rnple
1,747- Sisterhood
L.A. to produce television commer-
cials for Faygo, Hygrade and Dow
Chemical. While there, he was able to
make connections.
"When I wrote a script that was
good enough to get me an agent," he
says, "I got an apartment, moved my
things and we relocated."
For the first two years on the West
Coast, Kasdan worked by day in adver-
tising while writing screenplays at
night. Then, in 1977, he sold his first
screenplay, The Bodyguard. Starring
Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner,
it didn't hit the big screen until 1993.
His next screenplay, Continental
Divide, which he also sold in 1977,
caught the attention of Steven Spielberg.
"Steven said he was going to do an
adventure movie with George Lucas
and wanted me to write the screen-
play," Kasdan says. "I did, and that
was Raiders of the Lost Ark. I wound
up writing three movies for them."
The other two, which he co-scripted,
were The Empire Strikes Back and
Return of the Jedi, both of which —
like Raiders — were mega-hits.
Kasdan's next film, which he wrote
and directed, was the critically
acclaimed Body Heat. "I didn't know if I
would be able to make another movie,
so I wanted to write a very strong
story," he says. He cast two unknown
actors —Kathleen Turner and William
Hurt. "I wanted to use what I consid-
ered to be my strength — writing good
dialogue, and I wanted to find a form
that was a little over the top."
His next project was the Academy
Award-nominated film The Big Chill,
which Kasdan co-wrote with Barbara
Benedek and based on himself and his
college pals. It just enjoyed a re-release
on the big screen in celebration of its
15th anniversary. Its Motown sound-
track is legendary.
The story, about a reunion of U-M
alumni, pioneered the concept of an
ensemble cast without big stars. "The
big movie studios didn't understand
the idea of an ensemble cast," he says.
"They claimed not to know who the
hero was. Fortunately, the movie was
well received."
After The Big Chill, movie offers
came pouring in. Kasdan's long list of
writing, directing and/or producing
credits includes Silverado, Cross My
Heart, The Accidental Tourist,
Immediate Family, I Love You To Death,
Grand Canyon, French Kiss, Wyatt Earp
and Home Fries. He even tried his hand
at acting with a cameo appearance in
1985's campy thriller Into the Night.
Does he have a favorite? "Not really,"
he says. "They are all like my children."
praudIg presents
J
Art Fair .11
HAM= Massie%
• Outstanding 'Works of
Fine Artisans
• 13outinue Items
• Trifles and Treasures
• Gift Shop
• Temple Avenue Cafe
Here are some of Lawrence
Kasdan's biggest hits — all of
which he wrote as well as directed
--- currently available on video.
• The Big Chill, starring William
Hurt, Glenn Close and Kevin
Kline, 1983, ColumbiaiThStar
Home Video
A group of college friends reunite
on the occasion of a friend's suicide.
What at first starts as a reunion
turns sour as they examine the dif-
ferent paths their lives have taken.
• Grand Canyon, starring .Danny
Glover, Kevin Kline and Sieve
Martin, 1991, Fox Video
MSWAVAMMASISMs:,,N.:EggggMa'Wg..M.:MMEME::iiMMORMFIAM
Patron Preview
Saturdeig April 1 7
8:6161 P.M. - 11:861 P.M.
($26m PER COUPLE)
Businessman Kevin Kline re-
examines the values of his life
after being saved from a street
gang by Danny Glover.
Sundag, April 18,
• 1(0 am. - 4 p.m.
• The Accidental Tourist, starring
William HUM Kathleen Turner
and Geena Davis, 1988, Warner
Home Video
A zany dog walker, Geena Davis
blows into William Hurt's life and
drags him kicking and screaming
out of his emotional shell.
• Silverado, starring Kevin Kline,
Scott Glenn and K e vin' Costner,
1985, ColumhialTriStar Home Video
Four cowboys find themselves
by chance in the town of
Silverado. There, they band
together to take on the corrupt
sheriff who rules by fear.
• French Kiss, starring Meg Ryan,
Kevin Kline and Timothy Hutton,
1995, Fox Video
Schemer Kevin Kline finds'him-
self stuck with tourist Meg Ryan,
who has been abandoned by her
fiance. Together they pretend to be
lovers to make her fiance jealous,
but, inadvertently they fall in love.
Mondag, April 19,
- 4 p.m.
1t)
Individual admission
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:ONECOMS,
MU MOIRE INFORMATION
CALL
FEMME ISRAEL OFFICE
248-CC 1-5700
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Copley News Service
admission with this old
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• Body Heat, starring William
Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Ted
Danson, 1981, Warner Home Video
A smoldering Kathleen Turner
arrives in a steamy Miami town
and seduces lawyer William Hurt
into murdering her husband for
his insurance.policy.
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Sunday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday only
4:30 pm - 6 pm
Closed Mondays
Not good with any other offer or Transmedia Card
Entire party must be seated by 6:00 p.m.
Italian
Cho p
House
Your hosts
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Detroit Jewish News
4/16
1999
91