‘Dolittle’ did lots
at box officeTHE critics weren't all that kind to Eddie Murphy, either in "Dr. Dolittle," his latest comedy, or his voicing of the wisecracking, street-wise dragon in "Mulan." Murphy, who skipped both the New York and L.A. premieres of "Dr. Dolittle," is laughing up his platinum charge card, which he's currently using to enjoy an isle vacation while the studios count all the money. "Dolittle" premiered at No. 1, with an opening weekend take of $29 million, supplanting "Mulan" in the top slot, though the latter fell only to No. 2 with an additional $17 million take -- so the critics be damned. Murphy is resting in Hawaii before starting a new film, "Bofinger," July 20, followed by "Nutty Professor II," with Murphy again made up as various characters ...
IT'S a double-barreled Independence Day bash for Big Isle chef Amy Ferguson-Ota. She's actually getting her Fourth of July festivities underway tomorrow, when she celebrates the first anniversary of her Oodles of Noodles restaurant and holds the grand opening of her new adjacent eatery, Pizza Paradise. The 6-9 p.m. party tomorrow is a benefit for the West Hawaii Children's Advocacy Center. For $5 admission, adults can enjoy an all-American party with pizza, watermelon, clowns, balloon animals, face painting, etc. Kids under 12 get in free. It's Chef Ota's way of thanking Big Isle folks who voted her "Oodles" eatery "The Best Thing to Happen to Kona" in the recent Zagat survey ... Another great Big Isle event the Fourth of July happens when the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel sets a record 103 turtles free in the ocean during its annual turtle independence program ...
Two, two, two 4ths in one
IT needn't be "Dueling Fourths." People in Honolulu can think of it as merely enjoying two celebrations. Both Ala Moana Center and the Aloha Tower Marketplace will have fireworks displays on the Fourth of July. Aloha Tower, in fact, is having a pyrotechnic display on the Third of July (tomorrow) as well. And the Fantastic Sam's people, who will be there spraying hair red, white and blue with stars and stripes from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, promise the hairspray comes out in one shampoo. But they want to spray 500 people to gain an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records, and at 6 p.m. they'll photograph all those with patriotic hair-coloring ...MEANWHILE, at Ala Moana, former Miss Universe Brook Lee and KGMB's Russell Shimooka make an interesting pairing as emcees of the Fourth of July concert. There's something for just about everyone with music from the Brothers Cazimero, Kapena, Danny Couch & the Paradise Sisters, Loyal Garner and Angie T ...
THE obituary for Donald Gallacher, a tuna boat captain who died in Kohala, ended with, "In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you take a friend to lunch." You have to like that Gallacher family ...
Is there a doctor?
THOUGH he's recovering from bypass surgery, actor/director Glenn Cannon has agreed to revive his role of Beezelbubba in Hawaii Pacific University's revival of "A Night at Rosie's." One reason Cannon isn't concerned about his health getting in the way is that a fellow cast member is his doctor! Dr. Kalani Brady, who appears on KHON's "Ask the Doctor," also is recreating his good guy role in the show at the Hawaii Loa Campus Theater. The show is being presented as dinner theater this time around, and runs from July 10 to Aug. 2, with a Texas-style barbecue served on the lanai prior to the show. Cannon might want to watch those ribs! ...
Dave Donnelly has been writing on happenings
in Hawaii for the Star-Bulletin since 1968.
His columns run Monday through Friday.Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.