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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
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Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
March 5, 2010
/ 19 Adar, 5770
From Here to Absurdity
By
Greg Crosby
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
For true Frank Sinatra fans like me the news last week that Leonardo DiCaprio will be portraying Ol' Blue Eyes in a major motion picture on the singer's life was not exactly reason for celebration. The film will be directed by Martin Scorsese which explains why DiCaprio was chosen, since in recent years Scorsese seems to be unable to make a picture without using him as his lead. "The Sinatra Story" (or whatever it will ultimately be called) is going forward with the cooperation of the Sinatra family, which means that the singer's actual recordings will be used in the picture, so at least the music will be perfect. But DiCaprio as Sinatra? Please.
Let's start with the looks. Despite his Italian name, DiCaprio has a Slovak look to him, wide-set eyes, a round flat face with soft, doughy features, about as far removed from the Frank Sinatra bone structure as you can get. Although he's not heavy, DiCaprio gives the impression of being a big man, certainly larger than Frank was. Sources say DiCaprio is around 5'11'' or 6' tall, Sinatra was 5' 7" at best and (until later life) skinny as a rail.
Beyond the physical structure there is the body language of Frank Sinatra. Sinatra had a way of moving, of looking, of standing still, of reacting that most of us still know quite well. DiCaprio might be able to mimic it, but, no matter how well he does it, it will still be Leonardo DiCaprio mimicking Frank Sinatra. And it will be Leonardo DiCaprio lip-syncing Frank Sinatra's voice. DiCaprio is too famous on his own to pretend to be some other iconic famous person, especially an original like Sinatra, whose looks and nuances are still so well remembered.
If you just go by looks and type alone, about the only one DiCaprio should be portraying in a biopic is Charles Bronson. He's got that flat-faced, thick lipped Eastern European look that is just right for Bronson. DiCaprio even has that slight lisp in his speech and the angry eyes that Bronson used so well. Yep, that might work.
If Scorsese decides to have other members of the rat pack in the film it will be interesting to see who he casts. How about Matt Damon as Dean Martin, Jamie Foxx as Sammy Davis Jr., George Clooney as Peter Lawford, and Ben Stiller as Joey Bishop? And why not? Are any of those any more absurd than Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Sinatra?
When Larry Parks starred as Al Jolson the real Jolson had been out of the limelight for years, young movie goers of the late 40's had no memories of Jolson. That made Parks, who was a virtual unknown, perfectly acceptable for the part. Cary Grant, while certainly not unknown, portrayed Cole Porter, but remember, not many people really knew what Porter looked like. Bigger than life Jimmy Cagney was perfect as bigger than life George M. Cohan in "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
But how perfect was it that Sean Penn, Jim Carrey, and Benecio Del Toro were originally slated to star in a movie about The Three Stooges? Latest word has it that Penn has now dropped out of the project, so the role of Larry is open for all comers. Are you listening Russell Crowe? It's all yours, babe! Nyuk, nyuk!

Okay, here's some other good biopic ideas I offer free of charge. Any producers out there, please feel free to run with these.
"The Judy Garland Story" starring Miley Cyrus.
"The Michael Jackson Story" starring Johnny Depp.
"The Fred MacMurray Story" starring Tom Hanks
"The Elisha Cook Jr. Story" starring Robert Downey Jr.
"The Fred Astaire Story" starring Richard Gere (remember how wonderfully he danced in "Chicago?")
"The Red Skelton Story" starring Conan O'Brien
"The Barbra Streisand Story" starring Barbra Streisand
"The James Brolin Story" starring Barbra Streisand
"The Saul Alinsky Story" starring Barak Obama.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. A freelance writer in Southern California, you may contact him by clicking here.
Greg Crosby Archives
© 2008, Greg Crosby
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