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-Welcome to our new monthly feature-
This page will feature a new image every month.
An image that represents what we're doing with the film,
where we've taken it or where we're going.
We decided to create this feature after a new friend of ours passed away recently. Last October at the Marco Island Film Festival we met an incredibe talent - actress, singer, performer and dancer, Gwen Verdon. After making good on a promise to see the first screening of our film at Marco Island she proceeded to mention how much she liked the movie and Katherine Griffin (writer/director/actress) on a local television interview later that afternoon.
She was attending the festival to help promote her latest film "Walking Across Egypt," as well as to receive a Lifetime Acheivement Award for her undying dedication, passion and influence in film and theater. Her continous mention and compliments of our film helped to create enough good word that our second screening Sold Out two days later. She became a friend and someone we strongly hoped to work with in our next film.
Gwen Verdon died on October 18, 2000.
Gwen Verdon with Katherine Griffin
Marco Island Film Festival, October, 2000.
Below is a interesting article of the little known influence she had on legendary choreographer, and husband, Bob Fosse.
Broadway star Gwen Verdon passes away.
NEW YORK: Broadway and film star Gwen Verdon, who overcame childhood polio to become one of the greatest musical comedy dancers of all time, has died at her daughter's home in Vermont, her manager said. She was 75.
The flame-haired Verdon, who was the third wife of the late choreographer and director Bob Fosse and served as a consultant on the current Broadway musical Fosse, apparently died on Wednesday in her sleep, manager Aaron Shapiro said.
Verdon originated the female leads in such broadway musicals as Chicago. Sweet Charity, Redhead, New Girl in Town and Damn yankees. She also starred in the film version of Damn Yankees, which ranked as one of her signature roles.
Verdon suffered a series of childhood illnesses, including a bout of polio that left her with steel braces on her legs as a youngster and influenced the development of her dancing style, which was picked up and imitated by Fosse and others.
Before becoming a Broadway sensation, Verdon started out as a backstage assistant on various Hollywood projects, coaching such stars as Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Verdon will always be remembered for her sensational dancing, throaty-voice, signature-red-hair and the spunky characters she portrayed. She inspired generations of dancers and was a true Broadway legend in every sense of the word.
A few of her more memorable films include:
Walking Across Egypt (2000)
Marvin's Room (1996)
Cocoon (1985)
Cotton Club, The (1984)
Damn Yankees! (1958)
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