Gloria to Gloria. After “Gloria Bell,” Julianne Moore is now Gloria Steinem.
“Our film is from her book ‘My Life on the Road.’ Alicia Vikander plays one version of Gloria. Two girls, one 9, one 12, play her younger. It explores her growing up days and her place in the women’s movement. Bette Midler has the role of Bella Abzug. Julie Taymor directs. The screenplay’s also by women.”
Then: “We live in New York. We love it here. Once you couldn’t walk places at night without fear of being mugged. It’s better now. But it’s changing, and there’s less room for all kinds of people. I miss the diversity.”
The film shot in Savannah, Ga. Title until they shorten it: “The Glorias: A Life on the Road.”
Public nuisance
The film “The Public” premiered at the Fifth Avenue library. But some of the public couldn’t report on it. Press was due 6:30. Hardworking, lugging equipment, many arrived 6:15ish. The evening, blustery. Fierce winds. Library doors stayed bolted. Despite knocking, none opened. Standing outdoors on cold stone steps, we were chilled.
The invisible p.r. lady had said, “I’m your onsite contact. Call if you have questions.” HOW?! Her cell requested a password. PASSWORD? A gnome handling the public for “The Public” required callers have a password? Too frozen to stand outside on cement, I left.
Sorry I couldn’t see the stars Taylor Schilling, Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin. Sorry producers had staffers who’d make us stand outdoors freezing on cold stone steps on a windy wintry night without hats, gloves, open doors, anyone to help us — or a password.
Give big, sometimes get a little
Big again is Tom Hanks’ “Big.” This time a black woman becomes the little girl.
Marsai Martin, 14, from TV’s “Black-ish,” pitched the idea and says: “Black girl magic in this could inspire other teenagers like me. You don’t have to wait to be 40. You just go do it.”
Co-producer Regina Hall, who plays the adult version: “It’s about a not-so-nice woman whose motto is ‘hurt before being hurt.’ Meeting a little girl who casts a spell on her, she becomes little and gets a life do-over. It’s all about female friendship, trust and what it means to be kind.”
“Little” opens April 12. Could be big.
Odds & ends
America’s presidential chorus line keeps falling out of step. If Biden blows his sell-by date, the desperate donkeys mumble their only maybe is Mrs. Obama. She says no, but just telling you that’s their wish. . . . Original “Wonder Woman” Lynda Carter’s new show “This Life: My Music — My Story” opened in LA’s Catalina Jazz Club. Her attorney daughter Jessica Altman sang “Wicked Lies” from an upcoming debut album. April 12 and 13 Lynda’s at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Bits & pieces
Hudson Yards builder Ken Himmel, CEO of Related, took himself a nice $35 million apartment in the neighborhood . . . Since former restaurateur B. Smith’s Alzheimers onset, husband Dan Gasby attracts hate for seeing another lady. Be it known he carefully tends his wife and, with the ladyfriend, supervises B’s condition . . . Mads Mikkelsen has two new deep-freeze flicks. “Polar” and “Arctic.” He’s done Iceland — not the USA. He’s seen our coasts — not in between. Flyover pastures like Chicago — which gave Jussie Smollett the Croix de Guerre — uh uh. Mads: “Business is all in New York or LA. I swear one day I’ll drive cross-country — but I never do.”
Next Brexit vote comes from Theresa May’s Tower of London Henry VIII suite.
Said only in New York, kids, only in New York.