Actor Celebrates Big Day on Friday

By Richard van den Berg

Happy Birthday Mickey Rourke!

Philip Andre Rourke Jr. (born September 16, 1952), Schenectady, New York. He’s an actor, screenwriter and a former boxer. It’s his 64th birthday.

He is best known for the films Dick Tracy, the White Wolf series and Watchmen. He’s also rumored to play a role in the upcoming Olivia Williams sequel. It’s not a secret that he loves Botox and plastic surgery.

About his boxing career: He has won 27 matches and lost 3. He only played in the amateur circuit. In 2014 he made his return to the ring in an exhibition match against Elliot Seymour. Rourke won the match with a TKO (Technical Knock Out). Elliot claimed that he was paid to lose the match.

My Dad Was an Avid Fisherman, But He Didn't Like to Eat Fish. Go Figure.

By Richard van den Berg

1. You started your Hollywood the Game career ten years ago. You were pioneer in the wrestling film business. You also made it as a studio owner and, of course, you have your own production company. Okay, let's go back to 2006, when you started the TCW series. Did you ever think that the TCW series would be a huge success?

No. In fact, TCW was cancelled by PJ Flip after its first four episodes (on HTG TV). The only reason it was able to continue was because Mac the Movieguy and I took over one of the existing TV networks and were both able to save our own shows (TCW and Atlantis).

2. You are an actor. But, if you had to choose between acting or producing work, what would you choose?

Producing. Even as I slow down at HTG a lot, I’d still rather write than pretend to pretend.

3. As I said, you are 10 years in the business. In these years you've had lots of ups and sometimes you had downs, I guess. What's your greatest failure?

My greatest failure was not trying to become a serious, real world, writer sooner than I did.

4. Your own production company, Ship of Fooles, has already produced five movies this year (seven as of this publication). Do you have some plans for a new movie?

Currently the only film on the agenda is the new XCC movie. Due to a computer glitch, it will probably be the last ever produced.

5. Will Possum Lodge release something in the near future?

Sadly, I’ve just learned that Mad Shangi will be leaving as my co-head of the studio. That has thrown plans off a lot. I am shopping movies as we speak.

6. How did you came up with the name Possum Lodge and why is the logo a dead mouse, surrounded by green and red colors?

Check out a famous Canadian comedy show called “The Red Green Show,” which ran for over 20 years on Canadian TV and was even shown on PBS in some US markets. And it’s not a dead mouse; it’s a possum playing dead.

7. Who is your favorite actor in HTG? Of course, with exception of yourself... lol.

I think Bruce Campbell has probably had the best HTG career, even if he is getting too old for a lot of the roles he’s been cast in. Also, he can do serious work and never seems to get to.

8. And what's your favorite Possum Lodge movie?

If you want to know the best movie I’ve ever produced as a studio head, it wasn’t at Possum Lodge. It was during my much longer stint as head of Ship of Fooles Studio, now Horizon Pictures. And that would be Fallout.

Thanks!

Oh! That Harmer!

Producer Returns to Steal Thunder From Harmer

MBroderick of Ouroboros Productions has returned to HTG Hollywood and he's not wasting any time. The writer of hits such as The Last Fictional Pigeon and The Butterfly Agent is set to present a trio of films concerning leaving home and making a new life elsewhere. The first of these movies, Leaving the Bay, is set for October. Miracle Pictures Studio has been set to offer the products.

Leaving the Bay will tell the story of Teddy, a theatrical sound designer with aspirations to leave the place he has called home his whole life. The story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area and Detroit. Teddy will be played by Alden Ehrenreich, who last appeared in 2014's Energy Run.

"We're really looking forward to these high quality projects" proclaimed a representative from the studio.

What's Harmer in HTG Town?

In what must seem to be the hundredth story mentioning Chris Harmer this year, news has reached Happening that the much-admired HTG producer has been approaching actress Emma Stone on numerous occasions to join his Poutine Cult. Poutine, an odd amalgamation of fries, cheese curds and gravy, is a favored food of Harmer's and widely enjoyed north of the border.

Happening is still trying to confirm if the story is true. Some at this news source have their doubts. Emma Stone is from Arizona, where hot sauce is the preferred topping as opposed to cheese and gravy. A call to Stone's representatives has not been returned. Chris Harmer also has been out-of-touch this weekend, rumored to be skiing Scotland's Loch Ness with potential co-stars of his next film.

Stone is currently starring in Olivia Williams, the sophomore project by Richard van den Berg of Simply the Best Productions. The film also stars Peter Outerbridge. Harmer's most recent movie, Attack of the Fifty Foot Man is still in theatres. It also features Charlize Theron.

Not to deny Theron fans, here is a picture of the actress, born in South Africa, allegedly eating poutine at a recent cult meeting at Harmer's mansion.

Interview: Chris Harmer

By Richard van den Berg

1.Richard: Twelve years ago you started your career at Hollywood the Game. Later you became a producer and you were responsible for lots of hits (Destiny, Another Way to Die Hard and Iron Chief: The Movie). You have even made it to a studio owner! But what's in your opinion the highlight of your career?

Chris Harmer: Twelve years already? Wow, time has sure flown by. My career has been going even longer than that, going back to the old Film Mogul days. I think the highlight of my time here a HTG so far, is somehow getting made as an actor. Somehow along the way it became cool to have me in films, first as fodder, but later as a star. It is very flattering and I love seeing the creations everyone comes up with.

2 Richard: From where do you get the energy, inspiration and fantasy to write all of those scripts?

Chris Harmer: Well, not sure I ever have energy to write the scripts. Seriously, though, it very much comes and goes with me. Some can just keep on writing, and I am very jealous of those people. For me, I will get inspired and write movies quickly. Die Hard and Iron Chef both came out fairly quickly. Since then, though, I haven't written much. Ideas aplenty, though.

3. Richard: If you had to give an actor/actress, a producer, a newspaper EIC, a studio owner a "lifetime achievement award”, who would it be?

Chris Harmer: Easily I would give it to Marlowe. He puts me in all his films. Haha. Seriously, though, that guy does a lot for the site and community as a whole. He is the glue that binds the universe together. He is duct tape. He is The Force.

4. Richard: At the moment are there some new plans for Jade Falcon Productions?

Chris Harmer: Always lots of plans for Jade Falcon Productions. Whether or not they actually get done, is another matter! I have an original comedy I still want to release with Miracle Pictures, and I am also getting a plot together working with Flip Studios.

5. Richard: And for Harmony Pictures?

Chris Harmer: Nothing really on the table yet for Harmony Pictures. I need to sit down and really get that going. If anyone is looking for something to release with me, please let me know!

6. Richard: "Surprisingly" you are also an actor. Do you have an update about that?

Chris Harmer: Surprisingly? Gee, thanks! Haha. Just kidding. Being an actor is what I take a lot of pride in. It’s very flattering to me that lots of writers want to cast me in their works. I love each and every one of the films, whether it’s a small part or a leading role. It's very fun and I still can't believe that I have become sort of a quasi-celebrity.

7. Richard: And if you look at your acting work, which movie is your favorite?

Chris Hamer: That's hard to say, honestly. One of my favorites has always been The Good, The Bad, and The Harmer. Teufel writes very good comedies and I would love to star in another one of his. I quite liked The Chris Harmer Mysteries as well. One of my first roles was in Saving William Shatner. I wish for another release of that franchise. I would see it in an instant.

8. Richard: And what do you think of your latest movie "Attack of the Fifty Foot Man"? Did you enjoy the script and the cast?

Chris Harmer: Marlowe always knocks it out of the park, and this is no exception. He has been my main source of employment and poutine, so I thank him for that. The cast is top notch as well. I always like working with some beautiful actresses, but it’s getting rare with all the restraining orders and whatnot.

9. Richard: Thank you for my first interview!

Chris Harmer: No problem!

More Harmer News Means More Subscriptions Sold. It Only Makes Sense to Do 'Em.

Although originally chalked up as one of those constant rumors that float around HTG Hollywood, this news source has confirmed that mega-producer/actor Chris Harmer has indeed hired someone to keep him on time. With perhaps the most hectic schedule in town, the star of the recently released Attack of the Fifty Foot Man decided that he needed someone to help him get to where he needed to go in a reasonable manner.

"That's where Watchie came in" explained a representative of the superstar Harmer. "We call him Watchie because Chris pays him money to wear several watches so that, if any break, you know there's at least one that works. Watchie makes sure that, be it a movie shoot, photographer appointment, dinner engagement or whatever, Chris is there. We considered hiring someone to wear just one big clock around his neck, a la Flava Flav, but we thought that was a bit showy. Despite Chris' widespread fame and appeal, he's really a down-to-earth guy."

Harmer is scheduled to be featured in yet another Miracle Pictures film, coming out this Autumn. The studio has yet to announce which project this will be.

"I hope it's another mystery" proclaimed a viewer at a local theatre. "Those films of his rule."

"Ooh, make it a romantic comedy!" declared a female fan.