Scans from 12 magazines have been added to the Image Library, with many thanks to the great Alvaro! They range from a very early article in 1977’s After Dark magazine through the 1980s to the most recent. A list of all new uploads can be found below the previews. Happy reading!

Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1977 > After Dark Magagazine (USA, May 1977)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1980 > Photoplay (Spain, March 1980)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1980 > Sight and Sound (UK, December 1980)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1982 > Dunia Magazine (Spain, May 1982)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1983 > Correio de Domingo (Portugal, April 1983)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1984 > Veronica (Netherlands, November 1984)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1990 > Imagenes de Actualidad (Spain, March 1990)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1991 > Dunia Magazine (Spain, February 1991)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 1993 > Video World (UK, August 1993)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Vanity Fair (Italy, October 2009)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Gioia Magazine (Italy, October 2009)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2010 > Gioia Magazine (Italy, February 2010)

Four new video clips have been added to the video archive – all collected by my friend and video expert Tina :-) They include a real treasure – Meryl’s first ever public voice work in the 1976 “Everybody Rides the Carousel” (very 1970s!), an interview Meryl gave PBS’ “To the Contrary” after speaking at the National Women’s Museum Dinner – and a making of for the 2007 mini-musical “Music of Regret”. Enjoy the new clips!

A couple of new production stills from various 1980s productions have been added to the Image Library, including some rare behind-the-scenes shots and promotional images. Have a look at the latest additions for all new pictures.

According to Deadline, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep are in talks to star for The Weinstein Company in the bigscreen adaptation of the Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer and Tony-winning play August: Osage County. I hear Roberts and Streep have agreed to the project and they are now working out deals and locking a production start. John Wells will direct the film from a script written by the playwright. Production will start by next summer. Streep will play Violet, the drug-addicted matriarch of the working class Weston clan. Roberts will play Barbara Fordham, the oldest daughter in the family. While mom’s problems and her penchant for revealing family secrets is a big issue, Barbara is melting because her husband is cheating with a college student. They are brought together when Violet’s husband goes missing and all three of their daughters come home to rally around mom. In the process, a lot of family secrets get revealed. The film has been developed for several years by Harvey Weinstein, who was involved in the original stage production with Jean Doumanian. As nothing is official as of now, it’s yet another project to the long list of upcoming rumored projects for Meryl.

Here are some new additions to the archives, some recent documentary appearances as well as blasts from the past. High qualuty captures of Meryl in the 2010 documentary “America: The Story of Us” (with thanks to Tina), captures and video of the remarkable documentary “Faces of America”, tracing the roots of Meryl’s ancestors. Behind the scenes captures of Meryl voicing Mrs. Fox in “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”, captures and video of a special called “Arts & Children: A Success Story” that Meryl hosted in 1996 (again, thanks Tina ;-) and captures of Meryl’s public service announcement for Amnesty International in 1986. The previews below will guide you to each gallery. Enjoy!

The National Women’s History Museum has posted Meryl’s entire speech, which can be now watched in the video archive. Additionally, three pictures from the event have been added to the Image Library.

There are news on Mike Nichols’ planned “Great Hope Springs”. After Jeff Bridges’ department from the project, sources are now reporting on James Gandolfini joining Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the drama. Streep and Gandolfini would play a married couple who undergo intense couples therapy to see if they want to continue their 30-year-marriage. Hoffman would play the therapist. According to Vulture, no deals have been signed, but all parties are highly interested, and recently even did a table read.

Actress Meryl Streep is visiting Washington to call for the creation of a National Women’s History Museum on the National Mall. Streep will join Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney on Tuesday night to support the purchase of federal property at 12th Street and Independence Avenue in southwest Washington to build the museum. The House passed legislation last year that would authorize the museum. A vote is pending in the Senate. Streep is an honorary board member for the group working to build the museum and serves as its national spokeswoman.

Edit: Many thanks to Tina M. for letting me know about this report on yesterday’s event and Meryl’s appearance. You can watch it below.

Three documentaries with Meryl – including one about Meryl – will be released on DVD in the USA these coming days, so here’s an overview on what can be watched soon on disc. First is the Biography Channel’s documentary on Meryl Streep. It originally aired in December 2008 and features a couple of interviews with Meryl from various shows and remarks by film experts. The DVD will be released on September 28, 2010. Thanks to Andrea and Judy for the heads-up on this. Then, the outstanding documentary “Theater of War“, following the cast and crew of the 2006 Public Theater production of “Mother Courage and her Children” (see preview), makes it R1 debut on October 19, 2010. And on November 09, 2010, another remarkable documentary will make it to DVD – “I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale” chronicles the exceptional professional and unfortunately short life of actor John Cazale (see preview), and included interview with the heavyweights he’s worked with as well as the many admirers he’s found among actors.

For the second year in a row, Barilla is encouraging families to “Share the Table” and Mario Batali, Julianne Moore and 10 other notable celebrities have joined together to create the limited edition Celebrity Pasta Lovers’ Cookbook. Available until October 15 at www.ShareTheTable.com, the free cookbook is packed with family meal-sharing tips and exclusive new Mario Batali recipes inspired by favorite pasta dishes from celebrities including Meryl Streep, Andy Roddick and Jimmy Fallon. Barilla’s Share the Table initiative was created to help families make the most of their shared meals through a host of expert and celebrity tips, recipes, giveaways and more – all available at www.ShareTheTable.com. When consumers affirm their belief in meaningful meals, they are also helping to make a difference in the lives of others. For every visitor who clicks on the icon that says they believe in meaningful meals, Barilla will donate $1 to Meals On Wheels Association of America, up to $150,000, and consumers then download the free cookbook – including Meryl’s recipe for Penne with Cauliflower, toasted pine nuts and romano cheese. Many thanks to Jaclyn for letting me know about this!