We Dream Of Jeannie

With 2009 a blockbuster year for Hollywood ticket sales, there's a buzz of excitement around this year's Academy Awards. And, for those of us who can't actually attend the live event, what better place is there to view the Oscars ceremony than on the big screens at Monterey County's own red carpet gala celebration?

This Sunday night, the Monterey County Film Commission will partner with the American Red Cross to present "What a Night!" the 20th annual fundraising gala at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach. All proceeds from the event benefit the two nonprofit organizations.

The American Red Cross is a volunteer-led humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief. This organization is currently playing a role in providing relief to victims of recent earthquakes in Haiti as well as in Chile.

The film commission works to enhance economic development in Monterey County through the film industry, as well as providing educational programs and annual film student scholarships.

This year's gala theme, "What a Night!" was inspired by these very words spoken by actress Louella Parsons at the 1958 Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood.

The black-tie event should turn out to be quite a night once the red carpet rolls into the ballroom.The goal of this glamorous gala is to make guests feel like they are actually part of the big Hollywood event. Attendees will walk down the long red carpet to the luxurious ballroom where the celebration will take place. Throughout the evening, the Academy Awards ceremony will be telecast live and projected onto larger-than-life screens. Champagne will overflow from glasses as guests are offered hors d'oeuvres, a sit-down dinner, wine, a silent auction and plenty of photo opportunities.

For those who've dreamt of Jeannie, a big attraction will be guest celebrity Barbara Eden. Though she reached stardom with the classic series "I Dream of Jeannie" that aired for five seasons on NBC (and then subsequently ran here and abroad for more than 40 years), Eden's career has ranged from television to motion pictures, live theater, personal appearances and even music concerts.

Most recently, Eden has been on the road as host of the live theater production of "Ballroom with a Twist," the new show that stars celebrity emcees and dancers from the hit television series "Dancing with the Stars."

For having been a sex symbol throughout her long, productive career, Eden is surprisingly humble. When asked how it felt to have every man in the nation dreaming of climbing inside her bottle, she said, "I had no idea. I was working so hard that I didn't realize what was going on in the outside world. I had a baby then. On weekends I spent time with my child." In fact, it was little-known at the time that Eden was pregnant during the filming of the first 13 episodes of "I Dream of Jeannie" — a fact that was hidden, though "not very well" according to Eden, with veils and camera angles.

Eden is thrilled to come to Pebble Beach for this event. Growing up in San Francisco, as a child she frequently visited the Monterey Bay area, where her father would go surf fishing.

In recent years, she and her husband have traveled from Beverly Hills to Carmel several times a year with their beloved labradoodle. So the chance to return to one of her favorite places to benefit two charitable causes was something she couldn't pass up. "It's important to support the arts," said Eden. "They do change the world — and movies certainly have a huge impact."

"People may wonder why we are putting together a gala event during a bad economy," said Joe Fletcher, the film commisison's director of development. "The thing that is different about us is that the money we raise goes toward bringing more money into the area. For every dollar that comes in to the film commission, we bring $20 into the region through filming movies and commercials and (people associated with these productions) going to hotels and eating at restaurants. And the money that goes to the Red Cross supports the important work that they do."

It should be noted that, during the nation's worst economic climate in 50 years, Americans spent 10 percent more money at the box office than in 2008 and tickets sales surpassed DVD sales for the first time in 10 years: the allure of escape, even if for only a blissful night.

"The same was true in the middle of the depression," said Eden. "People would go to see films because life was so rotten. It's something you can do to get yourself out of whatever predicament you might be in during the day — you go to a movie at night to soothe yourself."

Fletcher pointed out that another draw to theaters in 2009 — as well as to the Oscars ceremony this weekend — is that there was a great line-up of movies last year.

"2009 happened to be the year 'Avatar' came out, as well as the 'Twilight' series' 'New Moon' and 'Paranormal Activity' creating excitement for young teens," he said.

For Best Picture, Fletcher is pulling for "The Hurt Locker."

Because she is one of the voting members of the Academy, Eden couldn't comment about any of the films that have been nominated for this year's Oscars, but she said she is excited to watch the ceremony on the big screens with everyone else at the gala celebration.

"They're all very good films," she said. "It's nice to see people recognized for their hard work, creativity and courage. I'll wear red for the Red Cross."

OSCAR PARTY
·What: Monterey County Film Commission and the American Red Cross present "What a Night!" Academy Awards Gala
·Where: The Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach
·When: 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7
·Tickets: $195 per person, $185 for members of Reel Friends of the Film Commission; Reservations can be made at 831-646-0910; Silent Auction open online at www.FilmMonterey.org

Reported By LILY DAYTON and Taken From: www.montereyherald.com