Arts & Entertainment
Court dismisses Olivia de Havilland’s ‘Feud’ lawsuit against Ryan Murphy
the 101-year-old actress’ attorney plans to continue fighting
Ryan Murphy (Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)
Olivia de Havilland’s lawsuit against Ryan Murphy and FX for Catherine Zeta-Jones’ portrayal of the iconic actress in “Feud: Bette and Joan” has been dismissed by the California Court of Appeals 2nd Appellate District.
According to Deadline, the lawsuit claimed the character hurt her “professional reputation for integrity, honesty, generosity, self-sacrifice and dignity.”
The court disagreed and said Zeta-Jones’ portrayal “is not highly offensive to a reasonable person as a matter of law.”
The Motion Picture Association of America released a statement commending the court’s decision.
“The MPAA is proud to have joined with our colleagues at Netflix to submit an amicus brief to the Court of Appeal, warning that upholding the Superior Court’s decision would cause both artistic freedom and public discourse to suffer,” MPAA chairman/CEO Charles Rivkin said in a statement. “The Court of Appeal’s opinion will safeguard the right of filmmakers to tell stories that entertain, inspire, and inform audiences around the world.”
In “Feud: Bette and Joan,” Zeta-Jones, as De Havilland, is recruited to replace Joan Crawford in the 1964 film “Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte.” In one scene while discussing the role, De Havilland says she has no interest in playing “bitches” and suggests “Maybe you should call my sister.” The comment is a reference to De Havilland’s sibling rivalry with fellow actress Joan Fontaine.
Murphy, who is known for his fictitious retellings of historic events, also released a statement calling the lawsuit dismissal “a victory for the creative community.”
“The reversal is a victory for the creative community, and the First Amendment,” Murphy said. “Today’s victory gives all creators the breathing room necessary to continue to tell important historical stories inspired by true events. Most of all, it’s a great day for artistic expression and a reminder of how precious our freedom remains.”
De Havilland’s attorney Suzelle Smith doesn’t appear to be giving up the fight.
“This case appears to be destined for a higher court, and we will be preparing the appropriate petition for such review,” Smith said in a statement.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
In some fowl fiction foreshadowing, a gay-owned chicken joint has come home to roost on U Street, taking a page from the chicken window subplot on the HBO show “Looking.”
Last Friday, Lucky Pollo – much more than just a takeout window – stretched its wings atop the busy nightlife corner of 14th and U Streets NW.
Behind the poultry production place is Zach Renovátes, a D.C.-based nightlife operator and managing partner of LGBTQ venues Bunker and District Eagle, as well as the LGBTQ event production company KINETIC Presents.
Renovátes opened Bunker in February 2023 and District Eagle in January of this year. Lucky Pollo is the third in his growing gay empire, though this time there are noshes.
“Lucky Pollo was meant to be fun and a little provocative,” Renovátes said.
Based around its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, Lucky Pollo is a quick-service restaurant boasting a small menu of poultry and sides. Renovátes says that the dishes are deeply rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, “a playful experience alongside seriously good food.”
Lucky Pollo’s signature chicken is steeped in a dozen-plus-spice marinade for 24 hours. The meat is then slow-roasted, rotisserie-style, over oak-wood charcoal. Chicken options include quarter, half, and whole.
Helming the kitchen at Lucky Pollo is Chef Luis Herrera, who brings Peruvian recipes passed down through three generations, including his grandmother Laura’s original creations.
Beyond the full bird, the menu features Peruvian-inspired sides like yuca fries (“I personally love these,” says Renovátes) and fried plantains, as well as comfort classics such as mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and bowls, wraps, and salads. Herrera oversees development of the multiple sauces (including staff favorite, the “secret green sauce”), crafted in-house using traditional Peruvian ingredients.
Lucky Pollo, in its streetside perch, is an independent concept from District Eagle, open to the public and staying open late (3 a.m. on weekends) to serve both nightlife guests and the wider U Street crowd hungry for late-night bites. However, just beyond the kitchen, tucked in the back lies a vintage 1950s candy machine—labeled “Out of Order,” which serves as the door leading to subterranean District Eagle.
Renovátes notes that when District Eagle is open, security staff will maintain a strict two-line policy, ensuring that those seeking meat to eat will not get entwined with those looking to gain access to District Eagle.
Lucky Pollo unites the need for sustenance with the idea of a bit of fortune, given its motto, “Get Lucky” and the whimsical brand mascot: a leather-booted chicken perched on a horseshoe. Renovátes and his District Eagle business partner had always been interested in opening a restaurant, and the Lucky Pollo space was indeed lucky: It already came with a functional kitchen. Plus, he says, the nearby fast-casual places around 14th and U streets “don’t offer a lot of quality options,” so opening the chicken spot “was a no-brainer.”
The space, designed by NYC creative Jasin Cadic, blends theatrical street-art-style vibes with Keith Haring-inspired wall prints, neon signs, and ceiling-hung chicken figurines —”some edgy, some sweet,” says Renovátes —creating an immersive, playful atmosphere. Lucky Pollo and District Eagle maintain separate amenities for their respective customers.
Lucky Pollo opened last week with a competition to devour a whole rotisserie chicken in the fastest time, with the winner earning $1,000 and a framed spot on the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.” The opening also featured other games and prizes, and a full crowd spilling out the door.
“We want it to be a great place to eat, but also serve as a playful front for something completely unexpected.” Renovátes says.
On weekends especially, he jokes, the motto will be, ‘Come for the chicken, stay for the cock.’”
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