Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Interesting Facts About George Lucas: A Hollywood Blockbuster Director

One of the most popular and commercially successful film directors in the world is George Lucas. Here’s a list of entertaining and interesting facts about this man of exceptional talent.

1.) George Lucas is an American motion-picture director, screenwriter and producer.

2.) He is the guiding force behind the Star Wars movie series.

3.) Lucas was born in Modesto, California, USA in 1944.

4.) He was educated at Modesto Junior College and the University of Southern California and graduated in 1966.

5.) Lucas’ career began with his prizewinning student film THX-1138 in 1965. This is a science-fiction story that he reworked as his feature-directing debut in 1971.



6.) He made American Graffiti in 1973 with the help of American film producer Francis Ford Coppola.

7.) His next film was Star Wars (A New Hope, 1977). This film revolutionized the commercial film industry.

8.) He served as executive producer for the Star Wars sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), as well as for the fantasy Willow (1988).

9.) He is also the executive producer of the popular Indiana Jones movie series directed by Steven Spielberg: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).

10.) Lucas also created and produced films and series for television, including the series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992-1994).

11.) He continued the story of Willow in a fantasy novel Shadow Moon (1995), the first installment of the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy that also included Shadow Dawn (1997) and Shadow Star (1999).

12.) In 1996, he formed Lucas Learning Ltd., a multimedia publishing company making educational products.

13.) In 1997, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi were rereleased. The new versions featured new, digitally enhanced special effects and scenes.

14.) In 1999, Lucas released The Phantom Menace, the first prequel to the Star Wars movies.

15.) In 2002, he released the second episode, Attack of the Clones.
16.) The third, Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005 – the final Star Wars feature film according to Lucas.

17.) These prequels tell the story of Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker’s father.

18.) Altogether, the Star Wars films have grossed billions of dollars.

19.) Numerous television series, books and other related ventures were planned about Star Wars.

20.) George Lucas had an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion as of 2011.

Time 100 2006 gala, George Lucas.




21.) In 1969, he married Marcia Lou Griffin, a film editor. They adopted a daughter named Amanda in 1981. They divorced in 1983.

22.) Lucas had no child of his own. He also adopted Katie, born in 1988 and Jett, born in 1993.

23.) All his three children appeared in the Star Wars prequels.

24.) Lucas had been in a long relationship with and engaged to singer Linda Ronstadt.

25.) He is currently in a relationship with Mellody Hobson. He has been dating Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, since 2006.

See also
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Interesting Facts About George Lucas: A Hollywood Blockbuster Director

One of the most popular and commercially successful film directors in the world is George Lucas. Here’s a list of entertaining and interesting facts about this man of exceptional talent.

1.) George Lucas is an American motion-picture director, screenwriter and producer.

2.) He is the guiding force behind the Star Wars movie series.

3.) Lucas was born in Modesto, California, USA in 1944.

4.) He was educated at Modesto Junior College and the University of Southern California and graduated in 1966.

5.) Lucas’ career began with his prizewinning student film THX-1138 in 1965. This is a science-fiction story that he reworked as his feature-directing debut in 1971.



6.) He made American Graffiti in 1973 with the help of American film producer Francis Ford Coppola.

7.) His next film was Star Wars (A New Hope, 1977). This film revolutionized the commercial film industry.

8.) He served as executive producer for the Star Wars sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), as well as for the fantasy Willow (1988).

9.) He is also the executive producer of the popular Indiana Jones movie series directed by Steven Spielberg: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).

10.) Lucas also created and produced films and series for television, including the series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992-1994).

11.) He continued the story of Willow in a fantasy novel Shadow Moon (1995), the first installment of the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy that also included Shadow Dawn (1997) and Shadow Star (1999).

12.) In 1996, he formed Lucas Learning Ltd., a multimedia publishing company making educational products.

13.) In 1997, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi were rereleased. The new versions featured new, digitally enhanced special effects and scenes.

14.) In 1999, Lucas released The Phantom Menace, the first prequel to the Star Wars movies.

15.) In 2002, he released the second episode, Attack of the Clones.
16.) The third, Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005 – the final Star Wars feature film according to Lucas.

17.) These prequels tell the story of Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker’s father.

18.) Altogether, the Star Wars films have grossed billions of dollars.

19.) Numerous television series, books and other related ventures were planned about Star Wars.

20.) George Lucas had an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion as of 2011.

Time 100 2006 gala, George Lucas.




21.) In 1969, he married Marcia Lou Griffin, a film editor. They adopted a daughter named Amanda in 1981. They divorced in 1983.

22.) Lucas had no child of his own. He also adopted Katie, born in 1988 and Jett, born in 1993.

23.) All his three children appeared in the Star Wars prequels.

24.) Lucas had been in a long relationship with and engaged to singer Linda Ronstadt.

25.) He is currently in a relationship with Mellody Hobson. He has been dating Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, since 2006.

See also
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Sunday, October 30, 2011

25 Interesting Facts About Ludwig van Beethoven



Ludwig van Beethoven is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of all time. Here are some little known facts about this impressive musician.

1.) Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770.

2.) This German composer is considered one of the greatest musicians of all time.

3.) His childhood and adolescence were difficult due to his father’s harsh discipline and alcoholism.

4.) Beethoven’s mother died when he was 18 years of age and became the head of the family, taking responsibility for his two younger brothers.

5.) When he moved to Vienna, Austria, his two younger brothers followed him.



6.) In Bonn, Beethoven studied with Christian Gottlob Neefe who used the music of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach as a cornerstone of instruction.

7.) He also studied briefly with Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

8.) In 1792, he made another journey to Vienna and studied with Austrian composer Joseph Haydn.

9.) Beethoven stayed in Vienna from 1792 and for the rest of his life.

10.) Early in the 1800s, Beethoven’s sense of hearing started to decline and gradually put an end to his performing career.

11.) However, Beethoven’s compositional achievements did not suffer from his hearing loss but instead gained in richness and power over the years.

12.) A woman named Antonia Brentano was probably the intended recipient of Beethoven’s famous letter to the “Immortal Beloved.” The letter dates from July 1812 and apparently marks the collapse of Beethoven’s hopes to seek happiness through marriage.

13.) He was so disappointed that during 1813 he was generally depressed and unproductive.

14.) Beethoven’s fame during his lifetime reached its peak in 1814. His 2 most famous works were Wellington’s Victory op. 91 (1813; also known as the Battle Symphony), and The Glorious Moment op. 136 (1814).

15.) During the last decade of his life Beethoven had almost completely lost his hearing, and he was increasingly socially isolated.



16.) He had assumed the guardianship of his nephew Karl after a lengthy legal struggle, and despite Beethoven’s affection for Karl, there was enormous friction between the two.

17.) His outstanding works between 1818 and 1826 include the Sonata in B-flat major op. 106 (Hammerklavier, 1818), the Missa Solemnis in D major op. 123 (1823), the Thirty-Three Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli in C major op. 120 (1823), the Symphony No. 9 in D minor op. 125 (1824), and his last string quartets.

18.) Beethoven is a person filled with sense of humor and often amused himself with jokes and puns when he is seriously ill.

19.) Later in his life, Beethoven contracted pneumonia.

20.) The celebrated Symphony No. 5 in C minor op. 67 from 1808 is the most thematically concentrated of Beethoven’s works.



21.) Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor op. 125 (Choral, completed 1824) is perhaps the most famous work of classical music in existence.

22.) Beethoven never married and died a bachelor in 1827.

23.) Beethoven's funeral procession on 29 March 1827 was attended by an estimated 20,000 Viennese citizens.

24.) Beethoven's most important aristocratic patron was Archduke Rudolph, the youngest son of Emperor Leopold II.

25.) A movie titled Copying Beethoven was released in 2006, starring Ed Harris as Beethoven. This film was a fictionalized account of Beethoven's last days, and his struggle to produce his Ninth Symphony before he died.

See also 

25 Interesting Facts About Ludwig van Beethoven



Ludwig van Beethoven is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of all time. Here are some little known facts about this impressive musician.

1.) Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770.

2.) This German composer is considered one of the greatest musicians of all time.

3.) His childhood and adolescence were difficult due to his father’s harsh discipline and alcoholism.

4.) Beethoven’s mother died when he was 18 years of age and became the head of the family, taking responsibility for his two younger brothers.

5.) When he moved to Vienna, Austria, his two younger brothers followed him.



6.) In Bonn, Beethoven studied with Christian Gottlob Neefe who used the music of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach as a cornerstone of instruction.

7.) He also studied briefly with Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

8.) In 1792, he made another journey to Vienna and studied with Austrian composer Joseph Haydn.

9.) Beethoven stayed in Vienna from 1792 and for the rest of his life.

10.) Early in the 1800s, Beethoven’s sense of hearing started to decline and gradually put an end to his performing career.

11.) However, Beethoven’s compositional achievements did not suffer from his hearing loss but instead gained in richness and power over the years.

12.) A woman named Antonia Brentano was probably the intended recipient of Beethoven’s famous letter to the “Immortal Beloved.” The letter dates from July 1812 and apparently marks the collapse of Beethoven’s hopes to seek happiness through marriage.

13.) He was so disappointed that during 1813 he was generally depressed and unproductive.

14.) Beethoven’s fame during his lifetime reached its peak in 1814. His 2 most famous works were Wellington’s Victory op. 91 (1813; also known as the Battle Symphony), and The Glorious Moment op. 136 (1814).

15.) During the last decade of his life Beethoven had almost completely lost his hearing, and he was increasingly socially isolated.



16.) He had assumed the guardianship of his nephew Karl after a lengthy legal struggle, and despite Beethoven’s affection for Karl, there was enormous friction between the two.

17.) His outstanding works between 1818 and 1826 include the Sonata in B-flat major op. 106 (Hammerklavier, 1818), the Missa Solemnis in D major op. 123 (1823), the Thirty-Three Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli in C major op. 120 (1823), the Symphony No. 9 in D minor op. 125 (1824), and his last string quartets.

18.) Beethoven is a person filled with sense of humor and often amused himself with jokes and puns when he is seriously ill.

19.) Later in his life, Beethoven contracted pneumonia.

20.) The celebrated Symphony No. 5 in C minor op. 67 from 1808 is the most thematically concentrated of Beethoven’s works.



21.) Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor op. 125 (Choral, completed 1824) is perhaps the most famous work of classical music in existence.

22.) Beethoven never married and died a bachelor in 1827.

23.) Beethoven's funeral procession on 29 March 1827 was attended by an estimated 20,000 Viennese citizens.

24.) Beethoven's most important aristocratic patron was Archduke Rudolph, the youngest son of Emperor Leopold II.

25.) A movie titled Copying Beethoven was released in 2006, starring Ed Harris as Beethoven. This film was a fictionalized account of Beethoven's last days, and his struggle to produce his Ninth Symphony before he died.

See also 

Sunday, October 16, 2011

35 Interestingly Entertaining Facts About Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is undoubtedly one of the most famous actresses of all-times. She is also one of the most beautiful women in the world. Here’s a list of interesting things about this legendary actress of the 20th century.

1.) Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson in 1926 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

2.) She was an American film actress, model, singer and film producer who became the most famous international sex symbol of the 20th century.

3.) Monroe was the daughter of an emotionally unstable mother and she spent a troubled childhood in foster homes and orphanages.

4.) At a young age of 16, Norma Jean entered into an ill-fated marriage.

5.) In 1944, she was noticed by a US Army photographer while she was working in a defense plant.



6.) The photographer induced her to pose for posters for the troops and she became instantly popular as a model.

7.) Monroe soon found other assignments and registered with a modeling agency, which sent her to charm school and put her on a number of magazine covers.

8.) Two years later, she was signed by the 20th Century-Fox film studio in 1946 and starred in 2 films with small parts.

9.) In 1948 she was briefly under contract to Columbia Pictures.

10.) She made appearances in a low-budget musical, Ladies of the Chorus (1949), and in the film Love Happy (1949), in which she had a bit part.



11.) In 1950 20th Century-Fox signed Monroe to another contract, and over the next few years she appeared in a series of small parts in films that began to gain her increased attention.

12.) Films that slowly brought her to stardom include Asphalt Jungle (1950), All About Eve (1950), Love Nest (1951), Clash By Night (1952) and Monkey Business (1952)

13.)  Monroe had her first lead role in Don’t Bother to Knock (1952) where she portrayed a psychotic babysitter.

14.) By 1953 she was appearing as a star in such films as Niagara, How to Marry a Millionaire, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (as Lorelei Lee).

15.) The sex-symbol phase of her career followed. She captured the world with her wide-eyed charm, physical voluptuousness, and natural sex appeal.



16.) She became internationally renowned and her looks and mannerisms were widely imitated.

17.) Her popular films during which she was 20th Century-Fox’s leading box-office attraction include River of No Return (1954), There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954), and The Seven-Year Itch (1955).

 18.) In 1954 Monroe married the legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio. They divorced in 1955.

19.) In 1956 she married playwright Arthur Miller, whom she had met in New York City and who later scripted her last film.

20.) Some of her notable films in the late 1950s through early 1960s include The Prince and the Showgir (1957), Some Like It Hot (1959), and Let’s Make Love (1960).



21.) His final film was “The Misfits” in 1961which was written by her 3rd husband – Arthur Miller whom she divorced a week after the film opened.

22.) Months prior to her death, she was under the constant care of a psychiatrist due to depression, illness, drugs and alcohol.

23.) In the summer of 1962 she was fired from the set of her latest picture.

24.) After a month, she was found dead in her home, the apparent victim of a barbiturate overdose although suicide was not ruled out.

25.) Monroe’s autobiography, My Story, appeared in 1974, and many celebrity biographies and collections of still photographs of her have also been published.



26.) Marilyn Monroe’s life has been the subject of several documentaries and fictionalized film treatments.

27.) She died on August 5, 1962 at her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California. Monroe was 36 years old.

28.) The Los Angeles County Coroners office recorded that the cause of her death as "acute barbiturate poisoning," resulting from a "probable suicide."

29.)  The body of Monroe was claimed by Joe DiMaggio, her second husband, and he arranged her funeral. For the next 20 years, he had a half-dozen red roses delivered to her crypt three times a week.

30.) Monroe is alleged to have had affairs with both John and Robert Kennedy.



31.) The dress that she wore on May 19, 1962, her last significant public appearance, singing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” at a birthday party for President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, was specially designed and made for her by Jean Louis, sold at an auction in 1999 for $1.26 million.

32.) Marlon Brando, in his autobiography Songs My Mother Taught Me, claimed that he had had a relationship with Monroe, and enduring friendship lasting until her death.

33.) Monroe also suffered two miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy during her three marriages.

34.) Monroe's Brentwood home was put up for sale by Prudential California Realty in 2010 and the house was sold for $3.6 million.

35.) She was born a Christian and converted to Jewish religion in 1956.

See also

35 Interestingly Entertaining Facts About Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is undoubtedly one of the most famous actresses of all-times. She is also one of the most beautiful women in the world. Here’s a list of interesting things about this legendary actress of the 20th century.

1.) Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson in 1926 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

2.) She was an American film actress, model, singer and film producer who became the most famous international sex symbol of the 20th century.

3.) Monroe was the daughter of an emotionally unstable mother and she spent a troubled childhood in foster homes and orphanages.

4.) At a young age of 16, Norma Jean entered into an ill-fated marriage.

5.) In 1944, she was noticed by a US Army photographer while she was working in a defense plant.



6.) The photographer induced her to pose for posters for the troops and she became instantly popular as a model.

7.) Monroe soon found other assignments and registered with a modeling agency, which sent her to charm school and put her on a number of magazine covers.

8.) Two years later, she was signed by the 20th Century-Fox film studio in 1946 and starred in 2 films with small parts.

9.) In 1948 she was briefly under contract to Columbia Pictures.

10.) She made appearances in a low-budget musical, Ladies of the Chorus (1949), and in the film Love Happy (1949), in which she had a bit part.



11.) In 1950 20th Century-Fox signed Monroe to another contract, and over the next few years she appeared in a series of small parts in films that began to gain her increased attention.

12.) Films that slowly brought her to stardom include Asphalt Jungle (1950), All About Eve (1950), Love Nest (1951), Clash By Night (1952) and Monkey Business (1952)

13.)  Monroe had her first lead role in Don’t Bother to Knock (1952) where she portrayed a psychotic babysitter.

14.) By 1953 she was appearing as a star in such films as Niagara, How to Marry a Millionaire, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (as Lorelei Lee).

15.) The sex-symbol phase of her career followed. She captured the world with her wide-eyed charm, physical voluptuousness, and natural sex appeal.



16.) She became internationally renowned and her looks and mannerisms were widely imitated.

17.) Her popular films during which she was 20th Century-Fox’s leading box-office attraction include River of No Return (1954), There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954), and The Seven-Year Itch (1955).

 18.) In 1954 Monroe married the legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio. They divorced in 1955.

19.) In 1956 she married playwright Arthur Miller, whom she had met in New York City and who later scripted her last film.

20.) Some of her notable films in the late 1950s through early 1960s include The Prince and the Showgir (1957), Some Like It Hot (1959), and Let’s Make Love (1960).



21.) His final film was “The Misfits” in 1961which was written by her 3rd husband – Arthur Miller whom she divorced a week after the film opened.

22.) Months prior to her death, she was under the constant care of a psychiatrist due to depression, illness, drugs and alcohol.

23.) In the summer of 1962 she was fired from the set of her latest picture.

24.) After a month, she was found dead in her home, the apparent victim of a barbiturate overdose although suicide was not ruled out.

25.) Monroe’s autobiography, My Story, appeared in 1974, and many celebrity biographies and collections of still photographs of her have also been published.



26.) Marilyn Monroe’s life has been the subject of several documentaries and fictionalized film treatments.

27.) She died on August 5, 1962 at her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California. Monroe was 36 years old.

28.) The Los Angeles County Coroners office recorded that the cause of her death as "acute barbiturate poisoning," resulting from a "probable suicide."

29.)  The body of Monroe was claimed by Joe DiMaggio, her second husband, and he arranged her funeral. For the next 20 years, he had a half-dozen red roses delivered to her crypt three times a week.

30.) Monroe is alleged to have had affairs with both John and Robert Kennedy.



31.) The dress that she wore on May 19, 1962, her last significant public appearance, singing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” at a birthday party for President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, was specially designed and made for her by Jean Louis, sold at an auction in 1999 for $1.26 million.

32.) Marlon Brando, in his autobiography Songs My Mother Taught Me, claimed that he had had a relationship with Monroe, and enduring friendship lasting until her death.

33.) Monroe also suffered two miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy during her three marriages.

34.) Monroe's Brentwood home was put up for sale by Prudential California Realty in 2010 and the house was sold for $3.6 million.

35.) She was born a Christian and converted to Jewish religion in 1956.

See also