Fresnans nearly packed Chukchansi Park Saturday night to root for the Fresno Grizzlies and get a sneak peak at a Hollywood superstar. KMPH News spoke to Billy Crystal exclusively and he has a personal message that he asked us to deliver.
“Bette Midler and I are the stars of this movie and we had a great time in Fresno tonight. Thank you everybody for coming out to the ballpark. That meant a lot to us.”
Bette got the night off but Billy was everywhere. He tossed out the first pitch. He also spent a little time in the dugout and worked his magic behind the microphone. “He turns to Berra and says ‘Yogi how’s he throwing’ and Berra says ‘I don’t know I haven’t caught one yet.'”
Crystal stars in the film that spotlights minor league broadcaster Artie Decker — the voice of the Fresno Grizzlies.
He and director Andy Fickman believe they’re deserving of the key to the city. “It’s a very pro Fresno movie. One of the first. I think maybe the only one. We’re not saying that there’s a Fresno Hall of Fame and we would be in it. But if there was a Fresno Hall of Fame we would totally be in it. Yeah next to a big box of raisins would be our picture.”
Billy Crystal and company hit town Saturday which turned out to be one of the hottest days of August. During the game a helicopter hovered high above the field.
Despite the heat Crystal said the buzz around the park pumped up the crew. “When you start writing things in a script and it says exterior you know ballpark Fresno that’s one thing on a page. When you get here and the park is beautiful and the people are great it makes making these movies kind of fun.”
The cast and crew worked well past the final out of the game. Good movies take time. But don’t expect to see a premiere anytime this summer. “And when we come back and screen it here… Why are you promising? By screening we mean when we come and show the movie in a movie theater.. In the winter.. In the winter.. When it’s less hot.”
The baseball movie starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler is not scheduled for release anytime soon.
5 thoughts on “Video: Billy Crystal Talks About New Movie”
I also feel better now knowing that she was not even filming yet. I didnt realize that she wasn’t filming. I just want her to be healthy. Thanks for providing this!
I checked on IMDB, and the film is listed as a “comedy” with a release date of 2013. That should give Bette plenty of tiime for recovery, and for filming.
Andy Fickman’s other movies include “Race to Witch Mountain”, “Hellcats (TV)”, “She’s the Man”, and last year’s “You Again”. Sadly, his films were not critical darlings or commercial successes, but I thought “She’s the Man” was a rather cute gender-bender. “You Again” had Sigourney Weaver, Betty White, Jamie Lee Curtis, Victor Garber and Kristin Chenoweth and pretty much got trounced by the critics and the public. “Race to Witch Mountain”, a Disney flick with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was the most successful, with a gross of $67M.
Let’s hope a great script can elevate this film, and I’m just glad that Bette’s in another movie. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I also feel better now knowing that she was not even filming yet. I didnt realize that she wasn’t filming. I just want her to be healthy. Thanks for providing this!
That’s cool with me Miiss Jill! 🙂
If her back has healed up she probably will be, but it will be gentle cleaning!
I checked on IMDB, and the film is listed as a “comedy” with a release date of 2013. That should give Bette plenty of tiime for recovery, and for filming.
Andy Fickman’s other movies include “Race to Witch Mountain”, “Hellcats (TV)”, “She’s the Man”, and last year’s “You Again”. Sadly, his films were not critical darlings or commercial successes, but I thought “She’s the Man” was a rather cute gender-bender. “You Again” had Sigourney Weaver, Betty White, Jamie Lee Curtis, Victor Garber and Kristin Chenoweth and pretty much got trounced by the critics and the public. “Race to Witch Mountain”, a Disney flick with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was the most successful, with a gross of $67M.
Let’s hope a great script can elevate this film, and I’m just glad that Bette’s in another movie. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Besides being in films and getting an Oscar, I’d love Miss M to be back in Vegas.