Ernest Borgnine, who won the 1955 best actor Academy Award for his performance as a lovelorn butcher in the film “Marty” and is better known to a later generation of television viewers as the PT-boat skipper on “McHale’s Navy,” will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) in early August.
The award will be presented at the world premiere screening of his most recent film, director Greg Swartz's “Another Harvest Moon,” on Friday, August 7th at 7:00 p.m. The location for the screening will be the Columbus Theatre Arts Center at 270 Broadway. Tickets for this special event are $15.00 and can be purchased below.
“Presenting Mr. Borgnine with the RIIFF Lifetime Achievement Award is deeply heartfelt for us at the Festival,” commented RIIFF’s Executive Director George T. Marshall. “He is such an amazingly accomplished actor; we are deeply honored to have him participate in this year’s event. His work has touched millions and set new standards; becoming a vibrant and critical part of the American experience.”
Previous winners of the RIIFF Lifetime Achievement Award have been director Blake Edwards; actresses Cicely Tyson and Patricia Neal; and actors Seymour Cassel and Kim Chan.
Borgnine, 92, the son of an Italian countess, was born Ermes Effron Borgnino in Hamden, Conn. He has appeared in 199 movies, including “From Here to Eternity,” “Bad Day at Black Rock,” “The Dirty Dozen,” “The Wild Bunch” and “The Poseidon Adventure.” His latest is the 2009 film “Another Harvest Moon.”
He served in the Navy from 1935 to 1945, reaching the rank of Gunner’s Mate 1st Class. He returned to the Navy in 1962 as the skipper of PT-73 on the television series “McHale’s Navy,” which ran until 1966, and also starred in the 1964 movie version. In 1983 he returned to television in the series “Airwolf,” which ran for three years. Since 1999 he has been the voice of Mermaid Man on the TV cartoon “SpongeBob SquarePants” and in April appeared on the final episode of “ER.”
Borgnine is the only living person who has won a Best Actor Academy Award for a performance given prior to 1960. “Marty” is the oldest film with a Best Actor performance from someone still alive.
ABOUT THE FILM:
Another Harvest Moon directed by Greg Swartz is a tender drama about four elderly Americans coping with life in a nursing home. FRANK, ELLA, ALICE and JUNE gather each morning for a game of cards. They have become a family to one another, offering unyielding support, constant bickering and strong opinions about life, death and everything in between.
One morning Frank reveals to Ella that he can no longer remember his wife’s face and that he doesn’t want to live to endure another debilitating stroke. This revelation sets off a struggle between Ella and the ever-optimistic Alice as they both try to affect Frank’s decision while privately dealing with their own fears.
As Frank ponders his decision and his next move, his friends and family must confront their own feelings about faith, dignity and our obligations to our loved ones.
Another Harvest Moon deals with weighty issues affecting us all.
The amazing cast includes: Ernest Borgnine, Anne Meara, Cybill Shepherd, Doris Roberts, Piper Laurie, Richard Schiff, Amber Benson and Dale Waddington-Horowitz.
THE WHO, WHAT AND WHERE OF IT:
The 2009 Lifetime Award Presentation to Ernest Borgnine and premiere screening of “Another Harvest Moon” directed by Greg Swartz will take place at the historic Columbus Theatre Arts Center, (270 Broadway) in Providence, RI.
Date: Friday, August 7, 2009.
Time: The award presentation and film screening will start at 7:00 p.m.
.
Cost: $15 for general admission. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first served basis.
"Hollywood Legends" post-premiere party for "Another Harvest Moon," August 7th
Special Guests: Ernest Borgnine, Doris Roberts, Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller
Complimentary Appetizers
$25.00
Film Screening and Award Presentation: 9:30 p.m. LOCATION: Federal Reserve,60 Dorrance Street, PROVIDENCE
2009 Rhode Island International Film Festival®.
All Rights Reserved.
Special thanks to American Trophy of East Providence, RI for the creation of this years Lifetime Achievement Award that was presented to Ernest Borgnine.
