Fascinating new documentary about 1950s New York - when mobsters, movie legends and politicians all rubbed shoulders - ready to launch

  • Toots - biopic of New York saloonkeeper Toots Shor - ten years in the making
  • Includes rare footage of Toot's celebrity patrons such as Monroe, DiMaggio, Sinatra, Nixon
  • Launch event and screening to take place at The Paley Center, October 16th, at 6.30pm - followed by Q&A with filmmaker, Kristi Jacobson
New York, US - 08 October, 2008 - IndiePix, the Internet-based distributor of independent films, has announced the launch of Toots, a fascinating biopic that follows the extraordinary life of Toots Shor, one of Manhattan's most iconic saloonkeepers, during the City's 'Golden Age' of the 40s and 50s. For 30 years, politicians, gangsters, sports heroes and movie stars all found their way to Toots' saloon on New York's West 51st Street. The film includes rare, archived footage of Toots and his celebrity patrons - including Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Eisenhower and Nixon.

With his larger-than-life character, Toots Shor was one of the greatest saloonkeepers in American history. Narrated by Toots himself, two years before his death, the film documents as much about this fascinating man, his famous following and his legacy, as it does about New York's heyday. Described as "one of the most compelling, yet forgotten stories of the 20th century" by legendary newsman Walter Cronkite, Toots is now available to purchase or download-to-own, after 10 years in the making.

What the critics say about Toots
"Affectionate and vivid portrait of brandy-swilling, mob-friendly, sports-obsessed, celeb-attracting saloonkeeper, Toots Shor... the kind of zingy shot a discerning doc-lover needs." - Los Angeles Times

"A stick-to-the-ribs tribute… meticulously researched, full-course meal from granddaughter Kristi Jacobson that will whet appetites… Brimming with memorable quips and stories from a cavalcade of quintessential New Yorkers, evoking a time, and attitudes, long gone." - Variety

Ryan Harrington, Head of IndiePix Studios, said: "We're delighted that Toots is finally available to film lovers after so long. It is a fantastic, true-to-life portrayal of how things really were in the 40s and 50s - when Gangsters and Politicians were world famous, and all eyes were on New York. It is the Sex and the City of the 50's! And only an independent filmmaker would resurrect Toots' legacy in such fantastic detail.

"It's because of films like Toots that IndiePix exists," continued Ryan Harrington. "It is a timeless film that will appeal to a lot of people - whether it’s the older film fan, who is looking for a bit of nostalgic viewing, or the younger film fan, who wants to see and hear first hand what New York was really like over half a century ago. The mix of being able to purchase or download-to-own is ideal for a film that really will appeal to all ages."

The film is available from the IndiePix website www.indiepixfilms.com/toots. Readers can click here to see a trailer of this film.    

Note to Editors:
A screening at The Paley Center, which now stands exactly where the famous saloon did almost fifty years ago, will mark the first availability of Toots. The screening will take place at 6.30pm on October 16th and will be followed by a discussion with Kristi Jacobson, Director of the film and Grandaughter to Toots Shor. If you would like to speak to the filmmaker or Head of IndiePix Studios, Ryan Harrington, please contact Louise Sambells on +44 (0) 1780 721 433 or email her at lsambells@pressoffice.targetwire.com

Free editorial review sample
If you would like to review Toots click here and IndiePix will send you a free copy via DVD or emailed directly to your PC.

For more information please visit www.indiepixfilms.com    

About IndiePix
IndiePix is the world's leading distributor of critically acclaimed and hard-to-find independent films. The company was set up in 2005 by Bob Alexander and Barnet Liberman to break down barriers between film-makers and audiences in the global film community through the creation of a world leading shop and online service dedicated to making independent films available to film fans everywhere. The company is committed to supporting the independent film industry through its sponsorship of film festivals and its unique business model that returns the highest share of sales straight to the film-maker. For more information, please visit www.indiepixfilms.com.
 
Jason Tyrrell
Manager of Film Submissions
Tel: 212-684-2333
Email: jason@indiepix.net

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