Casey Anthony...sentenced! Lawyer tries to hoodwink Judge! Release July 13th!

If you caught the sentencing hearing for Casey Anthony bright-and-early this morning, it should have been obvious (as it was to moi!) that a defense lawyer for the accused attempted to pull a fast one on the Judge.

But, the old coot was sharp and wasn't fooled by the deceitful ploy!

For example, at the last-minute a wimpy female lawyer approached the podium to request that a "motion" - to consider misdemeanor counts 4, 5, 6, and 7 as one sole count - be granted by the Court.

The legal eagle argued that there was no "pause for reflection" when each statement was made to Police Officers - and thus - amounted to one continuing "lie" - and not - "four distinct separate falsehoods" as alleged by the prosecution.

In sum, counsel took the position that a failure to recognize the niggling point, may result in legal error on the grounds of  "double-jeopardy".

The fact that the defense neglected to deliver the "motion" into the hands of the Judge prior to the sentencing hearing for a proper review was highly suspect (in my estimation).

In fact, at one point, the Judge interrupted the lawyer and cut to the chase.

"I don't have a copy of that motion."

The shrinking violets's response spoke volumes!

"I handed it to the clerk. I'm sorry, I forgot to ask that it be given to you."

Bullshit!

If 'ya ask me, it was an intentional maneuver on the part of the defense counsel to gain the upper hand.

Fortunately, the intelligent Judge took a moment to secure the documents in question, review the facts, and allegations, and applicable case law before he proceeded.

Nice try, counsel!

In the end, the Judge noted that like the rulings pertaining to Count 1, Count 2, and Count 3 - the Jury was also crystal clear - about their findings in respect to Count 4, 5, 6, and 7.

If you read between the lines, it is evident that the deceitful conduct of the defense lawyers backfired!

Notwithstanding, in view of the outrage that swept the country in the wake of the verdict yesterday, I just betcha the Judge's decision to give the maximum sentence for each count was - not only a way to appease the American people - but also pave the way for a "cooling off" period so folks could settle down emotionally.

By the way, Anthony was sentenced to 1 year in jail for each count (for a total of four years) and a $1,000.00 fine for each offense.

When credit for time served was applied, it was determined that Casey Anthony should be released on-or-about July 13th (if she survives in jail, that is).

Baby killers and rapists are often the victims of mysterious deaths while incarcerated, after all!

May God forgive you, Casey Anthony, for your heinous crimes.

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Peter Falk...Memories of a kind-hearted actor! Oh, just one more thing!

I, along with many others in the industry, was saddened by the news that well-respected actor - Peter Falk - passed to spirit over the weekend.

Mr. Falk was best-known for his delightful characterization of "Detective Columbo" which he fleshed out with distinctive style on the long-running highly-rated drama series.

However, Falk was also blessed with a remarkable multi-faceted career which spanned several decades.

In one of his early television appearances (a just-blossoming medium) Falk drew rave notices (and snapped up his 1st Emmy Award) for an off-beat portrayal of a truck driver on the ever-popular "Dick Powell Show".

The compassionate actor, born in New York City in 1927, was quite adept on the boards also.

On the heels of being cast as a bartender in "The Iceman Cometh" - talent scouts took notice - and there was no looking back for the humble thespian.

Shortly thereafter - two plum roles in the medium of film landed him Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor - "Murder, Inc." and "A Pocketful of Miracles" respectively.

But, "Columbo" was the character that made the reluctant star a household name around the country.

While the weekly mystery series was in production, I was cast in a cameo role for one episode which featured a plot line that focused on the fascinating realm of the paranormal and a charlatan who used smoke-and-mirrors to commit a murder.

On the set one day, I half-turned, and found myself face-to-face with the rumpled "persona" of Detective Columbo.

I tell 'ya, that was quite a memorable experience, for a fledgling actor to experience.

Mr. Falk possessed a magnetic "aura" which spoke volumes.

Falk fondly relayed his feelings about the Columbo character recently in a heartfelt interview.

"I love him. He's eccentric, oblivious to the impression he makes on people. His obsessiveness is hidden by his graciousness. He has a sly sense of humor, is by nature polite and totally devoid of pretension."

The last two years of his life, Falk suffered from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, which triggered a couple of legal skirmishes in the courts with family members in the inner circle.

In 2009, the court granted a request by his wife to maintain control of his personal care and professional affairs.

According to public records, Mr. Falk was 83 years old when he left this mortal coil.

When God created Falk, he broke the mould.

The talented performer will be missed!

Peace Perfect Peace.

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James Franco...obtains rights to Sal Mineo book! Screen bio in works?

Sal Mineo played both sides of fence sexually!

Folks in West Hollywood are familiar with two facts about actor Sal Mineo

For starters, there were whispers that Sal Mineo walked a tight-rope when it came to his sexual prowess.

Some say, for instance, that he was a wild child - with a hunger for kinky sex - who  played both sides of the fence.

Subsequently, there were quite a few rumors - and alot of outright speculation - that Sal Mineo and screen heart-throb James Dean often liked to tango.

The tales about James Dean weren't new to me.

For a brief period, I rented a small apartment at 1236 N. Harper in West Hollywood, which was known to have been a residence for a handful of luminaries in the business back in the fifties.

For instance, Katherine Hepburn allegedly rented the front suite for a couple of years, before she moved on to larger digs west in Beverly Hills and beyond.

And, the one-bedroom apartment next door was a respite from it all - neighbours have sworn up-and-down about it,  in fact - that James Dean once hung his hat there before he sauntered back east to study acting and pursue serious roles more fervently.

The suites were known for their deep walk-in closets which fueled alot of titillating gossip, too.

It has been rumored that Dean, for instance, engaged in "S & M" romps behind those heavy wooden doors with a posse of actor friends during the heady days of his budding career.

Curiously, several years ago, I crossed paths - and became friends with - an Englishman by the name of Lawrence (Larry) Parnes.

Mr. Parnes, among other things, was not only credited for having discovered the English Pop Singer - Tommy Steele - but was also known to have managed the Beatles when they were the Silver Beatles.

The fab four later became Internationally famous around the globe after signing up with Manager Brian Epstein - who essentially launched their careers - after scooping them up from under Parne's nose.

I mention Parnes in this post in reference to Sal Mineo & James Dean because apparently (while on a trip to America with his parents way back in the 50's) Mr. Parnes crossed paths with - and had a torrid affair with - actor James Dean.

Indeed!

A few years ago - while visiting Mr. Parnes on his estate in the quaint little English town of Rye (coincidientally, he resided on an old country road just down the way from McCartney at the time) he confided to me that he had savored a clandestine affair with Dean way back when.

Allegedly, the impressario (a teen at the time) was strolling along a Los Angeles Street one day on his own - when he spied a handsome young man standing in front of a bar - who gave him a wink and motioned him over for a chat.

"Can I buy 'ya a drink," the rugged dude asked out-of-the-blue.

"But, I'm under age," was Parne's rueful reply.

"That's okay. The bartender is a friend of mine," the  handsome hunk chuckled, as they strolled inside the dark environs of the smokey little watering hole to down an ale or two.

Uh-huh.

The stud was none other than James Dean!

One thing apparently led to another - at which point - Parnes found himself in the sack with Dean.

Although Larry didn't provide any details - he didn't infer by a long shot - that any kind of  S & had gone down on the occasion of their roll-in-the-hay.

So, as to the rumors about Dean - and his alleged hunger for kinky sex (cigarette burns) - I can not attest to whether they are true or not.

An interesting bit of scuttlebutt, though, when one considers the rumors about the two actors - Mineo and Dean - who worked side-by-side on the set of "Rebel Without a Cause".

Bottom line?

What intrigues does James Franco intend to pursue in respect to the Sal Mineo film bio?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

James Franco a Sal Mineo look-a-like?

Ronni Chasen...murder stuns Hollywood power-players!

Shortly before she was murdered the other evening in Beverly Hills - gangland-style - Ronni Chasen posted a "to do" list of chores to carry out the next day at her upscale PR office just a heartbeat away from the site of the ghastly slaying.

And, earlier that evening - the charismatic publicist mingled with the power elite (at a chi-chi after-party for the feature film "Burlesque" starring Cher) - seemingly without a care in the world.

According to industry-insiders, the sixty-four-year-old blond - familiar and well-known in show-biz circles - was well-liked, too.

But, for some inexplicable reason, an assassin plugged her body with half-a-dozen-or-so bullets at approximately 12:28 a.m. on Whittier Drive on a quiet tree-lined drive the other evening.

A neighbour who heard the shots - and glanced out the window a few seconds later - reported that the victim was alone in the car and that no one was spied fleeing from the scene.

Which begs the question.

Was it a spontaneous killing triggered by road rage, perhaps?

Or, was it a planned attack, carried out with expert precision by an unknown assailant?

Ms. Chasen started her professional career as an actress on a soap opera, and over the years, ended up landing a post as a top publicist at MGM Studios.

A seasoned pro in the publicity end of the business, Chasen was considered a top dog, when it came to garnering attention (and much-needed publicity) for a film project.

In recent years, the once-married high-profile Hollywood publicist, worked on successful campaigns for celebrated flicks such as the Oscar-winner "Hurt Locker".

Randall Wallace, the director of "Secretariat" (a current box-office hit), confided to a reporter that he was slated to meet with Ms. Chasen yesterday afternoon to launch an Oscar campaign for that sure-fire contender.

For the most part - friends and business associates recalled that Chasen was a likable individual - and a real down-to-earth charmer.

Meanwhile, one producer - Irwin Winkler - fessed up in an interview with a daily just yesterday, that Chasen tended to be fiercely protective and overly-devoted to her clients.

Apparently, Chasen screamed at the Foreign Press Association (Golden Globe Awards), when they passed over his project "De-Lovely".

Maybe there was an enemy or two lurking in the shadows?

News at 11!

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Harvey Milk...screen bio powerful but flawed!

At the height of the Proposition 8 protests, the producers of "Milk" - the screen bio on gay activist Harvey Milk - released their much-anticipated film in local Theatres.

Needless to say - the issue of "gay rights" - ended up front row center all over the landscape in the past few weeks.

Although "Milk" is a captivating tale that sweeps the audience up into its open arms, respected Gus Vant Sant's attempt to score a commercial Hollywood-style hit ended up splintering the gem.

In the opening scenes, the lens focuses on a Harvey Milk that seems so foreign to us.

Milk is not only slaving away in a mundane job he detests in New York City, but still in the closet sexually, and living a sort-of double life.

In the subway one night - a handsome young man catches his approving eye (played by actor James Franco), and before you can say promiscuous pre-A.I.D.S. days - the strange bedfellows end up in the sack and musing about the future.

Shortly thereafter, the twosome head off to San Francisco to seek a better lifestyle as live-in lovers.

When Milk and his boyfriend set up shop in the Castro area, they suddenly encounter a prejudice against "gays" all around them.

So, out of necessity, Mr. Milk is forced to take action to not only assert his own rights, but those of others around him.

When people think of Milk, they undoubtedly recall that the charming persuasive activist was the first openly gay man to land a post in the public political arena.

However, many are probably unaware of the fact that when Milk first made a couple of bids to run for office, he lost.

In fact - it was not until there was a rezoning of San Francisco neighborhoods (with the specific intent of ensuring diverse communities would have the opportunity to elect one of their "own" to represent their interests in the city politics) that Milk finally won.

Gus Van Sant takes an insightful in-depth foray into that political adventure with great success.

Disturbing footage of Anita Bryant - culled from old news reports and TV Talk show - also dredges up disturbing memories of yesteryear as the drama unfolds on the screen.

The lament of the day from religious fundamentalists?

"Homos are sick and they need to be cured."

"Give them their rights" - and next - "rapists, prostitutes and murderers" will be demanding theirs, too.

Shortly after Milk is elected to the Board of Supervisor, he ends up locking horns with another Supervisor on the Board - Dan White (played with great sensitivity by Josh Brolin) - who is obviously homophobic.

In fact, Milk's win at the polls grates on White's nerves because the gay lifestyle goes against his family values.

During a struggle for power and dominance - a conflict arises - and White ends up murdering Milk and Mayor Moscone.

When films are made about gays, the characterizations are stereotypical; as a result, the performances on screen often end up being quite stilted.

Here, the acting is natural and believable.

In fact, Emile Hirsch and James Franco turn in the most remarkable characterizations of their careers to date.

On the other hand, I found that Sean Penn's acting was a little forced in a couple of scenes.

In one prominent conversation with another character during the course of the film, Penn appeared to be "acting" gay.

Maybe it was just a misguided attempt to capture a Milk mannerism that fell flat.

But, for those of you who have seen photographs of Milk - or news footage of the man - it's obvious that when it comes to physicality, Sean and Harvey were cast from different moulds.

Yet, Penn manages to overcome that obstacle (and for the most part) turns in a stellar performance.

Gus Van Sant's approach was pretty much on the money, too.

Some may criticize the director's bold-faced recreation of a handful of events (and the subsequent "imagined" dialogue to breathe life into those scenes) that there were no eyewitnesses to.

For this reason, Van Sant wisely chose to incorporate shots of Milk recording a "journal" of his thoughts, if only to suggest the screenplay was loosely-based on some of that historic material.

However, I found the ending quite objectionable.

Just prior to the closing scenes - before the murder takes place - Van Sant shot a scene of "Milk" in conversation with his ex-lover on the telephone in which he chats about attending the Opera that night.

A few minutes later - when Dan White storms into Milk's office and shoots him down in cold blood - Van Sant proceeds to take wild artistic license.

For example, Van Sant's lens captures Milk falling forward towards an open window after he's been hit - at which point - a shot of a poster advertising the tragic Opera fills the screen for a split second or two.

Then, there is a close-up on Milk.

Now, it appears from the expression on Penn's face, that last thoughts are flashing through Milk's mind (what was/what could have been) before the supervisor finally succumbs to the wounds and drops to the floor.

Here, Mr. Van Sant has chosen to heighten the drama of the murder - interject some editorial comment of his own - and in the process has managed to deliver up a Hollywood-style ending to please the studios.

Shameful!

The Milk story has stood on its own as a great American tragedy for decades.

No sly maneuvering or fake props were ever needed to "milk" it along.

In my mind's eye, Van Sant's "poetic license" amounted to overkill.

"Overkill means pouring another pail of gasoline on a baby that's already burning nicely."

(unknown author)

Franco the ideal lover?

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