Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Ivan Smith of Nova Scotia, Canada received my book today.  And he emailed me. It was such a positve note, I wanted to share it with you. He writes:

   This message was intended to be a brief note to acknowledge receipt of the copy of your book “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” that you mailed to me.  It arrived today in perfect condition.  Thank you.    

   That was the intent — a brief three or four sentences.  Then I opened the book, and I was hooked immediately.

    You wrote a marvelous history of many of the movie actors that I grew up with.  It takes me back to the long ago Saturday afternoon matinees of the 1940s.

   The very first movie star named in the book is Basil Rathbone.  For me, he was, and sixty years later still is, Sherlock Holmes.  

   I had not known that Ward Bond appeared in more Best-Picture-nominated movies than any other actor. Walter Brennan.  Randolph Scott.  So many others…

   And all those great images.  Your generous use of images — I’ve seen only one page, 15, that is solid text with no image.  I’m a big fan of images (photographs, maps, scans of historic documents…) in association with any history, but many historians neglect them.

   The Arthur Kennedy tombstone photo I took on page 28 looks great.  It reproduced very well, sharp and fully legible, better than I had hoped. Thank you for the mentions on pages xvi and 115.

Best regards,
–
Ivan Smith
Nova Scotia

  It was MY pleasure Ivan. You are a kind and generous man. Thank you for your use of the photo and your memories.

Until next time>                        “never forget”

Manny here…

My backround is from entertainment.  The Nixon family is from politics and history. Talk about life imitating art. This is an “Unforgettable” moment for me !! 

Manny Pacheco and Ed Nixon

   Need I say more!                      “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   Well the book made it to the Portland Airport Holiday Inn for The Great Northwest Booksellers Association fall meeting. This is a wholesaler’s convention dedicated to marketing the book to nationwide distributers.  I can tell you this trade show is fun!!

   I arrived at 10am. Spoke with others in my entourage from The Book Publishers Network, and they were all kind enough to show me the ropes. I met with wholesale distributors, talked with librarians and book store representatives, and at 11:30am did a book signing from our booth.   The highlight of the book signing was the enthusiasm shown to me by Barnes & Noble and Costco representatives. They were very specific that they wanted to sell the books in their stores!!

   At 2pm, Ed Nixon arrived, and we in his entourage swarmed him like bees.  He was very gracious to all. I showed him the photo of his brother, President Richard Nixon with John Wayne and Henry Kissinger, I have in Forgotten Hollywood in the Ward Bond chapter, and he opened up with some great stories aout his days when his brother was in the White House. I will post a picture of Ed Nixon & I once we return home.

   Laurie (my wife) showed up soon after her tour of the city, and she seemed to make friends whichever booth she visited. Ed was really cordial with her, engaging in a conversation about the past and other matters of interest.

   Now its off to dinner with our entourage to discuss the day’s conquests with the other authors.  I hope to actually visit the city once we finish eating!  

   One last note…I received my first comment from VIGI….go check it out.  “Forgetten Hollywood” will be on sale at a Bird Expo at the Granada Pavilion in Granada Hills, California this Sunday.  I believe the bird fair is offering a special deal to those who mention this blog, and buy my autographed copy of the book. They are also giving away a free feather for use as a bookmark  with every purchase.

   Until next time>                      ”never forget”                                                     

Manny P. here…

   Without any promotion or distribution in place, and with my website under construction. I can proudly announce the sale of a 100 “Forgotten Hollywood” books in the first 20 days of life in print!!  WOW!!

   I realize that most of these purchases were by my family and friends. But that speaks volumes on the loyalty of both. And, I have even more folks that I know that are asking to buy the paperback… so the possibilities are promising over the next week or so.

   I need to take a moment to thank Gary Lycan, radio columnist for The Orange County Register for his moving Forward in the book.  The reaction to his writing has been heartfelt and positive.

   I also want to thank those individuals that purchased my book at KaraokeFest 2009  at The L.A. County Fair (on September 5th), some of whom I barely know. Their interest in the subject matter confirms my belief that I wrote something of great interest to old and young.

   Now the really exciting news to report…

   Don Barrett of L.A.radio.com wrote a wonderful story on his blog about my book that appeared yesterday (complete with a photo of me and a giant-size version of the cover of my book). I immediately received an email from Bob Moore, the President and General Manager of KLOS and KABC in Los Angeles, congratulating me on my endeavor, and offering his help in promoting the book through his radio stations!!

   No sooner than this piece of good news…then the unthinkable! On a tip from Gary Lycan, I had a promising phone chat with The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills (formerly called The Museum Of Television and Radio), which led to a meeting scheduled for next week to discuss the possibility of selling “Forgotten Hollywood” in their gift shop…OMG! 

   And then I had a conversation with an official librarian of  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences that amounted to a verbal agreement by the representative to read my text for the consideration of the placement of my book in their vaunted library. “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” would gain the status of social and cultural significance if the decision is positive. I will keep you posted on the results of this important decision.

   Finally, I am off to Portland today (with my wife, Laurie) to The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association fall meeting. The Book Publishers Network has an entourage of  writers, including the youngest brother of a former President, Ed Nixon (who is selling his hardcover copy of his book on the life of the Nixon family).

   So this weekend promises to be busy as I meet with folks such as Amazon, and videotape a message to you that will appear soon on this site talking about “Forgotten Hollywood.”  Yes, you will soon see what I look like!!

   My next update should chronicle my Portland experience. And I promise to deliver the motivation and creative reasoning behind “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.”

Until then>                                   ”never forget“ 

Introduction …(or my first blog)

   Hi, I’m Manny Pacheco, a Los Angeles radio personality and a 27-year member of the Screen Actor’s Guild. I have just written a book called “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History”, which captures America’s story through the eyes of the great character actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   Much has been written about the history of the United States. And most bookstores have many biographies of film icons including John Wayne, Bette Davis, James Stewart and Cary Grant. I decided to take a different path

   Each chapter reads like a movie, and stars the hard working (but seldom talked about) supporting players of motion pictures studio era; talented individuals such as Walter Brennan, Lionel Barrymore, Hattie McDaniel, Basil Rathbone, John Carradine, & Claude Rains.

   “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” covers moments in time that highlight America’s fight for Independence, the Old West,  selected American Presidents, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, profiles of award-winning Authors, the Great Depression, World War’s I & II, Disability Issues, the Cold War & Communism, Civil Rights, and the advent of Radio and Television.

   I am also proud to donate one dollar for the sale of every book to the Mooseheart Child City and School, a Chicago-based facility, which offers training and education for youths whose families are unable to care for. Mooseheart is a 1,000 acre campus that is funded through Moose International Charities Inc.

   I hope that when you consider purchasing a unique present for the holidays, or a gift for a special family member or friend, you will consider my book, “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.” You can buy this entertaining paperback at a bookstore (soon) near you, or a personally autographed copy here online.

   “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” is from The Book Publisher’s Network.

Up next ….

“Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” takes on a life of its own!

And later…

What led to the writing of this book:  ”The prequel”

Until then >                                 “never forget”