Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Our Indiegogo Crowd Funding campaign to raise money on our Forgotten Hollywood Documentary Project will officially end on May 18th at Westminster Lanes in Orange County. The bowling facility has graciously donated their location to allow folks to bowl for prizes and cash. Here are the details:

   The Forgotten Hollywood Bowling Bash begins with signups at noon. Three games of scratch bowling begins at 1p, with prizes for Best Bowlers (m/f); Worst Bowlers (m/f); and a series of incentive games, including a Strike Ball (prize); Brackets (cash); and a 50/50 Drawing (cash)… And, all for just $20. In addition, lanes will be set aside for your children (18 and under) for just $10. We have compiled really delicious prizes, such as autographed Los Angeles Angels baseball memorabilia; a DVD box-set of the I Love Lucy series; a Karaoke Morph-1 system; and a Nikon CoolPix S4200 Camera!

   Participants who donate at least $20 will be able to attend a 10 Pins Comedy Club show in June at the Westminster Lanes Press Box lounge at 8p. Even if you decide not to bowl, your contribution will guarantee entrance to the Comedy extravaganza. This bowling event is family-friendly; the Comedy show is for adults. What a great way to enjoy and afternoon and evening of fun.

                   LIONEL BARRYMORE

   All proceeds will benefit our Development of the Forgotten Hollywood Documentary Pilot. The topic of this feature will be Lionel Barrymore and his influence on theatre-going audiences to view folks with disabilities. His decision to continue working while in a wheelchair benefitted charities, including The National Arthritis Foundation, The March of Dimes, and today’s Rotary Club’s PolioPlus Program. It’s a wonderful almost-forgotten tales that needs to be shared with today’s generation of film audiences. Monies raised will be used to:

1. Hire a research archivist to compile footage & photos; and secure licensing
2. Hire a consultant / casting director to book actors and behind-the-scenes folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age; plus cinematic historians for original interviews
3. Set up a production shoot to tape these candid moments    

   THANKS to Mike at Westminster Lanes for this worthy contribution! Westminster Lanes is located at 6471 Westminster Blvd. in Westminster, CA. If you reside in the Southern California area, please plan on attending, and join in on the fun!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m pleased Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History (like my second book) has just received a 5-Star review from the site – Readers’ Favorite. One of their superb reviewers, Jack Magnus, read my initial work and writes:

In Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, Manny Pacheco presents portraits of character actors who were important yet not widely known in the history of cinema in the United States. He ties the works of these actors with events in American and world history, often remarking on the correlation between the roles they chose, or were cast in, and the social and cultural developments of the times. Some of the actors’ names are easily recognizable, such as Lionel Barrymore, Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone, while others, like Ward Bond and Thomas Mitchell, may be less familiar to many readers. The acting career of each actor covered is juxtaposed to historical events and the actual personages these actors portrayed. Pacheco includes relevant photographs of the actors and historic events and persons.

Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is a fascinating look at the roots of modern-day cinema. I enjoyed learning more about some of my favorite actors, such as Rathbone and Rains, and discovering actors who had just been names to me. The pictures Pacheco has gathered and included in the book are fabulous and make each chapter a tour not only of the covered actor but the history of the times as well. While I was familiar with Lionel Barrymore, his disability and the way he performed around it and led the way for other disabled performers was a revelation. Tonight, I’ll be trying to find an online version of the first talking role Rathbone played, as Philo Vance, in a film I never knew existed, thanks to Pacheco’s scholarship. Whether you are a classic movie buff or simply curious about this book, I think you’ll be as pleased with it.

   Here’s a link to the Readers’ Favorite and Amazon websites:

http://readersfavorite.com/book-review/8839

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935359169/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1935359169&linkCode=as2&tag=readfavoandbo-20

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Pilot Documentary (Development) official online funding campaign on INDIEGOGO concluded on May 4th. However, the Brochure campaign continues until May 18th at Westminster Lanes with a day of bowling for cash and prizes. In our 18th week, we’ve reached almost 71% of our goal.

CONTRIBUTIONS

~ JUDY GEORGE ($25) – A primary care nurse for Arthur F. Gelb Medical Corporation based at the Lakewood Medical Center, the practice specializes in pulmonary and critical care issues. Judy is a classic movie buff with a child studying cinema in college. She has also enjoyed reading both copies of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series.

~ MARY ANN McHUGH ($15) – Like Judy, Mary Ann works in the medical field as an optician. A resident of Los Alamitos, she daily travels to Cerritos to aid folks with minor sight impairments. And, she also loves Hollywood’s Golden Age. Mary Ann is a patron of Mr. B’s, where I host my weekly karaoke shows.

~ ANITA AGUIRRE ($15) – Anita has been my friend for almost two decades. A hairdresser by day, she loves to bowl in leagues at Westminster Lanes. My pals at this particular bowling center continue to support my efforts, whether buying my book series, or contributing to the development of our documentary.

~ ROBERT GRAHAM ($10) – The Graham family are longtime friends. Robert is an Orange County contractor, and like most of his siblings, is a really good singer. Because of this, he visits my karaoke shows at Mr. B’s and the Starting Gate. I just found out that Robert collects Hollywood memorabilia… How cool is that!!

~ ASHLEE ADDAL ($10) – Ashlee is a second generation waitress at the Starting Gate in Los Alamitos. When I approached her about making a contribution, she was absolutely thrilled to participate. Too young to actually remember Hollywood’s Studio Era, Ashlee loves the idea of helping a friend, which I’m proud to call her…

~ MIKE INFIESTO ($10) – Mike is also a karaoke enthusiast who supports my weekly shows. He and his wife have been steadfast in their excitement as we continue on our Forgotten Hollywood journey. How wonderful to find such supporters of my documentary project…

 * * * *

   During this 2013 campaign, I’m asking friends, family, and supporters to help us achieve our 120+ day (19-week) goal of $5000. 95 inidividual and business contributors want to support quality family-friendly television programs, intelligently presented.

   YOU can contribute ANY AMOUNT. This step ensures Development, and we’ll be able to:

1. Hire a research archivist to track down footage and photos; and secure licensing
2. Hire a consultant / casting director to book actors and behind-the-scenes folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age; plus cinematic historians for original interviews
3. Set up a production shoot to tape these candid moments

   All participants will warmly receive screen thanks at the conclusion of the Documentary.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The legacy of Ray Harryhausen dates back to the creation of King Kong in 1933. His mentor, Willis O’Brien, pioneered the concept of stop-motion model animation, made famous when he brought his iconic ape to life on screen. An astonished audience were amazed by his creation. The work of this pioneering model animator inspired Harryhausen to work in this unique field,  and he almost single-handedly kept the technique alive for three decades. Ray’s most important productions include the animation on Mighty Joe Young (with O’Brien), which won the Oscar for special effects in 1949; The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, his first color film; and Jason and the Argonauts, featuring the famous sword fight against seven skeleton warriors.

 RAY HARRYHAUSEN                  MR. JOSEPH YOUNG              WILLIS O’BRIEN

   Other inspiration was derived from friends, Ray Bradbury and George Pal, who both became important contributors to the Science Fiction genre. Harryhausen joined a Los Angeles-area Science Fiction League, which led to his fortuitous meeting with his idol, Willis O’Brien. He critiqued Harryhausen’s early models, and he inspired him to take classes in graphic arts and sculpture to hone his skills.

   During World War II, Harryhausen worked for the Special Services Division under Colonel Frank Capra. He also worked with composer Dimitri Tiomkin and Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss). In 1947, Ray was brought in by Merian C. Cooper as an assistant animator on what was to become his first major film, Mighty Joe Young.

   When King Kong was re-released in 1952, it contributed to a creation and revival of a giant monster cinema craze, especially at drive-in theaters. Harryhausen was hired to do the special effects for The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, based on a story written by Ray Bradbury. His creative method was as old as the motion picture itself. He first used a technique that split the background and foreground of pre-shot live action footage into two separate images, and seemingly integrating live-action with models. This style was famously called Dynamation. Other memorable flicks featuring his special effects include It Came From Beneath the Sea, The Three Worlds of Gulliver, Mysterious Island, and One Million Years B.C. He worked alone to produce almost all of the animation for all his films, until his last feature film in 1981… Clash of the Titans.

   During the 1980s and early 1990s, Harryhausen’s growing legion of fans in the film industry, such as George Lucas and John Landis, started lobbying the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to acknowledge Harryhausen’s contribution to cinema, and he was finally given a Gordon E. Sawyer Award in 1992 for technological contributions [which] have brought credit to the industry. Tom Hanks and Ray Bradbury presented the award. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame inducted Harryhausen in 2005, the first year it honored non-literary contributors. He also had a comedic cameo role in the 1998 remake of Mighty Joe Young.

   There is no question that modern special effects artists, including Tim Burton, owe a debt of gratitude to this pioneer of live animation… Ray Harryhausen was 92.

   Until next time>                            “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I spent a great day with Rotarians in the San Gabriel Valley. I began at a fine breakfast with the Rotary Club of Walnut Valley. We met in San Dimas, and the group was friendly and engaging. Kudos to president Peter Pirritano for his professionalism and kind way he conducts his meeting.

   I then traveled down the road to Industry Hills and spent lunch at the Pacific Palms Resort. It was neat my lunch neighbor at this meeting was the iconic Miss Mary Ann, who I remember watching on television on Romper Room as a youngster.  MISS MARY ANN —->

   According to her Facebook page:

Each program would open with a greeting from the hostess and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, she and her group of children would embark on 30 to 60 minutes of games, exercises, songs and moral lessons, which were regularly accompanied by background music. The young cast was rotated every two months, and ranged from four to five years old.

Romper Room tried to teach its young charges to be polite. For instance, the hostesses were always addressed as Miss. Many of the hostesses had prior experience in working with small children, as many were former kindergarten teachers.

A recurring character was Mr. Do-Bee, an oversized bumblebee who came to teach the children how to be well-behaved; he was noted for always starting his sentence with Do Bee, as in the imperative for example, Do Bee good boys and girls for your parents! There was also a Mr. Don’t Bee to show children exactly what they should not do. Do-Bee balloons were also manufactured. Each balloon featured a painted sketch of Do-Bee on it. When the balloons were inflated and then released, they would fly around the room slowly emitting a buzzing sound. These balloons were made available for purchase to the public.

The show used the then-popular Mattel Jack-in-the-box for its opening and closing titles, with its Pop Goes the Weasel theme song.

At the end of each broadcast, the hostess would look through a magic mirror – actually an open hoop with a handle, the size and shape of a hand mirror – recite the rhyme, Romper, bomper, stomper boo. Tell me, tell me, tell me, do. Magic Mirror, tell me today, have all my friends had fun at play? She would then name the children she saw in televisionland. Kids were encouraged to mail in their names, which would be read on the air – first names only.

   Like Hobo Kelly and Sheriff John, Miss Mary Ann was a child’s best friend on television if you lived in Southern California during the 1950s and 1960s…

Until next time>                    “doo-bee good and never forget”

Manny P. here..

   Mario Machado was an eight-time Emmy-winning television and radio broadcaster. He made television history when, in 1970, he became the first Chinese-American on-air television news reporter and anchor in the nation. In fact, he was also Portuguese.

<—MARIO MACHADO began his career in 1967, when he landed at KHJ-TV (now KCAL-TV) as a news reporter. The next year, he was promoted to color commentator at the Southern California CBS affilliate KNXT (now KCBS-TV). In 1969,  Machado became the initial consumer affairs reporter in the nation at KNXT. Mario became a regular reporter in 1970 on The Big News, the most popular nightly newscast in Los Angeles.  He worked with the very popular Jerry Dunphy. When not hosting talk shows or anchoring the news, Mario was also cast as a news anchor,  reporter, or himself on popular television shows.

   In cinema, Machado often portrayed a news anchor or a reporter; notably in the RoboCop series of movies, Brian’s Song, Oh, God!, The Concorde … Airport ’79, Rocky III, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Scarface. He also appeared as himself in Blue Thunder. Mario’s distinctive voice can  be heard on films for Retinitis Pigmentosa International’s TheatreVision, which provides blind audiences with a description of what is happening on the screen.

   Mario served as the English language commentator at a number of FIFA World Cup soccer championships. In 1986, he became the commissioner of the American Soccer League. For a decade, Machado published Soccer Corner Magazine, for fellow enthusiasts of the sport.

   During my initial year as a radio disc jockey at 11-10 KRLA, I met the affable news icon, and  Mario stressed the importance of being a positive role model for Latino youths in our community. I considered his 1981 advice to be valuable and generous.

   Mario Machado was 78.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has announced the upcoming launch of a new digital broadcast network aimed at reaching the classic-film fan. GetTV will launch in the United States some time this Fall. The production company is a small screen distribution subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

   Sony Pictures Television was initially known as Screen Gems in 1948; the company reincorporated as Columbia Pictures Television in 1974; and merged with sister studio TriStar Television (formed in 1986 and relaunched in 1991) to form Columbia TriStar Television in 1994. The name was changed to reflect the Sony brand in 2002.

   The network will focus chiefly on content from Hollywood’s Golden Era, consisting of titles from the Sony Pictures’ archives. They own approximately 3,500 films, such as The Bridge On The River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia. SPT jointly owns rights with Fremantle Media to most of the post-1947 Bob Hope movie library, including My Favorite Brunette, The Lemon Drop Kid, The Seven Little Foys, and Son of Paleface. SPT also handles the Columbia TriStar Pictures theatrical library, The Three Stooges, and classic television titles, such as The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Route 66, Dennis the Menace, and Hazel.

   This could be a very interesting channel to compliment TCM.

——————————————————————————

   Milton Berle’s jokes are set to go on sale today, just eleven years after he died in 2002. The comedian had four cabinets holding hundreds of 3×5 cards set to be sold in Los Angeles. Berle was best known as the host of the Texaco Star Theater on television, and this show was a breakthrough on the small screen. His index cards are set to sell between $10k and $15k.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Pilot Documentary (Development) funding campaign online on INDIEGOGO will officially conclude on May 4th. The brochure campaign will continue until May 18th at Westminster Lanes with a day of bowling for cash and prizes. As for now, in our 17th week, we’ve made 69% of our goal. It’s not too late to make a contribution:

http://www.indiegogo.com/forgottenhollywoodseries/x/1999460

CONTRIBUTIONS

~ LISA G. ($100) – Prefering to maintain a modicum of anonymity, Lisa has been my friend for almost 25 years. In addition to making a significant cash statement, she has also secured a neat prize for our Westminster Lanes fundraiser on May 18th: a Nikon Coolpix S4200, valued at $180. Lisa will allow me to publicly thank her in the end credits of our Forgotten Hollywood Pilot, with the rest of the contributors. I have already privately offered my heartfelt thanks.

~ CHRIS JOHNSON ($50) – Chris is a massive sports enthusiast who’s a loyal patron at Mr. B’s in Los Alamitos. He’s also part of the enthusiastic audience that enjoys karaoke entertainment each weekend. During the day, Chris is a longtime employee of Southern California Edison.

~ RUBEN “JAY” PENA ($40) – Ruben is energetic about carving a successful broadcasting career. A graduate of the Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting in Huntington Beach. he freelances as  a media consultant. Ruben also voiced interest in participating in any capacity as part of our Forgotten Hollywood production team. I’m seriously considering taking him up on his offer, since he’s a talented individual with a very mature outlook about what we are trying to accomplish. Here’s a link to his engaging website:

www.rubenjay.com

~ NANCY ELLIS ($25) – Nancy is a longtime radio broadcaster, whose credits include KSRF in Santa Monica. She keeps quite busy by working as a counselor at the Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting, and for a supermarket chain. Like Lisa and Chris, I’ve known Nancy for a good number of years.

* * * * *

   During this 2013 campaign, I’m asking friends, family, and supporters to help us achieve our 120+ day (19-week) goal of $5000. 89 inidividual and business contributors want to support quality family-friendly television programs, intelligently presented.

   YOU can contribute ANY AMOUNT. This step ensures Development, and we’ll be able to:

1. Hire a research archivist to track down footage and photos; and secure licensing
2. Hire a consultant / casting director to book actors and behind-the-scenes folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age; plus cinematic historians for original interviews
3. Set up a production shoot to tape these candid moments

Again… here’s the INDIEGOGO link for the details (and you’re chance to contribute):

http://www.indiegogo.com/forgottenhollywoodseries/x/1999460

   All participants will warmly receive screen thanks at the conclusion of the Documentary.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The child star who began her cinematic career appearing with Judy Garland in an MGM two-reeler has passed away. Deanna Durbin shared screen time with Garland in Every Sunday Afternoon, and it served to become a screen test for the two aspiring stars. Following a screening of the short for MGM executives, opinion was divided on whether Garland or Durbin would be retained. Louis B. Mayer, upon his return from a European trip, decreed both girls should be kept.

   Unfortunately for MGM, Durbin’s contract option had expired. She eventually signed with Universal Studios.  Her first movie, Three Smart Girls, was so successful, it saved Universal from bankruptcy. In 1938, Durbin earned an honorary Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – Juvenile Award. Her big break actually came two years earlier, when she sang operatic selections on The Eddie Cantor Radio Show. This collaboration lasted until 1938, when Universal asked Deanna Durbin to discontinue her weekly appearances on Cantor’s program.        DEANNA DURBIN

   Between 1936 and 1947, she recorded over fifty tunes for Decca Records. Re-creating her movie songs for commercial release, Durbin also covered top standards of the day. Her hair, makeup, and on-screen outfits set fashion trends worldwide, and were emulated by millions. Winston Churchill said the actress was his favorite star. Another of her fans was Anne Frank, who posted Deanna’s picture to her bedroom wall in the attic where the Frank family hid during World War II. The photo can still be seen there today.

   Her film credits include Christmas Holiday and Stranger on a Train, when she wasn’t cast in minor “B” musicals. She was actually famous for having her studio turn down famous roles. And, she also refused parts that she arguably would have been fabulous in. These productions include Oklahoma and My Fair Lady (on Broadway), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, and the film versions of Kiss Me Kate and The Student Prince.

   Over the years, Durbin made it known she didn’t like the Hollywood studio system. She never identified herself with the public image the media created around her. She often spoke of the Deanna persona in the third person, and considered the Deanna Durbin cinematic character a by-product of her youth, and not her true self. She steadfastly asserted her right to privacy, which she maintained until the end of her life.

   Deanna Durbin was 91.

Until next time>                               “never forget”