Welcome to The Bachelor


NOTES On the notoriously steep, narrow streets of San Francisco, Chris O¹Donnell prepares for his next scene. Looking dapper in a tuxedo, he gazes down at his standard black patent leather lace-up shoes as he lunges into a runner¹s stretch. "I hope these do the trick," he says to producers Lloyd Segan and Bing Howenstein, standing close by. Director Gary Sinyor, perched high on the hilltop with a spectacular view of the Bay Bridge and world-renowned Transamerica building, asks for a rehearsal. The assistant directors bring in the background players to be featured in the scene.... all one thousand of them dressed as brides. First assistant director Bill Connor reminds the extras over a bullhorn, "Remember to hide any wedding or engagement rings!" The sea of white glitters with satin, sequins, and lace. One thousand women (and a few men) dressed in head-to-toe bridal garb adjust their veils. They lace their running shoes tightly. Pulling out lipstick and powder from underneath their cumbersome skirts, they do one final touch up. As the saying goes, all brides are beautiful. Actor Artie Lange comments, "It¹s like Larry King¹s living room!" Sinyor yells an inspiring "Action!" as O’Donnell begins to high-tail it up the sheer incline. On his heels, the enormous crowd of hungry would-be brides angrily try to run down the potential groom, tulle flying in the wind. After all, every one of them has a chance at becoming a millionaire; all they have to do is catch The Bachelor and drag him to the altar. Helmed by British director Gary Sinyor (Stiff Upper Lips, Leon The Pig Farmer, Solitaire for Two) The Bachelor stars Chris O’Donnell (also executive producer) and Renée Zellweger in a tale of love and its motivating factors. Written by Steve Cohen, The Bachelor is a contemporary update of the 1925 Buster Keaton classic Seven Chances, where a confirmed bachelor has 24-hours to find a bride and get married, in order to collect a $100 million inheritance. The Bachelor’s producers are Lloyd Segan ( Wirey Spindell, Boondock Saints) and Bing Howenstein (The Bicyclist), with Steve Hollocker as co-producer. Rounding out the production team are director of photography Simon Archer (Stiff Upper Lips), production designer Craig Stearns (Till There Was You, The Mask), costume designer Terry Dresbach (Rounders, The Last Seduction), and editor Robert Reitano (Sleepless in Seattle, Mixed Nuts). Also featured in this talented cast are James Cromwell, Ed Asner, Hal Holbrook, Brooke Shields, Mariah Carey, Marley Shelton (Pleasantville), Rebecca Cross, Stacy Edwards (In The Company of Men), Sarah Silverman (Larry Sanders Show), Katharine Towne, and Jennifer Esposito (Spin City). The Bachelor is rated PG-13 by the MPAA and was released nationwide on November 5, 1999. Main \| The Filmmakers \| The Production \| Battle of the Brides \|