“Forgotten Hollywood”- Cinerama Dome Celebrates 60 Years!

September 11th, 2012

Manny P. here…

   Arclight Cinemas is hosting an anniversary party for the Cinerama Dome with a film fest.  The weeklong event is taking place September 28th – October 4th.

   You can enjoy twelve classic Cinerama productions. Select titles will be presented in the original 3 strip Cinerama process; with others digitally projected, re-mastered from the original negatives. All of the films will be presented in the Dome, one of only three theatres in the world capable of projecting in 3-strip Cinerama. Specially designed to project Cinerama, the Dome features a giant, 126-degree curved screen that immerses audiences into the picture. Made of 316 hexagons and pentagons, it’s the only concrete geodesic dome in the world.

       

   Among the movies to be presented over the week: This is Cinerama (presented by Lowell Thomas), It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, How the West Was Won, 2001 A Space OdysseyThe Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm; Seven Wonders of the World, and Cinerama Holiday.

   For complete listings of this once-in-a-lifetime trip down memory lane:

https://www.arclightcinemas.com/news/promotion-cinerama

   On a personal note, I enjoyed the cinematic Dome experience over the years. I visited the locale to watch the re-releases of This is Cinerama and Around the World in Eighty Days; and the Hollywood premieres of 2001 A Space Odyssey and Back to the Future.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Underrated Dana Andrews…

September 7th, 2012

Manny P. here…

   Carl Rollyson is Professor of Journalism at Baruch College, The City University of New York. He reviews biographies regularly for the Wall Street Journal, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and other newspapers and periodicals.

   Professor Rollyson was kind enough to write a fitting review in one of his columns, which appeared on the BiblioBuffet about my first work Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Here’s a link to the review, dated 06/19/2011:

http://www.bibliobuffet.com/biographology/archive-index-biographology/1541-biography-and-the-backstory-061911

The one intangible impression made by Rollyson is his love for the work of actor Dana Andrews. I’d like to think I helped motivate the reviewer to finish an uncompleted manuscript on the life and times of this mostly underrated actor. Of course, this is conjecture on my part.

   Hollywood Enigma: Dana Andrews is  available in bookstores, on Amazon, and is being well-promoted on Turner Classic Movies. According to the cable promo, the new book talks about the dubious relationship the star had with Hollywood studios; his fall from grace into alcoholism; and his redemptive later career. There is little doubt Andrews had lots of talent. His work in Laura, The Ox-Bow Incident, and The Best Years of Our Lives proves as much. What’s also clear, executives had trouble casting the actor in important cinema.

   Click on the Wall Street Journal link featuring a compelling review:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444914904577619771741289822.html

   FYI… The George Bush Presidential Library Foundation  and Museum is presenting Laura as part of their free monthly Classic Film Series at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center on the campus of Texas A&M University on Thursday, September 13th. In conjunction with Sam Houston State University, Carl Rollyson will have a book sale and signing of his latest book following the screening.

   I’m thrilled to promote my esteemed peer’s new work. I intend to place it on my to-read list, since the enigmatic Dana Andrews is clearly part of Forgotten Hollywood lore… You should also consider adding the book to your literary collection!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Laurel & Hardy Weekend Comedy!

September 5th, 2012

Manny P. here…

   Old Town Musical Hall is presenting their annual Laurel and Hardy Comedy Festival this weekend. Located at 140 Richmond St. in El Segundo, this is the perfect venue to enjoy a collection of silent and sound films that were created by the comic duo.

  Old Town Music Hall is an exceptional gem, where silent films and movies of yesteryear comes alive. Performances of Wurlitzer theater organ concerts, silent film presentations, ragtime concerts, jazz piano concertos, and turn-of-the-century orchestras are regularly presented. It celebrates 42 years in Southern California!

   Here’s a link to their fabulous upcoming 2012 cinematic weekend presentations:

http://oldtownmusichall.wordpress.com/

   The L&H Festival begins Friday evening at 8:15p; on Saturday at 2:30p and 8:15p; and it concludes on Sunday at a 2:30p matinee. General admission is $8.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Fall Book Tour Includes Donation!

September 4th, 2012

Manny P. here…

   The Forgotten Hollywood Fall Book Tour takes me to familiar locations, as I present Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History and Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Here are the details:

  

~ SEPTEMBER 11th TUGNET is a 35+ computer tech group that meets at the Granada Pavilion in Granada Hills. These tech-savvy members are also avid readers.

~ SEPTEMBER 14th – The LAGUNA WOODS VILLAGE WRITER’S CLUB has an active mature membership, who not only meet to discuss literary issues, but also run a weekly cable television show to discuss literature. I was a guest in January.

  

~ SEPTEMBER 15th  The LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE / BUENA PARK CHAPTER 1945 will be the place for my official Donation Cermony, three years in the making.

*** I’m donating $1 for every 1st edition of my first paperback for a total of $2400. My most important event of the year will take place at 7:30p. Regional MOOSE Governors are invited. All proceeds go to MOOSE CHARITIES, INC., and funds are targeted for the MOOSEHEART CHILD CITY & SCHOOL, located just outside Chicago, ILL.

  

~ SEPTEMBER 16th BARNES & NOBLE / Manhattan Beach booksigning at 1800 Rosecrans Ave., Unit B, Manhattan Beach, CA, from 12p – 4p. Targeted money goes to MOOSEHEART charity campaign.

~ OCTOBER 6th  10th ANNUAL DUARTE FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS will be hosting authors, panel discussions and family-friendly activities. I’ll be sponsored by the Flintridge Book Store and Coffee Shop. It’s located at 1420 Santo Domingo Ave., and I’ll be there from 12p – 4p.

  

~ OCTOBER 13th THE LOS ANGELES LATINO BOOK AND FAMILY FESTIVAL is an annual event featuring the latest literary work of top Latino Authors. The face of this event is actor Edward James Olmos. This year’s event will take place at Cal State Dominguez Hills. I’m scheduled to be on two panels that discuss the topics of Making Latino Books into Films and How to Get Published.

~ NOVEMBER 3rd  My second appearance this year with the CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB. I’m visiting the San Fernando Valley Chapter at the historic Motion Picture and Television Fund Facility.

   I’m looking forward to the opportunity in attending these wonderful appearances throughout Southern California; and making available my Forgotten Hollywood Book Series to a whole new group of eager readers.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Labor Day at the Movies…

September 3rd, 2012

Manny P. here…

   While you visit your local theater to check out the latest Blockbuster, or a classic flick… Remember one thing:

   Just sayin’…

——————————————————

   CINECON 48 was fabulous! Check out the photo collage below. I’m next to Hollywood icon and child star… Jane Withers!

   HAPPY LABOR DAY!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Books Now Sold at Historic Locale!

September 1st, 2012

Manny P. here…

   GREAT NEWS!

   During my third Labor Day visit to CINECON, I made a deal for the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series to be sold at the NILES ESSANAY Silent Film Museum store. This cinematic establishment is located at 37417 Niles Blvd., Fremont, CA.

  

   In a blog on 9/5/11, I posted the Historic Story about this Northern California tourist center:

In 1907, George Spoor, a Chicago film distributor, and Gilbert M. Anderson, an actor and director, formed the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company.

Based in Chicago, on April 1, 1912, Anderson moved the film crew to Northern California. Over the next three years, the Niles Studio produced over 350 films including Broncho Billy Westerns, Snakeville comedies, and contemporary dramas. The equation changed in December, 1914, when Charlie Chaplin was signed by Essanay.

When Chaplin’s contract came up for renewal in December, 1915, Spoor rejected Chaplin’s salary demands – $10, 000 a week plus $150,000 to sign his name on the contract. Chaplin went elsewhere and Anderson was also ready to move on. On February 16, 1916, the Niles Essanay studio shut down. The doors were closed and locked. It was the end of an era.

Although not well known today, the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company was one of the major studios of its day. This museum keeps the spirit of Charlie Chaplin and Broncho Billy Anderson silent films alive.

   The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed in 2001 in the Niles District of Fremont, California. We welcome new members and volunteers who wish to support our mission and/or participate in any way. Membership benefits include a quarterly newsletter, discounts at the museum store and discounts for special events.

The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is a resource center for the history of Niles, for the Essanay Film Company, for pioneering film companies of the San Francisco Bay Area and for silent films in general. Reference materials collected through our preservation efforts range from historical data on the houses, commercial buildings and people of Niles to biographical material, documents, memorabilia, photographs and movies made by the Essanay Film Company and other early film producers.

The museum takes an active role in teaching and promoting silent film history in our 1913 nickelodeon-era theater with displays of photographs, posters, cameras and projectors, and by presenting seminars and movies, including the annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival in June and our weekly Saturday night programs throughout the year. The museum also works collaboratively with other historical organizations and archives to serve our mutual interests.

   For monthly information, please visit their website at:

http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/

Until next time>                                “never forget”