Seth Green Opens Second Film Program at New Beverly Cinema

Seth Green, Dr. Evil's son Scott from the "Austin Powers" movies and co-creator of "Robot Chicken," came by New Beverly Cinema to start off his second round of movie programming at the theater. Green had done this previously to an enthusiastic response, and he loved how it got him to "stay up late" with movie fans. He also purposely programmed his festival with movies his wife (actress Claire Grant) hasn't seen. There was only a small audience in attendance at the August 3 screening (due to scheduling issues), but they all greeted Green with loud applause, which he tried to beat as he ran to the front of the screen.

Green's first selection was the 1977 hit comedy "Smokey and the Bandit" starring Burt Reynolds as the Bandit and Jackie Gleason as Buford T. Justice, the sheriff intent on bringing him down. Surprisingly, Green admitted he had actually never seen the movie the whole way through before. He also said that he got to meet Reynolds one time, and they talked about many of his movies except for this one. Reynolds did, however, tell him about the rape scene from John Boorman's "Deliverance" and how at one point he yelled at the director:

"Stop! It's gone on long enough! What's wrong with you?"

After watching "Smokey and the Bandit" that evening, it's clear Reynolds and co-star Jerry Reed were having the time of their lives making it. It's also no secret that Reynolds and Sally Field fell deeply in love on set, which more than explains their strong chemistry. Green also remarked with New Beverly Cinema's Julie Marchese that Paul Williams also co-starred in the movie, and he had the "weirdest career." Apparently Williams once said he was really messed up while shooting this film and doesn't remember much of it due to the drugs he took back then.

The next movie in Green's opening night double feature was Clint Eastwood's Oscar-winning triumph "Unforgiven." Green said he never got to see it in theaters when it opened, catching it for the first time on video. Regarding Eastwood, Green said he didn't really have much of a connection to his work and he was mainly drawn to the fact that actors he likes (Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman) were in it. He was also under the impression that this was the first movie Eastwood had ever directed, but the audience at New Beverly Cinema (who are big movie enthusiasts) were quick to correct him. It was actually "Play Misty for Me" that marked Eastwood's directorial debut, and has directed dozens of movies since.

Seth Green's movie programming continues on through August 8, and you can check the New Beverly Cinema's website for when he makes his next appearance. Ron Howard's "Parenthood" and Terry Gilliam's "The Fisher King" will be showing on August 5 and 6. He will also be hosting a midnight screening of "Kids In The Hall: Brain Candy," and will conclude with two of Danny DeVito's all time greats: "Ruthless People" and "War of the Roses."