So, Antonio Banderas, why Pedro Almodovar’s new movie “The Skin I Live In” in Spanish, which allows only a limited release?
“Pedro and I haven’t worked together in 21 years. One day he just called and said, ‘Time for us to get together.’ He’s rare in the American market. Never shoots in English. Always Spanish. And releases it with subtitles.”
So, Senor Almodovar, why only in Spanish?
“Could be English,” he said. “But, for me, Spanish is easier. Also cheaper. Everything you need for financing to work is there in Spain. And in today’s world it’s ridiculously absurd to think you can’t release all over the world. You can. With subtitles. Even though the overall earning is a bit less. Also, in Spanish I know what I’m doing.
“As for why Banderas? He represents for me desire. Passion. Masculinity. He made his debut with me. His emotions give me good material. I trust him to discover whatever is needed. He hasn’t changed in all these years. Behaves the same. Makes jokes. Makes faces behind my back. Same disposition he always had.”
In came Banderas. “Ohhhhh, the boss,” Pedro grinned, standing, giving up his seat. Antonio’s younger sexier thinner handsomer behind sat down instantly.
“I used to be adventurous,” he said. “More mainstream movies, but I have jumped over boundaries and gone back a little to my roots. I’m not so concerned about box office. I’m willing at this stage to break the rules.
“But my happiest was spending eight months onstage in America. I loved every moment. So I’m looking forward to do ‘Zorba’ on Broadway with the Weisslers producing. First is a movie in April. With a Spanish director. About robbers and science fiction. Then ‘Zorba.’ ”
AT “The Mountaintop” opening Alicia Keys sported a drop-dead gorgeous green vintage jacket “but don’t remember from where or when or whose it is.” WABC-TV’s Deborah Roberts, a k a Mrs. Al Roker, flashed Lanvin’s best-looking purple sleeveless sheath ever. With feathers. “But my daughter hates it.” Harry Belafonte wore a baseball cap. Phylicia Rashad said they’re remounting “Raisin in the Sun,” which she made famous. Behind David Dinkins, in front of Spike Lee, alongside Magic Johnson, S. Epatha Merkerson recalled she and Samuel L. Jackson, the play’s co-star, “go back to old theater days together before either of us was anything.” Ben Vereen said “Pippin,” his long-ago B’way musical, redone slightly, is reopening. He said it should stay as was and should star him.
The curtain rang down 9 p.m. Its opening party, three blocks away, was at Espace. Co-star Angela Bassett showed two hours later.
‘TOP Gun,” which propelled Suri’s daddy into top Cruise control, getting a sequel . . . Want Ivana? Downstairs from her Nails Together manicurist is French foodery Bistro 60 where she lunches . . . “Relatively Speaking’s” three one-acters opening this week. Word is Woody Allen’s, the final one, is best. About Elaine May’s and Ethan Coen’s? Krazyglue is stronger . . . And in the Theater District, dine at W. 49th’s new E&E Grill House. I recommend their smoked grilled tofu with roasted tomatoes and couscous.
Soon-to-be-recorded is a live album titled “Let Us in Nashville: A Tribute to Linda McCartney.” It will benefit the cancer fund in her memory and will feature Nashville musicians’ original versions of Sir Paul McCartney songs. Peter Max did the CD cover. Sir Paul is newly married to Nancy Shevell . . . Want to know the generation shift? A 44ish gent said: “Why the fuss over Elizabeth Taylor’s memorial? Who was she anyway but a fat old drunk?”!!!
COMES now Kathryn and Ross Petras’ paperback “Book of All-Time Stupidest Top 10 Lists.” Like Dallas Morning News correcting “calling Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk a socialist. She’s a socialite.” Quoting college football coach Bill Peterson: “Remember the words of Patrick Henry: ‘Kill me or let me live.’ ” Slogan from a Japan tampon package: “Be half as fresh as the day is long.” Canadian prime minister Lester Pearson: “We’ll cross that bridge when we fall off it.” From Naomi Campbell: “Something I’m doing for black people in general.” And Arkansas’ Sen. William Fulbright: “They’re more discri, er, discree, discra, with greater prudence because . . . uh, I . . . I’ve forgotten the question.”
BESIDES social networks and Internet types mobilizing the rabble, moles in Wall Street trenches say their numbers include techie experts and wonks capable of hacking into banking and finance systems. The plan? To close down the Street’s operations through jamming their computers. Pay attention: I am warning the industry in advance.
MORE money info. With banks charging for credit cards, forward-thinking Chase is thinking forward. I, the world’s eyes/ears/mouth inform you that to offset lower-level customers saving extra tariff by not using debit cards, Chase now socks poorer depositors a fee for not using their debit cards. Only in corporate America, kids, only in corporate America.
GROUP of elderly gents in an East Side urologist’s waiting room call themselves “Members of the Pee Party.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.