Date sent: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 02:56:56 -0500 From: "Mike N. Reinemann" Subject: MADONNA'S MOVIE COMPANY TO MAKE DEF LEPPARD BIOPIC Wednesday. January 17. 2001 http://www.music365.co.uk/autocontent/news_56441.htm MADONNA'S MOVIE COMPANY TO MAKE DEF LEPPARD BIOPIC MADONNA'S movie company is set to produce a series of music films for cable station VH1, including a biopic of Brit rockers Def Leppard. MadGuy, the company set up by the singer and her business partner Guy Oseary, have struck a deal with the station to produce as many as half a dozen TV movies over the next 12 months. As well as the Def Leppard flick, there are plans for a Dusty Springfield biopic and several works of fiction, including a crime thriller, a courtroom drama and a comedy, although it's not clear how much of a personal involvement Madonna will have. The Def Leppard story has all the hallmarks of a fascinating potboiler, with such notable incidents as the 1984 car crash in which drummer Rick Allen lost an arm, and the 1988 death of guitarist Steve Clark after a drink and drugs binge. Allen was also nearly sent to prison in 1995 after attacking his wife at Los Angeles' international airport. Likewise, Dusty Springfield's turbulent life and career is ideal movie subject matter. The English singer was deported from South Africa in 1964 after playing to a mixed race audience, she was one of the first white performers to champion Motown Records, and she later went on to record with Aretha Franklin's producers and musicians, making the classic 'Dusty In Memphis' album. In later years she turned to pills and alcohol when her record sales dipped, and attempted suicide on at least one occasion. She died of cancer in 1999, just weeks after being awarded the OBE and being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Can the movie producer Madonna fare better than the actress Madonna? Who would you like to see play Dusty or the members of Def Leppard? Email us your thoughts. Tue Jan 16 2001 13:43 GMT The name and overall content are copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 365 Corporation plc, and all rights are reserved.