Washington Life Magazine
Washington Life Magazine

 

POLLYWOOD | HOLLYWOOD ON THE POTOMAC

While the Nanny fights cancer and the Midnight Cowboy ruminates about religion, James Bond leaves the ladies "shaken"

BY JANET DONOVAN

Fran Drescher and Sen. Arlen Specter
Fran Drescher and Sen. Arlen Specter at the launch for Cancer Schmancer

"The Nanny" does Washington
You've gotta love Fran Drescher. At a poolside party at the home of Christine Warnke for the launch of Cancer Schmancer, the diminutive, nasally enhanced actress was first to offer revival services to a guest who went horizontal mid-speech. While the woman was being transported to a couch, Drescher quipped, "Now there's a girl that knows how to make an exit!" It was one of few funny lines. "A doctor tells his patient he has good news and bad news. The good news: You have 48 hours to live. The bad news: I was supposed to tell you yesterday. Too many people are finding out they have cancer today when they should have been told yesterday," Drescher emphasized. (It took her two years and seven second opinions to be diagnosed properly.) "I got into stirrups more times than Roy Rogers! Real action needs to take place on Capitol Hill." The actress added she is making noise so senators will say, "I don't want the Cancer Schmancer movement on my back, so best to vote their way." Not taking chances: Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Diane Watson.

So much for "La La Land"
Actor Jon Voight pronounces Ahmadinejad better than most members of congress. In town to promote his latest flick September Dawn, the Midnight Cowboy took Washingtonians by surprise with his knowledge of foreign affairs, history and politics. The Oscar winner plays a tormented Jacob Samuelson during the historical and tragic September 11th, 1857 massacre of 120 men, women and children savagely murdered in the name of God – an act for which the Mormon Church has never taken responsibility. His character was so intense and committed such heinous acts, you had to wonder how Voight felt about the responsibility of religion.

"This fellow fell prey to a couple of things," Voight said. "He wasn't a strong person; he was a revengeful and desperate man who had nothing to lose and his superiors represented God. When we talk about religion though, let's talk about religions generally. This piece is not only for Mormons. This film, like Rosewood and Shindler's List, you would hope was made as an attempt to halt future horrors. We should know why it happened, every inch of the way. Every religion has a responsibility for new generations to understand both good and bad. They can't continue teaching doctrines to new generations without total disclosure. This is a good architecture for what we are facing today."

As for what the Mormons should do now? "I would like the Mormons to take a good look at it because it's a very authentic piece. We have these questions continuously in history, and when they wake up to what has happened they have to take responsibility." With Mormon candidate Mitt Romney running for president, now would be a good time. Oscar nod to Voight.

 

Sean Connery and his wife Micheline Roquebrune
Sean Connery and his wife Micheline Roquebrune at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Bond ... James ... forget it
The March 30th event at The National Museum of Women in the Arts was as much about Sir Sean Connery's wife as it was about him. The Oscar winning Scottish actor and wife Micheline Roquebrune, an accomplished artist in her own right, flew in to attend the annual event and to hand over a few bucks ... something to the tune of seven figures. Looking tanned and rested, they were introduced by WUSA TV9 anchor Andrea Roane. "We are absolutely thrilled that you have achieved 25 million dollars, that's a lot of dough in whatever language, certainly in the world today, I think," Mr. Connery said. "I will be thrilled and happy to come back here with my wife and see your next great leap." And yes, with his rugged good looks, he continues to be one of "the sexiest men alive."



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