Housewife in Hollywood - housewifeinhollywood.com

Do you remember Penny Robinson from Lost in Space? How about Brigitta from The Sound of Music? What silly questions, of course you do!

Angela Cartwright is the actress that played Penny & Brigitta. These days she’s a photographer, novelist, artist and occasional actress.

The Danny Thomas Show, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Love Boat, My Three Son’s, Adam-12, Logan’s Run, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Family Feud… going through Angela’s acting resume is like a stroll down pop culture lane.

Of course I had some questions for her. Here’s my interview with Angela Cartwright:

HIH: You were on The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour when the Ricardo’s went to Hollywood and the Williams family from Make Room for Daddy rented their house. You were very young but what do you remember from your time on the set with Lucy & Desi?

AC: I remember that was a hilarious show. Lucy loses her voice and she has to mime what happened at the cabin with the Ricardos and Williams families. Lucy had such an expressive face and I loved watching her. She had brilliant comedic timing and was a force to be reckoned with. Even though I was young I remember I really liked Gale Gordon who played the judge. He made me laugh.

HIH: There are quite a few fan made videos on YouTube dedicated to Penny Robinson. How does it feel being part of classics with such a big following such as Lost in Space and The Sound of Music?

AC: It never ceases to amaze me. Lost in Space seemed to arrive on everyone’s television screens at the perfect time. People needed to be swept away and dream of a life in outer space. The way to get there was becoming a reality. It really captured ones imagination. I was lucky enough to go to a real launch at NASA a few years ago. It was an amazing experience. NASA employees told me over and over how Lost in Space inspired them to join the space program… imagine that…Lost In Space inspiring future astronauts.

The Sound of Music enchanted movie goers in a different way. Maybe it was the music, the storyline, the beauty of the film…whatever that magic was, it was universal.

HIH: With all the children at different age levels working on The Sound of Music I imagine there were some fun times filming. Do you have a story you can share with us from your days filming in Austria?

AC: Coming right from The Danny Thomas Show I was thrilled to be working with other children. Heather Menzies (who played Louisa) and I hit it off right away because we both adored the Beatles. We had a club called the HePaulAng Club and we constantly sang Beatle songs on the set. I think the camaraderie among the kids really shows on the screen. We are all still friends today. In fact I just returned from a visit to the Von Trapp Lodge in Stowe, Vermont with four of the movie cast members. What an experience talking with the REAL Trapp family at their beautiful resort located on a mountain that is eerily reminiscent of the Austrian landscape.

HIH: The character Dr. Zachary Smith in Lost in Space was always getting into mischief. What was Jonathon Harris like on the set?

AC: Jonathan was a total professional. He always knew his lines and he worked hard at his role of Dr. Smith. He also had a playful side…every day in the early afternoon he went up in the rafters and threw tootsie roll pops at the crew…It was a sugar pick me up we all looked forward to.

HIH: Bill Mumy played the role of your brother Will Robinson on the show. He’s a musician, writer, producer, and actor now. I read that you were working on a fantasy-adventure novel with him. Is this fact or fiction?

AC: Bill has four CD’s coming out in July, Speechless, Carnival Sky (an all instrumental CD). He produced Sarah Taylor’s new CD The Cure to Everything and another Barnes and Barnes CD for the twisted mind OPBOPACHOP. Bill is a very prolific musician, check out his website for more www.billmumy.com

We started writing the fiction novel a couple of years ago and just recently we decided to rework a few things. Bill and I work well together and our imaginations click. I think it’s a good fictional story that people will really enjoy.

HIH: The science fiction novel Logan’s Run was made into a film and also into a television show. You played the role of Karen4 in one episode. Many child actors don’t stay in the business when they reach adulthood. Did growing up in Hollywood ever feel a bit like the paradise city in the Logan’s Run storyline where life ends at 30?

AC: That’s an interesting point. There is no question the transition from child actor to adult can be really difficult. I think sometimes actors are cast in one kind of role and they have difficulty breaking out of that. Actors should be given more credit… They are ACTORS…they can play many different roles if given the chance.
I was fortunate to have been cast as a New York kid, an Austrian Von Trapp and then a space adventurer. It’s hard for actors today who get locked in a certain kind of role. I know many actors who are chomping at the bit to spread their wings.

HIH: You’re a talented artist & photographer. When did you start creating art and what medium did you use first?

AC: I would have to say photography was the first artistic medium I got hooked on. Over the years it has evolved into embedding my photographs into different mediums. My book Mixed Emulsions – Altered Art Techniques for Photographic Imagery explored that concept. I shoot black and white film images and hand paint them with oils, acrylics, and other mediums. Then I cut them up and create new combinations with my photographs to tell my story.

HIH: You have more than a few websites and one of them is dedicated to your artwork, www.acartwrightstudio.com The subtitle is “home of an unruly artist”. Why do you call yourself an unruly artist?

AC: My photography and my art is constantly evolving and investigating image possibilities. Most recently I have turned my photographs into comfortable, wearable art clothing www.acstudio9.com

It’s just one more artistic avenue I have wanted to travel. So why do I call myself unruly? I like to break the rules to see where it will take me.

HIH: Sarah Fishburn collaborated with you on the book In This House - A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques  and In This Garden - Explorations in Mixed Media Visual Narrative. You also created the Quality Art Zine - Pasticcio Quartz with her. Tell us about your latest book.

AC: Sarah is a great partner in creativity. We both have very different styles but we compliment each other in our passion to make art. In This Garden is a collaborative project involving twelve artists interpreting the word ‘GARDEN’. It’s a follow up to In This House where artists interpreted the word ‘HOME’. It’s amazing to see the diversity and individuality in each artists creations. Give an artist a word to interpret and there will be twelve completely different insights into that word. I love that. The books are also filled with tons of techniques and tips and insights into each of the artists.

Pasticcio Quartz is an ongoing outlet for our thirst for art. It’s a panoply of art from emerging and established artists, books, thoughts, words, tips, quips and lists. The word Pasticcio means a work or style produced by borrowing fragments, ingredients, or motifs from various sources, and that is exactly what it is. We self publish it three times a year and it keeps us in the artistic whirlwind. Art can be intoxicating…isn’t that why we do it?

Visit Amazon.com to purchase Angela’s books, including her latest book, In This Garden.

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Thanks to actor Maxie Santillan Jr. I was fortunate enough to attend the screening of Invisible, a short film by Lincoln & Chrystina Myers. You might remember my interview with Maxie last year. If not, take a look by clicking here to find out more about this versatile character actor.

Maxie Santillan joins actors Alexis Corey and Christopher Amitrano in this short film and upcoming television series Invisible. Directed by Lincoln Myers and produced by Chrystina Myers this is a series I can’t wait to watch every week. Turn your volume up and take a look at the trailer.

Lincoln Myers has worked on many shows for television including 90210, Phil of the Future, Charmed and movies like Blade and Liar Liar. I could see his passion for screenwriting and directing not only from watching Invisible but also witnessing his interaction with the invited viewers, cast and crew.

Key roles are played by Alexis Corey and Christopher Amitrano. Christopher plays the role well of a disturbed individual that’s doing what he thinks is right while we, the viewers, sit back and shudder at what’s wrong. His hostage, played by Alexis Corey does a great job being the strong woman in a terrifying and confusing situation.

You might recognize Christopher from his roles in ER, 24 and NYPD Blue. Maxie Santillan adds a bit of comic relief along with another layer to the plot. I’m always fascinated by shows with layers and even within this short film I can see how the series could have many possibilities.

Invisible is a suspenseful and thrilling piece that brings out questions about our own perception of reality and what’s going on around us. I’m reminded of the Moody Blues ballad:

“Red is gray and yellow white
But we decide what is right
And which is an illusion!”

Keep a look out for Invisible and visit the Facebook Fan page to keep up with the conspiracy.

“First, learn the truth. Later, you will begin to understand.”—Invisible Facebook Fan Page

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I was searching the HIH archives looking for an HIH rerun to share when I stumbled on this one from last year’s first weekend of summer. Perfect fit since it’s the first official weekend after the Summer Solstice of 2009. Also a perfect fit because I mention Jeff Goldblum who was recently in the news with an internet death hoax. Click here to read more. Thank goodness Jeff is fine in Los Angeles.

 I was cruising the internet late Saturday night and stopped by moviefone.com. Since this is the first official weekend of summer I found their Summer Movie Guide and had fun checking out lists dedicated to the sun and fun season. From summer comedies to summer chick flicks, and an info packed roll call of The Biggest Summer Openings, I soaked up the movie trailers, photos, and box office earnings information.

With trivial overload my mind was jolted into wondering what my personal favorite summer movie of all time is. Since I can never pick just one of anything, here are a few of my favorites:

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

So this was the film that gave me JDOCD, otherwise known as Johnny Depp Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The merging of my favorite Disneyland park ride with the charisma of Captain Jack Sparrow was too much for my system to handle. Like so many in the world, I was altered by this amazing merger and very happy because of it. Of course I like the last two Pirates movies, but the novelty of the first one can’t be beat. Captain Jack Sparrow coming into port on his sinking ship, I mean boat, is probably the best scene of any summer adventure.

Jurassic Park

I remember the hype and excitement about this film in 1993. How time flies, aye? Fifteen years ago I was nice and cool in the comfort of a movie theater, devouring artificially buttered popcorn and Cherry Coke. This was the perfect summer blockbuster for the big screen. Action, comedy, landmark computer generated animation, special effects and being directed by Steven Spielberg helped add this one to my summer favorites. How many summer hits can one man create?
There are rumors buzzing that 2009 might bring with it a Jurassic Park IV. For those of you involved in the making of this film try to grab some DNA from the original and make sure Jeff Goldblum is in it too. What is Jeff Goldblum up to these days? I’ll leave that for another insightful blog post.

Jaws

According to Wikipedia, Jaws is regarded as a watershed film in motion picture history, the father of the summer blockbuster movie and one of the first “high concept” films.

I was only five years old when this movie hit the screen and I watched with my eyes closed and hands over my ears for more than half the film. I wasn’t nice and cool in a movie theater for this one, instead I was wearing my footed jammies, all cuddled up in the family station wagon at the Drive-In theater. Ahh, the days of snack bar intermissions and the real Coca Cola! Good times!

So what’s your favorite summer movie of all time? Okay, you don’t have to pick only one. What are a few of your favorite summer movies?

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Just this morning I posted a Charlie’s Angels video after the passing of Farrah Fawcett. Here I am again in the afternoon with another RIP post, this time for Michael Jackson the King of Pop. It’s a sad day in pop culture.

I was a fan of Michael ever since his Jackson 5 days. I cried when he sang Ben, I rocked along with Rock-n-Robin and when I was a teen I was thrilled every time I watched Thriller on MTV. His life was tainted with gossip and even his death was full of speculation.

RIP Michael Jackson

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As always, remember to click the highlighted text for the full HIH effect.

I’m off on vacation this week celebrating Father’s Day with my dad in his hometown of Richmond, Illinois. Richmond is a little over an hour away from Chicago so we’ll be doing some sightseeing Ferris Bueller style.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a John Hughes film from 1986. It became an 80’s cult classic full of fun quotes and memorable scenes. People of all ages have been spotted wearing their Save Ferris shirts.

How many times have you used the, “Anyone? Anyone?” line in the last few years? Or is that just me?

Many of the scenes were shot in Chicago so I think it would be fun to do a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off tour by frequenting some of the same places they went in the movie. Click here to view the trailer.

Matthew Broderick has grown up quite a bit since the 80’s. Here he is talking with David Letterman about going to the dentist, and expecting twins with his wife Sarah Jessica Parker.

Speaking of Father’s Day, Matthew Broderick guest stars as the voice of Max in a special Father’s Day episode of CYBERCHASE premiering June 19, 2009 on PBS Kids.

I’ll be back soon. Meanwhile you can always peruse the archives for HIH retro reruns.
Happy Father’s Day to all you Cyber Dads of the Year! You know who you are. Anyone? Anyone?

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Some days I begin humming a tune around the house. Usually it’s a random tune for no good reason whatsoever. Last night it was “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”.

Just reading that word, the biggest word you’ve ever heard, makes me want to jump up and sing with my best British accent. Once I start singing songs from Mary Poppins, I can’t stop at “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. I catch my breath and start back up with “Chim Chim Cheree”.

Since I was doing so much Mary Poppins singing, I put up a url to the song “Feed the Birds” on Facebook and twitter. It’s a beautiful song that can bring listeners to tears in a good way with its ethereal feel and compassionate message. I remembered reading that “Feed the Birds”  was Walt Disney’s favorite song but I couldn’t remember all the information surrounding the story.

Thanks to my social media friends, I quickly found out that the Sherman Brothers were responsible for Mary Poppins music and they’d often play the song “Feed the Birds” for Disney. His favorite song was performed at the dedication of a Disneyland plaque on what would have been Walt’s 100th birthday.

Another favorite of mine is “Spoonful of Sugar”. I like to sing this while I’m cleaning the house. It’s true that a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, even if that medicine is a big pile of dirty pots and pans in the sink.

The story of origin for “Spoonful of Sugar” is that Bob Sherman’s son came home from school after a day of getting vaccinated, also known as getting shots. When Mr. Sherman asked his son if it hurt, the boy replied that they put a sugar cube on a spoon and fed it to each student after they got their shot. The next day Bob Sherman told his brother the now very famous lyric.

A movie is out in theaters now called “The Boys - The Sherman Brothers Story”. The brothers are responsible for more than Mary Poppins music. Music for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jungle Book, Parent Trap, and The Aristocats came from the Sherman brothers. Find more information about the movie here.

I’m excited about this film because like the trailer says they are responsible for many of the songs that children have grown up with. What Sherman Brothers tune will you sing today?

Thanks to Scott Brody, Lisa Butterworth and Richard Molden on Facebook/twitter, for their Mary Poppins and Sherman Brothers information.

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What is it with male Gemini’s and guyliner? I don’t follow horoscopes too much but I do see a pattern. June 7th was Dave Navarro & Prince’s birthday. June 9th is Johnny Depp’s birthday. All three look fabulous wearing eyeliner. Does it have something to do with the two sides of a Gemini?

Have you seen how good looking Johnny is dressed in drag? Click here.

Guyliner aside, Johnny Depp is 46 today. Don’t you think he looks great for his age? This doesn’t mean he hasn’t aged at all. If you look back at old photos, say from his 21 Jump Street days, you can see how much he has changed over the years. Like a fine wine Johnny gets better every year.

Many of you know that I suffer with JDOCD, Johnny Depp Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. My site has helped a lot with diminishing my symptoms but just like Rosie O’Donnell had her Tom Cruise, Housewife in Hollywood has her Johnny Depp.

Like most JD enthusiasts I’m looking forward to his latest film Public Enemies coming out July 1st. The hype for this movie started before filming was underway. Fan sites, movie buffs, and local Midwest merchants generated excitement about Michael Mann’s film telling the story of notorious bank robber, John Dillinger. Sites were popping up everywhere about Johnny Depp’s location, current filming status with frontline reports from fans. Videos were all over YouTube showing Depp autographing, shaking hands and giving out hugs.

In honor of JD’s birthday I’ll choose one movie from my Depp collection. Maybe Cry Baby. I can never pick just one Johnny Depp movie, can you?

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I have a long list of ideas sitting in front of me. I have a big pile of dishes in the sink. So I decided to take a look through Vimeo and see what I could find. Maybe something to take my mind away for awhile.

I found a wonderful video, directed and edited by Sebastien Abes called Sunspot. Music by Familiar Trees and images by J. Penninck.

Just what I need.

Familiar Trees - Sunspot from Sébastien Abes on Vimeo.

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