Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…   (reporting from Hoffman Estates, Illinois) 

   On Tuesday, Laurie and I visited Chicago-proper, mostly traveling by train. The Metra is an outlying railway that gets you to downtown’s Union Station; while The Loop helps you make your way to Millennium Park, Grant Park, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and other tour stops along Michigan Lake.

The trip along the tracks reminded me of iconic movies featuring this mode of transportation into the Windy City. Four films come to mind: Recently, While You Were Sleeping, starring Sandra Bullock; and North By Northwest has a steamy love scene between Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint (below) in a bed cabin on a train. Since Grant’s character was on the run, he ends up masquerading as a Red Cap in Union Station.

The Silver Streak crashes into the historic location, through the walls, and the train finally rests within the depot. Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor, Jill Clayburgh, and Scatman Crothers survive the impact. Crothers boldly proclaims: Hello Chicago… indeed!

The Sting features a chase through The Loop. The actors involved are Robert Redford and Charles Durning. This was the only motion picture in which Redford received an Oscar-nod for Best Actor; while the film received seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture of 1973…

Hollywood-and-Vine moments even exist throughout the Midwest!

Until next time>                                        “never forget”

Manny P. here…  (reporting from Hoffman Estates, Illinois) 

   Laurie and I took a trip to Mooseheart, Illinois, (outside of quaint suburb of Batavia) for a visit to MOOSEHEART Child City and School to see our charitable dollars at work. It is heartwarming to know $1 in contributions from each 1st Edition copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History sold was earmarked for 2013 area upgrades, according to a friendly spokesperson. Our total was offically $2400.

Here are photos we took:

   It’s a good day to be an author and a contributor to such a wonderful charity…!

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…     (reporting from Hoffman Estates, Illinois)

   Laurie and I are in the Burbs of Chicago… Hoffman Estates. We’re here for a variety of reasons documented in a recent blog. But, to give you a sense of this iconic city, let me remind you about it’s fabulous ties to cinema.

Several classics come to mind. The opening scenes of Some Like it Hot, when Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon witness the famous St. Valentines Day Massacre. Of course, the Frank Sinatra rat-pack classic, Robin and the 7 Hoods is another gangster-related film; and it features the wonderful Standard, My Kind of Town (Chicago is), written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. Other more recent movies we’ve enjoyed… The Untouchables with Kevin Costner and Sean Connery, and The Blues Brothers.

   However, let me share some recent history of the movies made in and around the suburbs of Chicago by the director of the brat pack genre… John Hughes. A majority of Hughes’ films were set in the North Shore suburbs of the Chicago metropolitan area. In some of his work, the setting is specifically identified as the fictional Shermer, Illinois, a nod to the original name of Northbrook… Shermerville. He directed or scripted some of the most successful celluloid stories of the 1980s and 1990s, such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, and Home Alone. They made stars of Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Matthew Broderick, Rob Lowe, Macaulay Culkin, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson,  Demi Moore, Mare Winningham, James Spader, John Cryer, and Ally Sheedy. Other cinema replicating the  premise include Risky Business and Adventures in Babysitting; flicks featuring Elizabeth Shue and Tom Cruise. In 1994, Hughes retired to Chicago… of course!                 JOHN HUGHES

As we begin ten days in the Midwest, this is my tribute to Burbs-area.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

The FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Pilot Documentary (Development) online funding campaign officially concluded on Saturday. What a finale at Westminster Lanes, with a day of bowling for cash and prizes. In our final week, we reached  84% of our goal, for a GRAND TOTAL of $4200.

CONTRIBUTIONS

~ WESTMINSTER LANES – Thanks to Mike, Ben, Paul, and the entire staff at Westminster Lanes, our fundraising day of bowling was a complete success. I’d also like to thank Karaoke Scene Magazine, Laurie Pacheco, Lisa G. for their prize donations. The bowling center let us have the run of the place. A total of 23 folks participated. Winners were Lowell Huber, Laurie Pacheco, Ron Sargent, Ray Jordan, Katelyn Walter, Gina Bazurto, and Phill Cross.

   Thanks to all who attended, including the above mentioned folks, and Gary Beebe, Kenny Walter, Darren Jones, Butch Labossierie, Phil Brent, Cindy Dutch, Bernie Greenberg, Ken Cox, Gary Coultas, Alex Dutch, Rick Sargent, Isaiah Gonzales, Lorraine Hodges, Rick Gruensner, and my cousins Robert and Sandi Pacheco.

~ TOM OKU ($60) - The owner of Budget Blinds of South Bay, Tom Oku is also a former lead singer in cover bands around Southern California. His franchise specializes in curtains, shutters, shades, blinds, and drapes. In fact, he works in the same business as my dad.

   Located in Redondo Beach, please visit their website for further information:

http://www.budgetblinds.com/

~ VINNIE CISNEROS ($20) - Vinnie is a bartender at Mr. B’s, and a former bartender at the Starting Gate, both at Los Alamitos. Well known for donating his services, he has contributed his time for Casa Youth Shelter to help at-risk children. He also has read both books in the Forgotten Hollywood series.

~ KURT KISSINGER ($5) – Kurt is studying to be a legal clerk. Currently, he works at Macy’s in Laguna Hills. During his spare time, he engages in karaoke all over Orange County. Kurt lives in Cypress.

* * * *

   During this 2013 campaign, I’ve asked friends, family, and supporters to help us achieve our 120+ day (19-week) goal of $5000. A total of 114 individual and business contributors want to support quality family-friendly television programs, intelligently presented. Indiegogo placed monies raised on their site into my Forgotten Hollywood LLC account, I’m please to say.

                                                                                                   LIONEL BARRYMORE

   YOU can still contribute ANY AMOUNT. This step ensures Development, and we’ll be able to:

1. Hire a research archivist to track down footage and photos; and secure licensing
2. Hire a consultant / casting director to book actors and behind-the-scenes folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age; plus cinematic historians for original interviews. Margaret O’Brien and Scott Essman are our first subjects
3. Set up a production shoot to tape these candid moments

All participants will warmly receive screen thanks at the conclusion of the Documentary.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Events at the Cannes Film Festival were taken out of the screenplay of a Pink Panther film, or a Hitchcock thriller starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Round up the usual suspects…!

   From an Associated Press report:

   Thieves ripped a safe from the wall of a hotel room near the Festival de Cannes, and made off with around $1 million worth of jewelry, in a brazen late-night burglary, just hours after the screening of a film about break-ins at the homes of Hollywood celebrities. The apparently well-planned robbery at the Novotel Hotel took place in the room of an employee of Chopard, the Swiss-based watch and jewelry maker, and festival sponsor, that was hosting a splashy event around the same time. The gala was running late into the night at the 5-star Hotel Martinez across town, where the company has a suite during the festival. Chopard has loaned jewelry to A-list stars who walk on the festival’s famed red carpet. Already this year, actress Julianne Moore have walked the carpet in Chopard gems.

   The theft was believed to have taken place sometime between 7 p.m. Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday. News of the robbery sent journalists scurrying to the Novotel, a business hotel about a 15-minute walk from Cannes’ seafront promenade. Dozens of detectives are involved in the investigation, and police vehicles could be seen outside the hotel Friday afternoon. Authorities were going over hotel surveillance cameras and questioning potential witnesses who might have seen any culprits.

   On Thursday night, the festival screened Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring — a drama about celebrity-obsessed teenagers in Los Angeles who break into the homes of Paris Hilton and other stars. It’s based on a true story about high-school students who, after seeing online when certain stars are expected at a premiere or other event, take the opportunity to steal items from their homes.

   Chopard manufactures the crystal and gold Palme d’Or trophy awarded each year to the festival’s top film. Festival organizers would not disclose the Palme’s whereabouts Friday, but said it was kept in a safe place. They had no comment on the robbery.

   Cue the Mancini score, and call out Inspector Clouseau…!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Another Summer of Hollywood Golden Age gems are on tap beginning next month. Oscar’s Outdoors is in its second year, and promises iconic screenings in the middle of Tinsel Town.

   Here are some of the highlights:

    

     

Manny P. here…

   The afternoon after our Westminster Lanes / Forgotten Hollywood Documentary fundraising event, Laurie (my wife) and I are headed for a whirlwhind ten days in Chicago. We have a lot planned, culminating with a special dinner in Wisconsin honoring Moose International, Inc. members (including me) for contributions made to Moose Charities in 2012. I’ll document our trip via the Forgotten Hollywood blog.

   Some of the activities include:

~ A trip to Miller Park to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Milwuaukee Brewers (05/22)

~ A lunch and booksigning with members of the Rotary Club of Chicago – O’Hare (05/23)

~ A visit to MOOSEHEART CHILD CITY AND SCHOOL to personally witness my charity dollars in action. I’ll also donate a copy of Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to their library (05/23)

~ A chance to see a Broadway-style production of Oliver at the Drury Lane Theatre and Conference Center, located in the Burbs of Chicago  (05/23)

~ A three-day Memorial Day weekend tour of Chicago, with visits to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field; and Sears Tower. We’re also taking g a historic gangster tour with stops at  the Biograph Theatre where John Dillinger was gunned down, and the garage where the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was carried out (05/24 – 05/26)

~ A Moose International - League of Guardians Donor Dinner at the historic Milwuakee Arts Museum. In my latest literary work, I wrote about the actor who was considered a favorite son from Milwaukee, but who was actually a Canadian – JACK CARSON (05/27)

   Time permitting, we plan on traveling to Waukegan, the childhood home of Jack Benny; and enjoy opportunities to try some famous Chicago-style pizza and hotdogs, and Milwuakee beer.

   Bulletins as they break!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Charles Strouse is one of the great living composers and lyricists… And, you probably never heard of him! A favorite son of New York, the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center is committed to celebrating his life with the return of an off-Broadway retrospective. Originally presented in 2011, TOMORROW celebrates the music of Charles Strouse. He’s an esteemed member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also received the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers Award and the Oscar Hammerstein Award.

   A long-time collaborator with lyricist Lee Adams, Strouse composed a string of Broadway hits, beginning with the smash hit Bye Bye Birdie in 1960. For this show, Strouse won his first Tony Award. Strouse’s next show in 1962, All American, with a book by Mel Brooks and lyrics by Adams, produced the standard Once Upon a Time. Other Broadway shows include Applause, the musical version of All About Eve, which starred Lauren Bacall (the first live production I  saw in my youth); and Annie, the acclaimed work that won Strouse another Tony, and two Grammy Awards.

   Strouse’s film scores include the classics Bonnie and Clyde, There Was a Crooked Man with Henry Fonda and Kirk Douglas, The Night They Raided Minsky’s, and the animated movie All Dogs Go to Heaven. He and Adams also wrote the theme song Those Were the Days for the television show All in the Family, and sung by Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton. His song Born Too Late was #1 on the Billboard charts in 1958.

   Tomorrow will feature the talent of Marie Danvers and Rob Gallagher. Danvers starred as Christine in the Broadway and national touring productions of The Phantom of the Opera. She has performed all over the world as Maria in West Side Story, and appeared in the National and international tour of The Fantastics with Robert Goulet. Gallagher is best known for playing Javert in the Broadway production of Les Miserables.

   Upcoming works by Charles Strouse include an adaptation of the Paddy Chayevsky classic, Marty, starring John C. Reilly; and a musical version of The Night They Raided Minsky’s. Tomorrow has been expanded, and is being filmed as a pilot for a national television series!

   The Dix Performing Arts Center is located at Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Rd., Dix Hills, New York.

   Remember the name… Charles Strouse!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Dr. Joyce Brothers was a psychologist, television personality, and advice columnist. She went on to do syndicated advice shows on both television and radio, during a broadcasting career that lasted more than four decades.  In addition to The Dr. Joyce Brothers Show, she had a monthly column in Good Housekeeping magazine, and a syndicated newspaper column she began writing in the 1970s. At the height of her popularity, it was printed in over 300 newspapers.                       DR. JOYCE BROTHERS —————->

   She gained fame in late 1955 by winning on The $64,000 Question game show, which she appeared as an expert in the subject of Boxing. In 1959, allegations that the quiz shows were rigged, due to the Charles Van Doren controversy on the quiz show, Twenty One. Brothers insisted she never cheated, nor had she ever been given any answers to questions in advance. Subsequent investigations suggested she had won honestly. And, her success on The $64,000 Question earned Brothers a chance to be the color commentator for CBS during the boxing match between Carmen Basilio and Sugar Ray Robinson. She was said to be the first woman ever to act as a boxing commentator.

   In addition to being called upon for her expertise in psychology, Joyce also appeared on a number of television shows, including Saturday Night Live, CHiPs, Simon & Simon, Taxi, Ellery Queen, Mama’s Family, Happy Days, Night Court, The Nanny, Moonlighting, Frasier, One Life to Live, WKRP in Cincinnati, Married… with Children, The Simpsons, Melrose Place, ALF, The Larry Sanders Show, and Suddenly Susan. She appeared as an occasional celebrity guest on game shows such as Match Game, the 1968 revival of What’s My Line, The Gong Show, and Hollywood Squares. She was the ninth-most frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Later, Dr. Joyce branched out into cinema, playing herself in more than a dozen movies, such as Analyze That and Dear God.

   As a psychologist, Dr. Joyce had been licensed in New York since 1958. She would go on to write 15 books. She also became an advocate for female issues. In the 1970s, she called for the removal of sexism in textbooks, noting that non-sexist cultures tend to be less warlike.

   Dr. Joyce Brothers was 85.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Our Indiegogo Crowd Funding campaign to raise money on our Forgotten Hollywood Documentary Project will officially end on May 18th at Westminster Lanes in Orange County. The bowling facility has graciously donated their location to allow folks to bowl for prizes and cash. Here are the details: 

   The Forgotten Hollywood Bowling Bash begins with signups at noon. Three games of scratch bowling begins at 1p, with prizes for Best Bowlers (m/f); Worst Bowlers (m/f); and a series of incentive games, including a Strike Ball (prize); Brackets (cash); and a 50/50 Drawing (cash)… And, all for just $20. In addition, lanes will be set aside for your children (18 and under) for just $10. We have compiled really delicious prizes, such as autographed Los Angeles Angels baseball memorabilia; a DVD box-set of the I Love Lucy series; a Karaoke Morph-1 system; and a Nikon CoolPix S4200 Camera!

   Participants who donate at least $20 will be able to attend a 10 Pins Comedy Club show in June at the Westminster Lanes Press Box lounge at 8p. Even if you decide not to bowl, your contribution will guarantee entrance to the Comedy extravaganza. This bowling event is family-friendly; the Comedy show is for adults. What a great way to enjoy and afternoon and evening of fun.

                   LIONEL BARRYMORE

   All proceeds will benefit our Development of the Forgotten Hollywood Documentary Pilot. The topic of this feature will be Lionel Barrymore and his influence on theatre-going audiences to view folks with disabilities. His decision to continue working while in a wheelchair benefitted charities, including The National Arthritis Foundation, The March of Dimes, and today’s Rotary Club’s PolioPlus Program. It’s a wonderful almost-forgotten tales that needs to be shared with today’s generation of film audiences. Monies raised will be used to:

1. Hire a research archivist to compile footage & photos; and secure licensing
2. Hire a consultant / casting director to book actors and behind-the-scenes folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age; plus cinematic historians for original interviews
3. Set up a production shoot to tape these candid moments    

   THANKS to Mike at Westminster Lanes for this worthy contribution! Westminster Lanes is located at 6471 Westminster Blvd. in Westminster, CA. If you reside in the Southern California area, please plan on attending, and join in on the fun!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   What a thrill it was for me to present the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series and a copy of my Forgotten Hollywood Radio Program to song stylist Michael Feinstein. The singer was honored Friday by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters for his untiring efforts to preserve the Great American Songbook in conjunction with the Library of Congress.

   Among the folks who honored Feinstein… television producer Norman Lear, Debbie Boone, Florence Henderson, and the iconic songwriting team, Marilyn and Alan Bergman. In the audience was veteran actress Jane Withers. Michael is well known for his renditions of tunes written by George and Ira Gershwin (S’Wonderful); and Standards made famous by Frank Sinatra. His journey to salvage our American Songbook has been well documented on PBS.

   MICHAEL FEINSTEIN

   Michael met me on stage, so I could personally give him a CD copy of a recent program Gary Lycan and I recorded, capturing the story of the Great American Songbook Initiative created by Feinstein. He was clearly moved by my gifts. The program aired in March on the Financial News and Talk Radio Network. The hour long show is on each Saturday at 3p (pst). 

   Kudos to the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters for such an appropriate honor. By the way, I joined the PPB in 2010. Hall of Fame broadcaster Art Laboe put my name in consideration to become a member.

————————————————————

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is now owned by over 2800 readers. In its second printing, most of my sales have come from Rotarians from all over Southern California, and a number of computer clubs that took place in Glendora and Long Beach. I was invited to share my success as a self-published author, and to conduct several booksignings. 

   My first work is showing little sign of slowing down, in terms of sales. Great news indeed!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m pleased Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History (like my second book) has just received a 5-Star review from the site – Readers’ Favorite. One of their superb reviewers, Jack Magnus, read my initial work and writes:

In Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, Manny Pacheco presents portraits of character actors who were important yet not widely known in the history of cinema in the United States. He ties the works of these actors with events in American and world history, often remarking on the correlation between the roles they chose, or were cast in, and the social and cultural developments of the times. Some of the actors’ names are easily recognizable, such as Lionel Barrymore, Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone, while others, like Ward Bond and Thomas Mitchell, may be less familiar to many readers. The acting career of each actor covered is juxtaposed to historical events and the actual personages these actors portrayed. Pacheco includes relevant photographs of the actors and historic events and persons.

Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is a fascinating look at the roots of modern-day cinema. I enjoyed learning more about some of my favorite actors, such as Rathbone and Rains, and discovering actors who had just been names to me. The pictures Pacheco has gathered and included in the book are fabulous and make each chapter a tour not only of the covered actor but the history of the times as well. While I was familiar with Lionel Barrymore, his disability and the way he performed around it and led the way for other disabled performers was a revelation. Tonight, I’ll be trying to find an online version of the first talking role Rathbone played, as Philo Vance, in a film I never knew existed, thanks to Pacheco’s scholarship. Whether you are a classic movie buff or simply curious about this book, I think you’ll be as pleased with it.

   Here’s a link to the Readers’ Favorite and Amazon websites:

http://readersfavorite.com/book-review/8839

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935359169/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1935359169&linkCode=as2&tag=readfavoandbo-20

Until next time>                                   “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Pilot Documentary (Development) official online funding campaign on INDIEGOGO concluded on May 4th. However, the Brochure campaign continues until May 18th at Westminster Lanes with a day of bowling for cash and prizes. In our 18th week, we’ve reached almost 71% of our goal.

CONTRIBUTIONS

~ JUDY GEORGE ($25) – A primary care nurse for the Arthur F. Gelb Medical Corporation based at the Lakewood Medical Center, the practice specializes in pulmonary and critical care issues. Judy is a classic movie buff with a child studying cinema in college. She has also enjoyed reading both copies of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series.

~ MARY ANN McHUGH ($15) – Like Judy, Mary Ann works in the medical field as an optician. A resident of Los Alamitos, she daily travels to Cerritos to aid folks with minor sight impairments. And, she also loves Hollywood’s Golden Age. Mary Ann is a patron of Mr. B’s, where I host my weekly karaoke shows.

~ ANITA AGUIRRE ($15) – Anita has been my friend for almost two decades. A hairdresser by day, she loves to bowl in leagues at Westminster Lanes. My pals at this particular bowling center continue to support my efforts, whether buying my book series, or contributing to the development of our documentary.

~ ROBERT GRAHAM ($10) – The Graham family are longtime friends. Robert is an Orange County contractor, and like most of his siblings, is a really good singer. Because of this, he visits my karaoke shows at Mr. B’s and the Starting Gate. I just found out that Robert collects Hollywood memorabilia… How cool is that!!

~ ASHLEE ADDAL ($10) – Ashlee is a second generation waitress at the Starting Gate in Los Alamitos. When I approached her about making a contribution, she was absolutely thrilled to participate. Too young to actually remember Hollywood’s Studio Era, Ashlee loves the idea of helping a friend, which I’m proud to call her…

~ MIKE INFIESTO ($10) – Mike is also a karaoke enthusiast who supports my weekly shows. He and his wife have been steadfast in their excitement as we continue on our Forgotten Hollywood journey. How wonderful to find such supporters of my documentary project…

 * * * *

   During this 2013 campaign, I’m asking friends, family, and supporters to help us achieve our 120+ day (19-week) goal of $5000. 95 inidividual and business contributors want to support quality family-friendly television programs, intelligently presented.

   YOU can contribute ANY AMOUNT. This step ensures Development, and we’ll be able to:

1. Hire a research archivist to track down footage and photos; and secure licensing
2. Hire a consultant / casting director to book actors and behind-the-scenes folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age; plus cinematic historians for original interviews
3. Set up a production shoot to tape these candid moments

   All participants will warmly receive screen thanks at the conclusion of the Documentary.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The legacy of Ray Harryhausen dates back to the creation of King Kong in 1933. His mentor, Willis O’Brien, pioneered the concept of stop-motion model animation, made famous when he brought his iconic ape to life on screen. An astonished audience were amazed by his creation. The work of this pioneering model animator inspired Harryhausen to work in this unique field,  and he almost single-handedly kept the technique alive for three decades. Ray’s most important productions include the animation on Mighty Joe Young (with O’Brien), which won the Oscar for special effects in 1949; The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, his first color film; and Jason and the Argonauts, featuring the famous sword fight against seven skeleton warriors.

 RAY HARRYHAUSEN                  MR. JOSEPH YOUNG              WILLIS O’BRIEN

   Other inspiration was derived from friends, Ray Bradbury and George Pal, who both became important contributors to the Science Fiction genre. Harryhausen joined a Los Angeles-area Science Fiction League, which led to his fortuitous meeting with his idol, Willis O’Brien. He critiqued Harryhausen’s early models, and he inspired him to take classes in graphic arts and sculpture to hone his skills.

   During World War II, Harryhausen worked for the Special Services Division under Colonel Frank Capra. He also worked with composer Dimitri Tiomkin and Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss). In 1947, Ray was brought in by Merian C. Cooper as an assistant animator on what was to become his first major film, Mighty Joe Young.

   When King Kong was re-released in 1952, it contributed to a creation and revival of a giant monster cinema craze, especially at drive-in theaters. Harryhausen was hired to do the special effects for The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, based on a story written by Ray Bradbury. His creative method was as old as the motion picture itself. He first used a technique that split the background and foreground of pre-shot live action footage into two separate images, and seemingly integrating live-action with models. This style was famously called Dynamation. Other memorable flicks featuring his special effects include It Came From Beneath the Sea, The Three Worlds of Gulliver, Mysterious Island, and One Million Years B.C. He worked alone to produce almost all of the animation for all his films, until his last feature film in 1981… Clash of the Titans.

   During the 1980s and early 1990s, Harryhausen’s growing legion of fans in the film industry, such as George Lucas and John Landis, started lobbying the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to acknowledge Harryhausen’s contribution to cinema, and he was finally given a Gordon E. Sawyer Award in 1992 for technological contributions [which] have brought credit to the industry. Tom Hanks and Ray Bradbury presented the award. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame inducted Harryhausen in 2005, the first year it honored non-literary contributors. He also had a comedic cameo role in the 1998 remake of Mighty Joe Young.

   There is no question that modern special effects artists, including Tim Burton, owe a debt of gratitude to this pioneer of live animation… Ray Harryhausen was 92.

   Until next time>                            “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I spent a great day with Rotarians living in the San Gabriel Valley. I began at a fine breakfast with the Rotary Club of Walnut Valley. We met in San Dimas, and the group was friendly and engaging. Kudos to club president Peter Pirritano for his professionalism and kind way he conducts his meeting.     MISS MARY ANN —->

I then traveled down the road to Industry Hills and spent lunch at the Pacific Palms Resort. It was really neat that my neighbor at this Rotary meeting was the iconic Miss Mary Ann, who I remember watching on television on Romper Room while I was a youngster. What a treat!

   According to her Facebook page:

Each program would open with a greeting from the hostess and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, she and her group of children would embark on 30 to 60 minutes of games, exercises, songs and moral lessons, which were regularly accompanied by background music. The young cast was rotated every two months, and ranged from four to five years old.

Romper Room tried to teach its young charges to be polite. For instance, the hostesses were always addressed as Miss. Many of the hostesses had prior experience in working with small children, as many were former kindergarten teachers.

A recurring character was Mr. Do-Bee, an oversized bumblebee who came to teach the children how to be well-behaved; he was noted for always starting his sentence with Do Bee, as in the imperative for example, Do Bee good boys and girls for your parents! There was also a Mr. Don’t Bee to show children exactly what they should not do. Do-Bee balloons were also manufactured. Each balloon featured a painted sketch of Do-Bee on it. When the balloons were inflated and then released, they would fly around the room slowly emitting a buzzing sound. These balloons were made available for purchase to the public.

The show used the then-popular Mattel Jack-in-the-box for its opening and closing titles, with its Pop Goes the Weasel theme song.

At the end of each broadcast, the hostess would look through a magic mirror – actually an open hoop with a handle, the size and shape of a hand mirror – recite the rhyme, Romper, bomper, stomper boo. Tell me, tell me, tell me, do. Magic Mirror, tell me today, have all my friends had fun at play? She would then name the children she saw in televisionland. Kids were encouraged to mail in their names, which would be read on the air – first names only.

   Like Hobo Kelly and Sheriff John, Miss Mary Ann was a child’s best friend on television if you lived in Southern California during the 1950s and 1960s…

Until next time>                    “doo-bee good and never forget”