Napervillians Jack M. Cohen and Loretta J. Hamilton (husband and wife) are local residents who enjoy the arts. Both have had successful business careers and are now following their dreams in the arts and entertainment world. They hosted two film premieres on January 14, 2012 at the historic Portage Theater in Chicago; Cohen served as executive producer, Hamilton as set designer.
“Spades” was filmed primarily in the couple’s Naperville home. An accomplished artist, Hamilton’s paintings can clearly be seen on the walls in several movie scenes.
“The filming of “Spades” took 6 days with very long hours, sometimes we worked 16 hour days. It was exhausting but great fun,” stated Cohen.
Another Napervillian, Dr. Alan Brown, a cardiologist at Edward Hospital and Co-Executive Producer of the movie, "Spades” was called upon for set location. His balcony was used near the end of the film. He stated before the screening, “I was thrilled to help in any way I could, and I hope my condo balcony makes it in the final cut.”
Both films, “Spades” and “Dr. Spine,” are considered in the horror genre with comedy included in the latter. Prior to the screening, event goers also had the opportunity to mingle with stars of the films, pose for photos and garner autographs.
Director and writer of both films, John Wesley Norton won the Director's Choice Award at the Chicago Horror Film Festival in September 2011, Best Picture at the Illinois Indie Horror Film Fest in March 2011, and the Naperville Independent Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay in 2010. Norton works for the City of Glen Ellyn as a multi-media specialist. He currently resides with his family in St. Charles.
Special guests and celebrities included actor Larry Thomas, whose most notable role is the famed "Soup Nazi" from the Emmy award-winning T.V. series, “Seinfeld.” He’s in both films and has worked with Cohen on other film projects.
Thomas lives in Los Angeles and is nothing like his New York tough-guy character. He was very friendly and personable as we talked about his Seinfeld years and what else? Cooking.
“Seinfeld was a miracle for me, really. It puts an actor on the map and with 32 million viewers an episode you can’t help but get noticed,” Thomas said.
“I’m finally going to write a cookbook, so many people have been after me to write one for years. The funny thing is, my dad was a chef and I think it’s genetic,” he stated.
Joe Estevez stars as the father of Dr. Spine. In his real life, he’s the younger brother of Martin Sheen and the uncle to actors Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez. He was also a delight to speak with.
Estevez has an uncanny resemblance to his brother and we spoke about his abundance of acting work in films.
“I’m very excited about my next film project, “Of God and Things,” as I’m directing. I’ll have my second directing credit on IMDB (The Independent Movie Data Base) after this film, in addition to 225 film acting credits,” said Estevez.
“Another film I’m proud of that will be coming out Feb.1, is “Doomby.” It’s kind of like a modern day “It’s a Wonderful Life,” it’s both moving and spiritual,” continued Estevez.
Kathy Garver, who appears in “Dr. Spine,” played Cissy on the beloved television show “Family Affair.” We chatted about her life as an accomplished voice over artist.
She stated enthusiastically, “Did you know that you can still watch episodes of “Family Affair” on Me-TV?”
Garver, a San Francisco resident, is also an author. She’s written “The Family Affair Cookbook” and soon to be released “Surviving Cissy, My Tumultuous Life in Hollywood.”
Juan Riedinger, a Canadian actor, had a leading role in "Spades.” He won the best actor award for "Dark and Stormy Night" at the Illinois Horror Film Festival in March 2011. He has an incredible screen presence and was clearly a stand out in “Spades.” No doubt we’ll be seeing more of this up and coming star.
The turnout was better than expected with an overwhelming crowd of over 600 in attendance. The audience included people from all over the country, including Tennessee, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida and California.
Other notable guests include Ezequiel Martinez of “Spades,” a director and writer for Disney, and Xango Henry, a television and movie actor. Bill Reinhold was in attendance and is a renowned comic book artist. He drew all of the graphics for "Doctor Spine.”
Local actors in attendance included: Michael Wexler, (Dr. Spine), Thomas A. Jackson, Jennifer Torchia, Kris Desautels, James Vallo, Heather Dorff, Cyn Dulay, Renee Domenz and James Pusztay.
To find out more about Jack M. Cohen, visit
Boomstick Films website http://www.boomstickfilms.com/.
To find out more about Loretta J. Hamilton’s artwork, visit https://lorettasgallery.artspan.com/.
Sarah Knight Adamson© January 16, 2012
