or


[03/16/12 - 08:54 AM]
Oscar-Nominated Documentary "God Is the Bigger Elvis" Debuts April 5, Exclusively on HBO
The film tells the story of Hollywood starlet Dolores Hart, who shocked family, friends and fans by abandoning her blossoming career to become a Benedictine nun.

[via press release from HBO]

OSCAR(R) NOMINEE "GOD IS THE BIGGER ELVIS," THE STORY OF DOLORES HART, WHO GAVE UP HOLLYWOOD STARDOM TO BECOME A BENEDICTINE NUN, DEBUTS APRIL 5, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

From the late '50s to the early '60s, Hollywood starlet Dolores Hart appeared in ten films, acting opposite such big names as Elvis Presley, Montgomery Clift and Anthony Quinn. But in 1963, she shocked family, friends and fans by abandoning her blossoming career to become a Benedictine nun.

In GOD IS THE BIGGER ELVIS, Hart (now Mother Prioress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis) tells her story with insightful candor and humor, offering a unique glimpse at the spiritual journey of a former rising star, her fateful decision and her current life in a rural Connecticut abbey. Recently nominated for a Best Documentary Short Oscar(R), the exclusive HBO presentation debuts THURSDAY, APRIL 5 (8:00-8:40 p.m. ET/PT). Rebecca Cammisa (the Oscar(R)-nominated "Which Way Home") directs.

Other HBO playdates: April 8 (4:00 p.m.), 10 (11:15 a.m.), 13 (4:30 p.m.), 14 (9:45 a.m.) and 19 (2:15 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: April 11 (8:00 p.m.), 17 (7:50 a.m.), 21 (9:40 a.m.) and 26 (8:15 a.m., 11:00 p.m.)

The only child of divorced Chicago parents, Dolores Hart was plucked from obscurity to play Elvis' love interest in 1957's "Loving You," and when she received his first on-screen kiss, Hollywood instantly fell for the gorgeous 19-year-old. She was subsequently engaged to handsome young architect Don Robinson and starred in a number of other high-profile movies, including 1957's "Wild Is the Wind," with Anthony Quinn, 1958's "King Creole" (also with Elvis), 1960's "Where the Boys Are," 1961's "Francis of Assisi" and 1963's "Come Fly with Me," her final film.

Hart surprised Hollywood, her friends and especially her fiancé when she joined the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn. to become a cloistered Benedictine nun. "I never felt I was leaving Hollywood," says Mother Prioress Dolores Hart, recalling her decision today. "God was the vehicle, the 'bigger Elvis,' " she asserts with a smile.

Having first visited the Abbey at a friend's suggestion in 1959, as a way to recharge from the rigors of her Broadway role in "The Pleasure of His Company," Hart returned to Hollywood, although the Abbey never left her mind. She received a letter from Regina Laudis informing her that if she was to become a nun, now was the time. Hart admits she was torn, while her fiancé, Don Robertson, was devastated and speaks candidly on film about his heartbreak. After Hart made her choice, he would visit the monastery once a year.

GOD IS THE BIGGER ELVIS provides an unprecedented look at the daily activities inside the enclosed Benedictine monastery. One of the only abbeys of its kind, Regina Laudis is a 400-acre working farm that is home to 36 nuns, who follow a strict prayer regimen and daily periods of silence, as well as participating in farming, animal care and crafts.

The young Sister Dolores felt lost and alone upon entering Regina Laudis, but soon embraced the life and won the respect of her fellow nuns. Today, Mother Prioress Dolores Hart is the second-highest-ranking abbey nun, below the Mother Abbess, and offers important spiritual counsel to young nuns who are following the same path, some of whom share their stories in the film.

As the daughter of a former nun, director Rebecca Cammisa brings a unique perspective to the film. Her other credits include "Sister Helen" (2002 Sundance Film Festival Documentary Directing Award), which aired on CINEMAX, and the 2009 HBO feature documentary "Which Way Home" (Oscar(R) nominee and Emmy(R) winner).

GOD IS THE BIGGER ELVIS is directed and produced by Rebecca Cammisa; produced by Julie Anderson; editor, Geeta Gandbhir; director of photography, Claudia Raschke-Robinson; original music, James Lavino; supervising producer, Sara Bernstein; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.





  [march 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[11/13/24 - 02:02 PM]
Hit Detective Drama, "Shetland," Returns December 11 for Season Nine on BritBox
A double missing person's case blurs the lines between the personal and the professional, as Calder and Tosh are drawn into a labyrinthine investigation.

[11/13/24 - 01:59 PM]
Dascha Polanco and Paige Hurd Each to Star in New "Ripped from the Headlines" Originals for Lifetime
The former stars in "Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story" on January 11; while the latter leads "Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story" on January 18.

[11/13/24 - 01:08 PM]
ESPN to Exclusively Present 2025 MLB Opening Day Doubleheader Featuring Both World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers and American League Champion New York Yankees
The doubleheader begins on ESPN at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 27 when Aaron Judge and the Yankees host Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers, who won the National League Central in 2024.

[11/13/24 - 11:30 AM]
"Doctor Odyssey" Series Premiere Swells +482% Over Live+Same Day Audience in Adults 18-49
Plus: "9-1-1" kicked off season eight with an action-packed three-episode story arc rising +156% in Total Viewers (12.64 million vs. 4.93 million) and +519% in Adults 18-49 (2.91 rating vs. 0.47 rating) over its initial Live+Same Day audience.

[11/13/24 - 11:12 AM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Golden State Warriors Visit New Orleans Pelicans on November 22
This matchup replaces the previously scheduled Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks game.

[11/13/24 - 11:01 AM]
Video: "The Night Agent" Season 2 - Official Teaser - Netflix
Based on the novel by Matthew Quirk, "The Night Agent" is a sophisticated, character-based, action-thriller centering on a low level FBI Agent, Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), whose efforts to save The President in Season 1 earn him an opportunity to become a Night Agent in Season 2.

[11/13/24 - 11:00 AM]
CBS Announces Winter Premiere Dates for 2024-25 Primetime Season
"Hollywood Squares," starring award-winning actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore as the center square, and hosted by Nate Burleson, premieres Thursday, January 9 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).

[11/13/24 - 10:08 AM]
Video: Trailer and Key Art Debut - Hulu Exclusive "Family Guy" Holiday Special
The special episode premieres on Monday, November 25 only on Hulu as a part of the year-round "Family Guy" 25th Anniversary Celebration!

[11/13/24 - 10:01 AM]
Onyx Collective's Sexy Legal Drama "Reasonable Doubt" Renewed for Season Three on Hulu
"Reasonable Doubt" centers on Los Angeles-based high-powered criminal defense attorney Jacqueline "Jax" Stewart (Emayatzy Corinealdi) as she deals with past traumas, a struggling marriage, motherhood and a murder case, all while trying to keep her life together.

[11/13/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Say Nothing" - Official Trailer 2 - FX
FX's limited series is a gripping story of murder and memory in Northern Ireland during The Troubles.

[11/13/24 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Let The Games Begin! Prime Video Releases Official Trailer and Key Art for Holiday Special "Amazon Wish List Games"
All five episodes of the special are set to debut on Prime Video on November 20.

[11/13/24 - 09:01 AM]
Disney Channel's "Fa-La-La-Lidays" and Disney Jr.'s "Magical Holidays" Unwrap Festive Programming for the Whole Family
Highlights of "Disney Channel's Fa-la-la-lidays" include new animated holiday episodes of "Big City Greens" and "ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series."

[11/13/24 - 09:00 AM]
Video: "The Later Daters" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Six older singles shake off the dust and wade back into the dating pool with the help of their family and friends and a renowned relationship expert in this uplifting docuseries that proves it's never too late to find lasting love.

[11/13/24 - 09:00 AM]
CBS Presents "Blue Bloods: Celebrating a Family Legacy," An "Entertainment Tonight" Special, to Air Friday, Nov. 29
This one-hour special, celebrating 293 episodes of "Blue Bloods," includes new exclusive interviews with the stars and recurring guest stars who share favorite memories and behind-the-scenes moments from the past 14 years.

[11/13/24 - 09:00 AM]
Acorn TV to Debut "Acorn TV X TED: Transform Your Thinking"
The new series will consist of six episodes, each featuring five TED Talks with a common theme.