Stars Get Held in Falling Elevator After Movie Premiere

Things got pretty frightening following a NY premiere party of 'Janie Johnson,' a Tribeca Film release starring Abigail Breslin, Alessandro Nivola and Elisabeth Shue. 14 people -- including Nivola, 'The Good Wife' star Josh Charles, and 'Janie Jones' director David M. Rosenthal -- were held in a falling elevator in the Gramercy Park Hotel in Manhattan. Stated Rosenthal to Vulture: "We initially thought we'd gone completely towards the basement and returned around the springs." The problem began around night time when 12 party participants left the 16th floor roof terrace in the hotel. Packed already, the elevator stopped a couple of flooring lower, where, per Vulture, "a hefty older gentleman in the Netherlands" and the mate anxiously waited. "Everybody is yelling and hooting," stated Rosenthal, "and also the guy I am sure was drunk and thinks it is a party. So that they decide enter into, and the moment they begin, the one thing begins rapidly declining lower. His girlfriend is lucky she did not get wiped out because her feet was barely within the door once the elevator dropped." It finally stopped after nearly eight flooring, trapping the people just beneath the 2nd floor from the hotel. Initially, the 14 made jokes concerning the situation, but soon started to get rid of persistence. It had been only after Nivola's more youthful brother, awaiting him within the lobby, recognized something was amiss that hotel authorities were informed. After awaiting FDNY personnel to reach, the limited people required action and rose out the fire department apparently showed up right before the final person was drawn to safety. Gramercy authorities the deterioration elevator will undergo extensive testing, but that is not enough for Charles. "Here's my quote," he stated to Vulture. "If anybody stays in the Gramercy, remove insurance before you decide to ride the elevator. If put forth the Gramercy, do not die. Make use of the stairs." [via Vulture] [Photo: Alamy] RELATED Haunted Hollywood The Phantom Stage?Houdini's Halloween Storm?The Ghost of Howard Hughes?James Dean's Killer Vehicle?Marilyn Monroe's Haunted Mirror?Ghostly Music in the Hotel?Jayne Mansfield Wiped out with a Satanic Curse?The Curse of 'The Exorcist'?The Woman in Black? See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Tornatore nabs coin for 'Best Offer'

ROME -- Italo helmer Giuseppe Tornatore is in early stages on "The Best Offer," an unconventional romancer with an Alpine setting being developed with coin from the new BLS South Tyrol -- Alto Adige film fund. Pic, being produced by Rome shingle Paco Cinematografica, has tapped into script development funding from BLS. The org is located in South Tyrol, the autonomous Alpine province at Italy's northernmost point, bordering with Austria, which is becoming a hotspot for Central European shoots. Tornatore also has big-budget epic "Leningrad" in development. BLS is providing Tornatore Euros 50,000 ($70,000) to adapt his script for "The Best Offer," which is about a loveless elderly man who intersects with an astute young man and a mysterious woman in a South Tyrol setting. Launched last year, the BLS film fund disposes of $7 million yearly with a $2.1 million cap per project. So far, it has supported six projects in 2010, and 19 in 2011, proving popular with Italian, German and Austrian producers. "Our location and the fact that we are bilingual (Italian and German) make us the ideal co-production partner between Italy and German-speaking countries," boasted BLS film fund topper Christiana Wertz during a presentation at the Rome Film Festival. Pics that have tapped into BLS to date include Fandango's "Diaz -- Don't Clean Up This Blood," helmed by Daniele Vicari, and Austrian helmer Ernst Gossner's "Monte Piano" from Austria's Sigma shingle. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

Will Katie Couric's New Talk Show Mean the Dying of 'General Hospital'?

This short article initially made an appearance within the November. 4 problem from the Hollywood Reporter.our editor recommendsKatie Couric Reveals About Her New Talk Show (Q&A)Katie Couric Talk Show Is Going To Be Known as 'Katie' (Photo) Disney/ABC introduced March. 24 it has removed Katie Couric's syndicated Katie to air in additional than 60 % of U.S. houses if this bows in fall 2012, fueling speculation about the way forward for the cleaning soap which has broadcast at 3 p.m. in many marketplaces since 1963. ABC, which in September came the ire of cleaning soap fans by changing the lengthy-running My Kids with the foodie chat show The Chew and jettisoning One Existence to reside towards the web, likely won't decide the fate of their last remaining cleaning soap before the spring. But General Hospital clearly is underneath the microscope. The cleaning soap will "compete according to rankings and chargesInch along with other choices, states a network repetition. PHOTOS: 'All The Kids': Famous Alums of ABC's Daytime Drama Chew is on an average start, tempting 1.9 million total audiences daily in the third week -- well below the two.4 million that The Kids came last year. But Chew, along with the Revolution, a life-style strip which will launch in The month of january, costs a smaller amount to create than the usual cleaning soap. Even though GH still earnings 2.43 million audiences, that's lower from 2.47 million this past year and off 20 % this year among women 18-to-49. PHOTOS: Katie Couric Talk Show Is Going To Be Known as 'Katie' "There's no extra reward depending on how passionate individuals are in regards to a show, particularly when may possibly not function as the right audience," states Mike Ford, an academic and co-editor from the book The Survival of Cleaning soap Opera. Sources say Katie is producing lower distribution costs than Disney had wished but nonetheless will pull in additional than $10,000 per week such marketplaces as Atlanta, Detroit and Dallas. Disney-possessed stations in large marketplaces will each pony up nearly $50,000 per week, assisting to produce about $60 million yearly and giving systems strong incentives to air the show in plum time slots -- similar to the one which GH occupies. Related Subjects ABC Katie Couric General Hospital

Stage Left: A Tale of Theater in Bay Area

A Kenneth Rainin Foundation production in colaboration with Rapt Prods. Created by Austin Forbord, Paul Festa. Directed by Austin Forbord. Compiled by Forbord, Paula Festa, Dr. Zack.With: Robert Woodruff, Chris Hardman, Christina Augello, Robin Williams, Guillermo Gomez-Pena, Tony Taccone, Misha Berson, Cynthia Moore, Luis Valez, Peter Coyote, Herbert Blau, Robert Hurwitt. Narrator: Marga Gomez."Stage Left" posits the San Fran like a particularly wealthy breeding ground for that creatively and politically progressive in publish-World war 2 American theater. Mixing intriguing archival materials with explanatory experience from experts on sides from the footlights, this entertaining docu constitutes a marginally less compelling situation than helmer Austin Forbord's prior "Artists in Exile" did for S.F. being an underappreciated locus for experimental modern dance. But it is still an invaluable record of regional innovation which should attract arts-focused teachers and tv stations. The chronicle commences using the Stars Workshop of Bay Area, which from 1952 introduced the region to modern playwrights and ultra-modern stagings (particularly via electronic scores). Not lengthy after its major talents decamped for NY within the mid-'60s, something large came driving the alternative direction: Bill Ball's American Conservatory Theater, a brand new repertory company that chose Bay Area since it's permanent home. Extremely ambitious early seasons required the town by storm, but eventually Ball's mercurial personality brought to some painful decline he committed suicide after finally departing for La within the late eighties, departing others to stabilize the now-healthy institution. Synchronised with this particular grand endeavor came numerous companies on the other hand bent on no-budget, intensely political and/or experimental work, many still extant today. The S.F. Mime Troupe articulated sixties radicalism with rabble-rousing free park shows, most infamously the blackface-carried out racism parody "The Minstrel Show" devoted entirely to new plays, the Miracle Theater hit popular mid-'70s patch when Mike Shepard was its resident playwright. The Pickle Family Circus (whose alums include Bill Irwin) developed animal-free entertainments which were not whatsoever only for kids, kickstarting an adventuresome New Vaudeville movement. The late seventies and 1980s were a fervent period for performance art, the area's tilt toward aesthetically striking multimedia work highlighted by enticing clips and stills from Soon 3, George Coates, Lizard Theater and so forth. Around the same time frame, myriad demographically focused companies cranked up, oftentimes the country's to begin their type (gay, Latino, African- and Asian-American). A lengthy duration of diverse artistic growth appeared to culminate within the triumph of Eureka Theater commission "Angels in the usa,Inch which opened in 1991. But diminishing funding, Helps deaths along with other deficits had already exacted a toll. The late the nineteen nineties us dot-com boom saw rents soar, driving out many creatives and firms. Nevertheless, a brand new generation of more compact-house leaders are keeping a tradition of innovation alive. Structured in rough chronological form assisted by an animated timeline, with nearly 50 interviewees -- stars, designers, company directors, authors, experts, fans (like Robin Williams) -- "Stage Left" can be a little of the mass confusion for that formerly unacquainted. Still, the seasoned might quibble over an omission or short-shrifting even in this cluttered canvas. (Probably the most conspicuous could well be an extremely late, general management of Berkeley Repetition, which in recent decades has, for a lot of, outflanked Behave as the Bay Area's most highly regarded as and influential legit institution.) Nonetheless, the docu reps a colorful introduction, with a few footage that leaves one pleading for additional: Highlights incorporate a glimpse at Ball's extremely physical 1976 "Toning down from the Shrew," and Gary Sinese and John Malkovich within the original Miracle manufacture of Shepard's "True West." Set up is professional.Camera (color, HD), Forbord editors, Jeremy Briggs, Paul Festa, Forbord music, Eli Nelson animation designer, The new sony Eco-friendly. Examined on DVD, Bay Area, March. 12, 2011. (In Mill Valley Film Festival -- Valley from the Paperwork.) Running time: 81 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Gotham crix move election to first position

The NY Film Experts Circle introduced Wednesday that they may hold their annual election on November. 28, leapfrogging it before two other orgs being the initial experts group to announce its picture of year through the fourth-quarter honours craze. Aside from the modification knock the country's Board of Review to second devote professionals queue, nevertheless it places NYFCC's 2011 Film Experts Circle Honours every day while watching Film Independent Spirit Honours nominations. The La experts typically weigh in around mid-December. "Since the nations pre-eminent critic's group, we are searching toward beginning from the annual finish-of-year discussion with this particular new early voting date," chairman John Anderson mentioned in the statement. Most honours prognosticators use the various experts groups for a lot of indication from the film's Oscar potential, despite past divergent opinions -- most particularly a year ago, when "The King's Speech" won best picture after "The Social MediaInch will be a resounding champion among experts. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Cinemax Renews 'Boardwalk Empire'

Abbot Genser/Cinemax"Boardwalk Empire" Cinemax has restored Boardwalk Empire for any third season. The time drama starring Steve Buscemi opened up its second season to two.9 million audiences recently, and is a critical darling for that network, obtaining eight Emmys, including outstanding pointing for any drama for Martin Scorsese. From Terence Winter and Scorsese, the Prohibition drama involves Buscemi's talking Nucky Thompson because he rules over Atlantic City, fighting fellow mobsters along with other dirty political figures searching for a bit of the illegal alcohol business. "Carrying out a triumphant first season, I had been wanting to see what Terry Winter, Martin Scorsese and also the relaxation of the stellar team had available, plus they still exceed our greatest anticipation," Cinemax programming leader Michael Lombardo stated Wednesday in announcing this news. "The response in the media and our audiences continues to be very satisfying." The series also acquired a set of Golden Globes for the best drama and finest actor for Buscemi, in addition to SAG honors because of its ensemble cast as well as for Buscemi. Boardwalk joins a drama slate which includes lately restored series including Bet on Thrones, True Bloodstream and Treme. The network has equine racing drama Luck, Veep, Women, Existence's Way Too Short and Aaron Sorkin's untitled cable news drama among its approaching new series. Produced by Winter, the series is executive prodced by Scorsese, Tim Van Patten, Stephen Levinson and Mark Wahlberg. Gene Kelly and Howard Korder co-professional produce, with Frederick Iberti and Ron Yorn aboard as producers. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com Twitter: @Snoodit Martin Scorsese Steve Buscemi Cinemax Boardwalk Empire Terence Winter

James Murdoch Should Resign From BSkyB Chairman Post, Big Investor Says

NY - One of U.K. satellite TV giant BSkyB's most prominent shareholders has called for James Murdoch to step down from the role of chairman amid investor concerns following the phone hacking scandal at entertainment giant News Corp.'s U.K. newspaper unit, which Murdoch also oversees, the Financial Times reported. BSkyB's annual meeting is scheduled for Nov. 29, and some investors have become vocal that the son of News Corp. chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch isn't independent enough since he is also deputy COO of News Corp, which controls a 39.1 percent stake in BSkyB. "While we acknowledge the track record of Mr Murdoch, we think that at this point an independent chairman would be advisable," Peter Langerman, president and CEO of Mutual Series, a part of Franklin Templeton Investments, told the FT. He did not detail if Murdoch should leave the BSkyB board or just drop the chairman title. Two other top shareholders are calling on the board to pick an independent chairman, while keeping James Murdoch as a director, according to the FT. "We have said that it would be appropriate for him to step down to be solely a non-executive director," one urnnamed investor told the paper. "The issue is whether his presence has become a distraction and whether he can be an effective chairman." The BSkyB news comes after shareholder advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services had said Monday that News Corp. shareholders should vote against the re-election of 13 of 15 members of the entertainment conglomerate's board, including Rupert, James and Lachlan Murdoch, to increase independent oversight following the phone hacking scandal. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Rupert Murdoch News Corp. BSkyB James Murdoch

'Muppets' Movie Soundtrack Features Feist, Flight of the Conchords, Andrew Bird

Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords has four original songs in the Disney film The Muppets, which features special appearances by Feist, Joanna Newsom and Nathan Pacheco. Walt Disney Records will release the soundtrack Nov. 21.our editor recommends'Green Lantern's' Ryan Reynolds Gets Punked By the Muppets (Video)'Muppets': Full Trailer of the Jason Segel-Amy Adams Film Surfaces (Video)Andrew Bird: Fever Year: Film Review McKenzie has written "Life's a Happy Song," sung by Jason Segel, Amy Adams and new Muppet Walter and then as a full cast finale; "Let's Talk About Me," which Chris Cooper sings; "Man or Muppet," a duet between Segel and Walter; and "Me Party," a collaboration between Adams and Miss Piggy. McKenzie is the film's music supervisor. PHOTOS: A History of Grunge in Pictures Feist and Mickey Rooney add vocals to "Life's A Happy Song," Newsom is guest vocalist on Jim Henson's "The Muppet Show Theme" and Pacheco, Disney Music Group artist, appears on "Let's Talk About Me." Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman wrote the film's other original track, "Pictures in My Head," which Kermit and the Muppets sing. Muppets characters cover Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" and offer a new version of the Muppet classic "Rainbow Connection." The soundtrack also features 15 interstitials of film dialogue. Christophe Beck did the score for the film that opens Nov. 23. PHOTOS: Top 10 Highest Paid Music Artists In the film, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Segel) and Gary's girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) are on vacation in Los Angeles when they discover the plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil. Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets for a telethon to raise $10 million to save the theater. Track Listing for "The Muppets": "The Muppet Show Theme" - The Muppets "Life's a Happy Song" - Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Walter "Pictures in My Head" - Kermit and The Muppets "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" - Paul Simon "Rainbow Connection" - The Moopets "We Built This City" - Starship "Me Party" - Amy Adams and Miss Piggy "Let's Talk About Me" - Chris Cooper "Man or Muppet" - Jason Segel and Walter "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - The Muppets Barbershop Quartet "Forget You" - Camilla and The Chickens "Rainbow Connection" - The Muppets "The Whistling Caruso" - Andrew Bird "Life's a Happy Song" - Finale Entire Cast "Mahna Mahna" - Mahna Mahna and The Two Snowths Related Topics Amy Adams Jason Segel Flight of the Conchords The Muppets Andrew Bird