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By Hank Reineke

It was never his intention to be remembered as the Alfred Hitchcock of the Chester-Delaware Counties of Eastern Pennsylvania. Director Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. was a devout Christian whose real passion was turning out religious-themed short films that would bring the Gospel to the masses. But such proselytizing was cost prohibitive. So, at the suggestion of - and in partnership with - Philadelphia-based distributor/producer Jack H. Harris, Yeaworth signed on to direct a handful of low-budget teenage dramas and science-fiction films. Harris had convinced Yeaworth that there was a cash-grab market for such indie films, and these productions would bring in enough revenue to fund projects with loftier aspirations.

Yeaworth’s first feature film (as co-producer), The Flaming Teenage (1956), was not really his at all. It was instead a cobble of pre-existing footage from a drug-abuse morality fable now disguised and sold to distributors as an exploitation film.

Having taken home the Best Picture award at last night’s Gotham Independent Film Awards, Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom finds itself nominated in the same category in the upcoming Independent Spirit Awards, with the full list of nominations announced tonight.

Anderson’s latest film has been nominated in a healthy five categories – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Male, and Best Cinematography – with David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook also racking up an impressive five nominations, adding Best Female Lead and Best Male Lead to Best Feature, Director, and Screenplay.

Also coming in as strong contenders are Jacques Audiard’s Rust and Bone; Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the Best Female Lead category for her performance in Smashed; Colin Trevorrow in the Best First Feature category for Safety Not Guaranteed, and Derek Connolly in the Best First Screenplay for the same film; director Benh Zeitlin and Beasts of the Southern Wild...

Former American Idol contestants Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen will be headline performers at this year’s annual Mint Jubilee hosted by Bob Costas.

Celebrity guests such as Julie Benz, Jamie Kennedy, Audrina Patridge, Jennifer Tilly, Betsey Johnson, Illeana Douglas, Fred Thompson, Vicki Gunvalson, Linda Davis, Nole Martin, Phil Laak and many others will attend the charity event.

Kentucky Derby weekend will kick-off in high style as Louisville and Hollywood collide for the annual Mint Jubilee celebration the night before the Kentucky Derby. One of the world’s premiere charity events, the Mint Jubilee has helped raise millions of dollars for cancer research and treatment since 1996. The black-tie event will be hosted by Mint Jubilee co-founders Matt Battaglia, Chris Thieneman and Tom Thieneman along with legendary sportscaster Bob Costas. The evening will include a cocktail reception, gala dinner and exciting live musical performances from “American Idol” winners Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen.

The Colon Cancer Alliance has announced the 3rd Annual “Stars Go Blue” benefit concert for colon cancer at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The event benefits the Blue Note Fund, which provides financial support for colon cancer patients in need of financial assistance.

The theme of this year’s show is “Couples in Country Music” featuring multi-platinum McA recording artist and Grand Ole Opry member Josh Turner and his wife and band member, Jennifer, along with Grammy winning singer Linda Davis and her husband singer/songwriter, Lang Scott. Also performing is “Stars Go Blue” creator and Grammy nominated producer/artist Charlie Kelley with his wife, Gac personality Nan Kelley.

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