Here she shares some ideas about the above-the-line talent for a film adaptation of her latest Valentine novel, Chin Up, Honey:Actors for the lead roles in a movie version of my novel? This question requires slipping fully into fantasy. I watch so few contemporary movies. The more convoluted the world gets, the more I retreat into TCM. Part of the idea for Chin Up, Honey came from a nostalgic look back to the sixties. Writing the flashbacks for Emma and John Cole gave me a great deal of fun. There’s a movie scene in the book, where Emma is watching Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.Learn more about the book and author at Curtiss Ann Matlock's website and blog.
That said, I have from the beginning seen Robert Duvall in the role of the elder Winston Valentine. Winston is a secondary character who became prominent and appears in each of the Valentine series of novels. Readers, and myself, have fallen in love with him. In a movie version of the book, I see him as the town narrator.
For the lead role of emotional Emma Berry-- Reba McEntire, or as Oklahomans call her, simply, Reba. For John Cole Berry-- Mark Harmon, absolutely. Both actors are expert at being funny and tender. If this was a TCM movie, it would be Irene Dunn and Cary Grant. Mark Harmon does Cary Grant's grin.
Delta Burke would be delightful as Belinda Blaine. Ellen Burstyn just came to mind as grand for Vella Blaine, with Jonathan Taylor Thomas in the role of Johnny Berry, Emma’s son. Both actors were great in Clyde Edgerton’s Walking Across Egypt. For Gracie Kinney, I’m at a loss. Maybe one of your readers could suggest someone. (Now that I’m looking at this, I’m rather anxious about casting.)
For director no suggestions, but I would like to put forth Robert J. Avrech as producer/screenwriter. Avrech has done some wonderful work, and he’s been interested in my stories for sometime.
Okay, fantasy time has ended.
--Marshal Zeringue
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