Chapter 552: Hollywood is about to reshuffle again?
"The first lady of Broadway passed away, just in March." Jessica Tandy was sitting next to Ronald in the car and whispered to him.
"You mean Ms. Helen Hayes? I saw the obituary and it was very sad."
The double-acting queen of Broadway and Hollywood, who has met Ronald several times, is the first woman to win an EGOT (a grand slam of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards).
He died of heart failure at home in March this year at the age of ninety-three. By Chinese standards, it was a time of joy and mourning, but not a tragic event.
The last time she met Ronald and appeared in public was at the Elephant Party National Convention in 1988 when George Sr. was nominated for leadership.
"Helen's last days were very painful. If she hadn't died so suddenly, she would probably have asked you for an interview."
"Me? Why?" Ronald was a little surprised. He didn't have much involvement with the old lady, so why did he go to him?
Jessica Tandy explained it in detail. This matter is still the greatest misfortune for an old man.
Helen Hayes had no adult biological children, only an adopted stepson named James MacArthur.
James MacArthur once worked as a Disney child star and acted in a TV series on CBS. Later, he semi-retired due to various reasons. He had a very poor relationship with his mother and rarely visited Nyack's home in New York.
The news media did not report much on this, but there was one incident that clearly showed Helen Hayes' distrust of her adopted son.
The executor of her will is not her adopted son, but her old sister, Lillian Gish. Gish was the first big star in the silent film era and was a disciple of Griffiths who laid down the narrative rules of Hollywood directors.
Lillian Gish is known as the "First Lady of Hollywood", her status was basically equal to that of Helen Hayes at the time, and she was also the godmother of her adopted son James MacArthur. Gish's acting career was longer than that of Helen Hayes
Even better, her last film was "August Whales" with Bette Davis in 1986.
Gish was already ninety-four years old at the time. On the set, she could compete with Bette Davis to see who would be the leading actress. The two of them even fought over who had the signature first on the poster. It was magical.
What's more, Gish also won.
But here's the problem. Lillian Gish was born in 1893, and she passed away three weeks before Helen Hayes died.
Helen Hayes was grief-stricken, and even talked to Jessica Tandy, who could speak well, about the arrangements for her will. Helen Hayes was in Nyack, in the white building overlooking the Hudson River.
The house will be inherited by Gish. After Gish passes away, the house will be sold and the money will be donated to the charity project that Helen Hayes has led throughout her life, the Helen Hayes Charity Hospital named after her.
But the sudden death of Helen Hayes made the old will invalid and no new will existed. The house was inherited by her adopted son. Her life-long effort, Helen Hayes Charity Hospital, would also lose her most caring godmother.
, it is very likely that you will suffer a financial crisis.
"Ms. Tandy, I also appreciate Ms. Hayes' philanthropic deeds, but there is definitely no way to do this legally. I am not..."
"That house, Ronald...when Helen called me, she said if anyone could save her hospital, it was you."
"Oh..." Ronald agreed, thinking of the quiet house on a hill overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan on the other side of the river. The white building was full of Latin style, and the location was very feng shui.
, you can see the bustling city, and there is a river blocking it, so there is no interference. It is really a good place to take a break from the bustle.
"Don't worry, Ms. Tandy, I'll call the lawyer and see what I can do. Even if it doesn't work out, I'll find other ways to keep the Helen Hayes Charity Hospital going and use it forever.
This name."
"Good boy, I know you will..."
After sending Mr. and Mrs. Tandy home, Ronald showed his face at the party and discussed with lawyer Lindsay Dole. The hospital matter can be cleared with the New York State Senator. Houses are indeed in a very scarce and good location.
Having your own boat makes traveling between Manhattan and Nyack very convenient.
Lindsay Dole will later represent Ronald in negotiating with Helen Hayes' adopted son about purchasing the house. Because the house is too old and in disrepair, her adopted son has actually had it listed for a long time and cannot sell it at the ideal price.
…
After handling the premiere in New York, Ronald rushed back to Los Angeles to attend the premiere there. This time he attended the premiere with Diane.
Director Nora Ephron, who was originally very nervous in New York, was all smiles when she arrived at the premiere in New York. Her husband also attended with her, which was completely different from the nervous look she had in New York.
Simultaneously with the New York premiere, Samsung Pictures held test screenings in 850 theaters across the country. The results of this test screening were very good. Without any large-scale publicity in advance, the occupancy rate was actually 75%.
…
The biggest reason may be that the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief William and First Lady Rodham wanted to watch this movie. The Commander-in-Chief is also a movie lover, and the screening room in the West Wing of the White House has restored its old version.
With the busyness of Ronald's tenure, it is believed that William watched two or three movies every week.
After Columbia learned about it, they made this a selling point, highlighting "Sleepless in Seattle", which is a very rare summer date movie. Unlike "Jurassic Park", which is suitable for teenagers and families, "Sleepless in Seattle"
It's a typical movie that a man and a woman go to watch.
With this theme, the marketing plan is also very good. Many theaters have signed cooperation agreements with Columbia Distribution Company. Couples who watch this movie will receive a small chocolate gift.
The morning after the test screening, the Cinema Score audience ratings were also released. The romantic comedy received an A rating, which means it is very promising.
The marketing on television used the slogan "When Harry Met Sally 1993". Because the television station mainly targeted male viewers, Ronald and Tom Hanks became the main actors.
Marketing target. Encourage men who have a partner they like to ask women out to watch this movie. The success rate may increase significantly.
What makes Nora Ephron even more relieved is that Roger Ebert gave the movie three stars (which is a very high score for a romantic comedy). He also used disgusting words of praise, saying that it was 40.
The direct successor to the traditional romantic comedy of the 1960s. Nora Ephron used the style of the golden age to direct a film that is both physically and mentally enjoyable.
Ebert also said that the casting of this movie was particularly successful. Tom Hanks has a sense of alienation, which makes it easier for the audience to take his perspective, rather than a simple man who falls in love at first sight. Meg Ryan is particularly special
Efron is good at this kind of romantic drama, and Efron also kept the two of them apart for most of the movie, creating audience expectations.
"As short as a talk show, as staged as a late night show, but so warm and tender that it made me smile all the way."
Ronald dictated the last line of Ebert's film review to Nora Ephron at the premiere, which was enough to make her smile from ear to ear.
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson also flew to Los Angeles together. He happily chatted with Efron and Ronald. It was obvious that everyone was in a relaxed mood. This box office is expected to be their next Monday
Agents can receive more offers for popular scripts.
"What do other film critics say?" Several creators didn't know what other film critics said, so they all asked Ronald, who had already read the sample draft in advance.
"Vincent Canby of The New York Times likened it to the greatest romance film since 'Love Story' in the 1970s, saying that no film manipulates emotions so deftly and predictably and produces such delightful emotions.
Effect."
Ronald also smiled and shared some wonderful movie reviews with the two of them.
"Oh, hahaha, Ronald, I'm sorry..." Nora Ephron laughed and joked with Ronald. If the "love story" of the 1970s is counted, the New York Times film review means
, but "Sleepless Night" directed by her was even better than "When Harry Met Sally" directed by Ronald.
Ronald shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly and made a funny move, which also filled the air with a happy atmosphere.
"What, what are you talking about?"
At the premiere in Los Angeles, another star Meg Ryan also came, and her husband Dennis Quaid also attended.
"Hahaha..." Meg Ryan heard what they were discussing and joined in, saying that the film critics' evaluations were accurate. Everyone made fun of Ronald, knowing that he didn't mind the evaluation of the directing techniques of this kind of commercial film.
Ronald made a crying gesture as he rubbed his eyes with his hands, causing Diane to join in the laughter.
Among so many people present, there was only one person who was incompatible with this cheerful atmosphere, and that was Meg Ryan's husband Dennis Quaid.
He had a beard, and his whole face was swollen, as if he had just undergone facial reconstruction surgery. Not only did he not smile very much, but he also looked at other people with a subtle expression, which seemed to be mixed with jealousy.
He was unwilling to do so, but his face was stiff and there were some expressions that Ronald was not sure of.
But Ronald still didn't like him. He himself dressed very smartly, but his wife, Meg Ryan, the protagonist of the movie, only wore a dress and a necklace. The whole person had a haggard expression, as if she had been consumed by family affairs.
She has too much mental strength.
After everyone dispersed, Ronald clicked his tongue and shook his head secretly. Dennis Quaid's position has been surpassed by his wife. Whether it is the media, film reviews, or salary, he has fallen behind Meg Ryan.
The scripts he received were far less important. Dennis Quaid started to increase the number of movies he starred in last year, but unfortunately they were all very cheap and low-cost productions. The only one that cost slightly more money was with Meg Ray
En acted together. To put it bluntly, he just took advantage of his wife's celebrity status.
Ronald also saw a bit of a pull between the two people walking away. Dennis Quaid raised his hand in a big move, as if to shake Meg Ryan away.
"God, don't start a fight here." Ronald thought to himself: Why are these two people so exhausted? Is there going to be a fight on the spot?
Fortunately, Meg Ryan swallowed her anger and appeased her husband. The two of them went in first and did not sit with everyone. They only saw Dennis Quaid's eyes, staring at Tom Hanks with deep meaning.
side.
"Are you jealous of Tom's film appointment?" Ronald touched his chin.
"Did the plot of your movie offend him?" Diane had a different view, holding Ronald's arm and whispering.
"What?" Ronald didn't understand.
"During Sleepless Night in Seattle, didn't Annie dump her fiancé? She ran away with a man she had only met once..."
"No way? It's not... it's not... right?"
Ronald was also a little confused. It was hard to say that a wife's career would be more successful than her husband's. There were many precedents in Hollywood where the husband would become suspicious and sensitive... which would eventually lead to divorce.
Quite a few.
At this premiere in Los Angeles, everyone saw that the film had good prospects. Guber lowered his temper and invited many industry executives to attend. Presumably he wanted to take the credit for himself.
This chapter is not over yet, please click the next page to continue reading the exciting content! In addition to meeting Tom Arnold who is preparing for "True Lies" and a few other celebrities who are familiar with him and come to support him, Ronald has a lot left.
They are all senior executives of the company.
It turned out that Barry Diller, the junior boss of 20th Century Fox, who recently resigned and ran away, also attended with his wife.
He wanted to buy shares in Fox but was rejected by Australian Rupert, so he knew he had no future there. Now he sold his shares to cash in and went out on his own. Presumably he hoped to do something by leveraging his rich connections in the industry.
At this kind of premiere of major studios, he might be able to get some news and reconnect with some of his former friends and subordinates. It's not surprising that Ronald would appear here.
Another executive, Ronald didn't expect that Disney's Katzenberg also came. Katzenberg, wearing big black-rimmed glasses, came over to say hello to Ronald first, and then to Barry.
Diller said hello.
Seeing that they seemed to be exchanging information, Ronald frowned and directly tested, "What? Is any major Hollywood studio about to undergo major changes?"
This sentence obviously exceeded the two people's expectations. After another exchange of looks, Barry Diller spoke again and asked Ronald, "What, what news did you hear?"
"Not at all, I just rarely see such heavyweights as you two at premieres in Colombia."
"Isn't that what Hollywood is like? Here today, there tomorrow," Katzenberg started laughing.
"Isn't it? When I was in DC, guess who I saw? Levi Wasserman!" Ronald's heart moved and he began to beat around the bush... "He is a legend in our industry. He started as an agent.
, to founding the largest agency in Hollywood, and finally joining a major studio..."
When Katzenberg and Barry Diller heard what Ronald said, they obviously thought of something. Seeing that their goal had been achieved, Ronald stopped bothering...
…
"Good guy, the marketing strategy really works..."
At the end of the first weekend, Ronald got the box office statistics of Sleepless in Seattle and was very happy.
Sleepless Night in Seattle has more than 1,500 theaters, and it has a first-weekend box office of 17 million. The average per theater is only a few hundred dollars behind Jurassic Park. It completely defeated the more than 2,000-plus theaters that Warner Bros. invested heavily in.
"Dennis the Menace," a children's comedy imitating the Home Alone series, was released in theaters and ranked second on the box office list.