Greenville SC: Leatherheads George Clooney football movie

TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN, a feature-length film produced and directed by Jeff Sumerel, has been selected by The Museum of Modern Art in New York City to have its World Premiere at their Opening Night of the 2008 Documentary Series to take place in February. Sumerel, a Greenville native, along with collaborator Jeter Rhodes, have completed a 3 year journey to create a most compelling and exhilarating account of the remarkable history and career of a man known as "Brother Theodore". Theodore's television appearances spanned from Jack Paar to Johnny Carson to Merv Griffin to David Letterman. His diverse movie experiences joined him with Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, and Tom Hanks. The Los Angeles Daily News described Theodore as Boris Karloff, Salvadore Dali, and Najinski all in one.

To convey this unbelievable story, Sumerel and Rhodes have crafted an enthralling visual interpretation by weaving an array of rare audio and film archives in a most creative, poetic manner. In addition, Sumerel interviewed over sixty Theodore admirers, friends, and colleagues, such as Woody Allen, Eric Bogosian, Penn & Teller, Harlan Ellison, and Dick Cavett among others. The film runs about 75 minutes. For more information contact: Jeff Sumerel at jsum@spontaneous.net

NETFLIX has TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN listed in their Soon To Be Released Movies. However, NETFLIX may make the film available for renting only if enough interest is shown. To help indicate interest in the film, please visit NETFLIX at www.netflix.com and enter a search for "Brother Theodore." When the listing comes up, click SAVE (You do not have to register or be a Netflix member). If you are not a NETFLIX member, when you arrive at the home page, select the BROWSE SELECTION tab and then enter your search for Brother Theodroe.
Sumerel has posted a short preview of the new film project on spontaneous.net. Sumerel was interviewed in Filmmaker Magazine, featuring his progress on Brother Theodore documentary. Read the interview online here (while the link lasts).

MORE GREENVILLE FILM NEWS

Elizabeth Gunness - Film wesbite and info on project by Eric Rogers, film & video instructor at Greenville's Fine Arts Center. elizabethgunness.net

Greenville's theater community is online at one great website. UPSTAGE ONLINE features a show Calendar, Theater Forum, profiles, resources and more. Visit upstateonstage.com

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Above: Cover of the game program "Carolina vs. Furman, dated Saturday, November 12, 1938. The game was played at Serrine Stadium in downtown Greenville, SC. This arena is still in use today and used by Greenville High School and others. Located at the corner of University Ridge and Cleveland Street, just a few blocks from the South Main Street area.

The game program has player photos and a two-page spread advertisement for Chesterfield cigarettes featuring Eddie Dooley, All American football star "hitting the mark" in '26. Also advertised, a new softdrink called Orange Crush in a 12oz. bottle, 5 cents.

Hollywood in the Upstate

Early 2007 --- George Clooney, Renee Zellweger and the crews of movie production arrived in Greenville and kicked off making the movie Leatherheads, in and around our Upcountry area. Leatherheads, is a film that looks at the beginnings of pro football. Clooney directs and stars in the film, set in 1925, ten years before the Carolina vs Furman cover above. Lots of sightings of the star and co-star in downtown Greenville were reported, especially as they stayed at the Westin-Poinsett hotel on Main.

Production took place in the North Greenville area, Tigerville Elementary, Boiling Springs High School's Ninth Grade Campus and all over the region, from Anderson SC to Ware Shoals, to Tennessee.

BIRTH OF PRO FOOTBALL The date was November 12, 1892. A decade by decade review of professional footbal at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Greenville Local & Regional Film and Video Resources

Greenville Upstate Film Society website. Information about the group and links to more area film interest news. Visit the wesbite for enews signup, volunteer info. upstatefilm.com

The Fine Arts Center (Greenville County High Schools) award winning film program, Eric Rogers, instructor. Enews signup offered and lots of links to more. fineartscenter.net

South Carolina Film Office Extensive network of state and local officials opens doors for film production. An invitation to experience our southern hospitality among the rich landscape of South Carolina. scfilmoffice.com

Carolina Film Alliance The Carolina Film Alliance (CFA) is an organization with a mission to stimulate regional film, television, and print industries. Goals are to raise awareness of the economic advantages to filming in South Carolina and to provide a forum for the exchange of creative ideas and information.
carolinafilm.com

North Carolina Film Commission www.ncfilm.com

Media Chatter Local /regional broadcast media "chatter." mediachatter.com

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