Anne Whitfield, who appeared at age 15 in the 1954 Hollywood Christmas chestnut White Christmas and went on to a prolific career in episodic TV throughout the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, died February 15 at a hospital in Yakima, Washington. She was 85.
10.02.2024 - 00:59 / deadline.com
Ed Mintz, the founder of the motion picture industry’s tried-and-true audience polling service CinemaScore, died February 6. He was 83.
Known for its mathematical “Coca-Cola” algorithm developed by Mintz, CinemaScore has been prized by studios and exhibitors since its inception in the early 1980s as a domestic box office barometer for movies when it comes to its opening-night audience grades. Pre-pandemic, an A+ CinemaScore meant a movie could leg out to a 4.8x multiple off its U.S./Canada box office opening; a B+ meant a 3.2x multiple to final domestic gross; C+ and D+ 2.4x; and an F 2.2x.
CinemaScore continues to be operated by Mintz’s two sons, Harold and Ricky Mintz.
Mintz, a math wizard since his teenage years when he penned a book about square roots, The Mintz Method, sparked to the idea for CinemaScore in his late 30s in 1978. Mintz and his wife, along with another couple, went to see the Robert Moore-directed, Neil Simon-penned The Cheap Detective, starring Peter Falk, Ann-Margaret and Eileen Brennan. As a Simon fan, Mintz was looking forward to the movie, having read an over-the-moon review for it. After spending money on a babysitter, dinner and tickets for the evening, Mintz left disappointed and thought the movie was horrible.
Mintz felt the critic led him astray, and that’s when he had an epiphany: Why should one or two critics form an opinion on a movie when it would be better to hear from 500 Neil Simon fans who saw the movie? In Mintz’s mind, that crowd would provide a better opinion to other fans on whether a title like Cheap Detective was worth their money. And with this, CinemaScore was born.
Soon after, while in temple for the high-holiday Jewish services, a pledge card was handed to Mintz. The
Anne Whitfield, who appeared at age 15 in the 1954 Hollywood Christmas chestnut White Christmas and went on to a prolific career in episodic TV throughout the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, died February 15 at a hospital in Yakima, Washington. She was 85.
Richard Lewis, one of America’s most beloved and revered stand-up comics who also played a fictionalized version of himself on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, died last night at his home in Los Angeles after suffering a heart attack. He was 76.
Charles Dierkop, best known for his roles in The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Police Woman, died Sunday at a Sherman Oaks Hospital. He was 87.
Lynda Gravátt, a mainstay of the New York stage, a seminal figure in the Washington D.C. theater community and a familiar presence on television through appearances in the Law & Order franchise shows, The Good Wife and the 1999 Showtime series The Hoop Life, died February 23 at a hospital in New Jersey. She was 77.
Kit Harington is heading back to the stage for the West End production of Broadway hit Slave Play!
Stacey Solomon had a warning for her husband Joe Swash after she revealed his latest TV project left her in the lurch at home. The former EastEnders star returned to screens on Sunday night (February 25) in an episode of World's Most Dangerous Roads on Dave.
Todd Longwell Charles D. King has an impressive list of accomplishments, including an Oscar nomination for best picture for his 2021 feature “Judas and the Black Messiah.” But his proudest moment came when he told his young sons that he was quitting WME, where he was the first Black partner, to launch Macro, a multi-platform media company amplifying the voices and perspectives of people of color. “They said to me, ‘Dad is going to be a boss!’ and started jumping up and down on their bed,” recalls King.
Stacey Solomon and her husband Joe Swash enjoyed a very adventurous trip to the Scottish Highlands in their stylish campervan this week. Their kids were also thrilled as the family saw some great scenery along the way.
Stacey Solomon accused husband Joe Swash of lying to her after he got their campervan stuck in the drive-thru of a Scots McDonalds restaurant.
Stacey Solomon and husband Joe Swash are currently touring around Scotland with their brood in a £60,000 campervan and sharing updates along the way.
Stacey Solomon admitted to having 'never felt so emotional' as she offered an update from her family holiday that appears to have been quite the experience for the Loose Women star. The TV favourite ditched England for Scotland earlier this week with her husband Joe Swash and their children.
Bradley Cooper is looking back on meeting with Beyoncé for A Star Is Born!
Apple TV's new prestige drama series The New Look features a soundtrack that's assembled and produced by Jack Antonoff, the in-demand pop savant who just won at the 2024 Grammys for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (his third Grammy in that category and 10th overall). The soundtrack collects covers of classic songbook standards from modern pop giants, and today's track comes from Perfume Genius, the singer-songwriter born Mike Hadreas.
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music On Tuesday, March 5, Foo Fighters will perform at a private concert in Washington, D.C. hosted by Power to the Patients, a non-profit fighting for a more affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare system through price transparency. Veteran rappers Fat Joe, who has spearheaded music’s awareness of the organization, and Chuck D will also be in attendance.
Stacey Solomon was left eating her words after her deal with her husband Joe Swash came to fruition - despite her confidence that Joe wouldn't keep his side of the bargain. Last week, the Loose Women star revealed she'd cut a deal with Joe over their Valentine's and half-term plans.
Rita McKenzie, known for staging the longest-running one-woman show in theatrical history, died Feb. 17 in Los Angeles days before her 77th birthday. She succumbed to what her family described as a long-term illness.
Randy Sparks, whose group the New Christy Minstrels was a huge part of the folk revival of the early 1960s, died February 11 at an assisted-living facility in San Diego. He was 90.
Stacey Solomon jokingly shared her 'regret' and making a deal with her husband Joe Swash to go out for Valentine's Day as she shared a series of loved-up snaps of the pair on social media. Following a rare date night for the pair last month as they celebrated Joe's birthday, Stacey decided they needed to do it again.
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash shared a gorgeous night out for Valentine's Day, as they celebrated with a clubbing trip without any of the kids in tow. The married couple, who tied the knot in a special at-home wedding back in 2022, are now parents to six children between them, sharing three. As a result, the pair rarely get the opportunity to take any time together alone.
Stacey Solomon was left gobsmacked by her Valentine's Day gift from hubby Joe Swash.The Loose Women panellist shared that Joe has given her a rather cheeky present, despite the couple's usual no-gift rule for Valentine's Day.Taking to Instagram, Stacey shared a snap of the gifts she had been given which included, two bunches of red roses, a card, and Tom Ford candle with the name 'F***ing Fabulous'. Adding text to the image, she wrote: "We never do presents but Joe said he saw this candle and had to get it for me. It speaks the absolute truth tbf." Stacey and Joe recently celebrated their youngest daughter Belle's first birthday with a gorgeous party, which they shared with their fans on Instagram.The couple made sure Belle had a day to remember with decorations that were Valentine's-themed, including lots of pink balloons, floral displays and giant cupcakes.