Kate Hudson set to star as JW painter Margaret Keane a JW.

whereami

Another email going round the JW community. There all excited about this saying it's going to be a great witness to others. Yeah right.

http://www.afterellen.com/blog/karman/hudson-set-to-star-as-keane ?

Kate Hudson set to star as painter Margaret Keane
Sick of watching the ads for the new Kate Hudson romantic comedy, Fool's Gold, that features yet another hapless man-boy (this time Matthew McConaughey) who can't commit or hold down a job but is likely to end up with a hottie who doesn't deserve him on his arm and riches in his pocket? Me too. Luckily, she has something new in the works, and it is unlikely to feature Kate beating a beer-swilling treasure hunter about the head with blunt objects.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Hudson is set to star in Big Eyes, a film about painter Margaret Keane. You may not know Keane's name, but you will likely recognize her paintings of wide-eyed women, children and small animals that became popular in the 1960s. I think the casting of Hudson in the role is brilliant. I wonder where they got the idea?

All snark aside, Keane's story is interesting and, ultimately, inspiring. Her husband, Walter Keane, sold her work under his own name, and when they divorced in 1965, he refused to relinquish ownership of the paintings. She took him to federal court and won her case, as well as $4 million in damages (though the award for damages was later reversed). After the divorce, Keane moved from San Francisco to Hawaii, where she became a Jehovah's Witness. Her work became brighter and more upbeat, and Keane reportedly attributed her joyous new approach to life to her religious conversion. (Although I'm thinking that the move to Hawaii couldn't have hurt either.)

Keane (pictured above with her dog, Chili) now lives in California and continues to paint. You can see her work here. Keane also has some interesting ties to the film industry. According to Wikipedia, both Joan Crawford and Natalie Wood commissioned her to paint their portraits, and director Tim Burton commissioned her to paint a portrait of his then-girlfriend Lisa Marie and their Chihuahua, Poppy. And I see signs of Keane's influence in the American cinematic classic The Grudge 2:

Big Eyes will be directed by The People vs. Larry Flynt screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.

VoidEater

(Although I'm thinking that the move to Hawaii couldn't have hurt either.)

LOL!

I had heard this as a rumor, that she was a witness, though the details were all wierd. Interesting.

Cindi_67

Did you see this particular painting? Right above. ?

Gopher

Yes, this movie is in the works. No, it won't necessarily be about her life as a JW -- if you closely read the description on IMDB.

IMDB says this movie will be a drama focused on her success in the 1950's and her legal difficulties with her husband Walter Keane.

She didn't become a JW until after her divorce.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1126590/

Big Eyes (2009)

Overview

Directors:
Scott Alexander
Larry Karaszewski
Writers:
Scott Alexander (writer)
Larry Karaszewski (writer)
Genre:
Drama
Plot Outline:
A drama centered on the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.
Plot Synopsis:
This plot synopsis is empty. Add a synopsis
Production Notes/Status:

Status:
Pre-production
Comments:
A tentative June start date is in place
Status Updated:
5 February 2008
Note:
Because this project is categorized as being in production, the data is subject to change; some data could be removed completely.

ohiocowboy

I seem to remember there was an article about her in either the Awake or Watchtower back in the 70's. Anyone remember which one???

Leolaia

I knew her when she lived in Hawaii. I was only a small child at the time, but I knew who she was -- I knew the paintings, everyone talked about them, and I even knew that her ex claimed that he painted them. I remember she was nice and kindly, rather sweet...although that's only a child's view, but she was nice to me the time I met her. This was in the late '70s....so long ago!

Dagney

The Oahu Bethel KH had several of the paintings. I wonder if they are still there? I always wondered if anyone would break in and steal them.

Nathan Natas

Kate Hudson, eh?

Well at least the nude scenes will be pleasant.

sacrebleu

There WAS an article about her in one of the rags, I mean mags.

I remember it distinctly. The most important question now would be: Did she ever escape the Borg?

It is so weird that I was just thinking about her recently and wondered if she ever got out. I couldn't remember her name. I have a cheap reproduction of one of her works from before she was a JW. It is in the attic somewhere. I sincerely hope she got out!

sacrebleu

Gopher

Ms. Keane is currently 80 years old and is still a Jehovah's Witness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Keane

In the July 8, 1975 Awake magazine, she told the story of her conversion to the JW's.

Kate Hudson set to star as JW painter Margaret Keane a JW.

Overview

Directors:

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Plot Synopsis:

Production Notes/Status:

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