A League of Their Own

What happened was that in 1990 Debra Winger made The Sheltering Sky. At the time of that film's release, Madonna openly said that it was her favorite book and the film version sucked and Debra Winger was completely wrong in it.

Also, I read that Debra stated that she did not believe in stunt casting.

When the movie was first released, I read that Debra was the first one cast, and participated in many of the rehearsals, but her back problems began to flare. I assume she had no idea Madonna would be in the movie.

At the time of that film's release, Madonna openly said that it was her favorite book and the film version sucked and Debra Winger was completely wrong in it.

I'd have to agree with Madonna on this one; Winger was very wrong for the part in The Sheltering Sky. Still, if Winger dropped out of playing the part (of Dottie Hinson) that went to Geena Davis, in A League of Their Own, it shows that Winger is not only overly sensitive but boarders on the brink of being unprofessional. Even big fat movie stars make some concessions.

Again, we don't really know why she dropped out.



What, just for once in your life can't you be serious?

I've always believed that the Winger/Madonna casting situation was blown way out of proportion, for it was more than likely just the straw that broke the camel's back. In truth, it's very doubtful that both Winger and Penny Marshall working together on that film would have both made it out that production alive, for one would have killed the other.

As far as I remember, Madonna said something to the effect that the movie was awful & Debra Winger "so un-sexy".

Well, let me tell ya: If you've ever read the book The Sheltering Sky, you realize this isn't supposed to be The Story of O or Lolita. It makes Madonna sound dUmB.

Debra probably had the last laugh when Madonna starred in Body Of Evidence, a Basic Instinct-ripoff that was as sexy as a beaten skank's corpse.

Penny Marshall: Debra Winger Dropped out of “League” Because of Madonna
by Roger Friedman - September 4, 2012 3:11 pm

Everyone has a book this fall: Cyndi Lauper, Tony Danza, Alana Stewart, Rod Stewart, and so on. They’re all pretty interesting. But the one that’s got me enthralled right now is Penny Marshall’s “My Mother Was Nuts.” It’s absolutely hilarious and dead serious. Penny– one of the great people you meet who’s been a real Hollywood success–chronicles her journey from the Grand Concourse in the Bronx to life as a hit commercial film director (“Big,” “A League of their Own”) with writer Todd Gold. But it’s Penny’s raspy, punchline packed voice all the way through. You cannot put “My Mother Was Nuts” down. Just try.

Some tidbits: you know, she has recently survived a brain tumor and lung cancer. It’s a miracle. Her pal, Revlon’s Ronald Perelman, pulled out all the stops to help her. So did best buddies Carrie Fisher and Lorraine Bracco. One doctor told Penny she should be ready to “die with dignity.” She fired him immediately, thank god.

Her marriage to Rob Reiner almost didn’t happen, she said, because soon after they started dating, he had a nervous breakdown. They finally did tie the knot and had a successful union. She was on “Laverne and Shirley” and he was on “All in the Family.” But when the left his show, Reiner, she says, became unhappy about her success. It’s a typical Hollywood story. They didn’t divorce for six months after making the decision. Why? Richard Dreyfuss, who lived in their guest house, kept crying every time it was discussed.

There’s lots of good stuff about Penny’s films. Debra Winger, she says, dropped out of playing the lead in “A League of their Own” because Marshall cast Madonna in the film. “You’re making an Elvis film!” Debra told her. Geena Davis took over the role and won the audience over. The ending of the film–in which Penny showed the real women baseball players–inspired Steven Spielberg to use Holocaust survivors at the end of “Schindler’s List.” He asked Penny’s permission. She was happy to give it since he was the one who turned her on to directing.

Don’t miss this book! There’s so much about 70s and 80s TV, about the Marshalls and Reiners growing up in the Bronx and moving to L.A., and about Penny’s long friendship with Cindy Williams, who played Shirley to her Laverne. And there’s a funny scene of Penny meeting Hunter S. Thompson at a party. Plus lots about the original “Saturday Night Live.”

Nicely done. Bravo!

Please click on
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/04/penny-marshall-debra-winger-dropped-out-of-league-because-of-madonna