BetteBack: For The Boys Begins Shoot

All Girl Productions’ ‘For the Boys‘ began filming Jan. 2 for Fox. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Article from:PR Newswire Article date:January 11, 1991

ALL GIRL PRODUCTIONS’ ‘FOR THE BOYS’ BEGAN FILMING JAN. 2 FOR FOX

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ — “For the Boys,” the second feature to be made under the All Girl Productions banner, starring Bette Midler and James Caan, and directed and executive produced by Mark Rydell, began filming Jan. 2 in Los Angeles, it was announced today by Twentieth Century Fox. The producers are Bette Midler, Bonnie Bruckheimer and Margaret South. The screenplay is by Marshall Brickman, Neal Jimenez and Lindy Laub.

In this romantic drama, Midler and Caan star as Dixie Leonard and Eddie Sparks, a song and dance team touring with the USO to entertain and comfort American soldiers fighting in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Their tumultuous relationship is depicted from the early 1940’s to the present. Midler and Caan’s characters will perform Forties and Fifties standards, as well as new songs written for the film, in musical numbers staged for the troops overseas.

Starring with Midler and Caan are George Segal as the performing duo’s head writer, Norman Fell as their producer and Jack Sheldon as the bandleader. Dori Brenner, Karen Martin, Shannon Wilcox, Christopher Rydell, Arliss Howard and Melissa Manchester also star.

“For the Boys” marks a reunion for filmmakers Rydell, Midler, Caan and Twentieth Century Fox. Rydell directed Midler in her first starring role in “The Rose,” for which she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Rydell previously directed Caan in “Cinderella Liberty,” which Rydell also produced. Both films were Twentieth Century Fox productions.

Mark Rydell, one of Hollywood’s most distinguished directors, received an Oscar nomination for “On Golden Pond,” which earned its stars, Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn, Academy Awards. Rydell’s other directing credits include “The River” with Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek, “Harry and Walter Go to New York” with Caan and Elliott Gould, “The Cowboys” with John Wayne, “The Reivers” with Steve McQueen and “The Fox” with Sandy Dennis. Rydell has also given memorable performances in front of the camera in “The Long Goodbye,” “Punchline,” and most recently as Meyer Lansky in “Havana.”

Bette Midler, one of the film industry’s most successful leading actresses, has starred in a succession of box office hits following her acclaimed film debut in “The Rose.” Her films include “Down and Out in Beverly Hills,” “Outrageous Fortune,” “Ruthless People,” “Big Business” and “Stella.” Partnered with Bruckheimer and South, for All Girl Productions, her own production company, Midler marked her initial foray into producing with last year’s hit film “Beaches,” in which she starred with Barbara Hershey. Midler is also a major recording artist with several chartbreaking hits, including the No. 1 hit “Wind Beneath My Wings” from the Beaches soundtrack, and her latest album, “Some People’s Lives,” has just been nominated for four Grammy Awards including Record of the Year.

James Caan is currently starring in one of the Christmas season’s biggest hits, “Misery,” directed by Rob Reiner. Caan was nominated for an Oscar in “The Godfather,” for his portrayal of Sonny Corleone. Among his many other film credits are “Funny Lady,” “Chapter Two,” “Thief,” “The Gambler” and “Gardens of Stone.”

Joining the “For the Boys” creative team are cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt (“The Cotton Club,” “Lethal Weapon“), production designer Assheton Gorton (“The French Lieutenant’s Woman,” “Legend”), costume designer Wayne Finkelman (“The Two Jakes,” “Bird on a Wire”), composer Dave Grusin (“The Fabulous Baker Boys,” “On Golden Pond”) and editor Jerry Greenberg (“Kramer vs. Kramer,” “Scarface”). Award- winning choreographer Joe Layton is staging the musical numbers.

Twentieth Century Fox is primarily engaged in the financing, development, production, distribution and marketing of motion pictures throughout the world and is a unit of Fox Inc.

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/CONTACT: Terry Clifford of Twentieth Century Fox, 213-203-2497/ CO: Twentieth Century Fox ST: California IN: ENT SU: AS — LA011 — 0005 01/11/91 16:23 EST