'PLENTY' COMES TO AN END

Yes, as all good things must, 'Plenty' came to an end as Cate concluded her run in David Hare's play on July 24. We would imagine Cate is enjoying a well-needed rest about now (via India), and considering her options.

No word yet on whether there may be a Broadway run later this year. The smart money says she won't be coming to New York in the fall. Cate has done all for the stage she can, it would seem, and the chance to take advantage of her heat as a film draw would do well towards getting a little $$ into the piggybank after months of $250/week theatre paychecks. However, that's just the guess here, and really, what do we know?

'PUSHING TIN' HITS OZ

At long last Pushing Tin hit the fair shores of Australia, and by week's end was lodged in the Boxoffice Top Ten . That's not bad considering the Top Ten consists primarily of fare such as South Park, The Mummy and The Phantom Menace.

So, everyone down under may now check out Cate's Long Island Connie Falzone. Plus, the film will be making it's European Premiere when it plays at the Edinburgh Film Festival on August 24.

AUSSIE NEWS ALERT!

All you Aussies out there who have cable television can catch two of Cate's movies during the month of August. "Oscar and Lucinda" premiers on Showtime (Foxtel) August 14 with repeat screenings throughout the month and "Paradise Road" is showing on Movie Extra (Optus). Also don't forget that "An Ideal Husband" closes the Melbourne Film Festival this weekend. Try to get out and catch it because it doesn't open here until the year 2000.

NO 'ELIZABETH' FOR INDIA

The unfortunate news broke last week that India's official censor board, the Central Board of Film Certification, has refused to allow Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth (1998) to be shown in the country unless three scenes are edited. One of the scenes that raised the ire of the censor boards shows a severed head on a stake.

And now, we have definite word that director Shekhar Kapur has refused to cut the requested scenes . As a result the board has refused to allow the film to be distributed in the country. The board's decision came as Kapur and the film's stars, Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes, arrived in New Delhi to attend the Indian premiere of the film, which had been scheduled to take place this week. After the turn-down, the premiere was canceled.

How very sad. It's too bad the Indian government could not have issued a waiver of some kind, and celebrated the great triumph of their native son. There are certainly no winners in this sad state of affairs.

Hopefully, we will have happier news to report next week. Until then, PLAY A VOLTA!!

Aussie Cate Online © 1999 Lin, Dean, Lance
800x600 screen size recommended.