Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Turner Classic Movies is partnering with NCM Fathom to celebrate the 50th anniversary premiere of West Side Story. A nationwide one-night screening will take place Wednesday, November 9th at 7p.

   This 1961 cinematic event was adapted from the 1957 Broadway show, and loosely based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The film holds the distinction of being the screen musical  awarded the most Oscar wins (10), including Best Picture. The cast includes Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, and George Chakiris. The movie was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress in 1997.

According to the TCM website:

 In honor of its 50th Anniversary, NCM Fathom and Turner Classic Movies are bringing West Side Story back to the big screen for a one night event in movie theaters nationwide! This extraordinary event includes an exciting new Turner Classic Movies original production followed by MGM’s 50th Anniversary restoration of West Side Story—the most acclaimed musical of all time.  Tickets are on sale for the general public.

   Where ever you reside, you don’t want to miss this special event! Here’s a link to the NCM Fathom purchase site:

http://www.fathomevents.com/classics/event/westsidestory.aspx?utm_source=TCM&utm_medium=PromotionalCampaign&utm_campaign=WSS_FathomEventPage

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Norman Corwin, who has died, was a giant during Radio’s Golden Age. His contributions spanned seventy years, and he worked with many of the greats of news and Hollywood.

   Norman Corwin joined CBS in 1938 at the height of the radio network’s glory, and he worked with such pioneers as Edward R. Murrow and Howard K. Smith. He focused on writing, producing, and directing when not working behind the microphone.

   In 1941, Corwin wrote We Hold These Truths, a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights which featured the voices of Lionel Barrymore, Walter Brennan and Orson Welles. This patriotic exercise was aired on all four radio networks just days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His nightly chronicles of life during World War II kept America focused on our collective effort to combat Axis aggression. He composed On a Note of Triumph, broadcast nationwide on May 8, 1945 (V-E Day), at the moment of our Allied victory in Europe.

   Corwin received numerous awards in media and the humanities, including two Peabody medals. During his career, he earned Emmy and Golden Globe awards. He also received an Oscar nod for his screenplay, Lust for Life, the biography of Vincent Van Gogh that starred Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn. In 1993, he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fameand  the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters Diamond Circle a year later. We Hold These Truths was added in 2005 to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.

   He would inspire a wide range of scribes and actors including Rod Serling, Norman Lear, Gene Roddenberry, J. Michael Straczynski, and William Shatner.

   Norman Corwin was 101.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

These past few weeks have really been extraordinary in terms of book sales. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has now encouraged cash registers to ring over 2200 times! Some of the highlights include:

* Danforth Distribution just reported a September disbursement of almost 50 copies

* The Duarte Festival of Authors and the Niguel Shores Women’s Club guests were more than willing to buy two dozen paperbacks during my recent visits

* Orders were authorized by the Hollywood Mega store chain and Bev’s Boutique at the  Beverly Garland Holiday Inn for an additional two dozen books.

* Several copies have been individually purchased as an eBook on the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook sites

   We are entering another holiday season prepared to sell out the first run of the book. This means a second edition printing of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is inevitable. And, the upcoming sequel of my special series of books is currently being designed for mass distribution.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Clark County Library in Las Vegas is offering an early Halloween celebration by screening two classic films. This cinematic series is called: Tuesday Afternoon at the Bijou: Universal’s Horror Classics. These FREE events are a great way to introduce your family to cinema from Hollywood’s Studio Era.

* THE MUMMY (October 18th, 1p) – The motion picture was directed by Karl Freund and features Boris Karloff as a revived Egyptian priest. After the success of Dracula and Frankenstein, Carl Laemmle Jr. was inspired by the 1922 opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb to offer another memorable character from his studio’s stable of ghouls. The screenplay was adapted from a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle entitled The Ring of Thoth.

* THE INVISIBLE MAN (October 25th, 1p) – Claude Rains had a most intriguing American screen debut by an actor (he had a small role in a British silent picture in 1920). For the most part, you only hear his voice throughout the movie. This classic was directed by James Whale, best known for his work on Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. It’s loosely based on the H.G. Wells science fiction novel. Produced in 1933, The Invisible Man was recently selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

   The screenings will take place at the 399-seat Main Theatre. The Clark County Library is located at 1401 E. Flamingo Rd. For more information visit the website below:

http://www.lvccld.org/events/event.cfm?nID=38390

   Treat yourself to chills and macabre black humor that were a staple at Universal Studios.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I appreciate the nice mention I received at Examiner.com. Reporter Jordan Young writes for the LA / OC Artssection of the news site. Last week, Mr. Young offered a review of a number of Hollywood / Entertainment-related books, CD’s, and films on DVD now out for your enjoyment including Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. He writes:

Manny Pacheco’s “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” (in paperback from Book Publishers Network) is as much about American history as it is the movies. The character actors of Hollywood’s storied past (Claude Rains, John Carradine, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson) provide the springboard. Lionel Barrymore’s wheelchair-bound performances are contrasted with FDR’s hidden disabilities. Pacheco makes a case for Ward Bond as a patriot for his role in championing the ‘50s blacklist; I disagree with his argument, but that’s what makes the horse race.

   Actually, I completely agree with the reviewer’s last viewpoint. In my chapter about Ward Bond, I wrote that the actor was used by the government as a pawn during the McCarthy Era. Bond believed he acted as a patriot by naming names; Hollywood individuals he surmised were Communists. Because of his over-zealous behavior that destroyed careers, Bond was villified by his peers until the day he died in 1960. Since John Wayne and Ronald Reagan would later be universally lionized for stern assessment about the Soviet Union and Communism, shouldn’t we forgive Bond for misguided actions (though I do not condone his real-life personal decisions). It might be charitable to remember Ward Bond’s gallant roles during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   If you would like to read Jordan Young’s complete article, click on the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/arts-in-los-angeles/book-celebrates-dick-van-dyke-sitcom-anything-goes-on-dvd

Jordan R. Young is a journalist, playwright and lifelong theatre buff whose work has appeared in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times; his plays have been produced and read throughout Southern California.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Bookstores in Southern California have indicated they will carry Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. This wonderful news compliments today’s visit to the Niguel Shores Women’s Club event. 

 NIGUEL SHORES WOMEN’S CLUB LUNCHEON

33654 Niguel Shores Drive, Monarch Beach

October 13th  12p – 2p

   The additions include…

* Along with being housed at the UCLA Arts Library, my alma mater has actually carried my paperback for some time at the UCLA Store Bookzone. They are about to re-order more copies. Here’s a link to their site:

http://www.uclastore.ucla.edu/newbookzone/index.asp

* PAGES: A BOOKSTORE is located at 904 Manhattan Ave. in the heart of Manhattan Beach. The Southern California area is known as South Bay. The owners have indicated their interest in selling my work. Here’s a link to their website:

http://www.pagesabookstore.com/

   I urge you to support these fine stores.

———————————————-

   I’d like to personally thank writer Thelma T. Reyna for mentioning me in her blog as part of a renaissance of current Latin American authors who are making a dent in literature throughout the United States. The list of scribes Reyna has compiled is quite impressive. American Latina(o) Writers Today share her story.

   Here’s the Blogspot website:

http://latinowriterstoday.blogspot.com/2011/10/part-ii-evolution-of-american-latinao.html

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Now that BORDERS Stores have permanently closed, KOBO, their former eReader partner, has turned to the Internationally successful FNAC and FNAC.com intheir journey towards a productive online literary future. According to a KOBO press release:

KOBO is excited to announce its global eReading expansion into France partnering with FNAC in over 81 stores throughout France and online with FNAC.com.

KOBO’s European stores offer customers a rich assortment of local content, merchandised to the tastes and preferences of readers across Europe, KOBO has partnered with European publishers to offer a wide range of titles.

With this launch, FNAC will deliver a large content catalogue, making it the largest eBookstore in France – the new store will feature the latest releases and bestsellers from popular French authors.

   I’m proud Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is currently available through KOBO as an eBook (through SMASHWORDS); in FNAC stores, and FNAC.com.  C’est magnifique…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Stephen Sondheim is the most prolific Broadway composer in our lifetime. His credits include West Side Story and Gypsy (as lyricist); and creating A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Follies, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd. In cinema, he contributed tunes for Reds and Dick Tracy.

“`Sondheim has won multiple Tony and Grammy awards, an Oscar, and a Pulitzer Prize. To honor his 80th birthday, the Henry Miller’s Theatre was renamed the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in 2010.

“`On November 1st, New York will bestow the city’s highest honor to the composer for career achievement in the Arts. He receives the Handel Medallion at Alice Tully Hall in Manhattan.

Congratulations to a living legend… Stephen Sondheim (above)!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Shirley MacLaine has been selected by the American Film Institute to receive a 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, four years after her younger brother, Warren Beatty, was recognized. She will be their 40th recipient.

   The Oscar-winning actress is known for iconic performances in The Trouble with Harry, Around the World in Eighty Days, Some Came Running, The Apartment, The Children’s Hour, What a Way to Go, Irma La Douce, Sweet Charity, Two Mules for Sister Sara, Being There, The Turning Point, and Steel Magnolias. MacLaine won her coveted statuette in 1984 for her role in Terms of Endearment. She has attained a total of six Academy Awards nominations for her work.

   Early in her career, she was also known to pal around with the infamous Rat Pack, whose membership included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Joey Bishop. She had a cameo role in the original Ocean’s Eleven.

   A June 7th, 2012 Gala is planned in her honor. The ceremony is set to air on TV Land later that month.

   On a related note, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is proudly housed in the Louis B. Mayer Library of the American Film Institute in Hollywood.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Famed pianist Roger Williams died on Saturday. He’s arguably the most successful artist in his craft over the last sixty years. His hits included Autumn Leaves (the only piano instrumental to ever reach #1), Born Free, The Impossible Dream, Somewhere in Time, and Lara’s Theme from Dr. Zhivago.

   In his teens, he met Ronald Reagan at a radio station in Iowa and they became lifelong pals. Other notables who called him their friend were former President Jimmy Carter and Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. Eventually, Roger Williams performed at the White House for every  chief executive from Harry Truman to George W. Bush.

   Two early television pioneers who guided Roger Williams into a successful career would be Arthur Godfrey on his Talent Scouts program; and Dennis James, who hosted Chance of a Lifetime.

   According to his official website:

The first pianist to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Roger Williams has twenty-one Gold and Platinum albums to his credit. He is a Steinway Artist, and he is the first and (so far) only artist to receive the Steinway Lifetime Achievement Award. Williams was featured at Carnegie Hall for Steinway’s 150^th Anniversary.

   In 2010, Roger Williams was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. At the time of his passing, he was 87 (having celebrated his birthday just last week).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Laurie (my wife) recently purchased a special collector’s gift set edition of Barbie and Ken designed in the style of Doris Day and Rock Hudson in Pillow Talk, the Oscar-winning 1959 film. Russell Rouse took home a statuette for his Story and Screenplay written directly for the Screen.

(Rock Hudson™ is a trademark of the Estate of Rock Hudson. Ms. Doris Day has approved the depiction of her likeness and name on this product)

   What I discovered is that a Barbie collector’s website exists for you to find a variety of designs modified for the iconic doll, which offers a unique tribute to Hollywood’s Golden Age. By the way, keeping Barbie in her original box also adds value to the collection.

   Barbie’s favorite actress may be Grace Kelly. Three designer wardrobes compliment the former Princess of Monaco. My favorite is a dress resembling an outfit Grace wore in To Catch a Thief. Accessories include a clutch purse and scarf.

(Use of the name and likeness of Grace Kelly by permission of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, a non-profit organization that continues Princess Grace of Monaco’s commitment to supporting emerging artists)

   Other wardrobe tributes include Sinatra and Elvis. Here is the link to a website promoting the Barbie collector series:

http://www.barbiecollector.com/

   (Pillow Talk © Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios  Licensing LLC. All rights reserved). To Catch a Thief © 2011 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved)

   I smell holiday present here…

© 2011 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

I’ve received confirmation from the committee representing this Saturday’s 9th Annual Duarte Festival of Authors regarding my participation. I’ll be moderating two very exciting literary panel discussions. Joining me will be a number of fine authors; some of our country’s  fabulous scribes! I’ll also have copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History for those folks who would like an autographed paperback. Below are the complete details:

WESTMINSTER GARDENS – 1420 Santo Domingo Ave., Duarte

October 8th   10a – 5p

* * *

AUTHOR PANELS 

LOS ANGELES NOIR / Main Tent Stage

Featured Speaker – Denise Hamilton

Gary Phillips – Jim Pascoe

Moderator – Manny Pacheco

12:30p – 1:15p

* * *

FICTION / Pergola Stage

Anna Louise Bannon  – Phil Drake – Reyna Grande – Thelma Reyna – Jon Vorhaus

Moderator – Manny Pacheco

2:45p – 3:30p

* * *

   Here’s a link to the Duarte Festival of Authors website:

http://friendsoftheduartelibrary.com/participate/festival-of-authors/

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A motion picture museum might be the next big attraction in Southern California. A deal was tentatively enacted between the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts.

   The Academy’s Board of Governors will begin developing plans for a design. They will also start creating permanent and seasonal exhibitions, and modern visitor interactive displays. Memorabilia in their extensive collection include rare movie prints, film posters, and original screenplay scripts. Top filmmakers and actors will be approached to help subsidize the project.

   The site of this attraction will be at the old May Company art-deco building in the Wilshire District. Originally built in 1939, this iconic department store has strong ties to cinema of that  particular year – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Wuthering Heights, Of Mice and Men, The Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach, Ninotchka, and Gone with the Wind (among others). The Oscar–organizers are planning to convert the current area into a Hollywood-related facility within three to five years. The joint venture hopes to create what might be considered the finest state-of-the-art museum in the world devoted to moviemaking.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

   I’m reporting from the La Quinta Inn in Bellevue/Kirkland in Washington State. This is ground zero for the next 48 hours!

   Later today, I’ll be participating at the 2011 Northwest BookFest. It promises to be a busy day for me. Here’s a complete schedule of my activities (including signing copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History):

PANEL DISCUSSION

COMMUNITY CENTER LOBBY MEETING ROOM

 Finding Our Roots:  Multi Cultural Authors

Flor Fernandez Barrios – Sunnie Empie – Bharti Kirchner – Dee Goto

MODERATOR – MANNY PACHECO

 October 2nd    11ap

 * *

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM – WORKSHOP / PANEL

SENIOR CENTER – ROOM 1

Savvy Self-Publisher: Understanding Economics of Self-Publishing

Sheryn Hara – Manny Pacheco – Tom Trimbath

October 2nd    12p

 * *

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM – WORKSHOP / PANEL

SENIOR CENTER – ROOM 4

Marketing & PR: Non Tradional Market Sales

October 2nd    1p

 * *

BOOK SIGNING

PETER KIRK PARK

202 3rd St., Kirkland, WA

Book Publishers Network / Danforth Book Distribution Booths

 October 2nd     2p – 7p

~  ~ ~

   I hope you stop by and say hi!

Until next time>                                  “never forget”    

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

Manny P. here…

   THEM! – Critics regard this science fiction drama the best of its genre during the 1950’s, along with Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing. Remarkably, it may be the least mentioned. This flick pioneered the Cold War monster genre, later emulated by a countless number of “B” movies.

Back Story

   The producers of this motion picture decided to cast this film with a talented group of character actors. The screenplay allowed the ensemble cast to shine in tense scenes. Warner Brothers wanted to create horror with few black comedic elements (the approach initially developed decades earlier by Universal Studios).

   The movie studio also wanted audiences to believe they were going to see a film noir mystery, and they waited to shock viewers a full 1/3 into the flick. However, this is no gangster film. The villain in this piece are overgrown ants… THEM!

Positives

   Sandy Descher is not a household name as an actress. Yet, this child star was key to the opening of THEM!  Her catatonic look, followed by her screaming the title, set the iconic tone for the film.

   The casting of James Whitmore as a local New Mexico police officer, Edmund Gwenn as an entomologist, and James Arness as an FBI agent was so inspired. Whitmore is overwhelmed by the concept of nuclear testing causing an unusual growth of insects. Gwenn is so credible as an entomologist, as a youngster, I believed he was an expert in the field. Arness is a reliable love interest to the professor’s daughter. This science fiction picture has something for everyone.

JAMES WHITMORE

Negatives

   The demise of one its the stars is very unsettling, considering how heroic he was throughout the movie. I don’t want to give away who dies, but I can tell you, it’s unbelievably tragic. This is fantasy, but his death was so unnecessary. BOO HOO!

   The other negative came as a result of the influence of THEM! Copycat filmmakers never lived up to the hype in mimicking this fine plot, casting, and the general production values. The genre, though currently popular with filmgoers, has been consistently compromised by creative folks in the industry.

Supporting Actor Spotlight

   Edmund Gwenn began his career before the Silent Era. He was originally discovered by George Bernard Shaw in 1895, and the legendary playwright cast him in shows on the London stage.

   During Hollywood’s Golden Age, he provided memorable performances in Sylvia Scarlett, Anthony Adverse, A Yank at Oxford, The Devil and Miss Jones, Pride and Prejudice, Foreign Correspondent, Lassie Come Home, Of Human Bondage, Green Dolphin Street, Life With Father, and The Trouble With Harry. He received an Academy Award for his role as Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street.

   A cousin to noted character actor Cecil Kellaway, I believe Gwenn’s finest hour might have  been describing how ants create their own insect society to a government agency in THEM!  He’s also credited for uttering the following before he succumbed to pneumonia after suffering a stroke in 1959:  Dying is easy… Comedy is hard! Peter O’Toole amusingly quoted Gwenn’s final words in My Favorite Year in 1982.

Epilogue

   Representatives of Disney Studios caught this picture and decided to hire Fess Parker to play Davy Crockett on television after watching his small role in this film. John Wayne also went to check out THEM!  The Duke later recommended James Arness to play Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, crediting his cinematic performance. Leonard Nimoy, William Schallert, Dub Taylor, and Richard Deacon all had small roles in this classic.

   And, members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were  impressed. They honored the movie with an Oscar nomination for Best Special Effects. Not bad for a bunch of giant mean-spirited bugs with an attitude…

Until next time>                                “never forget”