Dolly Parton has an affection toward animals, especially dogs. Since she and her husband, Carl Dean, never had kids, she thinks of her dogs as her children. It’s hard to understand people’s love for their pets, and Parton expressed her love for one of her dogs by writing a song about them.
Dolly Parton wrote ‘Cracker Jack’ about her childhood dog
“Cracker Jack” was recorded in 1973 by Parton, but she never released it until a 2007 re-release of Jolene. The track is titled after a stray dog she befriended as a kid, but it’s dedicated to her family members who have all lost beloved pets. In the book Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, Parton explained why she loves dogs so much, and why Cracker Jack was the “best friend” she ever had.
“Your dog always lives in memory. Even though they don’t live as long as people,...
Dolly Parton wrote ‘Cracker Jack’ about her childhood dog
“Cracker Jack” was recorded in 1973 by Parton, but she never released it until a 2007 re-release of Jolene. The track is titled after a stray dog she befriended as a kid, but it’s dedicated to her family members who have all lost beloved pets. In the book Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, Parton explained why she loves dogs so much, and why Cracker Jack was the “best friend” she ever had.
“Your dog always lives in memory. Even though they don’t live as long as people,...
- 7/14/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
For those unfamiliar with Tubi, they are a completely free streaming service which has an absolutely ridiculous selection of films, many of which offered in high quality high-definition transfers. For those not in the know, they are also one of the services that pays filmmakers the best and are very open to smaller budget films. They do present the films with ads, but that is a small price to pay for a great selection of fun films. Scrolling their offerings by genre is also the closest one can get to the video store experience of yesteryears. Here’s a list of five fun action movies on Tubi, kind of like a “Staff Suggestions” section at your local Mom & Pop video store.
Crackerjack (1994)
The first in a series of mid-range budget action films, although each movie had a different lead (with Judge Reinhold an unlikely action hero in the first sequel...
Crackerjack (1994)
The first in a series of mid-range budget action films, although each movie had a different lead (with Judge Reinhold an unlikely action hero in the first sequel...
- 6/10/2023
- by Emilie Black
- JoBlo.com
Jens Meurer’s film, beautifully shot in the summer of 2019 in Cromer on the Norfolk coast, is refreshingly free of cynicism
German filmmaker Jens Meurer has had a huge success in his native land with this vivid and richly affectionate anglophile documentary. I think I can see why, and it could even turn into a German national TV tradition – like Dinner for One, the English-language drawing room comedy sketch that the Germans love watching at Christmas. Could it be that a German documentary about an English seaside town will show us all the way ahead, and heal the psychic wounds of Brexit?
Seaside Special is all about Cromer on the north Norfolk coast in the distant summer of 2019 – and mostly about all the local people preparing to take part in the annual end-of-the-pier show, the last of its kind in the UK, or for that matter the world. This theatrical...
German filmmaker Jens Meurer has had a huge success in his native land with this vivid and richly affectionate anglophile documentary. I think I can see why, and it could even turn into a German national TV tradition – like Dinner for One, the English-language drawing room comedy sketch that the Germans love watching at Christmas. Could it be that a German documentary about an English seaside town will show us all the way ahead, and heal the psychic wounds of Brexit?
Seaside Special is all about Cromer on the north Norfolk coast in the distant summer of 2019 – and mostly about all the local people preparing to take part in the annual end-of-the-pier show, the last of its kind in the UK, or for that matter the world. This theatrical...
- 3/31/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Mark Ruse. (Photo: Annie Beach)
Mark Ruse, who was partnered with Stephen Luby in Ruby Entertainment for 20 years, died unexpectedly on Saturday. He was 64.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Ruse produced more than 250 hours of prime-time comedy and drama, more than 20 hours of documentaries and 300 hours of live television.
“Mark was a true gentleman; incredibly talented, understated and generous, he gave many lucky people a leg up in the industry,” Julie Marlow, screen industry consultant and former Film Victoria director, tells If. “He was a joy to deal with and will be sadly missed by so many.”
Luby said of his colleague and close friend: “Mark was a man of incredible integrity, kindness, creativity, intelligence, dedication, work ethic, humour and goodness.
“His express philosophy was to ‘enable other people’s talents to shine.’ He loved to support and nurture people’s creative journeys (including mine).
“Producer skills developed...
Mark Ruse, who was partnered with Stephen Luby in Ruby Entertainment for 20 years, died unexpectedly on Saturday. He was 64.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Ruse produced more than 250 hours of prime-time comedy and drama, more than 20 hours of documentaries and 300 hours of live television.
“Mark was a true gentleman; incredibly talented, understated and generous, he gave many lucky people a leg up in the industry,” Julie Marlow, screen industry consultant and former Film Victoria director, tells If. “He was a joy to deal with and will be sadly missed by so many.”
Luby said of his colleague and close friend: “Mark was a man of incredible integrity, kindness, creativity, intelligence, dedication, work ethic, humour and goodness.
“His express philosophy was to ‘enable other people’s talents to shine.’ He loved to support and nurture people’s creative journeys (including mine).
“Producer skills developed...
- 5/11/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Stranger Than Fiction Films' 'Mountain'.
This year.s round of Screen Australia.s Enterprise funding program, designed to local allow companies to explore innovative new business models and cultivate the careers of emerging talent, will offer six companies and five individuals a share in $2.5 million.
Among successful industry proposals is a screenwriting development program from the Awg, Madman.s documentary VOD platform Docplay and giant cinema projects from Jennifer Peedom and Jo-anne McGowan.s Stranger Than Fiction Films.
Emerging talent will also receive placements with likes of Vicki Madden (The Kettering Incident) and Angie Fielder (Lion) through the People strand of the fudning.
.I would like to offer my congratulations to those who were successful, in an extremely competitive round of Enterprise funding, for presenting us with such distinctive and compelling business ideas,. said head of business and audience Richard Harris. .
The round marks the last of Enterprise.s intended three year cycle.
This year.s round of Screen Australia.s Enterprise funding program, designed to local allow companies to explore innovative new business models and cultivate the careers of emerging talent, will offer six companies and five individuals a share in $2.5 million.
Among successful industry proposals is a screenwriting development program from the Awg, Madman.s documentary VOD platform Docplay and giant cinema projects from Jennifer Peedom and Jo-anne McGowan.s Stranger Than Fiction Films.
Emerging talent will also receive placements with likes of Vicki Madden (The Kettering Incident) and Angie Fielder (Lion) through the People strand of the fudning.
.I would like to offer my congratulations to those who were successful, in an extremely competitive round of Enterprise funding, for presenting us with such distinctive and compelling business ideas,. said head of business and audience Richard Harris. .
The round marks the last of Enterprise.s intended three year cycle.
- 11/29/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Stranger Than Fiction Films' 'Mountain'.
This year.s round of Screen Australia.s Enterprise funding program, designed to local allow companies to explore innovative new business models and cultivate the careers of emerging talent, will offer six companies and five individuals a share in $2.5 million.
Among successful industry proposals is a screenwriting development program from the Awg, Madman.s documentary VOD platform Docplay and giant cinema projects from Jennifer Peedom and Jo-anne McGowan.s Stranger Than Fiction Films.
Emerging talent will also receive placements with likes of Vicki Madden (The Kettering Incident) and Angie Fielder (Lion) through the People strand of the fudning.
.I would like to offer my congratulations to those who were successful, in an extremely competitive round of Enterprise funding, for presenting us with such distinctive and compelling business ideas,. said head of business and audience Richard Harris. .
The round marks the last of Enterprise.s intended three year cycle.
This year.s round of Screen Australia.s Enterprise funding program, designed to local allow companies to explore innovative new business models and cultivate the careers of emerging talent, will offer six companies and five individuals a share in $2.5 million.
Among successful industry proposals is a screenwriting development program from the Awg, Madman.s documentary VOD platform Docplay and giant cinema projects from Jennifer Peedom and Jo-anne McGowan.s Stranger Than Fiction Films.
Emerging talent will also receive placements with likes of Vicki Madden (The Kettering Incident) and Angie Fielder (Lion) through the People strand of the fudning.
.I would like to offer my congratulations to those who were successful, in an extremely competitive round of Enterprise funding, for presenting us with such distinctive and compelling business ideas,. said head of business and audience Richard Harris. .
The round marks the last of Enterprise.s intended three year cycle.
- 11/29/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Actor-director-writer David Field plans to pen a biography of his great mate Bill Hunter.
Field revealed his plans on Facebook, prompting numerous offers of help from colleagues and friends of the much-loved actor who died in 2011, aged 71.
Close buddies for more than 25 years, Hunter and Field often discussed co-writing a book but never got around to it.
.We were having too much fun,. Field tells If. He may use the title suggested by Hunter, which trades on one of the actor's favourite expressions, .Stand Where and Say What?.
Field first met Hunter, whose credits include Newsfront, Gallipoli, Strictly Ballroom, Muriel's Wedding, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, Road to Nhill, Crackerjack, The Pacific and The Cup, at the Belvoir Theatre.
They worked together twice, in Laurie McInnes. 1993 black-and-white drama Broken Highway and in Alkinos Tsilimidos.s 2004 film Tom White, which starred Colin Friels as an architect whose life unravels after a nervous breakdown.
Field revealed his plans on Facebook, prompting numerous offers of help from colleagues and friends of the much-loved actor who died in 2011, aged 71.
Close buddies for more than 25 years, Hunter and Field often discussed co-writing a book but never got around to it.
.We were having too much fun,. Field tells If. He may use the title suggested by Hunter, which trades on one of the actor's favourite expressions, .Stand Where and Say What?.
Field first met Hunter, whose credits include Newsfront, Gallipoli, Strictly Ballroom, Muriel's Wedding, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, Road to Nhill, Crackerjack, The Pacific and The Cup, at the Belvoir Theatre.
They worked together twice, in Laurie McInnes. 1993 black-and-white drama Broken Highway and in Alkinos Tsilimidos.s 2004 film Tom White, which starred Colin Friels as an architect whose life unravels after a nervous breakdown.
- 7/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The Heckler, an Australian comedy from first-time feature director Ben Plazzer and writer Steve Mitchell, has won the best ensemble award at the La Comedy Festival.
The privately-funded film stars Simon Mallory as Steve, a fame-hungry, self-absorbed stand-up comedian who is on the brink of cracking the big league when he accidentally kills Mike (Cj Fortuna), a heckler and jealous wannabe comic.
Mike.s spirit jumps into Steve.s body and sets out to ruin his reputation by performing disastrous, unfunny stand-up routines. Steve must try to repossess his body before Mike destroys his relationships, his finances and his one shot at fame, the Ultimate Funniest Comedian contest.
Mallory and Fortuna were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the cast, which includes Kate Jenkinson, Emily Taheny, Tony Martin, Jeff Green, Dave Lawson and Scott Harrison.
Hollywood comedy guru Steve Kaplan, author of The Hidden Tools of Comedy,...
The privately-funded film stars Simon Mallory as Steve, a fame-hungry, self-absorbed stand-up comedian who is on the brink of cracking the big league when he accidentally kills Mike (Cj Fortuna), a heckler and jealous wannabe comic.
Mike.s spirit jumps into Steve.s body and sets out to ruin his reputation by performing disastrous, unfunny stand-up routines. Steve must try to repossess his body before Mike destroys his relationships, his finances and his one shot at fame, the Ultimate Funniest Comedian contest.
Mallory and Fortuna were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the cast, which includes Kate Jenkinson, Emily Taheny, Tony Martin, Jeff Green, Dave Lawson and Scott Harrison.
Hollywood comedy guru Steve Kaplan, author of The Hidden Tools of Comedy,...
- 12/15/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
It.s not surprising that comedic actor Ed Kavalee.s debut telemovie Scumbus is about to hit screens. What is surprising is that he used his life savings to self-fund the project, which was strong enough to attract come of the biggest names in Australian comedy including Glenn Robbins, Tony Martin, Peter Helliar and Dave Hughes.
.What do they tell you not to do? Don.t put your own money in,. Kavalee says. .But I didn.t have a choice . what am I going to do? Ring up a funding body and say I have this idea for a comedy telemovie? They would have hung up straight away. You know you get to this point where you say .I.ve got to do something.....
Kavalee has been winning fans over the past six years on radio and as a host and performer on TV shows such Thank God You.re Here; TV Burp; Santo,...
.What do they tell you not to do? Don.t put your own money in,. Kavalee says. .But I didn.t have a choice . what am I going to do? Ring up a funding body and say I have this idea for a comedy telemovie? They would have hung up straight away. You know you get to this point where you say .I.ve got to do something.....
Kavalee has been winning fans over the past six years on radio and as a host and performer on TV shows such Thank God You.re Here; TV Burp; Santo,...
- 11/1/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
It.s not surprising that comedic actor Ed Kavalee.s debut telemovie Scumbus is about to hit screens. What is surprising is that he used his life savings to self-fund the project, which was strong enough to attract come of the biggest names in Australian comedy including Glenn Robbins, Tony Martin, Peter Helliar and Dave Hughes.
.What do they tell you not to do? Don.t put your own money in,. Kavalee says. .But I didn.t have a choice . what am I going to do? Ring up a funding body and say I have this idea for a comedy telemovie? They would have hung up straight away. You know you get to this point where you say .I.ve got to do something.....
Kavalee has been winning fans over the past six years on radio and as a host and performer on TV shows such Thank God You.re Here,...
.What do they tell you not to do? Don.t put your own money in,. Kavalee says. .But I didn.t have a choice . what am I going to do? Ring up a funding body and say I have this idea for a comedy telemovie? They would have hung up straight away. You know you get to this point where you say .I.ve got to do something.....
Kavalee has been winning fans over the past six years on radio and as a host and performer on TV shows such Thank God You.re Here,...
- 11/1/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Various Australian stars have paid their respects to Bill Hunter. The 71-year-old actor, who was best known for his roles in movies such as Muriel's Wedding, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Crackerjack, passed away on Saturday after a battle with cancer. Russell Crowe wrote on his Twitter page: "Very sad to hear about Bill Hunter. Unique talent... Thanks for the entertainment mate, Rip." TV star Mick Molloy, who worked with Hunter on Crackerjack, told The Daily Telegraph: "I learned so much from him. Not just acting, but about how to behave as a person. How to engage the world. And I've been very close with him lately. "We first noticed something was up with Bill about a month ago (more)...
- 5/24/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Catch .44
Opens: 2011
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Bruce Willis, Malin Akerman, Nikki Reed, Deborah Ann Woll
Director: Aaron Harvey
Summary: The story focuses on three women being thrust into an extraordinary situation involving a psychopathic hitman, a grizzled trucker and a delusional line cook.
Analysis: Oddly little is known about this indie crime comedy aside from the three lead female roles have gone through more than a couple of rounds of casting musical chairs. The likes of Maggie Grace, Kate Mara, Laura Ramsey, Sarah Roemer, Lizzy Caplan and Lauren German were all attached at one point or another before the final trio of Malin Akerman ("Watchmen"), Nikki Reed ("Twilight") and Deborah Ann Woll ("True Blood") were settled on.
Bruce Willis, Forest Whitaker, Michael Rosenbaum and Brad Dourif also star with Willis as a crime boss behind everything that happens and Whitaker as a dangerously unstable assassin. Aaron Harvey, who last directed...
Opens: 2011
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Bruce Willis, Malin Akerman, Nikki Reed, Deborah Ann Woll
Director: Aaron Harvey
Summary: The story focuses on three women being thrust into an extraordinary situation involving a psychopathic hitman, a grizzled trucker and a delusional line cook.
Analysis: Oddly little is known about this indie crime comedy aside from the three lead female roles have gone through more than a couple of rounds of casting musical chairs. The likes of Maggie Grace, Kate Mara, Laura Ramsey, Sarah Roemer, Lizzy Caplan and Lauren German were all attached at one point or another before the final trio of Malin Akerman ("Watchmen"), Nikki Reed ("Twilight") and Deborah Ann Woll ("True Blood") were settled on.
Bruce Willis, Forest Whitaker, Michael Rosenbaum and Brad Dourif also star with Willis as a crime boss behind everything that happens and Whitaker as a dangerously unstable assassin. Aaron Harvey, who last directed...
- 12/23/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Catch .44
Opens: 2011
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Bruce Willis, Malin Akerman, Nikki Reed, Deborah Ann Woll
Director: Aaron Harvey
Summary: The story focuses on three women being thrust into an extraordinary situation involving a psychopathic hitman, a grizzled trucker and a delusional line cook.
Analysis: Oddly little is known about this indie crime comedy aside from the three lead female roles have gone through more than a couple of rounds of casting musical chairs. The likes of Maggie Grace, Kate Mara, Laura Ramsey, Sarah Roemer, Lizzy Caplan and Lauren German were all attached at one point or another before the final trio of Malin Akerman ("Watchmen"), Nikki Reed ("Twilight") and Deborah Ann Woll ("True Blood") were settled on.
Bruce Willis, Forest Whitaker, Michael Rosenbaum and Brad Dourif also star with Willis as a crime boss behind everything that happens and Whitaker as a dangerously unstable assassin. Aaron Harvey, who last directed...
Opens: 2011
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Bruce Willis, Malin Akerman, Nikki Reed, Deborah Ann Woll
Director: Aaron Harvey
Summary: The story focuses on three women being thrust into an extraordinary situation involving a psychopathic hitman, a grizzled trucker and a delusional line cook.
Analysis: Oddly little is known about this indie crime comedy aside from the three lead female roles have gone through more than a couple of rounds of casting musical chairs. The likes of Maggie Grace, Kate Mara, Laura Ramsey, Sarah Roemer, Lizzy Caplan and Lauren German were all attached at one point or another before the final trio of Malin Akerman ("Watchmen"), Nikki Reed ("Twilight") and Deborah Ann Woll ("True Blood") were settled on.
Bruce Willis, Forest Whitaker, Michael Rosenbaum and Brad Dourif also star with Willis as a crime boss behind everything that happens and Whitaker as a dangerously unstable assassin. Aaron Harvey, who last directed...
- 12/23/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Romantic comedies make money. Lots of it. So why isn’t Australia making more? Miguel Gonzalez spoke with the creators of I Love You Too, a comedy that will help fill that gap in the film market.
I Love You Too is comedian Peter Helliar’s big screen debut, produced by Princess Pictures’ Laura Waters (We Can Be Heroes, Summer Heights High) and Yael Bergman (Love and Other Catastrophes).
Helliar had worked with Waters in the pilot episode for Rove in 1999 and kept in touch with the producer.
Knowing he had a number of ideas for features, in 2002 Waters asked Helliar to choose one and start working on it. Due to other commitments, it took a while before that idea became a treatment and, finally, a film script.
According to Waters, the message that drove Helliar to write the story and guided every draft was “tell people that you love them”, and from that premise,...
I Love You Too is comedian Peter Helliar’s big screen debut, produced by Princess Pictures’ Laura Waters (We Can Be Heroes, Summer Heights High) and Yael Bergman (Love and Other Catastrophes).
Helliar had worked with Waters in the pilot episode for Rove in 1999 and kept in touch with the producer.
Knowing he had a number of ideas for features, in 2002 Waters asked Helliar to choose one and start working on it. Due to other commitments, it took a while before that idea became a treatment and, finally, a film script.
According to Waters, the message that drove Helliar to write the story and guided every draft was “tell people that you love them”, and from that premise,...
- 5/4/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Australian Actress Maughan Dies
Australian actress Monica Maughan has died.
The star passed away in Melbourne, Australia on Friday. The cause of death was not known as WENN went to press.
Maughan was believed to have been 71 at the time of her death, but previously admitted lying about her age.
She began her career in theatre in the 1950s, famously starring alongside Geoffrey Rush in a 1980s production of The Importance Of Being Earnest.
Maughan went on to win a series of high profile TV roles in shows including Prisoner, and her film credits include turns in Strange Bedfellows with Paul Hogan, Crackerjack, and most recently in 2009's Blessed. She won a clutch of prestigious awards throughout her longrunning career including two AFI prizes, a Logie Award and a Critics' Choice Award .
She is survived by her second husband, solicitor Rowland Ball.
The star passed away in Melbourne, Australia on Friday. The cause of death was not known as WENN went to press.
Maughan was believed to have been 71 at the time of her death, but previously admitted lying about her age.
She began her career in theatre in the 1950s, famously starring alongside Geoffrey Rush in a 1980s production of The Importance Of Being Earnest.
Maughan went on to win a series of high profile TV roles in shows including Prisoner, and her film credits include turns in Strange Bedfellows with Paul Hogan, Crackerjack, and most recently in 2009's Blessed. She won a clutch of prestigious awards throughout her longrunning career including two AFI prizes, a Logie Award and a Critics' Choice Award .
She is survived by her second husband, solicitor Rowland Ball.
- 1/8/2010
- WENN
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