June 30th

Margaret Mitchell's epic novel "Gone With The Wind" made its debut exactly seventy years ago today. This tale of the Antebellum south, and the fates of on again-off again lovers Scarlett O' Hara and Rhett Butler, captivated a nation deep in the throes of the Great Depression and desperate for escapist fare. Three years later a film version was released, featuring a then relatively unknown Vivien Liegh as Scarlett, and everybody's first choice for Rhett, Clark Gable. The film went on to sweep the Oscars and is considered one of the greatest films ever produced. There is only one remaining principal cast member from that film, Olivia DeHaviland, who played Melanie Wilkes. To mark the occasion, I am sending her a letter.

Olivia DeHaviland

June 29th

HBO premiered a movie tonight about the recent drive in Hollywood to create blockbuster films that will open big on the first weekend and have legs. It was called "Boffo" and it was hosted by Variety editor Peter Bart, who just published a companion book by the same name. As someone who works in the industry, I was fascinated by this documentary and am letting Mr. Bart know how much I admire his work.


Peter Bart

June 28th

I saw the new film "Superman Returns" today. While I'm primarily a Batman fan, the Man of Steel has always been one of my favorites. One of my childhood idols was Christopher Reeve, who starred as Superman in the 1970's. This new film captures the spirit of the previous ones, and pays homage to them in many ways. I'm writing not only to the director and stars of this new film, but also to people who have been connected with, or played a part in the Superman mythology on the screen (both big and small) over the years.

Bryan Singer

Brandon Routh

Kevin Spacey

Kate Bosworth

Parker Posey

Dean Cain

Tom Welling

Tim Daly

Jack Larson

Noel Neill

Margot Kidder

Gene Hackman

Ned Beatty

Valerie Perrine

Jackie Cooper

Sam Huntington

Mark McClure

Richard Donner

June 27th

One of my favorite all time Yankees, Alex Rodriguez (or A-Rod, as he's more commonly known) has been having a hard time lately. The New York fans and media have been getting on his back beause he hasn't produced much at the plate. (Conveniently forgetting that he won the AL MVP award in 2005.) I think it's unfair how he's being raked over the coals and am sending him a note to let him know it.

Alex Rodriguez

June 26th

"Hell's Kitchen" is back on the air! This fascinating reality TV show follows the tribulations of hopeful chefs as they compete to win their own Las Vegas restaurant. The man putting them through their paces is legendary British chef Gordon Ramsay. His acerbic wit and loud, profane comments have caused many of the contestants on his show to give up. (this is the second season.) I admire his passion and committment to excellence, and am sending a letter to compliment him on his management style.

Gordon Ramsay

June 25th

Two of the richest men in the world announced today that they will be giving most of their fortune to charity. Bravo!! I am writing to thank them.

Bill Gates

Warren Buffett

June 24th

I read an article today about one of the stars of "Gilmore Girls" who is making sure that his financial house is in order, something most actors neglect. I appreciate this levelheadedness, and I am writing to commend him for it.

Scott Patterson

June 23rd

My three year old has become obsessed with the shows produced by the Krofft brothers in the late 1960's, early 1970's. I loved these shows, like "HR Pufnstuf" "Lidsville" "The Bugaloos" and "Sigmund & The Sea Monsters." I was too young to realize it at the time, but the images in those shows were very psychedelic and reflected the culture of the times. For kids, however, the shows are just plain fun. I never did tell the folks who produced and starred in those shows how much they meant to me, so I'm taking that opportunity now.

Sid & Marty Krofft

Charles Nelson Reilly

Billie Hayes

Johnny Whitaker

Jerry Maren

June 22nd

I wrote to the NBA Champs last night, so it's only fitting that I also send a letter in honor of the NHL Champion Carolina Hurricanes, who beat the Edmonton Oilers in seven a few days ago to win their first championship ever. Since I'm not familiar with too many of the Hurricanes (or many hockey players, for that matter) I'm writing to the NHL Commissioner, also a man I admire.

Gary Bettman

June 21st

The Miami Heat won their very first NBA Championship last night, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in six games. I'm not much of a basketball fan, but I do have admiration for the Heat head coach and star player. I'm writing to them, and to the NBA Commissioner.

Pat Riley

Shaquille O'Neal

David Stern

June 20th

X-Men 3 opens

Brett Ratner

Patrick Stewart

Hugh Jackman

Halle Berry

Famke Jansen

June 19th

I took my son to Chuck E. Cheeses today. I'm writing to the CEO and also voice of Chuck E. himself

Richard M. Frank

Duncan Brennan

June 18th

Father's Day. I'm writing to two guys who recently wrote books about the bonds between sons and fathers.

Tim Russert

Paul O'Neill

June 17th

Saw the Disney/Pixar movie "Cars" today.

John Lasseter

Owen Wilson

Paul Newman

John Ratzenberger

Larry the Cable Guy

June 16th

I went to my first NY Mets game in a long time today. Mets vs. Orioles - interleague game (I'm a Yankee fan, so visits to Shea are few and far between.) I'm writing to my two of my favorite players from the past, one a Met, one an Oriole, both of whom played in the 1969 World Series matchup between the two teams.

Ron Swoboda

Jim Palmer

June 15th

I had a meeting with the Small Business Administration's program to help emerging businesses. It's called SCORE, and they have been very helpful in establishing my Dad's new business, No Cup Or Cane Productions, LLC. I'm writing to the head of the SBA to thank him.

Hector V. Baretto

June 14th

Highlights Magazine, which I enjoyed as a child, celebrated it's 60th anniversary today. Six decades later this publication, which is famous for it's two characters, Goofus and Gallant (one always did the right thing, and the other perpetually did the wrong thing)is still run by the same family. I'm writing to the CEO, grandson of the founders.

Kent S. Johnson

June 13th

My three year old helped me put together a Chia Pet (in the shape of Homer Simpson) today. While the Chia Pet has been used as a punchline by comedians, I think it's a great way to introduce young ones to botany, science and the wonders of life. I'm writing to the inventor of Chia Pets to thank him.

Joseph Pedott

A financial reply

Michael O'Higgins

Reference date: January 29th

This reply is is in response to a letter I sent to Michael O'Higgins, the author of "The Dogs of The Dow" on Chinese New Year, to mark the year of the dog. I asked him for advice on life and finances, he gave me some specific responses.

Here is his letter:

Dear Chris,

I'm glad that you benefited from my book. All I can tell you is to:

1) Be honest.

2) Pick a field that you enjoy. Then, you'll never have to work.

3) Exercise at least six days a week.

4) Write down your weight every day.

5) Spend less than you make.

6) Remember that gratitude and love are the two most beneficial sentiments you can have.

7) Read Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People."

8) Listen to inspirational tapes.

9) Realize that happiness is a decision.

Good Luck!

Michael O'Higgins

I sent him a thank you card the next day

A reply from a Hollywood expert/Disney fan

Leonard Maltin

Reference date: January 31st



I just got an email reply from one of my favorite movie critics, Leonard Maltin, a fellow Disney fan/expert, and author of many books on Hollywood and its history.


Here is his letter:

Hi Chris...

I don't know what you must think of me after writing and then hearing nothing at all for such a long time. I've just come off a string of deadlines and in cleaning up my office I found your letter at the bottom of a huge stack of unread papers and magazines. I'm so sorry!

I can't tell you how much it means to hear from someone who's followed my work so closely over the years... and who obviously has such passion for Walt Disney.

I think your idea of bringing him to life is a good one, and you couldn't have a better role model than Hal Holbrook. But I'm afraid getting permission to do this is going to present some hurdles. I recently spoke to Diane Disney Miller, who said she can't think of anyone pretending to be her father, ever. I don't know who at the Disney studio would take on the responsibliity of saying yes, either.

What I do suggest is that you talk to a lawyer and determine whether or not you NEED permission to portray a public figure who is no longer living. I don't think you do--as witness two different films on Truman Capote within a year's time.

Beyond that I can only offer good luck as you follow your dream.

cheers,

Leonard Maltin


I sent him a thank you email the next day

June 12th

Yesterday was the annual Puerto Rican Day parade in New York City, which is the biggest ethnic celebration of the year. (There are actually more Puerto Ricans living in NYC than there are in Puerto Rico.) Academy Award nominated actress Rosie Perez, a New York native, produced and directed a documentary called Yo Soy Boricua! Pa' Que Tu Lo Sepas! (I'm Boricua, Just So You Know!) which premiered on cable tonight. It was a great film, and i'm witing to let her know this.

Rosie Perez

June 11th

The 60th Annual Tony Awards, celebrating the best in American theater, was held at Radio City Music Hall in NYC tonight. While it's not as popular as the Oscars, theater fans, including myself, watch with great interest. In honor of tonights awards, I'm writing to some of my favorite winners over the last sixty years, including Broadway legends.

Liza Minelli

Hal Prince

Stephen Sondheim

Andrew Lloyd Weber

Jerry Zaks

Nathan Lane

Angela Lansbury

Mike Nichols

Mercedes Ruehl

Brian Stokes Mitchell

June 10th

1944 - The youngest man ever to play in a Major League baseball game made his debut.

Joe Nuxhall

June 9th

The 2006 World Cup began today. It's the biggest sporting event in the world (billions of people watch the matches), but not so popular in the US. I must admit I'm not much of a soccer (or football as the rest of the world calls it) fan. however, I was a fan of the old NY Cosmos, which ruled the sports scene in the late 1970's. I'm writing to their biggest player, and the most famous soccer player ever.

Pele

June 8th

Universal Studios founded - 1912

Ron Meyer - President Universal Studios

June 7th

Britain's Labour Party comes to power - 1997

Tony Blair

June 6th

Today is the 62nd anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of the beaches of Normandy, which began the downfall of the Nazi regime in World War II, fought by "The Greatest Generation." I'm writing to the main who, in two bestselling books, coined that phrase - which describes the generation of young men and women in the 1940's who sacrificed so many things we take for granted just to keep the world free from tyranny and to build a better tomorrow.

Tom Brokaw

June 5th

The Apple personal computer is introduced on this date in 1980.

Steve Jobs

Steve Wozniak

June 4th

The original "Star Trek" series airs its last episode on this date in 1969

William Shatner

Leonard Nimoy

Walter Keonig

Nichelle Nichols

George Takei

June 3rd

the Dutch New Netherlands colony (what would eventually become New York City) was established on this date in 1621. I'm writing to the ruler of the Netherlands to thank her for her nation's cultural contribution to ours.

Queen Beatrix

June 2nd

I got into a car accident today in NYC with my Saturn SL2. Amazingly,it survived a direct smash by a van to the passenger side door with little damage, and no injuries to me. I'm writing to the general manager of Saturn to thank her for producing such a reliable car.

Jill Lajdziak

June 1st

Hurricane season begins today. I live in the North Atlantic region, and we haven't had a bad one in a long time (unlike the south Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, which has seen lots of activity in the last few years.) This year seems like it will be busy as well, and they are saying that my area is due for a major storm. The man who is in charge of these predictions is my letter recipient for today. I'm sure he's busy, so I won't expect a reply until after hurricane season is over in October, but you never know.

Max Mayfield