"Li'l Abner": 'Sadie Hawkins Day'

Written and illustrated by cartoonist Al Capp, the second volume of the complete "Li'l Abner" newspaper comic strip, presenting the daily strips and color Sundays from 1937 and 1938, features the first 'Sadie Hawkins Day', "...in which the womenfolk chase the menfolk, and whosoever gets caught is brought to the altar before 'Marryin' Sam' himself..."

"Li'l Abner", considered the inspiration for the characters in the CBS comedy TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies", featured a clan of hillbillies from the impoverished town of 'Dogpatch', Kentucky.

The strip ran in North American newspapers from 1934 to 1977, distributed by United Feature Syndicate.

Characters included voluptuous 'Daisy Mae Scragg' hopelessly in love with Li'l Abner, before getting 'hitched' and producing their first child, 'Honest Abe' in 1953.

The 'Shmoo' characters introduced to the strip in 1948, were fabulous creatures that bred exponentially, consumed nothing and eagerly provided everything that humankind could wish for.

Besides producing both milk (bottled, grade A) and eggs (neatly packaged), they tasted like pork when roasted, chicken when fried and steak when broiled. Ironically, the shmoo's generous nature and incredible usefulness made it a threat to capitalism, to western society and perhaps to civilization itself.

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IDW Launches "It! The Terror From Beyond Space"

Written by Dara Naraghi, illustrated by Mark Dos Santos, with a cover by Steve Mannion, IDW Publishing's "MGM Drive-In Theater: It! The Terror From Beyond Space", is based on the 1958 classic sci fi horror feature "It! The Terror From Beyond Space", directed by Edward L. Cahn, considered the inspiration for director Ridley Scott's 1979 feature "Alien".

Premise of the comic book adaptation follows the spaceship 'Challenge 142' as it carries the only survivor of an earlier failed expedition, suspected of killing his crew for their lifesaving rations. But traveling Earthbound, a stow-away, man-eating alien creature on board the ship, has been killing the crew members one at a time.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "It! The Terror From Beyond Space"...

CFTPA Evolves Into Canadian Media Production Association

The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA), representing the interests of screen-based media companies engaged in the production/distribution of English-language TV programs, feature films and new media content in all regions of Canada, reports it is changing its name to the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) "...to better reflect the multi-screen world and the future of our industry..."

"Independent producers create high-quality Canadian content and are at the heart of the feature film, broadcasting and content distribution system," said Norm Bolen, President, Chief Executive Officer, CMPA.

"The global shift towards digital technology and new forms of distribution means we have to change with the times. The new name embraces the opportunities for our members to create new partnerships and expand into the international market place."

Founded in 1948, the Association was originally known as the Association of Motion Picture Producers and Laboratories of Canada. In 1974, it changed its name to the Canadian Film and Television Association and in 1990, merged with the Association of Canadian Film and Television Producers to form the Canadian Film and Television Production Association.

The Board of the CMPA has appointed Tom Cox as its new Chair to lead the rebranding. Cox is managing partner of Alberta-based SEVEN24 Films.

"I’m delighted to be working with such a knowledgeable staff and Board of Directors to ensure that Canadian producers remain at the centre of our national cultural community and form a strong and sustainable part of Canada’s entrepreneurial sector," said Cox.

Cox executive produced CBC's "Heartland", CTV's "Mayerthorpe" and Global/BBC's "Burn Up". His feature co-producer credits include "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford".

"Tom knows independent producers must develop new business models to flourish in the creative economy", said John Barrack, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer CMPA.

"Tom knows independent producers must develop. SEVEN24 and Toronto-based marblemedia have recently joined forces to create DISTRIBUTION360 (D360), a forward-thinking distribution company focused on the full monetization of television and interactive content across traditional and emerging global platforms. That’s the kind of innovation we need to bring Canada to the world."

Mattel Gets A Buzz From "Monster High"

Not to be outdone by the current 'teen monster' craze of Summit Entertainment's "Twilight Saga" movie franchise, "Smallville" creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, are attached to script Universal Picture's developing musical feature "Monster High," based on a Mattel property.

Set at 'Monster High' school, the film will feature Universal's most 'Famous Monsters Of Filmland", including 'Dracula', 'Frankenstein' and the 'Wolfman', depicted in their classic Universal film look, when they were adorable teen monsters going to school.

Mattel will launch ts first in-house brand, with new "Monster" books, webisodes, animation, toys, apparel and accessories.

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Kevin Spacey Left Holding The "Bagman"

"Bagman" (aka "Casino Jack"), directed by George Hickenlooper, from a screenplay by Norman Snider is a new Canadian-lensed 'docudrama' starring Kevin Spacey, focusing on the career of Washington lobbyist 'Jack Abramoff', who was involved in a massive corruption scandal that led to his jail conviction, along with two White House officials, Rep. Bob Ney, nine other lobbyists and congressional staffers.

Abramoff was convicted of fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion in 2006 and of trading expensive gifts, meals and sports trips in exchange for political favors.

Filming started June 2009 in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, with sequences also filmed at McMaster University.

The feature is scheduled for release October 1, 2010.

Click the poster to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Bagman"...

"The Girl Who Played With Fire"

Sneak Peek "The Girl Who Played with Fire", directed by Daniel Alfredson, adapting the bestselling novel in the "Millennium Trilogy" by Swedish author/journalist Stieg Larsson.

The feature sequel to "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", the film stars Michael Nyqvist as 'Mikael Blomkvist' and Noomi Rapace as 'Lisbeth Salander', following Salander's return to Sweden after spending a year abroad. Having returned, she falls under suspicion for the disappearance of a journalist and his girlfriend, with sometime lover Blomkvist, trying to reach her before the authorities can find her.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Girl Who Played With Fire"...

Universal's Next Big "Thing"- April 29, 2011

According to Universal Pictures, the new Toronto-lensed remake of "The Thing", wrapping after a 4-month shoot @ Pinewood Studios Toronto, will be released April 29, 2011.

The science-fiction horror thriller, described by the studio as a 'prelude' to director John Carpenter's feature "The Thing" (1982), follows the discovery of an extraterrestrial organism and ship buried deep in Antarctica.

"...Antarctica: an extraordinary continent of awesome beauty. It is also home to an isolated outpost where a discovery full of scientific possibility becomes a mission of survival when an alien is unearthed by a crew of international scientists. The shape-shifting creature, accidentally unleashed at this marooned colony, has the ability to turn itself into a perfect replica of any living being. It can look just like you or me, but inside, it remains inhuman.

"Paleontologist 'Kate Lloyd' (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has traveled to the desolate region for the expedition of her lifetime. Joining a Norwegian scientific team that has stumbled across an extraterrestrial ship buried in the ice, she discovers an organism that seems to have died in the crash eons ago. But it is about to wake up.

"When a simple experiment frees the alien from its frozen prison, Kate must join the crew’s pilot,' Carter' (Joel Edgerton), to keep it from killing them off one at a time. And in this vast, intense land, a parasite that can mimic anything it touches will pit human against human as it tries to survive and flourish..."

Carpenter's "The Thing" adapted the 1938 "Astounding Magazine" 'novella' "Who Goes There", by author John W. Campbell Jr.

The short story was also the basis of the 1951 film "The Thing From Another World" from producer Howard Hawks.

Premise of Campbell's original story focused on a group of scientific researchers, isolated in Antarctica, that discover an alien spaceship buried in the ice. The men unwittingly recover the alien pilot that can assume the shape, memories and personality of any living creature.

Strike Entertainment's Eric Newman and Marc Abraham produced "The Thing" prequel, with David Foster executive producing, from a screenplay by Eric Heisserer ("A Nightmare on Elm Street"), directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Thing"...

Warners Chases After "Don Quixote"

Warner Bros continues its quest to adapt more literary works for the big screen, with plans to update Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes’ "Don Quixote", following the studio's box office success rebooting "Sherlock Holmes".

Cherry-picking through hundreds of public domain titles, previously adapted as crowd-pleasing comic books for "Classics Illustrated", producer Joel Silver ("Splice") is reportedly fast-tracking "Don Quixote" with the studio, as a big-budget tentpole release, describing the new take as a "Pirates of the Caribbean"-like swashbuckler.

Published in two volumes in 1605 and 1615, "Don Quixote" is the most influential work of literature to emerge from the Spanish Golden Age.

Orginally titled "The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha", the episodic story is told by Moorish chronicler 'Cide Hamete Benengeli'.

Premise of "Don Quixote' follows retired country gentleman 'Alonso Quixano', who lives in La Mancha with his niece and housekeeper. Becoming obsessed with books about 'chivalry', role-playing Quixano becomes a knight-errant in search of adventure, dons an old suit of armor, renames himself 'Don Quixote de la Mancha', enlists a sidekick, re-names his skinny horse 'Rocinante' and designates neighboring farm girl, 'Aldonza Lorenzo', as his fair lady love 'Dulcinea del Toboso'.

The novel is considered a satire of orthodoxy, veracity and nationalism, exploring the individualism of the characters beyond narrow literary conventions of chivalric romance literature.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek the 1972 musical feature "The Man Of La Mancha, directed by Canadian Arthur Hiller, starring Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren...

"TRON: Evolution": The Video Game

"TRON: Evolution", the upcoming video game supporting the Vancouver-lensed feature "TRON: Legacy", is a 3rd person action-adventure game "that pulls the player into the unique digital world of 'TRON', navigating among unique rebel factions, while fighting an epic battle against a dictator’s seemingly unstoppable army..."

The game’s story prequels “TRON: Legacy” events and provides insight into the film’s past. As an integrated entertainment experience, the film will reference elements of the game’s story. “TRON: Legacy” film director Joseph Kosinski also consulted on the vision for the debut video game trailer, which includes computer graphics that were created by the same company that will provide the film’s CG animations.

As part of the connection between the game and film, actress Olivia Wilde stars as 'Quorra' in "TRON: Evolution", with her voice/likeness providing players with another direct link to the film as they discover how earlier events within the world of TRON shape her character’s future.

“These games offer unique experiences within the TRON universe that are ideal for their individual platforms,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios.

“TRON is an exciting, dynamic property that appeals to interactive entertainment fans of all ages.”

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "TRON: Evolution"...

Sneak Peek "Real Steel"

Sneak Peek new images from the currently shooting DreamWorks feature "Real Steel", set in a future world of boxing, competitive robots.

The science fiction feature stars Hugh Jackman ("Wolverine") and Canadian actress Evangeline Lilly ("Lost").

"...A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future, where the sport of boxing has gone hi-tech, 'Real Steel' stars Hugh Jackman as 'Charlie Kenton' (Jackson), a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son 'Max' (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback..."

"Real Steel" is the first film from DreamWorks after raising $650 million production funding from J.P. Morgan Securities and India-based Reliance Big Pictures. Disney also contributed $175 million to DreamWorks, for the exclusive distribution of new DreamWorks titles including "Real Steel".

"Real Steel", based on author Richard Matheson's short story,

was previously adapted for the 1963 "Twilight Zone" episode "Steel", written by Rod Serling, focusing on a world where human boxing has been outlawed in favor of a field dominated by 'fighting robots'.

In the episode, former boxer 'Steel Kelly' (Lee Marvin) manages an older model 'B2-model' robot called 'Battling Maxo'. When another robot gets damaged before a big fight event, Kelly is contacted to see if Maxo can fight in his place. Seizing the opportunity, Kelly assures the promoter Maxo is up to the task and uses the last of his money to get to the venue, for one last shot at the big time.

But when Kelly realizes Maxo's functions are beyond repair after too many years of wear and tear, he disguises himself as Maxo, almost getting himself killed in the ring by a battling 'B7 robot'.

In the end, the faux Maxo is awarded half the prize money for an amusingly 'poor' performance, with loyal Kelly promising to invest his winnings in new parts for Maxo.

"Real Steel" is one of 17 projects Spielberg and Stacey Snider retained as part of DreamWorks' split from Paramount.

DreamWorks initially acquired the project in 2005 for a reported $850,000, with writer John Gatins handing in the most recent draft screenplay.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Twilight Zone: Steel" and "Rock 'Em Sock' 'Em Robots"...

Elena Semikina Is "Miss Universe Canada 2010"

Before a packed house @ The John Bassett Theatre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre June 14, Elena Semikina was crowned "Miss Universe Canada 2010".

The 6'1", Toronto-born, 26-year old model, is currently completing her studies at York University with a focus on Marketing/Finance. In addition to her school workload, she is also enrolled in oratory, neuro-linguistic programming, acting and dance classes.

"...Fitness and daily workouts also play an integral role in helping Elena to maintain a well-balanced life..."

"...Elena believes that our words and actions can inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more..."

Semikina will now represent Canada in L’Oreal commercials internationally, before going to Las Vegas for the televised Miss Universe pageant August 23....

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek our exclusive video of the Miss Universe Canada event...

Production Moves On "Atlas Shrugged"

Filming has now started for 5 weeks on the $5 million big screen adaptation of author Ayn Rand's 1957 novel "Atlas Shrugged".

Shooting in Los Angeles, "Atlas Shrugged Part One" is directed by Paul Johansson from a script by Patrick O'Toole, for producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow.

The book explores a dystopian United States where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society. Protagonist, 'Dagny Taggart', sees society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over all industry, while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious 'John Galt', progressively drop out. Galt describes the strike as "stopping the motor of the world" by withdrawing the "minds" that drive society's growth and productivity; with their strike these creative minds hope to demonstrate that the economy and society would collapse without the profit motive and the efforts of the rational and productive.

The novel, referencing the mythical 'Titan' 'Atlas', who holds the weight of the heavens on his shoulders, includes elements of mystery and science fiction and contains Rand's most extensive statement of 'Objectivism' in any of her works of fiction.

The theme, as Rand described it, is "the role of man's mind in existence", expressing many facets of philosophy, including the advocacy of reason, individualism, the market economy and the failure of government coercion.

Galt will be played by director Johannson, railroad executive 'Dagny Taggart' will be played by Taylor Schilling ("Mercy), Grant Bowler ("Ugly Betty") is 'Henry Reardon', Michael Lerner ("A Serious Man") is lobbyist 'Wesley Mouch', director Nick Cassavetes is 'Richard McNamara', e Matthew Marsdan is 'James Taggart' and Graham Beckel is 'Ellis Wyatt'.

Also cast are Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia, Rebecca Wisocky, Ethan Cohn, Patrick Fischer, Neill Barry, Christina Pickles and Nikki Klecha.

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Megan Fox Dummies Up For "Interview" Magazine

Former "Transformers" star Megan Fox, soon to be seen in Warners upcoming 'weird western' feature "Jonah Hex", recently posed for a fashion editorial with a look-alike mannequin in the July 2010 issue of "Interview" Magazine.

The 24-year old Taurus actress, started her career in 2001 with small TV and film roles, including a recurring part on the series "Hope and Faith". In 2004, she had a part in the feature "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" and in 2007 was cast as 'Mikaela Banes', the 'love interest' in director Michael Bay's DreamWorks/Paramount feature "Transformers" which became her breakout role, earning various Teen Choice Awards nominations.

Fox reprised her Mikaela Banes role in the 2009 sequel, "Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen" and in 2009 starred in the Vancouver-lensed horror comedy "Jennifer's Body".

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