Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Thanks to Teresa Preis of Los Alamitos, CA for sending me a YouTube link of San Francisco circa 1906, FOUR days prior to the great earthquake and fire that destroyed the city on April 18th. This is the FIRST 35 mm film ever made (over 104 years ago). The clock tower at the end of Market Street by Embarcadero  Wharf is still there.

    David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot by researching New York trade papers of the day. This historic piece was shipped by train across the country for processing. A viewing event was celebrated  on the East Coast once the clip was developed. Here is the link (with added music):

http://www.youtube.com/v/NINOxRxze9k&hl=en_US&fs=1&”></param><param  

   In 1936, MGM produced a magnificent movie called San Francisco, starring Clark Gable, Jeanette McDonald, and Spencer Tracy. In fact,  Tracy would be nominated for his first Oscar for this film. The studio’s talented creative team developed a stirring climax with a very realistic temblor that would once again level the city. An amazing segment created considering the technical limitations of the day. Once again, Hollywood meets American history.

Until next time>                         “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   The beauty of my book Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is its tie between the historical aspects of our great nation with Hollywood’s studio era. The African American struggle to portray characters of substance and avoid nagging stereotypes is something I chose to  explore in a chapter devoted to Eddie “Rochester” Anderson. One of the most prominent and eloquent spokespersons in this area was Lena Horne.

   More than just a jazz singer, Horne was a gifted actress, and a bona-fide star of stage, screen, and Civil Rights. She overcame the short-sighted fears initially displayed by studio bosses. Among the issues she tackled throughout her career included:  press releases disputing her race; her acceptance as a Black person by White America simply because of her light skin; segregated minor roles in films that didn’t involve the plot of the movie just to showcase her voice; and the unfounded accusation she was a Communist.

   However, bright spots would survive as part of her legacy. Director Vincente Minnelli gave Horne a starring role in his all-Black motion picture for MGM called Cabin In The Sky, which also featured Ethel Waters and Eddie Anderson. She also is known for her interpretation of the American standard Stormy Weather. She would live to see her personal ongoing fight for Civil Rights reach the White House with the election of Barack Obama.                Photo by Carl Van Vechten (1941)

   Lena Horne died on Sunday in New York. She was 92. Turner Classic Movies will provide a four-movie tribute to Horne on Friday, May 21st beginning at 5p (PST).   

Until next time>                          “never forget“

Manny P. here…

   A big THANK YOU to Russ Duke of KNR Entertainment for making sure last week’s FOX 11 Midday Sunday program with Tony Valdez can now be seen all over the globe. Due to YouTube restrictions, it’s in three segment links (for now).  PLEASE ENJOY…

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/v/LftC7UpWKNY&hl=en_US&fs=1&”></param><param

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/v/aTX_a1K8wCE&hl=en_US&fs=1&”></param><param

Part 3:

http://www.youtube.com/v/oxUnL6y3how&hl=en_US&fs=1&”></param><param

——————

   By the way, see you SUNDAY at BORDERS / Long Beach at the Los Altos Market Place from 2p-4p. I’ll be signing FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD FORGOTTEN HISTORY for your mom on Mothers’s Day.

Until next time>                        “never forget“      

Manny P. here…

   L.A.’s City Council and Mayor are about to cut spending with regards to the Los Angeles Public Library system. This is bad news for all generations of Angelenos who use these treasured sites as informational and educational resource locations.

   Unfortunately, the city has created a precedent for this slashing of LAPL funds over the last three years. The effect of these government decisions include Sunday closures, reduced weekday evening hours, and the pending loss of hundreds of experienced staff members and popular community programs. Despite thousands of petitions and emails circulated to city officials by library supporters, the cuts continue.

   These misguided decisions are a result of L.A. experiencing a major financial crises that has put a target squarely on the back of the LAPL. The City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will send recommendations to the full City Council on May 17, with deliberations continuing until the budget is passed on June 5.

   I urge you to visit the Save LAPL website http://www.savelapl.org, where with a single click they can send a message to the Mayor and all members of City Council - urging them to restore library funding to its current level, retaining staff, weekend and evening hours, and community programs. For more information on this evolving story, visit the Save The Library website at http://www.savethelibrary.org.

   SaveLAPL website creators Kim Cooper and Richard Schave are also available — contact Kim at amscray@gmail.com, or call her at 323-223-2767. Let’s all work together to save our children’s future, whether you live in Los Angeles, or anywhere in this great nation.

Until next time>                       ”never forget“

Manny P. here…

   As one of the fledgling members of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, I’m humbly pleased to belong to a veteran echelon of extremely creative film, television, and radio talent from Southern California. I now have learned how loyal they are in support of one’s cherished work.

   The April newsletter has been sent to everyone in this prestigious group including icons who were part of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has reached the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters. It would be my honor to see any of these folks take the time to read my award-winning paperback.

   Here’s a link to their latest newsletter:

http://www.ppbwebsite.org/newsletters/PPB_Newsletter_11in_0410.pdf

   Members of this esteemed organization include Ed Asner, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Wagner, Betty White, Jane Withers, and James Darren.

                                                                                Ernest Borgnine

———————————————–

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has found more interest in the South. The McCracken County Public Library in Paducah is our new Kentucky home. What fascinates me is the continued nationwide interest in Hollywood’s grand and glorious past. Happy to include this fine location to our family of libraries, which now numbers:  18.

Until next time>                             ”never forget“

Manny P. here…

   What a Sunday / Monday in the life of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History! I spent 22 minutes on Midday Sunday with Tony Valdez on FOX 11, which was a blast. Almost immediately after, book sales took a dramatic hike on Amazon, Tower Books.com, and at Borders stores. In fact, Amazon had to re-order more paperbacks, because they sold out their initial stock!

   Tony and I had a really nice chat about Hollywood’s Golden Age, and folks around Southern California over the past 24 hours responded in a most positive way. To paraphrase KFWB…

“You give us 22 minutes, and we’ll give you the world“

   Speaking of which, Kari Moran of the Book Radio Show on KFWB News/Talk 980 has indicated her interest in having Gary Lycan and me as guests on her program sometime in June…details to follow.

Until next time>                         ”never forget“

Manny P. here…

   Happy to report – I’ll be spending the following two Sundays at Southern California Borders stores. Both locations have already reported carrying plenty of copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

   On Sunday, May 9th, come celebrate Mother’s Day at the Borders in Long Beach at the Los Altos Shopping Center (on Bellflower Blvd.). I will personally inscribe your book gift to your mom, of course, wishing them a great day. Your mom has earned it!

   On Sunday, May 16th, I will return to the site of my childhood. Borders in Sherman Oaks (on Ventura Blvd.) will be a reunion site for me of sorts. I’ve gotten the word that friends from my earlier days at Van Nuys High are planning to stop by. I can’t wait to share conversation and memories that will conjure days in the San Fernando Valley (circa 1972-75). In between, I will be signing my paperback to the folks who would like to revisit Hollywood’s Golden Age.

  Van Nuys High is steeped in Hollywood tradition. Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, and Jane Russell are alumni of the school. Dodgers Hall of Famer Don Drysdale is a former student. The Van Patten children all went there. In fact, I graduated in the same class as Vince Van Patten (’75), currently a co-host on the World Poker Tour program. The school has been the site of major films including Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Christine, and Grease.

  It’s a Borders -fest the next two weeks. I hope to see you at one of these locations!

   A reminder - Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is in over 30 Borders  throughout Southern California. FYI – you’ll find the book in the All Things Local / Local History section of the store. Find complete information on where you can purchase my paperback at the Book Purchase Link on the Navigation Bar (to the left).  For your convenience, here is the link:

http://www.forgottenhollywood.com/purchase-locations

————————————————

   Two new libraries have added my Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History! Close to home, the El Segundo Library is now carrying my paperback. This is the location of the Author’s Fair on June 6th. I’ve been invited to be a panelist at this fun event for the whole family. 35 different authors will conduct book-signings, readings and chats about a variety of subjects.

   The SEO (Serving Every Ohioan) Library Center, located in Caldwell, supports a consortium of 76 Library systems at 175 physical locations throughout 38 counties across Ohio. My book has been ordered to be placed in their on-line catalogue, which means… if you live in Ohio, you will have access to my paperback. Great news indeed!

Until next time…                     ”never forget”