'Swing's' Bisset is a vision in red

RUTHE STEIN Friday, December 6, 2002


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The old Regency Building on Sutter Street, where the Masons once
performed initiation rites, has a ghostly aura.

This week, Hollywood brought in a new set of ghosts, dressed not in
sheets but in vintage gowns and tuxedos. One "ghost" looks familiar.
A closer glance reveals the apparition's identity: '70s screen
bombshell Jacqueline Bisset, still in bombshell mode in a blond wig
and a low-cut red taffeta dress.

Why is Bisset here? She portrays an angel in "Swing," a movie that
imagines swing dancing in heaven -- a hopeful thought for those who
enjoy cutting a rug on earth. In the scene I observed, a master of
ceremonies announces, "It's time for the Club Jimbo dance contest,"
and Bisset is escorted onto the floor by INNIS CASEY, an up-and-
coming actor best known as the boyfriend of Kiefer Sutherland's
daughter on "24." Casey plays an earthling whom Bisset is helping to
fulfill his dream of becoming a professional musician. In the
process, he becomes infatuated with her. Who wouldn't?

Local choreographer Cynthia Glinka found it far easier to teach
ballroom dancing to Bisset than to Keanu Reeves and David Caruso when
they were required to kick up their heels in movies filmed here. "I'm
at the point now where I can tell when I'm doing it right," said
Bisset, who trained in ballet.

At the beginning of "Swing" (written by local Mary Keil), Bisset is
still alive and residing in a nursing home with Jonathan Winters. The
actress, who wore a ton of foundation to look like an 85-year-old,
became leery of hanging out with her co-star between takes.

"Jonathan is so funny, I was afraid I would start laughing and my
makeup would dislodge. The day Robin Williams came to visit, I left
the room altogether."

Bisset keeps busy. She just finished playing Jacqueline Onassis in a
cable movie about the life of John F. Kennedy Jr. This isn't the
first time Bisset has appeared as the president's widow. She starred
in "The Greek Tycoon," opposite Anthony Quinn's Onassis-like
character.