Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills is honoring the 100th birthday of Spike Jones. The centennial salute to Spike Jones is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21st at 7:30p. Free tickets for Paley members and the public are available this Wednesday at noon.

   According to The Paley Center for Media website:

Spike Jones invented and then defined an innovative blend of comedy and music. In celebration of the centennial anniversary of his birth, the Paley Center gathers a panel of family members, colleagues, and admirers, moderated by musical historian Dr. Demento, to salute this entertainment groundbreaker.

  The music of Spike Jones and His City Slickers, and his film, television and radio appearances will be remembered. Jones died in 1965 of emphysema. The bandleader’s son is expected to be on the panel.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Ben Gazzara was an intense and dedicated actor in film and television. He began his career after he studied at the Dramatic Workshop of the New School and the Actors Studio. His education led to parts on Broadway, including  the starring role in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Elia Kazan; and A Hatful of Rain, which earned Ben his first  Tony nomination.

   Gazzara was best known for tough-guy roles in Anatomy of a Murder, Convicts 4, The Young Doctors, A Rage to Live, The Bridge at Ramagen, Capone, Voyage of the Damned, Road House, The Big Lebowski, and a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. He was very busy on the small screen, appearing in episodes of Dragnet, Playhouse 90, and Kraft Suspense Theatre. His character (Paul Bryan) on the latter episodic program led to the creation of the popular 1960’s series, Run For Your Life. Gazzara also co-starred in  made-for-television movies; most notably in A Question of Honor, The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald, An Early Frost;  and in the mini-series QB VII.

   After numerous stage and television award-nominations, he finally received an Emmy in 2003 for his performance in Hysterical Blindness. He continued to virtually work until his death on Friday.

   Ben Gazzara was 82.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The National Mall in Washington D.C. is the site of a new movie theatre. To honor the grand opening, a FREE Humphrey Bogart Film Festival begins tonight. Bogie’s son, Stephen, is the official host of the weekend event. Lauren Bacall is also expected to make an appearance during the Festival. Among the motion pictures to be shown – The Matlese Falcon, Casablanca, The Big Sleep, Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

   Rick Blaine’s suit, worn by Bogie in Casablanca, is on display tonight, on loan from Warner Brothers. To mark the 70th anniversary of the 1943 film, a re-mastered Blu-ray version will be available in stores in March. AFI recently ranked Humphrey Bogart as the #1 male legend from the silver screen.

   Warner Brothers, which donated $5 million to build Theater at the National Museum of American History in an old auditorium space, is scheduled to present three additional film festivals at the Smithsonian this year: A Clint Eastwood retrospective; a look at the Birth of Sound in motion pictures (The Jazz Singer and Singing in the Rain); and an October Fest to  remember the 150th anniversary of the Civil War (Gone With the Wind, Glory, Gettysburg).

   The Smithsonian Institute has committed the new movie palace to provide American history through the essential work released during Hollywood’s Golden Age. As the author of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series, I applaud their effort…

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   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History can now be found on-demand at five California locations:

Diesal: A Book Store – Oakland / Malibu / Brentwood

http://www.dieselbookstore.com/book/9781935359166

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Green Apple Books – 506 Clement St., San Francisco

http://www.greenapplebooks.com/book/9781935359166

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Hicklebee’s – 137 Lincoln Ave., San Jose

http://www.hicklebees.com/book/9781935359166

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has officially been available nationally for  about a month. My latest work just received its first 5-star review on AMAZON.

   A gracious heartfelt thanks to Charlie Redner, an author and co-host of Write Now, which airs on Channel 6. The cable show is seen exclusively to residents of Laguna Woods, CA. Charlie writes:

Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is perhaps the most perfect title for a book that looks back on Hollywood. And no, you need not have read the original to appreciate the sequel; but I recommend that one should. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing author, Manny Pacheco, about his new book on the “Write Now Show” telecast over a Southern California cable channel. The books tells the stories of the great supporting actors during the Golden Age of Hollywood, tied into a specific time in US history, and important social and political issues.

Superbly crafted, the books are filled with important facts and overflowing with little known movie trivia. Both Hollywood and general US history buffs will enjoy this book.

   I invite you to visit Charlie Redner’s websites:

http://redroom.com/member/charles-redner/blog/son-of-forgotten-hollywood-forgotten-history

  http://www.charlieredner.com/  

http://www.charlieredner.blogspot.com/ 

www.thehummingbirdreview.com

www.openbookspress.com

   We’ve had a great thirty days!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   PBS phenomenon Downton Abbey has vowed to continue for a third season. Film critic Roger Ebert tweeted yesterday that Shirley MacLaine will join the Masterpiece program next year. CNBC News  also confirmed this announcement. The Oscar-winning actress will play the mother of Lady Grantham, the character played by Elizabeth McGovern. MacLaine’s relationship with Maggie Smith’s character will also guarantee added fireworks to the high-brow program.

   She will additionally generate considerable press coverage for the mini-series. This is outstanding news for loyal viewers.

   Writer Julian Fellowes is also preparing a screenplay for a Downton Abbey motion picture. How extraordinary for lovers of British drawing-room dramas in the tradition of The Remains of the Day, Upstairs Downstairs, Gosford Park, and Brideshead Revisited. Downton creators are prepared to capitalize on winning six Emmys and a Golden Globe over the past year.

   Actress Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith, admitted recently that clothes she wore (including a blouse) while working on the set was actually first worn by Meryl Streep in the 1985 motion picture Out of Africa. It seems even the wardrobe used on Downton Abbey is steeped in Hollywood history.

    The World of Downton Abbey, the coffee table book offering a behind-the-scenes chronicle during the production of the mini-series, was released in September, 2011. Written by Jessica Fellowes (Julian’s niece), it was published by HarperCollins. And, the public television website now has a trivia graphic related to the personal lives of the Downton actors, and it has been receiving a surprisingly large amount of visits.

   It’s gratifying to see Hollywood and history intersect in a major way on the small screen. The sinking of the Titanic, World War I (The Great War), and the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic have all been referenced. PBS can be proud of this educational accomplishment.

Until next time>                               “never forget”