funny?: My Hilarious Life, in the lobby of Beverly Hill’s Saban Theatre, (formerly the Wilshire.) Spotted among the many well-wishers were old-time singer Pat Boone, and stand-up comedienne Geri Jewell.

11/14/13 Chiwetel Ejiofor, handsome star of 12 Years a Slave, speaking after a screening of the hard-to-watch film in Hollywood. The acoustics were awful for that one, so I don’t know much of what was said, but he looked good saying it!

Zoe Saldana and Casey Affleck, listening intently to a question from the audience. Photo by Karen Salkin.

11/16/13 Even though Christian Bale lived up to his last name, and “bailed” on the Q&A for the first industry screening of the difficult-to-forget-though-I-wish-I-could (because of the violence) film, Out Of The Furnace, the fort was ably held down by Casey Affleck and Zoe Saldana. Well, actually, Casey’s contributions were great, honest, and insightful, while Zoe just concentrated on speaking with those phony actress-y hand gestures that I abhor.

11/23/13 Dancing With The Stars pro Tony Dovolani, and JLo beau Casper Smart, (whose first name really is Beau!,) at the GBK gifting suite to honor the next night’s American Music Awards. Though not together at the event, held in Beverly Hills’ prestigious L’Ermitage Hotel, they both appeared to be having a great time. (If you missed the deets, you can read all about the festivities right here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/gifting-suite-gbk-gift-lounge-honoring-the-2013-american-music-awards.)

11/29/13 I ended the month off with a bang by seeing not only Bradley Cooper, but also Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner speaking after the first industry screening of American Hustle. And on top of that, head honcho Harvey Weinstein was sitting right in the row in front of me for the whole thing!