Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   As you celebrate a well-deserved day off, remember our soldiers active in duty endure to preserve our freedom. Our fallen military from previous campaigns should also never be forgotten for the defense of this country.

   I remind my readers - Memorial Day was established after the Civil War as a way to honor the Union and Confederate dead who battled for what they believed in. Originally called Decoration Day, the holiday was expanded after World War I. In 1971, Congress proclaimed  the last Monday in May be established to ensure a three-day holiday, and the unofficial start of Summer.

   Ironton, Ohio lays claim to the nation’s oldest continuously running Memorial Day parade. It’s been an annual tradition since May 5, 1868. And, Memorial Day is a holiday which thankfully most businesses observe.

   A peaceful Memorial Day to one and all…

Until next time…                “never forget…our men in uniform“

Manny P. here…

   Last weekend’s event presented by the Orange County Screenwriters Association was amazing by all accounts. It was so good, I don’t know where to begin to sum up the day’s highlights at the Regency South Coast Village Theatre in Santa Ana.

   I can tell you – J. Michael Straczynski lived up to the hype! For two hours, the acclaimed screenwriter held his audience like putty in his hands with stories, accounts, advice, and good natured asides, which put his amazing career in the appropriate light. Orange County Register radio columnist Gary Lycan and I were glad we opened for this fascinating storyteller (instead of following him)… Folks from all over Southern California were present, and showed all involved the proper enthusiasm for a memorable Saturday morning.

   Kudos to Mark Sevi, President of the Orange County Screenwriters Association, for the organization and discipline it took to pull this off! A short summary of his assessment of the event comes from the O.C. Screenwriters newsletter:

   “Saturday we gathered to hear one of the most prolific and versatile writers of our time.      J. Michael Straczynski, aka JMS, aka Joe, put aside his crushing deadlines and came to the Regency South Coast Village Theater to take the stage and make us think, laugh, and feel good about being filmmakers…He still continues to dominate the writing world, now as an A-list writer of features. Joe is charming, funny, gracious and as whipsmart as anyone I’ve ever met. His visit was a total experience in that he also stayed long after and signed anything anyone put in front of him.

   Also on the program were two more consumate pros: radio personality Manny Pacheco and journalist Gary Lycan. Pacheco has written a really cool tabletop book called “Forgotten Hollywood, Forgotten History” detailing actors and movies that both reflected and had an impact on our world. Gary Lycan, an O.C. journalist of note, wrote the Foreword to the book. Both had great and insightful things to say about Hollywood of yesterday and today, and why an understanding of Hollywood history is crucial for anyone working in the business now. In fact, Manny and JMS had exactly the same message about how important story is to all forms of entertainment.                                                                            M. SEVI - M. PACHECO - G. LYCAN

   It was a fun, informative and exciting morning and afternoon. Those who missed it…missed the chance to hear one of the finest speakers on writing I’ve ever heard.” (Photo courtesy of Tom Sullivan)

   Here is a YouTube link to a “Sizzle Reel” capturing the excitement of the day (you really want to check this out):

http://www.youtube.com/v/WoDT8zUUjHE&hl=en_US&fs=1&”></param><param

   I plan on being at the next Orange County Screenwriters Association networking event on June 23rd at the Ritz Restaurant in Newport Beach at 6:30pm.

Until next time>                          ”never forget“ 

Manny P. here…

   It’s official! I’ve been invited to be a panelist at The Author Fair at The El Segundo Public Library on Sunday, June 6th. All of the festivities begin at 12:45p. Here’s what is going on during this day-long event: 35 authors expected to attend, book-signings and sales of all of the invited scribe’s work, live music, special children’s programs (including a comic book artist demonstration, balloon art, and storytelling), and goody-bag giveaways.

   Now in it’s 10th year, The El Segundo Author Fair expect about 700 avid readers and visitors. Of course,  most genres of authored books will be on hand to provide quite a variety for every type of reader. Selections include mystery, children, poetry, and non-fiction.

   Two round-table chats will highlight this entertaining day. I’ll be particpating on the panel: Hollywood Legends -  Fact or Fiction. The moderator is Kelly McDowell, the former mayor of El Segundo. This informative discussion begins at 1:15p. 

   If you would like to pick up a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History (or any of my gear – hats & shirts), stop on by! The El Segundo Public Library is located at 111 W. Mariposa Ave.

Until next time>                        ”never forget“ 

Manny P. here…

   BORDERS is continuing an incredible sales run in May! We begin our third consecutive week  at #1 (Southern California / Local History). What makes this particularly special is I didn’t have a book signing at any BORDERS this weekend, yet Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is still in rarified air. Nationally, my paperback shines as well. Here are the current numbers (as of Monday):

#1 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / LOCAL HISTORY (out of 666 books)   

#10 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 1,328 books)

#13 - CALIFORNIA / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 2,559 books)

#43 - NATIONAL / LOCAL INTEREST PAPERBACK (out of 22,817 books) 

#69 - NATIONAL / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 30,942 books)

  —————————————————————->     By the way, if you missed the KFWB interview on Sunday, the podcast is up at the radio site for you to check out. Kari Moran’s Book Radio Show is a fine show for those who love to read or author a book. Here is a link to the website:

http://www.kfwb.com/pages/6771202.php

Until next time>                        “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   Thanks to Teena and Russ Silberman, and their company – Embroidery Wizards – reasonably priced ball caps and a variety of shirts customizing the Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History logo are now available for sale! As you might expect, they carry all sizes and colors to choose from. They debuted these wearable items at the recent Orange County Screenwriters Association event which took place over the weekend. As you know, stitching on clothes obviously has a longer shelf life than simple silk-screening.

  “Where Magical Ideas Become Magical Creations!”
 

I’ll be carrying an assortment of gear at my Karaoke shows at The Starting Gate and Mr. B’s in Los Alamitos. I’ll also be joined by Teena and Russ at some of my upcoming book events, including the Author Fair at the El Segundo Library on June 6th (more info on this very soon). If you don’t live in the Southern California area, I invite you to check out their website at my navigation bar to the left in the Links / Business Friends section. Here is an additional link:

http://www.embroiderywizards.net/

   They obviously can do more than just Forgotten Hollywood gear for you. Their email address is embroiderywizards@yahoo.com. I offer my complete endorsement to utilize their services if you need anything stitched and embroidered. Russ and Teena are sincere and honest in the work they provide. They are friendly folks who will deliver!

Until next time…                      “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   For those interested in listening to KFWB 980AM News/Talk on Sunday to Kari Moran’s Book Radio Show at 3p (PST), I’ve obtained the hour-long schedule of guests for you to check out.

   If you’re interested in reading great books, you’ll find this to be an inspired lineup of authors:

   Southern California residents: I hope you enjoy the program! If you live outside the area, or miss the show…here’s a link to the online podcast (available by Monday):

http://www.kfwb.com/pages/6771202.php

Until next time>                           “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   We are drawing near to Saturday’s big Q&A session with J. Michael Straczynski, the Emmy-winning screenwriter of Babylon 5, and the scribe of the acclaimed motion picture Changeling. The Orange County Screenwriter’s Association is sponsoring the event. I’m opening the show with Gary Lycan at 10a (prior to JMS appearance). It’s all taking place at the Regency Theatres South Coast Village Cinemas. You’ll have a chance to get an autograph from JMS after the Q&A and buy a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.  J. Michael Straczynski

   The venue site of this event is the very same theatre where I saw The Hurt Locker back in January, while I was spending many hours watching the top films of 2009 as a voting member for the SAG Awards. Who knew at the time this fine film would win an Oscar for Best Picture. I had never heard of the Regency Theatre. However, they honored my SAG card, which allowed me to watch the film for free, so I could properly fill out my SAG ballot. Needless to say, The Hurt Locker was one of my favorite films of the year!

   The Regency Theatres South Coast Village Cinemas is located at 1561 W. Sunflower on the border of Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. The O.C. Screenwriter’s Association Q&A event is FREE to attend, and this should be a great way to start your Saturday morning. All aspiring screenwriters and lovers of classic cinema are invited to stop by!

Until next time>                         “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   Thanks to a successful visit at the Sherman Oaks BORDERS this past Sunday, the figures show Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is still at the top in sales in the Local History section in Southern California (out of 662 books). Thanks to my parents, Gary Zive, Anita Lee Wright, Steve Kolodin, Dolores Parra, Laurie’s family (and Eno) for the visit. It made for a memorable return to my youth!

   As good as the figures were last week, TODAY they are even more impressive! Here are the current Tuesday numbers:    

#1 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / LOCAL HISTORY (out of 662 books)   

#7 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 1,324 books)

#9 - CALIFORNIA / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 2,547 books)

#31 - NATIONAL / LOCAL INTEREST PAPERBACK (out of 22,684 books) 

#54 - NATIONAL / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 30,782 books)

——————————————   

   A new library has added my paperback to their shelves. The Caldwell Public Library in Caldwell, Idaho is our newest friend. I hope my work can become as famous as their #1 export in this neck of the woods:  the potato… One can only hope of being the big spud in these parts.

Until next time>                       “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   I’ve been invited to be a guest on Kari Moran’s Book Radio Show on KFWB 980AM on Sunday, May 23rd at 3pm. Kari has had a wonderful career interviewing publishers, best selling authors, and other literary giants in the business. Her soft-spoken style makes for a confortable setting to discuss one’s work in an intelligent format. This will be a major opportunity for me to talk about Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to a Southern California audience hungry for new books to read.

   A remarkable feature about Kari’s program is her podcast, which airs on the KFWB website (in case you miss this particular program). Here is a link to the website:

http://www.kfwb.com/pages/6771202.php

   I’m looking forward to getting back in a radio studio, on the heels of a fabulous morning (the day before), with the Orange County Screenwriter’s Association Q&A FREE event at the Regency South Coast Village Theatre in Santa Ana at 10am. Meeting Emmy-winning screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski is going to be a big thrill, I’m quite sure.

   More on all of this as the week transpires. Plus, I plan on recapping our Sunday visit to BORDERS in Sherman Oaks, this Sunday from 2p-5p.

Until next time>                           “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   I’m happy to report our stop at BORDERS on Sunday was an unqualified success… Thanks to our book signing event on Mother’s Day, we climbed to #1.  I received a warm reception from the staff and patrons at BORDERS in the Los Altos Market Place in Long Beach! 

   Check out Friday’s impressive sales category numbers: 

#1 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / LOCAL HISTORY (out of 662 books)

#10 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 1,324 books)

#16 - CALIFORNIA / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 2,544 books)

#85 - NATIONAL / LOCAL INTEREST (out of 30,759 books)

   I expect to do as well (or better) when I return to my high school hometown:  SHERMAN OAKS this weekend! I’ll be at the BORDERS at 14651 Ventura Blvd. this SUNDAY from 2p-5p.  I’ve been told friends from Van Nuys High School (classes of ‘75-’76) will be on hand to cheer me on! 

   This particular location has also been particularly aggressive in promoting my return to the San Fernando Valley, which I appreciate. If you are in the area, stop on by!

Until next time>                         “never forget“