I try to keep politics out of these updates – having no desire to offend my “customers” (as a great writer would often call his readers), much less my personal friends and business associates – but this election is just too important. Please support Kamala Harris for President. I’d like to wake up on November 6 still in a democracy, with the rule of law respected (and fluoride in the water, since I haven’t had a cavity since 1966).
This week in our home town of Muscatine, Iowa, the Palms Theater hosted a world premiere of our new film, Death by Fruitcake. We had near full houses both nights (Friday and Saturday Nov. 1 and 2) with star Paula Sands appearing on both nights, co-star Alisabeth Von Presley on Saturday night and their co-star Rob Merritt (star of Blue Christmas!) appearing on Friday evening.
Death by Fruitcake brings the main characters of the Antiques novels to life, as created by my lovely and incredibly talented wife Barbara and her tagalong husband. Antiques Slay Belles, the latest in the novel series, is out now. Paula inhabits the uninhibited Vivian Borne and Alisabeth her long-suffering daughter Brandy. And they do an absolutely stellar job of it.
The screenings weren’t flawless. These were our first showings anywhere other than on our computers and Death by Fruitcake is primarily intended for television (streaming most likely) and physical media (Blu-ray and DVD). None of that marketing has begun, as the film is intended for a 2025 holiday release. So there were bumps, chiefly of the audio variety (softer image and audio on Friday, and still not ideal audio on Saturday). But they were eminently watchable and got a terrific reaction from both audiences, with lots of laughs and a good deal of fun at the red carpet event before and after, thanks to the efforts of producer/director of photography/editor Chad Bishop. Q and A with many cast members took place each night after the screening, and excerpts will appear on the eventual physical media.
Almost all of the cast made it to one of the two performances, so it was a star-studded night.
We are talking to the Last Picture House in Davenport and to the Collins Road Theater in Cedar Rapids about a few more advance screenings of Death by Fruitcake (stayed tuned) and the Palms in Muscatine is starting a one-week run on Friday Nov. 8 through Thursday Nov. 14. (I will likely be there on Friday for the two evening showings.)
Blue Christmas may be shown in other Fridley theaters around the state (we’re still talking) and at the Last Picture and maybe Collins Road (workin’ on it, as Bret Maverick once said). And of course the Blu-ray and DVD of Blue Christmas are available now from VCI/MVD (and can be found easily at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and numerous other on-line retailers).
For now, enjoy these photos from our wonderful weekend event with our stars and two lovely crowds at the Palms Theater in Muscatine.
Much of the cast is on hand to display the Number 2 for an infamous on-screen moment of Vivian Borne’s questionable taste during an interrogation (interview!). Front row (left to right): Producer Chad Bishop, Paula Sands, Alisabeth Von Presley, M.A.C., Barbara Collins; second row (left to right ) Tommy Ratkiewicz-Stierwalt, Tracy Pelzer-Timm, Ben Rollins, Chris Causey, Brian Linderman, Rene Mauck.
Alisabeth Von Presley (Brandy), M.A.C., Paula Sands (Vivian) on the red carpet at the Palms Theater.
Q & A with Alisabeth and Paula after the Saturday night screening.
Our gorgeous Brandy and Vivian (Alisabeth Von Presley and Paula Sands).
Source Writer/Production Manager Barbara Collins and Writer/Director M.A.C. — with Bella as Sushi!
Writer/director M.A.C. and producer/d.p./editor Chad Bishop
Star Rob Merritt and co-star Tommy Ratkiewicz-Stierwalt
Tommy and lovely co-star Cassidy Probasco
M.A.C.
Tags: Antiques Series, Death by Fruitcake, Death by Fruitcake Movie, Trash 'n' Treasures
So glad to see this project come to (fruit)ion. Although I prefer the hardboiled novels of MAC, I have read all the Trash and Treasures books and have been greatly entertained (Thank you, Barb!) Frequently I found that the latest book had not been ordered by the Minneapolis Public Library, so I would have to put in a request for purchase to get a copy for me (and other fans).
I hope this indie film results in one of the big boys being impressed enough to option the books for a series.
Thanks for these great words, Tim. The ANTIQUES series of mystery novels has been taken out to networks (and more lately streaming services) several times by some very, very good people. And we’ve come close. But to me the difficulty has been that nature of the books themselves, the tone that includes two somewhat opposing narrators and talking directly to the reader. That and a quirky sense of humor to say the least. We’ve had enough positive pre-release response (we did three theatrical premieres earlier this year around the state of Iowa) of BLUE CHRISTMAS to do another micro-budget production. And we thought it was our chance to show ’em how it’s done — to capture Brandy and Vivian Borne in all their funny sleuthing, including talking directly to the camera. The two premiere screenings last week (and I admit these were hometown audiences) loved our little movie and much laughter was heard. Personally, I would like nothing more than to do one or two of these a year for some streaming service (a network, while the money would be nice, would be all over us with “notes”). I wish I could also do a Heller or even a Quarry and, again, show ’em how it’s done.
Wow! Wow! Wow! How exciting. Wish I could have been there. Barb, Al, you look GREAT!!!!
Dear Sir,
So excited to have Quarry’s Return in my hot lil’ hands today! Cheers to you and Mr. Ardai for 20 years of Hard Case Crime!
J Sindell
Gracias for the essay and photos of the premiere !
/ About today’s election – most if not all would not admit it, but I would guess most comedians, editorial writers, editorial cartoonists (there are a few left) & reporters will vote for Mr. Trump. They all need “fuel for the fire”.
It looks like it was a wonderful time. I wish we could have been there. However, my daughter and I are visiting the University of Iowa this week (She just got accepted there in the new translation major. She wants to work as an editor/agent using her Japanese.) And so we can try to make a side trip to the Palms to see Blue Christmas Friday night or Saturday afternoon. Yay! I even picked up Quarry’s Return from Prairie Lights!
Mission Failure. We headed out to see the late show on Friday and the map didn’t know a major road was closed. by the time we figured it out, we would have been more than 20 minutes late for the movie. So we turned back. And unfortunately on Saturday, my daughter has a class from 9-noon and we don’t have time to catch the next show before heading to the airport. But know that when it is available on DVD, I’ll be buying it.
I’m in the middle of Quarry Returns and hope you have started another Quarry. In fact that would be a great title Another Quarry. I love all your work and looking forward to the movie on DVD.