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In today's Variety online, (1-21), there's a lengthy article about Bradley Cooper doing a Bio on Leonard Bernstein. With Scorsese and Spielberg among the names to co-produce, it should be interesting how it turns out. I can easily envision Cooper as Bernstein, who seemingly always had a cigarette hanging from his mouth. This (might) be the film that, if done right, bring Cooper his Oscar. (?)
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I'll be watching this if only to see what Mr. Cooper does with the role. I wonder if they will be filming with the family's permission in the two apartments used by Mr. Bernstein - the one at the Dakota and the working office/apartment on 57th Street? I've been in the one on 57th Street which is quite amazing -- filled with memorabilia. I helped out at a fund raising reception that my friends Erik and Joe had organized for a small local opera company -- the Bernstein family graciously allowed the use of the apartment for the reception. One of my all-time fondest memories is having a cup of coffee while I sat at the same kitchen table that Mr. Bernstein had used. I almost went with my friend Erik into the Dakota apartment when he was working on several projects for the Estate (among them the production he directed of "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" at the Kennedy Center in Washington), but it didn't really seem right for me to go inside so I waited outside. Mr. Bernstein's son and his wife were also neighbors of mine when I lived in Chelsea. Since they also knew that I was friends with Erik, they used to say hello. They were also quite friendly.
I'm really looking forward to this -- just hope they don't try to make any of the situations more melodramatic than they were. The story should be interesting enough without any "heightening".
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I'll be watching this if only to see what Mr. Cooper does with the role. I wonder if they will be filming with the family's permission in the two apartments used by Mr. Bernstein - the one at the Dakota and the working office/apartment on 57th Street? I've been in the one on 57th Street which is quite amazing -- filled with memorabilia. I helped out at a fund raising reception that my friends Erik and Joe had organized for a small local opera company -- the Bernstein family graciously allowed the use of the apartment for the reception. One of my all-time fondest memories is having a cup of coffee while I sat at the same kitchen table that Mr. Bernstein had used. I almost went with my friend Erik into the Dakota apartment when he was working on several projects for the Estate (among them the production he directed of "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" at the Kennedy Center in Washington), but it didn't really seem right for me to go inside so I waited outside. Mr. Bernstein's son and his wife were also neighbors of mine when I lived in Chelsea. Since they also knew that I was friends with Erik, they used to say hello. They were also quite friendly.
I'm really looking forward to this -- just hope they don't try to make any of the situations more melodramatic than they were. The story should be interesting enough without any "heightening".
What an extraordinary story John! Not only going inside The Dakota, but inside his apartment. I only walked past the building on occasion when I'd be exiting The Park. Living in Brooklyn, I know he's buried in Green-Wood Cemetary which was only 2 blocks away from me in Kensington. As for his bio, and since it's COOPER playing Bernstein, I'm not ashamed to say I want 'all the sex' as he can squeeze into it. I got a Biography on Bernstien's life for Christmas, but have not yet started it. If his family doesn't allow the gay sex and his lovers to be included, than it would be a hollow film indeed.
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Montana Dave: You might want to also read Jamie Bernstein's book about her father:
https://www.jamiebernstein.net/book
Her book is quite frank and no-holds barred. I imagine it is will be one of the main sources for the Netflix film -- but that is just a surmise.
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Montana Dave: You might want to also read Jamie Bernstein's book about her father:
https://www.jamiebernstein.net/book
Her book is quite frank and no-holds barred. I imagine it is will be one of the main sources for the Netflix film -- but that is just a surmise.
Thanks so much for this link, John. I researched it on Amazon and the Paperback is resonably priced, I've put it in my cart for 'next month'.Yes, the reviews sound extraordinary for her book and it's reception was great as well. The book I received as a gift is 'The Leonard Bernstein Letters', by Nigel Simeone. You know, I think I'll hold off on 'The Letters' for a while and delve into the book Bernstein's Daughter wrote first. I've a feeling that all those letters, to and from the famous and the infamous, might just be 'the icing on the cake', after the main course of 'Famous Father Girl'.
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I read earlier today that Netflix will be backing the movie, which will span the life of the composer and conductor over 30 years, telling the story of his family life and gay affairs.
Thanks Thomas. With Netflix behind it, many, many more people will see the film than will have if it were only playing The Zigfield in N.Y.C. (as an example). 'The Irishman', 'Marriage Story', and 'The Two Popes', (how I despised THAT film however), were seen by people in Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, and MONTANA..who would probably not have gone to the cinema to see them even though they probably skipped those places, and considering these are 'fly-over' states, that speaks for a lot I think.
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Something I've wondered about, Dave: Why are your responses in bold?
Do you have a private e-mail address Thor? If you do I can explain this to you, but I cannot here. On your site there's no real place for me to leave a message. Is that the only possibility?
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