Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   As we approach this weekend’s 2010 Oscar Ceremony, here is this humble writer’s opinion of the Top 5 Academy Award acting snubs in history (in no particular order)…

   1) Richard Burton - Seven times nominated for an Oscar; zero wins.

Unfortunately, this lion of cinema died before he could even be given a Lifetime Achievement award. He ruled in The Robe, Becket, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (among others). He was “king” to Elizabeth Taylor’s “queen” of Hollywood for almost two decades.

   2) Edward G. Robinson – NEVER nominated for an Oscar.

Double Indemnity, Key Largo, Little Caesar, Brother Orchid, The Cincinnati Kid, The Sea Wolf… Shall I go on? He was awarded an Honorary Oscar on his deathbed; he died two months before the actual ceremony. 

   3) Myrna Loy – NEVER nominated for an Oscar.

Her work with William Powell (also snubbed) was essential in The Thin Man series. She was a bedrock in The Best Years Of Our Lives. What a shame she made acting look so easy.

    4) Errol Flynn - NEVER nominated for an Oscar.

A giant of Hollywood, he was never taken seriously by critics or by his peers. The Adventures Of Robin Hood is top-notch entertainment. Who could have played the character as good as Errol Flynn. Spencer Tracy deserved the Oscar for Boys Town, but Flynn should have received at least a nomination.

   5) Deborah Kerr – Six times nominated for an Oscar; zero wins.

She played the same type of roles in the 1950’s designed for Greer Garson in the 1940’s. Her work was meticulous in The King And I, An Affair To Remember, From Here To Eternity, Separate Tables, etc. 

   Honorable Mentions: Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Kirk Douglas, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Mitchum, Lauren Bacall

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History showcases actors who were nominated a total of 18 times with Oscar proving elusive: Claude Rains (4), Arthur Kennedy (4), Thelma Ritter (6), William Bendix (1), Beulah Bondi (2), Basil Rathbone (1)

   Enjoy this year’s ceremonies…

Until next time>                       <never forget>

Manny P. here…

   Libraries all over the country are jumping on the bandwagon, and adding Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to their book shelves. As previously noted in earlier blogs, the paperback was added to:

• Writers Guild Foundation – Shavelson Webb Library (Los Angeles)
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences – Margaret Herrick Library (Beverly Hills)
• Mid-Continent Public Library (Independence, MO) 

According to the World Cat / Library Search website, you can now find my book at:

• The Onondaga County Pulic Library Chain – Manlius Library (Syracuse, NY)
• Reed College Library (Portland, OR)
• Saint Louis Public Library (St. Louis, MO)
• Whittier Public Library (Whittier)
• The Orange County Public Library Chain – San Clemente Library (San Clemente); and Irvine Heritage Park Regional Library (Irvine)

     Like this great USA, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has reached the libraries “from sea to shining sea.”

Until next time>                         ”never forget“

Manny P. here…

    I am happy to report that book sales are up online and at local store locations.  So much so, in certain categories, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is in the Top 100 (and even in the Top 10) on website indicators.

   This week:

• Tower Books - ”Forgotten Hollywood” is currently in the Top 10 in the Social History category (#9 in all books; #4 in paperbacks)

• Borders – My paperback recently reached #8 in the Local Interest / California History category. It’s currently #50 (very respectable)

• Amazon – My book dabbled in the Top 100 (peaking at #63) in the Movies / History & Criticism category. They have also gone through their entire stock over the last two weeks…twice!

  

Social History Bestsellers

The word is out….Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is a bonafide hit!

Until next time>                        “never forget“