A small act of kindness has a ripple effect that can change the world. \u00a0Ten years ago I was walking the streets of New York with a book idea. \u00a0I shared it with the animated film producer, Joe Avallone from Reveal Animated Studios. When I told him the storyline he said, if you ever get the book published that he would make it into \u00a0a film.<\/p>\n
Within six months Judith Regan, from Harper Collins and her Vice President Tom Hopke gave me a book deal for \u201cThe Boy Of Steel.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/riveramarketingandmediagroup.com\/Test\/RayNegronV2\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/3-3-225x300.jpg\")
The book would become a New York Times best seller. \u00a0Joe Avallone would keep his word and produced \u201cHenry and And Me\u201d based on the \u201cBoy Of Steel.\u201d \u00a0I would go for permission to do the project with George Steinbrenner. When he agreed, I asked if he would do the voice over himself. But at the time his health was starting to fail, so he suggested that I ask his oldest son Hank.<\/p>\n
The Boss said that Hank\u2019s voice sounded the most like his compared to his other son Hal. \u00a0\u00a0When I asked Hank, he agreed to do it especially when he found out that I had made the film a charity project with funds being directed to different causes.<\/p>\n
These charities included Pediatric Cancer Research, Education, The Boy\u2019s and Girl\u2019s Clubs, etc. \u00a0I would call on my friends in the world of entertainment. They all agreed to perform in the film. To have Richard Gere one of Hollywood\u2019s all-time movie stars lend his voice and star in the project was a great thrill for me, even though Gere has been a friend over thirty years.<\/p>\n
I respect his talent and understand that he commands millions for every film that he makes. Richard said he wanted to do it because a film like this can be helpful to these great causes. \u00a0I must add that Richard Gere had always helped me in so many of my charity events. \u00a0He never says no because that\u2019s the great person he is.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/riveramarketingandmediagroup.com\/Test\/RayNegronV2\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/6-300x225.jpg\")
Another wonderful person, Danny Aiello, the Oscar nominated actor for the film\u201cDo the Right Thing\u201d and so many other great movies was \u00a0so courageous \u00a0because he plays the doctor who finds out that the little boy has cancer and has to tell the parents. \u00a0Danny did his part after he lost his own son Danny Jr. to cancer.<\/p>\n
As Danny was delivering his lines, I had to leave the studio because I started to cry knowing that he had lost a son to cancer,<\/p>\n
Another terrific actor in this incredible ensemble is the great \u00a0Chazz Palminteri. \u00a0He just knocked it out of the park. \u00a0Everyone talks about how great he was in \u201cThe Bronx Tale.\u201d \u00a0Maybe I am prejudiced because this was my project, but Chazz is definitely better in \u201cHenry and Me.\u201d \u00a0When you watch this film you will understand why I say this.<\/p>\n
Luis Guzman, my Puerto Rican Brother almost steals the film in playing the great Yankees pitcher Lefty Gomez. \u00a0He is absolutely incredible and now I understand why Guzman is one of Hollywood\u2019s busiest actors. Luci Arnaz and my very dear friend of \u201cKnots Landing Fame\u201d Joey Gian plays the parents and even though they never were on the set at the same time you would think they never left each other\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/riveramarketingandmediagroup.com\/Test\/RayNegronV2\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/5-1-225x300.jpg\")
To have Luci Arnaz on the set \u00a0was like having Hollywood royalty there. To me that is what the Arnaz name represents and her accomplishments in film and on Broadway speak for themselves.<\/p>\n
Cyndi Lauper is Cyndi Lauper, great. .She even sings a song, \u201cTake Me Out To The Ballgame\u201d and she makes it her own. The girl just wanted to have fun. Paul Simon doesn\u2019t sing a song but he sure does sound like Thurman Munson. \u00a0My pal Aris was supposed to play Mickey Mantle and actually sounded like him, but blood is thicker than water so we brought in David Mantle, Mickey;s son and he made Papa proud.<\/p>\n
Then you have some of the Yankees of today like CC Sabathia and Joe Girardi. They do a very fine job but doubt they will ever win an Academy Award\u2026 LOL.<\/p>\n
I have always said that the best job I ever had in baseball was being the Yankee Batboy, so naturally I do a line in the film. I thought it might excite you guys. All in all, a wonderful film that parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles should buy for all kids or even for ourselves.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/riveramarketingandmediagroup.com\/Test\/RayNegronV2\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/1-2-e1481876078782-300x225.jpg\")
Richard and Hank loved working with the director Barrett Esposito, a true professional and we were so lucky to have had the Emmy Award winning editor Joe Castellano. \u00a0\u00a0Man, he performed magic with this film.<\/p>\n
\u201cHenry And Me\u201d would be the last time that Yogi Berra would ever work. \u00a0Yogi is so funny in this film that you forget that it is an animation. \u00a0On the set he is so hilarious that Reggie Jackson and Willie Randolph just could not stop laughing.<\/p>\n
Even general manager Brian Cashman has a cameo in this film.<\/p>\n
Finally, the PA announcer, known as the voice of Yankee Stadium, Bob Sheppard insisted that he do his own voice even though he was very sick at the time and knowing that he would die shortly. \u00a0Ironically he and our beloved Boss George Steinbrenner would die within days of each other.<\/p>\n
Every true baseball fan should own a copy of this film.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/riveramarketingandmediagroup.com\/Test\/RayNegronV2\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/2-4-300x225.jpg\")
This should be in your film library next to \u201cThe Pride of the Yankees: and \u201cThe Natural.\u201d This Christmas let\u2019s make 2016 a \u201cHenry and Me\u201d Christmas. When the film ends watch the special segment on George Steinbrenner as the spirits of Ruth and Gehrig come to get him. Also listen to the closing credit song written and sang by nine-time Grammy winner and all-time good guy Jose Feliciano. It is called \u201cKeep the Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
I wish everyone a Feliz Navidad. \u00a0Purchase on iTunes, Amazon, and wherever films are sold.<\/p>\n
Ray Negron can be heard every Sunday on 1050 AM ESPN Deportes from 11 am to 1 pm and also can be read on Newsmax.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A small act of kindness has a ripple effect that can change the world. \u00a0Ten years ago I was walking the streets of New York with a book idea. \u00a0I shared it with the animated film producer, Joe Avallone from Reveal Animated Studios. When I told him the storyline he said, if you ever get … <\/p>\n