Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Four days of celebration are planned on April 17th -20th at the National Museum of the US Air Force near Dayton, Ohio to remember the bombing raid over Tokyo. Led by Lt. Col. James Doolittle, it helped change the course of World War II. The invited guests include five surviving members of the mission (all in their 90s), survivors or relatives of the USS Hornet aircraft carrier crew that launched them, and Chinese villagers who helped rescue bombers after the raid.

   A celebratory ritual will be the highlight on Wednesday to mark the exact day of the mission. Eighty goblets will be involved, with 75 turned upside-down to remember the dead; while the remaining five will raise their drinks of cognac to the air. This tradition was started by Doolittle just before his death.

   The bombing mission was suggested as a retaliation to the events at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. The suicide raid lifted the morale of Americans back home, which encouraged  civilians to help develop our military arsenal, and sparked the increase of War Bonds purchases. The participants were given very little chance of survival, since B-25 bombers couldn’t hold enough fuel for a return to carriers at sea. Crash-landings along the beaches of China were the only option for escape.

   Several films have been made to chronicle the lives of those involved. Thirty Seconds over Tokyo was produced in 1944, and starred Spencer Tracy as Jimmy Doolittle; Van Johnson as Tad Lawson (whose story was adapted in a screenplay), Robert Walker, Don DeFore, Robert Mitchum, and Phyllis Thaxter. The Great Escape tells the story of Air Force bombers who were shot down over Germany and placed in concentration camps. Steve McQueen’s character was based on a real life participant of the original Tokyo raid.

   In a future ceremony, the last two Raiders living will make a final toast to remember what they accomplished in 1942. They will sip from cognac – vintage 1896 – the year Doolittle was born. At that time, the mission will finally end in the minds of the survivors and their relatives.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Mike Wallace, the initial hire during the creation of 60 Minutes, has died. A winner of 21 Emmys (among his many accolades) during his long journalistic career, an iconic figure in television journalism.

   Wallace spent six decades investigating top stories from around the world, mostly from his perch as the anchor of 60 Minutes. He began his career in Chicago in the 1940s, first as a radio news writer for the Chicago Sun, and then as a reporter in Detroit for WOOD, WXYZ, and the windy city’s WMAQ. He even joined the Midwest wrestling circuit for a time as a ring announcer.

   He was hired as a staff voice for CBS in 1951, working with Spike Jones, and on You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx. Wallace steadily introduced radio dramas: Ned Jordan, Secret Agent, Sky King, and The Green Hornet. His stints on Majority Rules, The Big Surprise, Who’s the Boss, Who Pays, What’s in a Word, and Night Beat  served as his apprenticeship that led to Mike becoming a fixture on the Sunday evening news magazine. He was a frequent panelist on To Tell the Truth. Wallace appeared on Broadway in Reclining Figure, which was directed by Abe Burrows; and also in cinema, as a newsperson in A Face in the Crowd in 1957, a stark movie starring Andy Griffith. His character’s name… Mike Wallace, of course!

   His shadow is so immense, Wallace has been portrayed by recent Oscar-winner Christopher Plummer in The Insider in 1999; and in the stage production of Frost/Nixon. He was often parodied on Saturday Night Live.

   Wallace didn’t shy away from any interview. Some of the notable figures he captured prior to, and during his tenure at 60 Minutes: Malcolm X, mobster Mickey Cohen, Johnny Carson, General William Westmoreland, John Ehrlichman, Ayatollah Khomeini, Barbra Streisand, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Louis Farrakhan, Vladamir Putin, and former baseball pitcher Roger Clemens. His only regret… he never secured treasured time with former First Lady Pat Nixon.

   As William Holden’s character surmised in Network, Mike Wallace, during his golden years, predictably prepared his memoirs, in a book entitled Between You and Me. He battled bouts of depression and thoughts of suicide over the notion of aging. He found some solace as his son Chris  developed into a credible anchor on Fox News Sunday.

   Mike Wallace was 93. 60 Minutes plans an extended tribute to their fallen colleague next Sunday.

MIKE WALLACE / HARRY REASONER

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Forgotten Hollywood Book Series is rolling along. The new paperback has approached 200 copies sold. Due to recent activity, Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is now on the prestigious shelves of personalities, including:

* LINDA MALLAH – The songwriter who wrote the tune that reached #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary charts: Make it Real (as performed by The Jets)

* WHO LET THE DOGS OUT TV.COM – The producers of the program which currently appears weekly on Animal Planet. Copies of my latest work were gifts of appreciation from Tim Keenan, the operations director and owner of Creative Media Professional Audio Production (and former mayor of Cypress, CA).

* Finally, let me personally thank my business neighbors attending the CYPRESS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE monthly Breakfast meeting at the Marriott Residence Inn (Cypress Meeting Room) on Tuesday at 7:30a; folks supporting an abiding interest in Hollywood’s Golden Age. It’s taking place at 4931 Katella Ave. I also appreciate the booksigning right after the morning event.

   By the way, Cypress is my place of residence. Success begins at home.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Ten branches of the County of Los Angeles Public Library system have just ordered copies of my new work, Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

   The locations include:

          Willowbrook Library       Hawthorne Library

          South Whittier Library    Rosemead Library

          West Hollywood Library    La Verne Library

          Rowland Heights Library       Malibu Library

          Lloyd Taber – Marina del Rey Library

          Sorensen Library (West Whittier)

   The County of Los Angeles Library System is second only to the San Francisco Library System that carries the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. This is indeed exciting news!

   91 nationwide branches now house the literary series; while 29 libraries all over the country have added Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to their shelves.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Tinseltown and history is once again having its Hollywood and Vine moment. In remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the White Star Line’s R.M.S. Titanic, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing the 1953 motion picture  that chronicled this tragic event, fully re-mastered on Blu-ray.

   Titanic had a cast featuring Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner, Richard Basehart, Brian Aherne, and Thelma Ritter (who plays a composite character based on the Unsinkable Molly Brown). The movie won an Oscar for Best Writing Original Screenplay.

   Special features will include: Commentary by film critic Richard Schickel; Additional commentary by cinematographer Michael D. Lonzo, actors Audrey Dalton and Robert Wagner, and historian Sylvia Stoddard; a MovieTone newsreel; a theatrical trailer; and a still gallery.

   In January, my wife Laurie and I visited the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. It’s quite a compelling tour of the April 14th sinking of the cruise ship that embarked on its maiden voyage four days earlier in 1912. Thelma Ritter has a featured chapter in my initial Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

   Titanic on Blu-ray is a must-have for any classic movie enthusiast and history buff. A Night to Remember was also released in 1953 from the United Kingdom, and this film was a far more accurate depiction of the tragedy.

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   The city of Glendale, CA, Main Branch of their public library is the latest shelf to carry both books of the Forgotten Hollywood-series. Glendale is located on the other side of Griffith Park, which is right next to Hollywood. This is a perfect place to house my paperbacks.

   It’s the 75th prestigious literary location to carry my first work; and 19 branches carrying my latest paperback. There are 83 overall libraries to house some form of my book-series.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The preliminary schedule is now available for this year’s Turner Classic Movies Film Festival. This is the third year that Hollywood is hosting the event.

* Mel Brooks will introduce his production of Young Frankenstein (1974)

   Other wonderful highlights: An offering of A Night To Remember  to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic; a visit by Director William Wellman’s son at an 85th remembrance screening of Wings; a 50th anniversary showing of Dr. No, hosted by former Bond Girls, Eunice Grayson and Maude Adams; and a poolside presentation of High Society, which starred Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

   Robert Osborne is expected to interview cinema legend, Kim Novak, on Friday, April 13th. The actress will discuss her long career and private life.

   The 3rd Annual TCM Film Fest will begin April 12th.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m happy to be part of Reader’s Circle, a cyber International Book Club. It’s an interesting concept  that combines 21st Century online technology with a tried-and-true philosophy of coffee house literary discussions.

   According to their website:

You’ll note in our database that a number of listings are for Reader’s Circles. These are a new kind of book group where people attend with whatever they’re reading.

READER’S CIRCLE seeks to renew the spirit of dialogue that animated the coffeehouses of early modern England and the salons of Enlightenment France. Book clubs are only a recent form of a public conversation that goes back many, many years, and Reader’s Circles are a format that we hope adds a new dynamic to the mix of social gatherings that make for a vibrant democracy.

Each year READER’S CIRCLE serves 90,000 inquires for local book clubs in 5 countries. Top cities include: New York City, London, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Diego, Boston, Brooklyn, Portland, Cambridge, Minneapolis, Arlington, Houston, Austin, San Jose, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix.

Unlike some .org’s, which may be for-profit businesses, READER’S CIRCLE is the real thing. Donations are used to support our mission: to build an inclusive community; the reading public brought together as a body instead of existing merely as an abstraction.

   Here’s a link to their traditional-in-concept website:

                    http://www.readerscircle.org/index.html

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   A book shop in Seattle lets you order copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History on demand. Secret Garden Books is located at 2214 NW Market St.

   Here’s a link to their site:

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

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   President Barack Obama has taped a brief introduction for a special television presentation of To Kill a Mockingbird on the USA Network. A digital version of this iconic motion picture will air this Saturday as part of a 50th anniversary celebration of the creation of this fine cinematic work.

   In 1995, the motion picture was listed in the National Film Registry. It also ranks 25th on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest American movies of all time. In 2003, AFI named Atticus Finch the greatest celluloid hero of the 20th Century. Gregory Peck won his only Oscar for his role as Finch.

   Harper Lee has issued a rare public statement expressing her personal gratitude over the president’s personal gesture. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author from her home in Monroe, Alabama stated she was deeply honored by President Obama’s enduring love for her scripted words. The White House plans their own private screening this evening.

   Atticus, Scout, Jem, Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Dill will come to life for a new generation of viewers to enjoy. Check your local listings for the exact time this Saturday.

   And, if you live in the Southern California area, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will screen the digitally restored version of To Kill a Mockingbird at their theatre on Wednesday, April 11th at 7:15p. It’s located at 8949 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills. The general public can purchase tickets at oscars.org for just $5.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

(#10 in a 12-part series to be printed at the beginning of each month)

Manny P. here…

SHIP OF FOOLS – By 1965, Stanley Kramer was an accomplished producer and director. Ship of Fools is his forgotten classic. A cross-section of international folks aboard an ocean liner in the pre-fascist era play out a drawing-room drama with a toxic doctrine brainwashing entire countries in Europe, including Italy, Spain, and Germany. It was adapted by Abby Mann from the only major novel written by Katherine Anne Porter.

Back Story

   The collaboration of Stanley Kramer and Abby Mann worked well in 1961 when they adapted  Judgment at Nuremburg. The motion picture earned an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Mann was the obvious choice to flesh out characters played by Vivien Leigh, Lee Marvin, Jose Ferrer, Simone Signoret, Oskar Werner, George Segal, Elizabeth Ashley, and Michael Dunn. The script emerged as a winner.

   Katharine Hepburn was originally asked to star, but turned it down, as she was attending to the declining health of Spencer Tracy. Stan Kramer was a close friend of the couple, and so he turned to Vivien Leigh.

Positives

   Though the epic motion picture was beaten by The Sound of Music for Best Picture, the performances of Michael Dunn, Oskar Werner, and Simone Signoret made their Oscar races quite compelling. Dunn lost to Martin Balsam in A Thousand Clowns; Signoret lost to Julie Christie in Darling; and Werner lost to Lee Marvin (his co-star) for his duo-role in Cat Ballou.

   Abby Mann really ignited foolish behavior of strangers as they intermingle in various conversations. Using Michael Dunn, a dwarf, to set up the opening segment was brilliant. His perceived disability is dwarfed by the not-so-obvious psychological disabilities of his fellow passengers. The casual pace of each scene also allows for  appropriate character development.

MICHAEL DUNN

Negatives

   The Hitler overtones are a little over-the-top. Conversations involving Michael Dunn were believable and poignant. His prophecy of the Nazi Final Solution enjoyed the benefit of scripted hindsight. Less honest was Jose Ferrer’s huber-fascist propaganda. It beats the viewer up, and his revelation that his character is not German predictably parallels the pent-up psychosis of  Der Fuhrer.

   Like Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), Katherine Anne Porter won major accolades for her only novel in 1962. It’s success gave the scribe financial security, but deprived her readers from enjoying any future major literary works. She spent the remainder of her career writing short stories. This fact is a real shame.

Supporting Actor Spotlight

   The first Latin actor to win a Best Actor Oscar was Jose Ferrer. Born in Puerto Rico, Ferrer was a Broadway star during the 1930’s and 1940’s as a performer and director. He took the  stage in Charley’s Aunt, Othello, and Cyrano de Bergerac. His directorial credits include Stalag 13 and The Andersonville Trials. Due to his Tony-winning job in Cyrano, Hollywood came calling.

   Primarily a character actor, he reprised his starring role in the motion picture version of Cyrano. Ferrer took home an Academy Award in 1950. His choices were based on his desire to play a given part. He starred in Moulin Rouge; but supported in Joan of Arc, Miss Sadie Thompson, The Caine Mutiny, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Lawrence of Arabia, and Voyage of the Damned.

   Ferrer also directed movies, including I Accuse and Return to Peyton Place. He starred in Man of La Mancha on a road tour of the Broadway musical, replacing Richard Kiley in 1967.  JOSE FERRER

   Appropriately, the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) renamed its Tespis Award to the HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award in 2005. Ferrer’s commanding acting-style guaranteed scene-stealing in any motion picture for which he was cast.

Epilogue

   This was the last film made by Vivien Leigh, a fitting finale. And, Ship of Fools made major stars of George Segal, Lee Marvin, and Wener Klemperer, who was later cast on television’s Hogan’s Heroes. Michael Dunn garnered a villainous recurring role on The Wild Wild West.

   More importantly, Ship of Fools reminded audiences that a negative political climate can  generate globally disastrous consequences. In the capable hands of Stanley Kramer, this point was adroitly made.

Until next time>                               “never forget”