IT AINT OVER 'TIL THE TALL LADY SINGS

The Sarasota Film Festival is over today after the showing of Christopher Plummer's movie "Beginnings." Historically, our festival began in 1999 after the demise of the original Sarasota FRENCH Film Festival. Since that time we have been graced with visits from many of Hollywood's best actors and as a sponsor in one form or another, I got to meet many of them personally. The oracle is not shy about giving his opinion on things and I wanted to share with you insider info on some of our stars.

IN PAST YEARS...Alan Alda came here during the election fight over the presidency when George Bush beat Al Gore. In a sign of liberal forgiveness and understanding, Alda refused to have his photo taken with Katherine Harris who was seated at the adjacent table. Kumbaya anyone? Billy Crystal was here to support a film his daughter had created. This very funny comic on TV could not have been more standoffish and unavailable, the EXACT opposite of William H. Macy and his charming wife, Desperate Housewives' Felicity Huffman, and other great actors ... Steve Buscemi, and Stanley Tucci who were at the peaks of their careers with major films showing. These folks were absolutely open and available, and never "too cool."

We have had other interesting folks come including the friendly but slightly shy Kevin Klein, bubbly and beautiful Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tom Selleck, Richard Dreyfus, Peter Falk, Charlize Therron, and Jon Voight who is a major film and TV actor (the show "24" at the time) and yet a regular guy. Woody Harrelson has been back several times and you couldn't meet a friendlier person.

I did not know what to expect from this years honorees, Geena Davis, Christoper Plummer, or producer Sarah Green (great producers and directors like Sidney Pollack, Paula Wagner, and Robert Altman have been here). Geena Davis and her Husband, plastic surgeon Reza Jarrahy, with whom she has twin boys, are warm and friendly. They were bright, fully engaged in the festival and available conversationalists. Aside from her being a great actress, they made a good choice to honor her for the person she is.

Christopher Plummer is in his 80s and has the spunk of a man half his age. Another great choice on several levels. Think aristocrat with a playful and funny streak. I did not get to spend any time with Sarah Green but others who did came away with a good impression.

The 2011 festival has been enjoyable for me, not only for the films but the people who make them. Despite their fame and fortune this years "stars" are real human beings with good hearts and social consciousness. Oh, and as for the title of this post... at a special President's dinner last night at the Opera House, Ms. Davis, call me Geena, faced toward the empty theater as if performing to a full house, and sang an operatic aria to the dinner guests behind her. It was beautifully done and signalled that it was time to go home. The Tall lady had sung.