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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Of Notoriety: Newspapers are an ageless gift with ‘superpowers' to educate, entertain and inform
As I write this column on Aug. 13, on the occasion of my 55th birthday, there is one standout gift I received that represents so much more than just a gift of sentiment. My intern-turned-work associate (and right-hand man) Luke Miiller purchased a $35 small metal replica of a newspaper sales box, a rare landscape sight these days. This particular miniature newspaper box is for the famed but fictitious The Daily Planet newspaper, the beloved print publication that dual identity reporter Clark Kent and alter-ego Superman worked for, side-by-side with photographer Jimmy Olsen, rival scoop reporter Lois Lane and angry publisher Perry White. Luke purchased the keepsake last month when I joined him and others at AMC 16 in Schererville to see the new Warner Bros. 'Superman' film starring David Corenswet in the title role. The tin box includes a hinged plastic clear window where a small paper copy of an issue of The Daily Planet, featuring a large photo of Superboy's canine pal Krypto on the front page with a mock story. This memento box is really intended to hold enough popcorn to fill a large bucket, but the concession stand conveniently serves the popcorn in a separate bucket. I liked the new film version of 'Superman.' However, given I was born in 1970, the original 'Superman: The Movie' released in 1978 and starring the late greats Christopher Reeve as the man in the cape opposite Gene Hackman as scheming Lex Luthor will still always rank tops in my heart and mind. Most of all, I'm proud of both films' treatment of newspapers and reporters chasing after their stories as a narrative of the excitement and adventure represented by the journalism field. From coverage of county fairs to city council meetings, school boards, politics, crime, business and corruption to the contrasting content of enlightenment from feature stories, columnists, entertainment, sports and arts and culture, newspapers have had it all covered for centuries, and delivered to doorsteps (or the digital equivalent in recent decades). If you open the inside well of my newspaper box proudly displayed at work on my desk, carefully folded to fit the interior is a full-size copy of The Daily Planet, published by Gannett Media on July 7 as a 'wrap-around' souvenir covering USA Today, released as a special promotional bonus to push movie ticket sales. The front page includes stories with bylines by both Lois Lane and Clark Kent as well as photos with a Jimmy Olsen credit. This isn't the first time USA Today and parent company Gannett have surprised readers with a clever keepsake souvenir edition. Reader and friend Tammie Miller, spotting my newspaper box on my desk last week, reminded me that a decade ago, the Oct. 15, 2015, issue of USA Today was also a special milestone edition. That magical date is the date that appeared on the prop newspaper held by actor Michel J. Fox as Marty McFly in the hit film sequel 'Back to the Future Part II' released in 1989 by Universal Pictures. As spotted in the quick glimpse scene in the film, the prop newspaper shows it is sold for $3 in the predicted year 2015. In truth, USA Today sold for $2 in 2015 and today sells for $3. When Gannett printed up the commemorative prop replica newspapers on Oct. 15, 2015, they were sold for $6. (Tammie Miller happened to snag one!) Among the headlines and predictions on the prop newspaper attempting to predict the future for the year 2015? There are story teases and references to the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series, royal coverage of 'Queen Diana,' the popularity of rehydrated pizza, hoverboards and a female U.S. president. There is also a large banner headline that reads: 'Cholesterol may be cancer cure' Newspapers are a reason to keep smiling: past, present and future.
Chicago Tribune
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
From the Farm: Simple fudge recipe marks 75th anniversary of film noir ‘Sunset Boulevard'
I'm not always so easily persuaded to spend a night out at the cinema. Usually, dinosaurs can do it (yep, 'Jurassic Park'), since I've always been fascinated by these 'thundering lizards' ever since I was a young lad with a vast plastic collection at play in our farm backyard sandbox. (Even as a boy, I could name and identify each one by their scientific tongue-twister names.) Last Monday night, my co-workers convinced me to join them to see the 1950 black and white film classic by Paramount Pictures, 'Sunset Boulevard' on 'the big screen' at AMC 16 in Schererville. This was a one-night-only screening presented by Fathom Entertainment as part of their Fathom's Big Screen Classics, as explained at with more special classic film screenings in the coming months. This screening was scheduled in advance of this weekend's celebration for the 75th anniversary of the film's release on Aug. 10, 1950. Today, it holds the distinction of ranking No. 12 on the American Film Institute's list of the '100 Best American Films' of the 20th Century. I've seen the movie many times, while my co-workers were new to the movie. This film also holds a ranking as one of the favorites of my parents, as well as myself. The AMC 16 anniversary screening included about 30 patrons in the audience, and the night began with a special recorded brief narration by bearded and bespeckled film critic Leonard Maltin, who is now 75. Masterfully directed by Billy Wilder, who also assisted with writing the screenplay, it is the all-star iconic cast adding to the legendary success and long-lasting celebratory reputation of the film, which gives a harsh insider's look into the dark underbelly industry insights of Hollywood's studio star system and the fickle flavors of filmmaking throughout the decades. Cast as the lead of faded 50-year-old silent film star Norma Desmond is the glorious Gloria Swanson, who was age 50 and an early star who lived and succeeded in the silent film industry but opted to retire when 'talking pictures' became the transition rage. During the film, character Norma credits Greta Garbo as one of the few faces and talents still worthy of the Hollywood big screen. It's an intended ironic twist since Swanson's fellow retired contemporary Garbo was offered the role of Norma originally but turned it down, as did the silent era's 'It Girl' Clara Bow. Cast as Norma's unwilling yet compromising writer companion Joe Gillis is William Holden, who was 31 years old during filming. According to studio archives, other potential pairings cast for the roles of Norma and Joe under consideration were Norma Shearer opposite Fred MacMurray as well as Mary Pickford opposite Montgomery Clift, and Mae West paired with Marlon Brando. Rounding out the cast is Nancy Olson as Betty Schaefer, a studio scriptwriter competing for Joe's attention and affection, and Erich von Stroheim as Norma's devoted butler Max, who once enjoyed earlier career success as Norma's movie director during the silent film era. Delicious cameo appearances abound in the film with moments of Buster Keaton, Anna Q. Nilsson and B.B. Warner (a trio of noted silent era film stars playfully referred to as 'the waxworks' during the movie's bridge card game scene), and director Cecil B. DeMille and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper portraying themselves. An interesting fact I learned from watching the film screening is that I'd not realized the decaying mansion and estate used for the film's exterior scenes was the real home that had belonged to eccentric billionaire J. Paul Getty of Getty Oil fame, and at the time was vacant for a decade but owned by Getty's ex-wife. As viewers of the film know, the elaborate inground concrete swimming pool in the side courtyard plays a key plot point. However, the Getty mansion estate didn't have a pool. Wilder got the Getty family to agree to have a full concrete pool installed, but minus the pumps and usual engineering since it was only needed for a few days of shooting. It is said prior to the film being released, Swanson was granted permission to screen it for some of her closest friends and Hollywood contemporaries. According to Swanson, Mary Pickford left halfway through, and Barbara Stanwyck lamented the theme of a has-been Hollywood star. Swanson, who died at age 84 in 1983, was used to making scandalous headlines, including whispers about her association as the mistress of Joseph Kennedy, the latter who was an early investor in RKO Movie Studios, later purchased by Howard Hughes. Swanson was nominated for an Academy Award for 'Sunset Boulevard,' and she loved the story despite having to live her later years with the notion that she was just like the character she played so convincingly on screen. Long before 'Sunset Boulevard' was adapted into a Broadway Musical in 1994, Swanson was already promoting that same New York stage treatment for the story in the late 1960s. Carol Burnett resurrected interest in the characters from 'Sunset Boulevard' when she joined co-star Harvey Korman to parody the characters for recurring skits on her popular 1970s variety show. When I interviewed Carol Burnett a decade ago about Swanson, she reminded me that the actress welcomed the lampooning of her great character and found it comedically entertaining. Swanson herself was flattered to be a guest star during the 1973 season of Burnett's show and was especially fond of getting to work with the show's handsome supporting star, Lyle Waggoner. Burnett, 92, always a fan of the great movie stars of yesteryear, said only Swanson accepted her invitation to appear on her variety show, while other stars she also famously parodied from iconic movies, such as Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, declined invites. In an early scene in 'Sunset Boulevard,' Norma has her butler wheel out a cart filled with what is described as 'overly sweet champagne and chilled caviar.' With her busy Hollywood career (her final movie was the 1974 airplane disaster film 'Airport 1975' playing herself), Swanson, who was born in Chicago, likely didn't spend much time in a kitchen. However, a 1929 Photoplay magazine cookbook includes her recipe for an easy 'cream-based fudge,' which has a butterscotch flavor. Best of all, it only has four ingredients. But be warned! It's even sweeter than Norma's favorite bubbly. 1 1/2 pounds light brown sugar 1/2 pint heavy cream 1 cup pecans, chopped fine Butter, as needed Directions: Combine sugar and cream in a heavy saucepan and whisk to combine as heated over boiling water in double boiler. Heat until sugar granules are dissolved. Test candy temperature by dropping a small amount from the tip of a teaspoon into a glass of cold water and a 'soft ball stage' is achieved. Continue to beat well, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and fold in pecans. Generously butter a jellyroll pan or cookie sheet and pour fudge and spread evenly. Allow to set-up to firm in cool place on kitchen counter or in refrigerator. Once fudge candy is firm, break apart into pieces and store in canister.
