Animated film to premiere in Tulsa

Monday, November 14th 2005, 10:30 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa is getting ready to roll out the red carpet for Little Red Riding Hood. The new animated movie "Hoodwinked" is a modern re-telling of the classic fairy tale and is written, produced, and directed by former Tulsans.

As News on 6 reporter Steve Berg explains, they'll be holding the Midwest premiere in Tulsa.

Little Red Riding Hood gets a makeover in Hoodwinked, a lot less helpless and with a good dose of humor. The creators are living a sort of fairy-tale life too. Writers Cory and Todd Edwards grew up in Tulsa. Cory also provides the voice of Twitchy, a decidedly hyperactive squirrel. At a news conference in downtown's Mayo Hotel, they announced that other Tulsans also include producers Sue Bea Montgomery and Preston Stutzman and co-director Tony Leech.

Christine Booth: "The entire group, the Edwards brothers, Preston Stutzman, and Tony Leech, all knew each other while they were still living in Tulsa. So it's a connection that goes a long way back, and we're happy to see them celebrating their success here in Tulsa."

One of the movie's backers is Maurice Kanbar, who recently bought several buildings in downtown Tulsa, with an eye toward renovation. As happy as they are to see former Tulsans doing well. They want to create a reason for them to stay.

Jill Simpson with the Oklahoma Film and Music Office: "We're trying to do everything we can to put the infrastructure in place so that our talent doesn't leave, or if they have left, that they would consider moving back to Oklahoma to do their film and music projects."

Tulsa-based Council Oak Books is publishing a companion book for the movie that will be different from its usual projects. Sally Dennison with Council Oak Books: â€œbecause it'll sell nationwide very well. There's going to be millions of dollars of publicity in connection with the film and the book, and Council Oak doesn't usually have the chance to bankroll that kind of publicity campaign."

Council Oak, incidentally, is relocating into one of Kanbar's downtown buildings. It's hoped the creative community can live happily ever after in Tulsa.

Hoodwinked features the voices of Glenn Close and Jim Belushi, among others. It premieres Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children.

You can also check out the movie trailer at www.nick.com and click on 'Nickclusives' in the upper right corner.