Lots Of Movie Stars!

Next Monday brings the long awaited premiere in Bondi of A Few Best Men, the latest offering from Stephan Elliott (left) whose career has enjoyed something of roller-coaster ride since picking up an Oscar for his 1994 success Priscilla Queen of The Dessert.

The movie stars Xavier Samuel, Kris Marshall, Kevin Bishop and Olivia Newton-John and the word is Olivia puts in a great performance as the mother-of-the-bride in the love romp and the ‘wedding- goes-wrong’ comedy set in the Outback.

Ann Dexter-Jones and Alan Cumming

Now that Beach Haus regular Leo DiCaprio has departed these shores (he’ll be back early February to wrap up filming on The Great Gatsby), Sydney is devoid of Hollywood stars when usually, with such glorious summer weather we could expect at least 3 or 4 stars to be hanging around town

Its' the opposite in New York with the town chock a block. 

Darren Criss and Susan Sarandon

Last Monday Glee star Darren Kriss was the guest of honour at a shindig at The Darby hosted by Alan Cumming, Parker Posey, Lily Rabe, Andrew Rannells and Jordon Roth The party was to celebrate the Broadway debut of Darren in "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying."

Stacey Keible and George Clooney

Naomi Watts

The following night at Cipriani 42nd Street recent Sydney visitor George Clooney received the Best Actor for The Descendants at the National Board of Review Gala with Tilda Swinton receiving Best Actress for her role in We Need To Talk About Kevin while Christopher Plummer was awarded best supporting actor for The Beginners, and Shailene Woodley received best supporting Actress for The Descendants.
It won’t be the last you hear of The Descendants. Get ready for the flick to pick up a few Oscars.

No bash worth its salt in New York is complete without the USA’s top society snapper (and Social Shuttle pal) Patrick McMullan who has sent us some great snaps from both nights.

All New York photographs  by Patrick McMullan (c) www.patrickmcmullan.com

New York, New York-If I can can make it there...

   Daniel Garofali, Matty Bee, Joan Rivers, Rupert Noffs

Twitter & Face book-it's like having a neighbour permanently gossiping over the back fence. No-one escapes your gaze.
The Shuttle has been keeping up with former Sydneysider Rupert Noffs who it appears, has settled nicely into an apartment in Manhattan to the extent of mastering  that all important staple-chicken soup!. Helping out is ace New York publicist Kelly Cutrone whose contacts are next to none in the USA.

Glee star Kevin McHale in his Gideon Shoes NYTimes

According to our new York spy Rupert's also been doing the rounds: fashion week, top night spots, Halloween parties, meeting Beyonce and Joan Rivers, fighting with Lindsay Lohan over a taxi -as one does- but more importantly, promoting Gideon Shoes, the business set up by he and his brother Matt Noffs.

For those not yet in the know, Rupert and Matt are the grandsons of Sydney saint the late Rev Ted Noffs who started the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross in 1964.

Matt and Rupert have parlayed that charity spirit into Gideon Shoes, the fantastic and stylish shoes that are made ethically in Australia. That means no slave labour in the Third World (or here!).

Respected US writer Naomi Klein tried to tell the world decades ago that ethical manufacturing was the way to go. Local shareholder activist and journalist Stephen Mayne has been saying likewise.

Rupert and Matt started Gideon Shoes in order to fund The Street University, the kid's retreat in Western Sydney set up by Matt and wife Naomi. 11.000 kids a year are benefiting from the Street University and in 2009 they were given the seal of approval with a visit from then PM Kevin Rudd and HRH Prince William.

Now they are tackling the USA and it really is just a matter of time before the penny drops with US fashion editors-their shoes are there to stay. Already the New York Times has featured them with Glee star Kevin McHale wearing a pair. It's surely just a matter of time before Anna Wintour is spotted striding up Fifth Avenue in her Gideons.

## If top New York publicist Kelly Cutrone is on your case, it's pretty well taken for granted that success is imminent. Here is a clip from Dr Phil shown last month on Australian TV where Kelly reads the riot act to a couple of guests.