I expected blogging to take me to new places, but filming a promotional video for Buick on Hollywood Boulevard is certainly a very weird and exciting surprise! It was a surreal experience There are so many classic Buicks in these films, and now I was driving around town in a cool new Buick being filmed myself.
Ryan Seacrest — watch out!
Saturday’s highlight was seeing a screening of “Singing in the Rain” at the Egyptian Theater. Sophia and I had the best seats in the VIP section. Before the screening, the director of the classic musical, Stanley Donen, stepped in front of the audience and was interviewed by TCM host Robert Osborne. Stanley Donen spoke about his experience working with Gene Kelly, Donald O’Conner, and Debbie Reynolds. He also told us how he was only nine years old when he first saw Fred Astaire in a movie, and how this inspired his career, and when he was twenty-five, he was already directing Fred Astaire in a film. After the fascinating conversaton, Stanley Donen sat in the audience to watch his own film — in the seats RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. Talk about a story to tell your grandchildren. I saw “Singin’ in the Rain,” one of the greatest movies ever, while sitting behind the director — Stanley “Freakin'” Donen!
So very, very cool.
AWESOME job, Neil. Most enthusiastic high-five!
(Though I did flinch during the Baldwin popcorn story. I thought you were going to say he got shoutey in his special signature style, ha.)
Well done!
I could have told the Alec Baldwin story better. The whole shoot was a blur. We were running all over the place.
You rocked it! Loved the commercials, Neil.
Excellent ! And I wish I’d told you to lick Alec Baldwin for me. Maybe next time. 😉
Neil, baby. You’re gonna have to show that Buick a bit more looove. Just saying “Buick” a lot ain’t gonna shift the metal! I want to hear that it’s a Lexus-eater, or it’s just your father’s Oldsmobile. Take a lesson from Alison Brie–she did her homework! Trust me on this one. I’m in the biz.
By the way, Neil. You have a nice camera-presence. But I guess you knew that.
Yay Neil! Awesome awesome awesome. 🙂
“It SOMEHOW
***It’s somehow in touch with the roots where the Golden Era of moviedom comes from.***
Yes, the TCM festival is in Hollywood because the golden age of Hollywood began here!!!
I just found that statement funny with your New York accent. Damn furreigners.
Great job on the videos, Neil. Your strut down Hollywood Boulevard rivaled John Travolta’s!
Very excited for you quick, but if you’re going to tell these tales to your grandchildren, you better get hopping (speaking euphemistically).
that was fantastic, neil! i bet you’re having fun!
Sounds like a blast Neil. Congratulations!
I’m quite upset that there was no Mel Brooks-Neil Kramer interaction. Could have been a new “2000 year old man” bit!
Well done, Neil. I’m impressed. Buick’s marketing people are obviously very smart, using you and Danny as their spokespeople. You’re a star. (Alison Brie was probably told to use the word “classy”.)
Also, happy to report I’ve seen 3/5 of these films. Surprised to find out SNF is one of your favourites. It’s one of mine, too.
OMG OMG!!! it’s you! IT’S YOU! I’ve heard your voice…
I’m in awe.
maybe starstruck…
swoon (and I’m totally NOT kidding!)
Great job! It’s been a long time since I’ve heard your voice and seen you!
Fantastic, Neil!
And I agree it was kind of funny to hear you going on about Hollywood Blvd and classic Hollywood in your perfect New York accent. Loved it!
Great to see you in the flesh as it were and hear your voice, don’t sound anything like I imagined for some reason.
Never seen Casablanca (oh sacrilege!)so off to Netflix and get a copy to rent.
That was great Neil – LOVED the Saturday Night Fever “walk!” Glad to see you’re enjoying. You must be exhausted by now.
Thanks for your enthusiasm. It was a mitzvah that Jane Devin steered myself and my colleagues from Buick to you!
And: what Headbang8 said! Hope to hear more about your adventures in your LaCrosse the rest of the week, now that the Film Fest is over…
So jealous! I love old movies. And I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of you at the Roosevelt while I was watching TCM the other night.
Hope you’re having a blast.
Holy crap! That is awesome! Congrats and great job! I just wanted to GO to the film festival, and look at you. So jealous. ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ is reaffirmation that the world, at the core, is a good place.
loved it! nice to get to see and hear you. Sophia is hot. lucky dude.
LOVED THIS!
Neil, you were perfect in these videos.
You have the perfect personality, NY accent and honest-to-goodness awe-factor.
You know, i have Gone with the Wind on my 40 Before 40 List and I promised Bossy to see it with her. We should make a party out of it in the autumn! Now i wanna see classic movies.
Well done, Neil. Well done.
So cool!!!
Move over Mary Hart…(these are great!)
This is so fun, Neil. You have the best voice, and great presence. Very nice!
very cool neil, you are really good at that. were you nervous at all? and did you see john cusack?