CNN - The Hollywood Minute

The Hollywood Minute

June 17, 1996
Web posted at: 3:45 p.m. EDT

From Correspondent Dennis Michael

Clint Eastwood is back in the saddle as a director. The actor and filmmaker has begun shooting "Absolute Power," a film about evil deeds among the president's entourage. The movie is being shot in Los Angeles with Scott Glenn and Gene Hackman in the supporting cast.

Linda Ronstadt is singing for a small audience. The singer's next album will be called "Dedicated to the One I Love." It's a collection of children's music and lullabies. The Hollywood Reporter says it will be out later this month.

Actor Pierce Brosnan may take over a Steve McQueen role, according to Hollywood Reporter. The actor may appear in a new version of "The Thomas Crown Affair" when he finishes the next James Bond thriller. The original was shot in 1968 and starred McQueen and Faye Dunaway. Norman Jewison directed.

Kelsey Grammar is moving to the ball park . . . for one game. The "Frasier" star will sing the national anthem at the All-Star game next month in Philadelphia.

Frasier

Reba McEntire is the reigning queen of country radio. The singer was named Entertainer of the Year this week at the Country Music Radio Awards. The awards show was part of "Fan Fair" in Nashville. On hand for the presentation were 24,000 country music fans.

Actress Mia Farrow and her children celebrated what would have been Anne Frank's 67th birthday by introducing a new wing of the Anne Frank Center on Broadway. The center features interactive exhibits on the life of the young Holocaust victim, who kept a diary on her experiences.

Once again Celine Dion is on top of the adult contemporary singles chart. Her single "Because You Loved Me" from the movie "Up Close and Personal" is No. 1 for the 13th week.

Fran Drescher will soon get to wear her fancy outfits for something more than doing laundry. The "Nanny" star will be mistress of ceremonies for the 20th annual Women in Film - Crystal awards in Los Angeles next week.

The Nanny

Russell Wong will play Charlie Chan in a new Miramax film starring the classic detective character. For once, the actor playing him will be of Asian descent. Wong starred in the syndicated television series "Vanishing Son." The film's story line was not released.

Disney is ringing the bells for "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in Prime Time. When "Disney's Most Unlikely Heroes" highlights some of the studio's nontraditional heroes, the show caps off the half-hour special with clips from the new film. "Hunchback" stars Demi Moore and Kevin Kline.

Hunchback of Notre Dame

Previous Hollywood Minutes

June 14: "Kiss" reunites for summer tour
June 13:Spielberg and Allen, how about that? Will Dreamworks produce "The Cat in the Hat"?
June 12: Bergen steps aside for Emmys
June 11: Courtney Love one of Time's 25 most influential people in America
June 10: No "Double"-takes for Travolta
June 7: Kevin Costner will soon return to the silver screen
June 6: Uncertainty if Travolta will be in "The Double"
June 5: "Twister" sets box office record in Australia
June 4: Jodie Foster may be leaving "The Game"
June 3: Actor Andy Griffith reaches a landmark
May 31: Angela Lansbury heads north
May 30: Tina Turner to appear in hosiery ads
May 29: Carl Perkins performs with the Beatles
May 28: Mission: Impossible crushes boxoffice competition
May 27: Reeve set to direct HBO movie
May 24: Tom Selleck is making a television comeback

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