HBO doing Barrymore, Lange project
HBO Films is moving ahead with Grey Gardens, a feature starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, based on the 1975 documentary about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ eccentric cousin and aunt.
The project has been in the works since 2006, though HBO was not involved at that time.
Albert and David Maysles’ documentary follows the relationship between the mother-daughter duo of ”Big Edie” (Lange) and ”Little Edie” Beale (Barrymore), who spent most of their lives in a decaying mansion known as Grey Gardens on New York’s Long Island.
The two made national headlines in 1971 when the local health department raided the home and found more than 50 cats, raccoons, fleas, piles of garbage, human and cat excrement, and no heat or running water. The department was going to kick the pair out of the 28-room mansion until Kennedy Onassis stepped in and paid to help clean it up.
In spring 2006, Grey Gardens opened as a musical at Playwright Horizons before moving to Broadway in November at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The show earned Tony Awards for actresses Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson. It ended its Broadway run in July.
The HBO movie will be directed by commercial director Michael Sucsy, who will co-direct from his own script along with Patricia Rozema (This Might Be Good, Tell Me You Love Me). It is unknown whether the movie will open in theaters before heading to HBO. Barrymore’s upcoming projects include He’s Just Not That Into You and South of the Border. Lange was most recently seen in CBS’ Sybil and the movie Bonneville.
