Hollywood Inside Scoop: The Christmas Movie in Production

Since the early 1940's, Palm Springs has maintained close ties to Hollywood. Even today, many actors, directors, writers, producers, and cinematographers have a home in Palm Springs or visit on weekends. Its just a quick 90 mile drive east of Los Angeles to experience the peace and serenity of the desert and escape the prying eyes of the paparazzi. Being The Palm Springs Savant, my social circle includes a number of Hollywood insiders; actors, publicists, agents, managers, and the "movers-and-shakers" within the entertainment industry.

While I certainly write about public experiences and photos with celebrities here on this blog, discretion is essential. I never breach trust of a friendship or the sanctity of someones personal life. Every so often I get the inside scoop on things and can share them publicly right here on this blog. Such is the case with a fantastic new film currently in production. The photos here in this post are exclusive behind the scenes photos taken on the movie set! It is an awesome film called The Christmas Movie, a marvelous story written and directed by Dan Gordon and punctuated by a prestigious and talented cast. Photo below: actress Linda Gray on set of her latest film in production.

The Christmas Movie stars Emmy nominated, Golden Globe winner and German Bambi award winner (German Oscar) Linda Gray; Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman; Academy Award nominee Elliot Gould; Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Lanie Kazan; three time Golden Globe award winner and four time People’s Choice award winner Cybill Shepard; comedian Fred Willard, instantly recognizable from the indie feature hits “Best in Show,” “Mighty Wind,” and “For Your Consideration;” Olesya Rulin co-star of all three “High School Musical” movies (remember my friend Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were also in High School Musical); singer Gene Simmons whose Kiss fans alone make up a nearly rabid demographic; and the incomparable Della Reese, singer/actress and star of "Touched by An Angel".

The Christmas Movie is the story of pregnant young Mary, who’s had all the trappings of an upscale life, but it’s only when she finds herself in a small New Mexico town, in a downtrodden trailer park, that she learns the real meaning of
love, sacrifice and family. I've read the script. It is entertaining and funny, yet reinforces family values in a non-controversial manner. Photo below: scene from the set of The Christmas Movie, in production August 2009.

CLICK THIS LINK: Sneak Peek: Behind the Scenes of 'The Christmas Movie'

Why do I think The Christmas Movie will be a success? Well aside from a terrific story, an incredible cast, and first rate producer, the film has a top notch director. Film buffs will no doubt recall Dan Gordon's impressive track record: Academy Award nominated “The Hurricane” (Denzel Washington for Best Actor); “Wyatt Earp” (starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid and Gene Hackman); “The Assignment” (starring Sir Ben Kingsley); “Murder in the First” (starring Kevin Bacon, Christian Slater and Gary Oldman); “Passenger 57” (starring Wesley Snipes); etc. In addition, Gordon’s plays have appeared both in the West End of London (the stage adaptation of “Rain Man,” nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor); and most recently “Irena’s Vow” on Broadway (nominated for an Outer Critics’ Circle award for Best Play of 2009). In addition, Gordon was nominated for the Cable Ace Award for Best Screenplay and Best Picture for the HBO motion picture “Gulag,” starring David Keith, Malcolm McDowell and David Suchet. In addition to the Dan Gordon's directing skills are complimented by cinematographer Michael Goi, a two time ASC nominee.

Since this is an independent movie, it probably won't have all the big movie budget hype. I thought I'd start blogging about it to to see how it gets picked up by the Blogging community who may be interested in these actors and create a buzz about a film in production. The Hollywood Reporter just posted a brief article about The Christmas Movie being in production, and Entertainment Tonight posted a clip from the movie set. I have these exclusive photos from the set that I've included here in this post!

No doubt you like Elliott Gould, Linda Gray, Lainie Kazan, Cloris Leachman, Della Reese, Oleysa Rulin, Cybill Shepherd, Gene Simmons and Fred Willard, so you'll be interested in seeing this film with such a great cast. Once I get a clip I'll post it on the blog. In the meantime, check out the clip from ET above and if you are a fan of any of these actors, do me a favor, write a little post on your blog and link back to this post. I'd like to see what happens. You remember that shampoo commercial on TV- "and they told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on, and so on..." ah you get the picture. So will you help me out and do a post too?

-Rick Rockhill