by Washington Washington
Steve Friedman, known to millions of radio listeners as Mr. Movie, hosted the only all movie, call-in, talk show in the world for over 25 years. In his memory, the First Annual Mr. Movie, Steve Friedman Film Festival is being held on April 16 at 7 p.m. As the 1956 MGM Sci-Fi masterpiece “Forbidden Planet” was his favorite film, it will be shown in his honor at the Colonial Theatre (227 Bridge Street) at 7:30pm.
“He saw Forbidden Planet 178 times,” said Steve Ross, guest host of the event and one half of the on-air team of the Remember When Show on CBS Radio (WPHT 1210 AM). “Mr. Movie was amazing human being with an encyclopedic mind. He knew everything about every film… He was really was a phenomenon.”
Ross and Jimmy Murray did the radio show with Mr. Movie, who lost his gallant battle against kidney disease in September 2009. He had been waiting patiently for a healthy kidney for more than five years. “At least ten listeners offered Steve a kidney,” said Ross. “That just goes to show you how much his listeners cared about him.”
Mr. Movie’s depth of knowledge was legendary, and his engaging conversational style made him an icon in the world of movie talk and film criticism. His ability to discuss just about every film ever made was an asset not only for a particular caller’s query, but because his listeners received valuable film education.
“When we did the show together, I’d have a ton of notes, books, and binders of info, but Steve just had his head,” said Ross. “There were times in the beginning where he’d go for nine hours straight, overnight. I think once or twice, he had done it remotely from a West Coast Video. He was in his glory doing nine hours of radio in a row.”
And he was well suited for it… Mr. Movie’s answers to his caller’s questions would involve back end stories, insider secrets, production histories, biographical notes about actors and directors, screen writers, composers and producers, plot structure, analysis, technical information and he would then offer suggestions for other involving narratives that might interest the caller.
“The thing that made him so special is that he treated all his callers with respect,” said Ross. “He would say that his opinion was no better than any of this listeners’. He treated his callers like royalty and people miss him dearly.”
In addition to the “Forbidden Planet” film tribute, there will be celebrities on hand to highlight Friedman’s outstanding accomplishments. They will include Wally Kennedy of KYW-Newsradio and formerly the longtime host of “AM Philadelphia” on 6ABC, David Skalish of 1210 The Big Talker WPHT-AM (Friedman’s radio station) and Mike Lemon of Mike Lemon Casting. In addition, the talented Holly Faris will perform as Joan Rivers’ Red Carpet Impersonator, as well as local musical icon Skip Denenberg.
Tickets for the event are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Donations are being collected for the National Kidney Foundation, with partial proceeds to go to The Stephen and Darragh Friedman Scholarship Fund.
Please come out and celebrate Mr. Movie’s legacy with his favorite film, his family, and his good friends this Friday night… And as he always said at the conclusion of his radio show, “Go out and hug somebody – - before it’s too late.”
