For Ashley Judd being in England is simply de-lovely. Judd is co-starring with Kevin Kline in Just One of Those Things, a surrealistic biopic about the life and songs of musical theatre composer Cole Porter. Kline plays Porter and Judd his wife, Linda Lee Porter.
Kline will be singing as many as 14 of Porter's immortal show tunes, including I Get a Kick Out of You, It's De-Lovely and Let's Misbehave.
Judd has recorded Porter's True Love, a duet with Kline of In the Still of the Night, and could be worked into as many as a half-dozen more songs.
Producer-director "Irwin Winkler never even asked if I could sing, bless him, and I had no idea I had to sing until I got to England," says Judd.
But Winkler insists it was a no-brainer casting Judd in a singing role.
"I knew the family history. Music has to be in Ashley's genes with a mother and a sister as country music legends."
Whether she'll live up to Winkler's expectations, Judd says, "Time will tell. Time will tell."
Judd is in some prestigious company when it comes to singing Porter's songs on film.
Alanis Morissette sings and dances to Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love, while Sheryl Crow will croon Begin the Beguine.
Elvis Costello performs Let's Misbehave and Diana Krall puts her twist on I Get a Kick Out of You and the title song Just One of Those Things. British pop star Robbie Williams sings It's De-Lovely at the wedding of Porter and Linda.
"Alanis was the first person we approached and she agreed instantly. Singers and musicians love Porter's songs," says Winkler.
Winkler went to Krall, who is married to Costello, and they both wanted to be part of the project.
"Elvis told Robbie Williams and suddenly the word spread and the artists began calling us. We're in the process of signing more big names that we'll be releasing in the near future," says Winkler.
He says his musical was not inspired by the success of Moulin Rouge and Chicago.
"Kevin and I started talking about this Cole Porter project five years ago, when we began working on Life as a House. That's pre-Moulin Rouge.
"We're thrilled musicals are doing well these days."
He hopes to have Just One of Those Things in theatres in 2004.
"MGM is not rushing us to have it out for this holiday season. They're giving us time to really put the polish on the musical numbers."
Just One of Those Things is being filmed at Luton Hoo, a 250-year-old estate that has been used in such films as Nicholas Nickleby, Eyes Wide Shut, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Quills.
"Kevin filmed Princess Caraboo here (in 1993) so it's a bit of a homecoming for him," says Winkler.
Luton Hoo is in disrepair. According to Judd, the owners have sold off about $10 million US worth of art treasures to pay taxes. The only income is from the films shot at the estate.
"There's talk it may be turned into a hotel. It's such a magnificent place, it would be a shame for it to sit unused," says Judd.
The property is listed for sale at $10 million US but requires as much as $80 million for repairs.
The west wing on the ground level of Luton Hoo has been turned into Porter's suite of rooms and the hotel lobby at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. The east wing has gone French, with rooms converted into the ballroom and suites of the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
The screenplay for Just One of Those Things was written by Jay Cocks, one of the screenwriters of last year's Gangs of New York.
Winkler says the film "begins with the angel Gabriel coming to collect Porter, but Cole refuses to go. He says his life was not fully lived."
Gabriel takes his reluctant human to a theatre where Porter's life unfolds as a stage play, echoing the approach taken in this year's Oscar winner, Chicago.
"We see Porter's life unfold with his songs commenting on his life.
"The fact we're using some of the world's top musical talents in the film will help introduce Porter's incredible genius and music to a whole new generation," Winkler says.
