By Nate Bloom
Contributing Columnist
Franco is Hot; Elvis Tunes by Jews, Scrubs 10, Civil War
“Dreams,” a drama, opens in theaters on Feb. 27. It follows the secret affair of wealthy socialite Jennifer (Jessica Chastain) with a Mexican ballet dancer and undocumented immigrant (Isaac Hernandez).
The reviews of “Dreams” (to date) have been very good. It was written and directed by MICHEL FRANCO, 46. “Dreams” is the 10th film Franco has written and directed. His work is getting much more notice in recent years.
Franco’s Jewish father was born and raised in Mexico, and his Jewish mother grew up in Haifa, Israel, and moved to Mexico.
“EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” is a documentary and concert film about Elvis Presley. It is directed by Baz Luhrmann. It saves as a follow-up to Luhrmann’s acclaimed 2022 biographical film “Elvis.” “EPiC” opens in theaters on Feb. 27.
The film features long-lost footage from Presley’s long residency in Las Vegas (1969–1977), as well as previously unseen footage from two documentaries/concert films that were made in 1970 and 1971.
Long-time readers know I have written much about Presley’s ties to Jewish friends and colleagues. Instead, I am going to prove something else. In 2024, Forbes magazine had an article that listed the “20 most popular “Elvis songs.” The list was based on record sales, songs sung at concerts and radio plays. The 20 are ranked based on their popularity (#20 to #1).
It’s likely that most of these songs are in “EPiC.” I ascertained that Jewish songwriters wrote or co-wrote six of the twenty songs. Here they are: (#17, on the Forbes list) “Let me Be Your Teddy Bear.” BERNIE LOWE (1917–1993) and KAL MANN (1917–2001); (13) “You’re the Devil in Disguise;” BERNIE BAUM (1929–93) and FLORENCE KAYE (1919–2005); (7) “Are You Lonesome Tonight;” written in 1927 by ROY TURK (1892–1934) and LOU HANDMAN (1894–1956); (3) “Hound Dog;” written by MIKE STOLLER, 92 (!), and JERRY LEIBER (1933–2011); (2) “Jailhouse Rock.” Stoller and Leiber; and (1) “Can’t Help Falling in Love;” this song was written by three men. Two weren’t Jewish and one was: GEORGE DAVID WEISS (1921–2010). Footnote: 18 of the songs were rock songs. Two were old church songs. Final score: Jews hit “.333” in “The Elvis Rock Songwriter Contest”.
“Scrubs, Season 10” premiered on Feb. 25 (It snuck up on me). But you can watch it on the ABC online channels or watch it on Hulu (starting on Feb. 26).
The original series, which ran from 2001 to 2010, mixed serious hospital medical stuff with a lot of funny talk and amusing situations. The three biggest stars in the original series are in the ‘reboot’: ZACH BRAFF, 50, as Dr. J.D. Dorian; Donald Faison as Dr. Chris Turk and Sarah Chalke, as Dr. Elliot Reid.
The advance publicity lists a number of recurring actors. VANESSA BAYER, 44, is on the list as “Sibby”. However, there is no source that says who Sibby is or when she will appear on the Scrubs. Bayer is most known as an “SNL” star from 2010–2017. She has had many guest roles or recurring roles in since she left “SNL,” but she’s really talented (impressions, especially) and she should be a regular in a really good series.
I have to note that Braff, Faison and Chalke have not had many good roles in films or TV since “Scrubs” ended. Braff’s career, I think, is an almost sad story. In 2004, he was in “Garden State,” a surprise critical and box hit. He starred-in this dramatic film, wrote it and directed it. It seemed like he was headed “way up.” But two later films he wrote, and directed, flopped.
“The Gray House” is an 8-episode Amazon Prime series that premieres on Feb. 26. The official description says that it reveals the true story of unsung Southern women who spied to help the Union win and end slavery. Four women, in Richmond, the Confederate capitol, created an effective espionage network.
Well-known cast members include Mary Louise Parker, Ben Vereen and ROB MORROW. Parker plays an upper-class woman who spies for the Union. Vereen plays a former enslaved man and Morrow plays JUDAH P. BENJAMIN.
Benjamin was the highest Jew in the Confederate government. From 1861–62, he was the Sec. of War and he was the Sec. of State from 1862–65. He was a “biggie” in the war, and you can look him up in many sources.
Morrow, 63, starred in “Northern Exposure,” a “dramedy” (1990–95). He played a Jewish doctor working in Alaska. He also starred in “Numb3rs” (2005–10), a sort of crime-fighting show. His character was also Jewish in “Numb3rs”. By the way, his real wife is Jewish, too.
