Firstly, let’s bid a fond "Farewell" to, yet another legend, who left us last month. The official “Heir Apparent” to Sammy Davis Junior, Gregory Hines was a major star both on stage and screen, getting his first big break in Mel Brooks classic “History of the World; Part One.” He later went on to work with many big stars in dramatic roles, but never forgot his roots as a dancer. Ironically, Hines died of Lung Cancer, as did Sammy Davis. He was fifty-seven.

The gezunte news though, as I promised was the Bob Hope Memorial. The Hope family, in order to avoid a mob scene, kept the location a secret until the last minute. Only family members and drivers knew the location, and we members of the press were kept in the dark until we arrived at the San Fernando Mission cemetery, where Hope was temporarily laid to rest in a mausoleum vault, until the immense Crypt being built is completed. The private mass, held at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church near the Hope Family Toluca Lake estate, was attended by about a hundred people, among which were Alex Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers, and Kathryn Crosby, widow of Bing Crosby. The press was kept at a respectful distance, something that Hope himself would have considered distasteful, having always been eager to accommodate us.

Linda Hope, Bob Hope’s daughter said he was joking right to the end. When asked by wife Delores where he wanted to be buried, he quipped, “Surprise me!”

On August 27th, there will be an invitation only memorial held for Hope at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood.

On a lighter note, it’s refreshing to find that there are still some people in Hollywood who accept that type casting can be a good thing. After all, Mae West, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart…the list goes on…all played one role their entire careers…themselves! Well, in the grand tradition, television superstar Matt LeBlanc will reprise his role as Joey Tribiani next season in a "Friends" spin-off, aptly called "Joey". The show will take place in Los Angeles where Joey has moved to pursue his acting career. Many alumni from "Friends" will be on hand, both in front of and behind the camera. In addition, it’s rumored that LeBlanc has agreed to take a substantial cut in his million dollar an episode salary for the new series! Good luck, Matt!

And of course, by now everybody’s heard of uber mensch Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bid for the governor’s seat in California, since the people have said, “Hasta La Vista, Baby!” to Gray Davis, even with "Comeback Kid Clinton in his corner. Polls show that 78% of the people in California favor "The Terminator." And after seeing the state of the state when I was down there for Bob Hope’s funeral, I think Arnold is probably the only one who can bring the place back to the paradise it was thirty years ago. Maybe when he’s done there, he can come up to Nevada and clean up OUR misheveh!

And just in from the “Lazarus, Come Forth!” department, The Jacksons are planning a comeback tour! Sans Michael, the group plans to perform their greatest hits on a worldwide tour that is rumored to be booked for the next three years! Bravo, guys, and mazel tov on your endeavors!

For those of you who like some mayhem, I can highly recommend “Freddy vs. Jason” the long-awaited combination of two of the greatest horror creations since Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff teamed up in "House of Frankenstein". The film is completely unpredictable, surprisingly funny, and a real crowd pleaser, with audiences rooting vociferously for their favorite demon! But a word of caution; this one’s not for the faint of heart, so if you’re squeamish about blood-and-gore, stay away! But for die-hard Jason and Freddy fans, it’s a must-see! My only criticism of the film was the absence of Betsy Palmer as the omnipresent "Mother Voorhees", a role that made her a familiar face to gen-xers. My sources tell me that the seventy-three year old Palmer was committed to another project and had to decline the invite to reprise her role, and its too bad, because it just wasn’t the same with another actress trying to fill her shoes! Otherwise, as slasher-flicks go, this one was awesome!

And from the “Swashbucklers…the Next Generation” department, Steven Speilberg has finally leaked some news on the plans for another "Indiana Jones" film. Harrison Ford will reprise his role as will Sean Connery be playing "Papa Jones". But the gezunte news is, the addition of Indiana’s son! Seems as though Indy had a son he knew nothing about, and he appears to follow in Dad’s footsteps. And who do you think is being courted to play "Indiana Junior"? None other than that mummy-hunter, Brendan Fraser! Right on, Steven!

And that wraps up another month gang. Take care, and see you next month!