The Potent Partnership of John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands
Rowlands died last August, at age 94, and now, from May 2 through 14, the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley, Calif., is honoring their creative union by screening the six films he wrote and directed that starred her. But one needn't live in the Bay Area to see most of them, as the bulk are available on disc from the Criterion Collection, via various rent-or-purchase apps or streaming on the Criterion Channel.
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2 days ago
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‘The Notebook' Star Gena Rowlands' ‘Legendary' Hollywood Retreat Lists for $5 Million—One Year After Her Death
A glittering Hollywood Hills retreat that served as the home of legendary filmmaker John Cassavetes and "The Notebook" star Gena Rowlands for decades has been put on the market for the first time in more than 60 years. The "legendary" dwelling, which is located "in the heart of the Hollywood Hills' prestigious 'Celebrity Row,'" spreads across 4,300 square feet and provided a "sanctuary" for the stars during the height of their fame. Rowlands, who died in August 2024 at the age of 94, and Cassavetes, who died in 1989, raised all three of their children in the sprawling property, which they also used as a set for some of their most famous films, including "Faces," "Minnie and Moskowitz," "Opening Night," and "Love Streams." Today, the home remains a tribute to their illustrious careers, with listing images capturing walls filled with movie posters, behind-the-scenes stills, and dozens of photos of the couple spending time with their celebrity pals. "The property was not just a home but also a creative hub, where films were made, memories were created, and a generation of filmmakers was inspired," the home's description notes—honoring the lasting careers of the couple's children, Nick, Xan, and Zoe, all of whom followed their parents' footsteps into the movie business. After Rowlands' death, the property was passed into a trust in her name—having been in the family for 63 years, with the actress holding on to the abode even after marrying her second husband, Robert Forrest, in 2012. Nestled in the heart of the Hollywood Hills, the home is located on 1 acre of land that includes "one buildable lot, offering rare future potential in this coveted location," the listing, which is held by Kate Blackwood and Kristal Moffett of Compass, notes. "A long, tree-lined approach leads to a classic traditional home with elegant Hollywood Regency details, gracious scale, and abundant natural light," it continues. The home remains in much the same condition that it was in when Rowlands died, with many of its original architectural details intact, "including a one-of-a-kind hand-painted bathroom artistic centerpiece created by a family member." The home features five bedrooms and five bathrooms, as well as several picturesque living spaces, including a cozy bar that is littered with photographs taken throughout Cassavetes' and Rowlands' careers. A wood-paneled living space, complete with a fireplace, doubles as a relaxation area and a library, with one wall dedicated to built-in bookshelves. The kitchen, which boasts elegant black-and-white tile flooring, features a darling breakfast nook where families can gather for a meal—or they can head to the sunroom, which has its own space for relaxing. For more formal occasions, there is an opulent dining room that serves as the perfect space for larger gatherings. 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