DEVLOPING STORY

Inside sources on the ground at the Toronto Film Festival have just reported that Roger Ebert slept through nearly twenty minutes of Steve Martin's 104 minute Shopgirl which screened for press there today. Upon waking, Ebert left the theatre, and returned a few minutes later.

We smell "three star review." Stay tuned for updates.

Reminds of one of my favorite New York stories: Armond White sitting three seats away from me, dozing, head flipped back over the chair, at the NYFF press screening of DOGVILLE, for about 1/3 of the film. The eventual review? "One of the most fatuous movies ever made."

Word was, back in the fat days, Ebert would rest his head on his chunk; Spotted during 'Raging Bull' at the i-house (Philly). And, as you know, God himself called it one of the "great movies".