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Tag: Julie Andrews

  • MGM plans Pink Panther reboot with Julie Andrews

    MGM plans Pink Panther reboot with Julie Andrews

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)’s chairman and CEO Gary Barber and president of motion picture group Jonathan Glickman announced on 31 March that it is currently in the process for producing a full-length hybrid animation and live-action feature film based on the animated Pink Panther character.

     

    Walter Mirisch, executive producer of the original Pink Panther films and television series will serve as the producer of the new film, along with Academy Award-winning actress, Julie Andrews (The Princess Diaries), wife of the late director Blake Edwards. David Silverman (The Simpsons Movie, Monsters, Inc.) will direct.  The Pink Panther character originated a remarkable fifty years ago.

     

    The new caper film will focus on the character, rather than inspector Clouseau, and will reminisce back to the tone shared by the original Friz Freleng and David De Patie cartoons as well as that of Blake Edwards’ films.

     

    “We are incredibly proud to re-introduce the Pink Panther to a brand new generation in such a fresh way. Even more exciting is the chance to work again with our dear friends Walter Mirisch and Julie Andrews, as well as the talented David Silverman, whose enthusiasm convinced us to ‘Think Pink!’,” said Glickman in a press statement.

     

    “I am delighted that the legacy of Blake’s iconic Pink Panther franchise will continue to grow in its new hybrid form. It is exciting that the quintessential ‘next step’ for our beloved Panther will be enjoyed by a fourth generation of audiences. I feel that Blake is encouraging us on,” said Andrews in the statement.

     

    For fifty years, the Pink Panther has been one of the most beloved characters in the history of film. There are a select few animated characters who have reached the level of popularity and longevity that the Pink Panther has achieved.  Next to James Bond, The Pink Panther movie franchise is one of the longest running in cinematic history, boasting 11 feature films, spanning five decades. The films have won 2 Academy Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards and the Grammy Award-winning theme song by the legendary music composer Henry Mancini (Breakfast at Tiffany’s) still stands today as one of the greatest themes of all time.

  • ‘Sound of Music’ commemorates 40 years; DVD launched

    ‘Sound of Music’ commemorates 40 years; DVD launched

     MUMBAI: Sound of Music, is commemorating the completion of 40 years. The Event is been celebrated in India with the launch of an exclusive 40th anniversary edition DVD.

    The DVD released by Excel Home Videos (Indian licensee for Twentieth Century Fox) will feature a contest in association with Austrian National Tourist Office and Austrian Airlines for a four day trip to Salzburg, Austria the location where the classic was filmed, asserts an official release.

    The contest is open till the 31 December.The DVD will also feature a 40th anniversary reunion of the cast and crew, remembrance by Julie Andrews and host of other collector’s material.

    Austrian National Tourist Office director Christine Mukharji said, “The movie has a wide following in India, like many parts of the world. We are extremely pleased to host fans from India as a part of the 40th year celebrations of the classic.”

    Excel Home Videos managing director M.N Kapasi added, “The movie with its memorable music has struck a chord with generations of movie buffs across continents and age groups to be synonymous with the term classic. The wide following it enjoys in India, with its script in line with Indian sensibilities, is well established by the consistent demand for its DVD over the years. This 40th anniversary edition will commemorate the special bonding the movie shares with millions of its fans.”

    Austrian Airlines country manager Bernhard Baeck said, “The event is a fitting tribute to the movie that has inspired and connected with generations of movie lovers across the world.”

    According to International websites like (Boxofficemojo, Amazon), the film ranks third in both all-time number of tickets sold behind Gone with the Wind and Star Wars this along with its success around the world in sales of tickets, video cassettes, laserdiscs, DVDs and its frequent airings on television, it is called the most widely seen movie produced by a Hollywood studio, adds the release.

  • Sir Elton John receives Disney Legends award

    Sir Elton John receives Disney Legends award

    MUMBAI: A couple of days ago US media conglomerate Disney honoured legendary songwriter and singer Sir Elton John, as well as 11 additional inductees, with the Disney Legends Award.

    Disney president and CEO Robert Iger says, “This annual ceremony, now in its 19th year, gives all of us at Disney a moment to remember the importance of our past achievements and to recognise those who embody this company’s constant focus on delivering unparalleled creativity, quality and innovation to our audiences around the world. As we continue the tradition this year, we also mark a special milestone as we welcome our 200th Disney Legend.”

    The other new Disney Legends include ABC News anchor Peter Jennings; Actors Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran (Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, Mickey Mouse Club); Actors Tim Considine and David Stollery (The Adventures of Spin and Marty); 
    Actress Ginny Tyler (Mickey Mouse Club) 
    and Disney and Pixar animation story artist Joe Ranft.

    The Disney Legends Award was established in 1987 to honour the men and women who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. The first recipient was actor Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), and since that time 203 Disney Legends have been named, including this year’s recipients.

    Among the past Disney Legends are Julie Andrews, Steve Martin, Dick Van Dyke, Annette Funicello, Dean Jones, Angela Lansbury, Fess Parker, Kurt Russell, Tim Allen, Hayley Mills, Phil Collins, Art Linkletter, Tim Conway, Sir Tim Rice, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.