Director Taylor Hackford ("An Officer and a Gentleman") was turned down by every studio for the story of Ray Charles.



Director Taylor Hackford ("An Officer and a Gentleman") was turned down by every studio for the story of Ray Charles.

Three for the screen
By Jan Wahl | Special To The Examiner
Published on Friday, October 15, 2004

"FINDING NEVERLAND," "Ray," and "Vera Drake": Three excellent movies open in the next month; each reminding us of the power and beauty possible in cinema.

[Excerpt]

Director Taylor Hackford ("An Officer and a Gentleman") was turned down by every studio for the story of Ray Charles.

"They kept telling me that it has to be a TV movie. We did it for as little money as possible ($30 million), but I told the story of this magnificent man, warts and all," Hackford said.

Hackford does a remarkable job spanning 40 years in the life of this magnificent artist. Jamie Foxx will likely take home Oscar gold for capturing both the musical spirit and tormented soul of Charles. Wearing eye prosthetics that rendered him blind during shooting, Foxx had to audition before Charles himself before landing the role. Hackford and the late "R.C." (as the director refers to him) worked closely on this beautifully made film. The film honors its subject with honesty and unforgettable performances.

When this story was posted in November 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers The Kerry campaign wants the RPCV vote. Read our interview with Dave Magnani, Massachusetts State Senator and Founder of "RPCVs for Kerry," and his answers to our questions about Kerry's plan to triple the size of the Peace Corps, should the next PC Director be an RPCV, and Safety and Security issues. Then read the "RPCVs for Kerry" statement of support and statements by Dr. Robert Pastor, Ambassador Parker Borg, and Paul Oostburg Sanz made at the "RPCVs for Kerry" Press Conference. RPCV Carl Pope says the key to winning this election is not swaying undecided voters, but persuading those already willing to vote for your candidate to actually go to the polls. Take our poll and tell us what you are doing to support your candidate. Finally read our wrap-up of the eight RPCVs in Senate and House races around the country and where the candidates are in their races.

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Director Gaddi Vasquez: The PCOL Interview PCOL sits down for an extended interview with Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez. Read the entire interview from start to finish and we promise you will learn something about the Peace Corps you didn't know before. Plus the debate continues over Safety and Security.

Schwarzenegger praises PC at Convention Governor Schwarzenegger praised the Peace Corps at the Republican National Convention: "We're the America that sends out Peace Corps volunteers to teach village children." Schwarzenegger has previously acknowledged his debt to his father-in-law, Peace Corps Founding Director Sargent Shriver, for teaching him "the joy of public service" and Arnold is encouraging volunteerism by creating California Service Corps and tapping his wife, Maria Shriver, to lead it. Leave your comments and who can come up with the best Current Events Funny?

Peace Corps: One of the Best Faces of America Teresa Heinz Kerry celebrates the Peace Corps Volunteer as one of the best faces America has ever projected in a speech to the Democratic Convention. The National Review disagreed and said that Heinz's celebration of the PCV was "truly offensive." What's your opinion and can you come up with a Political Funny?

Read the stories and leave your comments.