Actors

SLIFF 2010: An Evening With CASINO JACK & Kevin Spacey

By Movie Geeks | November 13, 2010

On Thursday, the St. Louis International Film Festival Opening Night Gala was the special screening of CASINO JACK. The tribute to St. Louisan & filmmaker George Hickenlooper happened at the Tivoli prior to the screening of his film CASINO JACK.

George was a previous Cinema St. Louis Award winner. Several people from George’s professional and personal life spoke along with clips from his work being shown. CASINO JACK actor Spencer Garrett (Tom DeLay in the film) and George’s producing partner Michael Beugg (“Up in the Air,” “Little Miss Sunshine”) were two of the speakers at the Tribute. Others speaking included Sue Gummersbach (George’s aunt), who read statements from his mom and dad; Joe Schulte (SLUH teacher of George’s); Art Holliday (KSDK-TV news anchor whose documentary “Johnnie Be Good” was being Executive Produced by George); and Bill Boll (SLUH classmate and composer of score for several of George’s early films).

Cliff Froehlich: Executive Director of Cinema St. Louis and MC of the Evening

Sue Gummersbach: George Hickenlooper’s Aunt

Joe Schulte: George Hickenlooper’s Teacher At SLUH (Saint Louis University High)

Art Holliday

Bill Boll

Michael Beugg

Spencer Garrett

What could have been a somber evening was turned into a warm celebration of the life and work of George Hickenlooper thanks to some great stories from his family and friends and a wonderful surprise appearance by Kevin Spacey. The audience response to CASINO JACK was very enthusiastic to George’s final and, perhaps, best directorial work.

Kevin Spacey

After the film, Spacey and Garett conducted a Q & A with the audience. Everyone was impressed on how lovingly both actors spoke about the film and Hickenlooper, how Spacey had to put all projects on the back-burner to promote the film for George, and how as professionals both of these actors were able to put aside personal opinions for the roles.

Kevin Spacey and Spencer Garrett Q & A

Both Spacey and Garrett joked on how fellow actor, Jon Lovitz, stole every scene he was in. Every question from the audience was answered and it was so endearing to hear from Hickenlooper’s family & friends. It was a wonderful beginning to SLIFF 2010!