- Title: USA: 'MARS ATTACKS' PREMIERES IN HOLLYWOOD
- Date: 12th December 1996
- Summary: HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 12, 1996) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) MARTIN SHORT ARRIVING MARTIN SHORT (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) SAYING I'M RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE I'M A LECHER, WHO COURTS THE LADIES IN THE EVENING, I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING DOWN THE WHITEHOUSE
- Embargoed: 27th December 1996 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAD4HKLUO88GKI4ZH6ZRK4L8QZL
- Story Text: Hollywood witnessed a stranger-than-usual turnout at Mann's Chinese Theater for the premiere of "Mars Attacks(" -- an off-the-wall look at an extraterrestrial invasion.
Revelling in the '50s-era extraterrestrial decor was the film's director, Tim Burton, together with his otherworldly significant other Lisa Marie, one of the film crowd's favourite Martians.
Diminutive Martians greeted the film's stars, including Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Natalie Portman, Martin Short, Jim Brown, Christina Applegate and Paul Winfield.
Contrary to the rumour that "Mars Attacks" spoofs Twentieth Century Fox's summer film "Independence Day," the story of "Mars Attacks" was inspired by baseball cards of the same name which were initially published 35 years ago.
Burton admitted being influenced by the classic B-movies of alien invasions from the 1950's and 1960's.
When a fleet of spaceships arrive at earth carrying little green men, an ensemble cast of some of Hollywood's brightest stars in a myriad of diverse roles are put into action.
Nicholson stars as United States president James Dale. He, first lady Close and first daughter Portman are among the first to become unglued in the sci-fi comedy when the martians destroy a branch of the United States government.
Nicholson also stars as a slick Las Vegas hustler. The Las Vegas cast of characters also includes Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Brown and lounge performer Tom Jones, the latter as himself.
Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger and Lukas Haas all co-star in the film, but were unable to attend the industry screening.
Sharon Stone, Martin Landau, Rob Schneider, director John Singleton and television actors Justine Bateman, Matt LeBlanc and Alan Thicke were among the celebrities who attended the premiere. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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