The 5th Anniversary San Joaquin International Film Festival will close with “Carol Channing – Larger than Life,” a documentary film directed by Broadway producer Dori Berinstein. The film will screen on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Janet Leigh Theatre on the campus of University of the Pacific (3601 Pacific Avenue).
Synopsis from Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Film Festival: “With an incomparable voice and presence, Carol Channing burst onto the Broadway scene in 1941, rising to stardom with lead roles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Hello, Dolly. No stranger to documenting Broadway heavy-hitters, Dori Bernstein profiles the iconic star’s expansive career and vivacious persona. Now 90 years old, Channing is as outspoken and vibrant as ever, batting her signature false eyelashes and flashing her mile-wide smile as she candidly recounts tales of showbiz. A late-in-life romance seems to fuel this unstoppable entertainer. Now in her seventh year of marriage to her junior-high sweetheart, after nearly 70 years apart, Channing shows us true love may be the key to youth and vitality. An advocate for gay rights and AIDS awareness, Channing still lights up the stage with song and dance. You’re looking swell, Dolly, and it’s so nice to have you back where you belong.” –Lynne Crocker, Hot Docs
(83 minutes; in English; produced in USA in 2011)
This film also contains candid interviews with Lily Tomlin, Debbie Reynolds, Barbara Walters, Chita Rivera and Jerry Herman.
“Carol Channing – Larger than Life” held its World Premiere at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, and was well-received at the prestigious Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Film Festival.
Director Dori Berinstein is a Broadway producer and an award-winning director, producer, and writer of film and TV. Her 11 Broadway shows include: Legally Blonde (seven Olivier nominations), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tony Award), The Crucible (Tony nomination), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Tony Award), Fool Moon (Tony Award), and Flower Drum Song (Tony nomination). (source: Tribeca Film Festival)