Hugh Hefner

CHICAGO – There was a time in America when the medium of the magazine produced superstars. Famous writers, reporters, photographers and illustrators ruled the day, from the magazine’s invention in the 1920s to their ebbing in the 1960s (when TV became a rival) to their last gasp before the internet. One superstar that emerged worked for Playboy Magazine, and was as influential as founder Hugh Hefner in creating the ethos of that particular empire. A legendary art director is profiled in the documentary, “Art Paul of Playboy: The Man Behind the Bunny.” The film is screening at the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Sunday, October 14th, 2018 (7pm). For details and tickets, click here.

LOS ANGELES – Hugh Hefner was the man who turned the key to the sexual revolution when he founded Playboy Magazine in 1953. What started in an apartment in Chicago became a worldwide empire as the Playboy brand and image was embedded into American consciousness. Hefner died on Sept. 27, 2017. He was 91.

CHICAGO – The duality of “Playboy” reflects the duality of the man who created it. On one hand, the magazine notoriously fetishizes female sexuality with all the airbrushed idealism of a horny adolescent. On the other hand, it’s a reputable publication of great sociopolitical depth, with a history of voicing unpopular views at the times they were most needed.

CHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, we have 20 DVDs up for grabs to the new documentary “We Believe,” which is narrated by Oscar nominee Gary Sinise!

CHICAGO – Zach Cregger and Trevor Moore – best known as members of the TV comedy troupe “The Whitest Kids U’ Know” (now on the Independent Film Channel) – make their directorial feature-film debut with the release of “Miss March”.

CHICAGO – Craig Robinson is one busy character actor. Besides his recurring role as Darryl Philbin in the popular NBC show “The Office’, he co-stars in the comedy film “Miss March” (releasing on Friday) as the strangely named Horsedick.MPEG.