The Dallas Morning News Alan Peppard Column: Andrew Stevens’ Texas Filmmaking Mission
By Alan Peppard, The Dallas Morning News
Mar. 10–Locally based film producer Andrew Stevens plans to show Missionary Man at the upcoming AFI Dallas International Film Festival. Action star Dolph Lundgren wrote, directed and starred in the film, which was shot entirely in the Dallas area and is getting worldwide distribution from Sony Pictures Stage 6 Films.
Dolph plays the mysterious stranger, Ryder, who rolls into town on a motorcycle “carrying only the Bible and a desire for justice.” (Cue the music.)
“I’m committed to promoting independent production in Texas,” says Andrew, who, in his acting days, played Casey Denault in 33 episodes of the TV series Dallas. Andrew is also the son of actress Stella Stevens, who had a wonderfully over-the-top role as Ernest Borgnine’s wife in 1972′s The Poseidon Adventure.
Prime minister dinner
First Lady Laura Bush started a trend when she dined recently at Sevy’s Grill in Preston Center with her mother, Jenna Welch, and attending Secret Service agents.
The Bushes’ English pal, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair showed up at Sevy’s last week before his speech at SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium, where he was presented with the Tower Center’s Medal of Freedom.
“Several other guests also dining here before the lecture were treated to autographs and greetings from the former prime minister,” says proprietor Jim “Sevy” Severson.
Mansion connection
For many hoteliers, all roads begin at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Atef Mankarios used to be the Mansion’s managing director until he was kicked upstairs to be president of the parent company, Rosewood Hotels. In 1991, he hired Jeff Trigger away from the Adolphus to run the Mansion. Later, they both started their own hotel ventures.
Now that Jeff’s La Corsha hotel company has reopened the Stoneleigh Hotel, one of the first diners was Mr. Mankarios, who sat down with Jeff for dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Bolla.
Sitting at a nearby table? Current Mansion manager Duncan Graham.
Island texts
Speaking of it being a small world, Dallas event planner and lifestyle guru Steve Kemble has been in Honolulu for the Spring Fashion Festival.
In Dallas, Steve is a regular correspondent for Fox 4′s Good Day morning show. Once in Hawaii, it wasn’t long before he hooked up with the Fox TV station there.
“I was promoting the event on the local FOX affiliate station here in Hawaii, and I get a text message from Fox Dallas anchors Megan Henderson and Heather Hays,” Steve says. “Both saw me on TV and sent a text to let me know they too were vacationing on the island.”
Hawaii is no novelty to Heather Hays. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Chaminade University of Honolulu. In 1992, she was crowned as Miss Hawaii USA.
Dell drops by
Last week, Forbes magazine declared that Bill Gates’ 13-year streak as the wealthiest man in the world is over. He was demoted to No. 3 and Warren Buffett was jumped to No. 1.
The new Forbes list of the word’s billionaires places Texan Michael Dell at No. 40 (behind a whole lot of Russians), just one spot ahead of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen at No. 41.
But with an estimated $16.4 billion, Mr. Dell can buy pretty much all he surveys.
The Austin computer manufacturer was recently spotted surveying the renovations of the dining room at the aforementioned Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. No plans to buy it, however. He was just passing through.
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