Whitney Scores As Producer and Star

Date: November 01, 1997

From Ebony Magazine
Submitted by: Rachel D.


Just two years old, Whitney Houston's production company, whose name recently was changed from Houston Productions to BrownHouse Productions, is already having a great impact in Hollywood. The $12 million Cinderella television movie is her first project, but in various stages of production are a host of other television and film features.

Whitney has long had the rights to Donald Bogle's story on Dorothy Dandridge, which possibly will go into production in 1998. However, Debra Martin Chase, executive vice president of Whitney's company, says the singer will not star as the beautiful, troubled star of the '40s and '50s, but Whitney is "totally committed" to producing it. "We want Dorothy's story told right and with dignity and honor," says Chase. “The project is on our fast-track."

Whitney is interested in starring in Get Christie Love, which will be produced in partnership with Danny De Vito's Jersey Films. And then there~ How To Marry A Black Man, based on the book by the same name, that Whitney will produce with Touchstone. In addition, BrownHouse is considering other Disney projects.

Disney's Touchstone Films has a first-right-of-refusal deal with BrownHouse. Joe Roth, chair of Walt Disney Studios, was the first Hollywood executive to suggest to Whitney that she consider films. They have been close friends since.

"We're busy; it's exciting," says Chase of BrownHouse Productions. "Whitney's terrific to work with. She's gifted and has terrific instincts, which is most important in a job like this. And we share the same vision. We want to provide entertainment with values and a strong, positive message. We want to show aspects of the lives of African-Americans fiat have not been brought to the screen before. We have a huge commitment from Disney and ABC, but they need Whitney's wattage and commitment behind the projects. She wants to use whatever leverage and power she has to improve and advance how we as African-Americans are portrayed in the movies and on television."

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Whoopi Goldbeg portrays Queen Constantina and Victor Garber the King, who are parents of the Prince, portrayed by Paolo Montalban, shown at right in the wedding scene with Brandy, who is Cinderella.