“Forgotten Hollywood”- Marilyn Monroe Statue on the Move…

February 28th, 2014

Manny P. here..

l    A massive statue of Marilyn Monroe that has turned heads for two years in Palm Springs is heading east. The 26-foot-tall, 34,000-pound work-of-art will be transported from California to Hamilton, New Jersey in April, where it will be part of an exhibit honoring its designer, Seward Johnson. A going-away party is planned for March 27th and the event is open to the public. Carol Channing is expected to attend.

   With much fanfare, the immense creation arrived in the desert resort city in 2012. The sculpture depicts the movie star pushing down her billowing skirt in her very memorable scene in The Seven Year Itch. Palm Springs officials say they eventually hope to lure Monroe back.

   Forever Marilyn, on loan from the Sculpture Foundation, was previously in Chicago.

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Forgotten Hollywood cover   train

   Smashwords begins its annual Read an eBook Week promotion on March 2nd. You’ll be able to purchase a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History at 50% off for your Sony, Apple, Kobo, etc. device. Use the code REW50 at checkout. Beginning Sunday, this is the best week to pick up an eBook copy of my book! Here’s the link to generate the discount:

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https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53041

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Iconic Game Show Host Has Died!

February 27th, 2014

Manny P. here…

   Jim Lange was known to television viewers as the host of game shows, including The Dating Game. He also worked in the San Francisco and Los Angeles radio markets, racking up over 45 years on the air.

Jim_Lange_1971   His network television career began in San Francisco with The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show in 1962, where Lange was announcer and sidekick. Three years later, he signed on to host The Dating Game. His other daytime game show included Hollywood Connection, $100,000 Name That Tune, and The New Newlywed Game. During December 2002, he appeared on Hollywood Squares for their Game Show Week.

   As a genial host of The Dating Game, he introduced many celebrity guests. Sally Field, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Martin, Tom Selleck, Andy Kaufman, Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Lee Majors, John Ritter,  Ron Howard, Paul Lynde, Richard Dawson, Jay North, Suzanne Somers,  Burt Reynolds, Barry Williams, Steve Martin, Maureen McCormick, and Phil Hartman. His closing trademark was to blow a kiss to viewers (alongside winning contestants), while strains of a tune resembling something written by Herb Alpert playing at the end of each program.                         JIM LANGE —–>

the dating game

   Jim became so popular that he appeared as himself on Bewitched, Laverne & Shirley, and Moesha. He also had a cinematic cameo in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

   Jim Lange was 81.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Springtime at the Rotary Club…

February 26th, 2014

Manny P. here…rotary3wheels-150x150

   I’m thrilled my 2014 Forgotten Hollywood Book Tour will continue at several Rotary Clubs throughout Southern California in March. It will be an opportunity to engage in weekly fellowship with Rotarians, and a chance to share engaging stories about Holywood’s Golden Age. Here’s the complete schedule to these member-only functions:

 

 PARAMOUNT ROTARY

Progress Park

15500 Downey Ave., Paramount, CA

March 4th 

Tuesday 12p – 1:30p

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 ROTARY CLUB OF SIMI VALLEY

 Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center

3050 Los Angeles St., Simi Valley, CA 

March 11th

Tuesday 12p – 1:30p

 ~ ~ ~

 

  ROTARY CLUB OF HOLLYWOOD

 Trastevere Restaurant

6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA

March 25th

Tuesday 12:15p – 1:30p

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ROTARY CLUB OF REDONDO BEACH

 Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar

 665 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA

March 26th

Wednesday 12:15p – 1:30p

 ~ ~ ~

 

Forgotten Hollywood cover   FINALfrontcover-sonofforgottenhol

 Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Comedic Genius of Harold Ramis…

February 25th, 2014

Manny P. here…

Harold Ramis   Without the able direction and savvy scripts co-created by Harold Ramis… John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, John Candy, among others would have had to break a real sweat to find film-going audiences. Ramis has been compared to Bud Abbott’s ability to play a straight-man on screen; and Desi Arnaz’s creation of Lucille Ball’s television image. The real genius behind Harold Ramis -> was his lack of ego in letting others achieve superstar status that he had no interest in attaining. Harold also allowed his actors to improvise from really funny scripts, which made the collaborative effort so rich. His movies defined cinematic humor to the Baby-Boomer generation… and beyond.

   Ramis was one of three screenwriters for National Lampoon’s Animal House, which set his career on the fast track. A Chicago native, and early member of the improvisational comedy troupe Second City, he wrote and directed Groundhog Day, and Analyze Thisand penned Meatballs, and the Ghostbusters series of films. His forte was pushing against traditional institutions: a dean in Animal House, country club members in Caddyshack, and a drill sergeant of Stripes (my personal favorite). Other behind-the-scene screen credits include Back to School, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Bedazzled. Harold also had a role in As Good As It Gets as Helen Hunt’s son’s doctor. A third Ghostbusters had been rumored. Ramis frequently collaborated with producer Ivan Reitman.

   Adam Sandler, Peter and Bobby Farrelly have cited Ramis’ motion pictures as amongst their favorites. His filmography are some of the most beloved, and widely quoted comedy classics of the last thirty years. Early in life, he briefly worked in a mental institution, and often said the experience helped prepare him for working with actors… seriously!

   Harold Ramis, a creator of unforgettable celluloid that made the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man a really scary villain, was 69.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Out of the Mouth of Billy Wilder…

February 24th, 2014

Manny P. here…

   Thanks to David Christopher Loya of Vision4Media, who passed along advice from the iconic sage of cinema… Mr. Billy Wilder. David received this insight from the Gotham Writers website:

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Billy Wilder was one of the greatest writer/directors in film history, having co-written and directed such classics as The Lost Weekend, Sunset Boulevard, Some Like it Hot, The Apartment, and Double Indemnity. What screenwriter wouldn’t want advice from him?

Well, here are some of Wilder’s screenwriting tips: *

  1. 373px-Billy_Wilder_-_Kamerablick_-_Boulevard_der_Stars_croppedThe audience is fickle.
  2. Grab ‘em by the throat and never let ‘em go.
  3. Develop a clean line of action for your leading character.
  4. Know where you’re going.
  5. The more subtle and elegant you are in hiding your plot points, the better you are as a writer.
  6. If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act.
  7. A tip from Lubitsch: Let the audience add up two plus two. They’ll love you forever.
  8. In doing voice-overs, be careful not to describe what the audience already sees. Add to what they’re seeing.
  9. The event that occurs at the second act curtain triggers the end of the movie.
  10. The third act must build, build, build in tempo and action until the last event, and then—that’s it. Don’t hang around.        BILLY WILDER

* From Conversations with Wilder by Cameron Crowe

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- A Volcanic Exhibition…

February 23rd, 2014

Manny P. here…

   With the release of the new motion picture, Pompeii, the California Science Center is premiering an exhibit to compliment the cinematic experience. In 79 A.D., Pompeii vanished beneath thick layers of volcanic ash left by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. But, what nature destroyed, it also preserved.

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   Pompeii: The Exhibition features 150 precious artifacts on loan from the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy, which offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle and tragic end of this ancient Roman society forgotten for centuries until its rediscovery over 250 years ago. The ancient city was situated in southern Italy’s west coast region of Campania, near the Bay of Naples.

   From garden frescoes and marble statues to Gladiator helmets and shin guards, coins, and currency to religious altars and shrines — all set in their original surroundings — experience daily life in this once vibrant Roman city. Then, as the floors shake and the walls rumble, relive the volcano’s catastrophic eruption through an immersive CGI experience, culminating in the reveal of full body casts of twisted human forms, asphyxiated by extreme heat and noxious gases, and forever frozen in time. The BBC has also been granted unique access to the ghost-like body casts that populate the ruins and, using the latest forensic technology, the chance to peer beneath the surface of the plaster in order to rebuild the faces of two of the people who were killed in this terrible tragedy.

   Through excavated artifacts, multimedia experiences, and hands-on science exhibits, guests will learn the science of archaeology, volcanology, and Roman engineering while exploring the ancient civilization of Pompeii.

top_logo_over   Pompeii: The Exhibition will be on exhibit from May 20th until January 4th, 2015. You can purchase passes online, by phone, or at the box office. The California Science Center is located at 700 Exposition Park Drive in Los Angeles. Click below to buy tickets online:

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/navigation/OmniTickets/redirect-pompeii.html

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- TCM Tours Los Angeles…

February 21st, 2014

Manny P. here…

TCM Tour   Join Turner Classic Movies for the ultimate movie lover’s tour in Hollywood. As part of TCM’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, the tour is FREE to fans. Please note that it’s first-come, first served — limited availability. Ticket does not guarantee admission.

   Ticket holders will meet in the forecourt of the Chinese Theatre at the Starline ticket booth. The tour is three hours long and will visit parts of Hollywood, Downtown, and Echo Park. It’s open to the public March 8th-April 6th, and exclusive to TCM Film Festival pass holders  April 9th-14th.

   A veteran Hollywood Starline tour guide will provide the kind of expert commentary and behind-the-scenes insights TCM is known for; with numerous film clips and photos to help visitors envision historic downtown, the original locations of the first movie studios, and other film sites of interest (including Hollywood High School where Lana Turner and Judy Garland attended). Video segments featuring TCM host Ben Mankiewicz provide additional insights.

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cinecon50_titlecard   I’ve just been invited to the historic Cinecon 50 over Labor Day weekend. What makes this three-day book signing event so special — Cinecon is celebrating its 50th birthday. Of course, I’ll be signing copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History and Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to visitors interested in reading my book series.

   Once again, the locale for this wonderful event is the Memorabilia Show on the 3rd floor of the Loew’s Hollywood Hotel, at the corner of Hollywood and Highland.

   I hope you join me for cinematic history-in-the-making!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- LA Conservancy Offers Classics…

February 20th, 2014

Manny P. here…Los Angeles Conservancy logo

   The 28th annual Last Remaining Seats season will take place from June 11th – June 28th, 2014. As usual, the Los Angeles Conservancy will be the host for this two week movie festival. All tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 26th for the Conservancy members, and on Wednesday, April 9th to the general public.

   Conservancy volunteers created Last Remaining Seats in 1987 to draw attention to the historic movie palaces of Downtown Los Angeles, many of which are underused, and in need of restoration. It has become the Conservancy’s biggest signature event, drawing over 10,000 people a year from around the country and the world.

   This year’s cinematic schedule includes:

Wednesday, June 11th, 8p
The Lady Eve (1941) Los Angeles Theatre

Saturday, June 14th, 8p
West Side Story (1961) – Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Wednesday, June 18th, 8p
Footlight Parade (1933) – Orpheum Theatre

Saturday June 21, 2p & 8p
Back to the Future (1985) – Theatre at Ace Hotel (formerly United Artists Theatre)

Saturday, June 28th, 2p & 8p
Citizen Kane (1941) Orpheum Theatre

   The Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization that works through advocacy to recognize, preserve, and revitalize the historic architectural and cultural resources of Los Angeles County. Their Historic Theatres Committee works to enhance public awareness and appreciation of historic theatres through events and educational outreach. Members also alert and advise Conservancy staff on theatre preservation issues.

   Tickets are $16 for Conservancy members, and $20 for the general public. Movies, venues, and dates are subject to change.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- John Wayne Fest Moves to Dallas!

February 19th, 2014

Manny P. here…

   The Duke’s legacy continues to live on through the annual John Wayne Film Festival, which makes its Dallas debut April 24th-27th at LOOK Cinemas. The fest previously was held in the small town of Snyder, Texas, lying about halfway between Lubbock and Abilene. The festival’s organizer, writer/actor/director Barry Tubb, is moving the event to grow the festival, and raise more money for its beneficiary, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. The iconic actor died of stomach cancer in 1979.

john-wayne-film-festival-logo3  Mission_rev

   There’s no word yet on what movies will be shown, but reports indicate there should be at least a dozen films. Wayne was a leading man from 1930 – 1976, so there’s no shortage of material from which to choose. The festival is also sure to include celebrities and special guests. Past participants who have attend this exciting week of classic cinema… author Larry McMurtry; Dean Smith, the legendary actor’s co-star in Rio Lobo; and Marisa Wayne, John’s youngest daughter.

   Founded in 1985, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation was created in honor of Wayne after his family used his name to continue his fight against cancer. They fund innovative programs that save lives and improve cancer patient prognosis with education, awareness, research, and support. The John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica continues to provide annual funding that supports JWCI’s world class cancer research.

john-wayne-cancer-foundation-logo   The John Wayne Cancer Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) public charity based in Newport Beach, CA. It might be time to head to this year’s John Wayne Film Festival in 2014 to support this ideal cause.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Golden Age Presidents up for Oscars

February 18th, 2014

Manny P. here…pres_posters

   The Academy Awards are next month, and since yesterday was President’s Day, I thought it might be fun to explore Hollywood’s Golden Age to see who earned Oscar nods for playing a chief executive. Remember, last year was the initial instance an actor won a statuette as a commander-in-chief; Daniel Day Lewis in the title role of Lincoln. Bill Murray also received consideration as FDR in Hyde Park on Hudson. Recent accolades include Frank Langella’s turn in 2008 in Frost/Nixon; a 1997 nomination for Anthony Hopkins as John Quincy Adams in Amistad; and James Whitmore in a one man tour-de-force in 1975 as Truman in Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!.Paul Giamatti additionally earned an Emmy for his performance as John Adams; as well as, Tony recognition in 1972 for William Daniels (also as John Adams) in 1776.

   Only three actors offered Oscar-worthy performances during the Studio Era. Raymond Massey was one of 124 actors who have portrayed Abraham Lincoln, and the first recognized by the film academy. Four years later, Alexander Knox appeared in the title role in Wilson, produced by 20th Century Fox. Plus, Peter Sellers captured a nomination in 1964 as a fictional president, one of his three parts in Dr. Strangelove.

   1940 was a complicated year in the selection of Best Actor. The year before, James Stewart and Clark Gable were heavy favorites for their roles in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Gone with the Wind. And, Laurence Olivier was a stylish choice in Wuthering Heights. Henry Fonda was aced out of any chance for Oscar consideration when he played Honest Abe during Hollywood’s greatest year. The winner was Robert Donat in Goodbye Mr. Chips. The following season, voters at the Academy were determined to correct this surprising decision. Stewart and Olivier received an Oscar nomination. But, The Philadelphia Story co-star (Stewart) campaigned for Fonda in The Grapes of Wrath. Massey hoped for just a nod. The result… James Stewart took home a statuette in essentially a supporting role. Later in his fine career, Fonda played unnamed presidents in Fail-Safe and Meteor; and the son of Theodore Roosevelt in The Longest Day.

   Wilson was a sweeping 1944 bio-pic that Darryl F. Zanuck wanted to bring to the screen. Woodrow Wilson’s story included a wife who died while he was in office, the Great War, and an eventual stroke by the lead character. The story had all the makings of a bonafide classic. But, Zanuck hated the completed production, and instructed all who worked at Fox to ignore the five nominations by the Academy, or risk termination. His decree worked… Alexander Knox lost to Bing Crosby in Going My Way.

   By the way, two actors who I’ve written about in Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History have been presidents in movies; Lionel Barrymore as Andrew Jackson in Lone Star, which starred Clark Gable and Ave Gardner; and Van Heflin in Tennessee Johnson, when the actor headlined as the chief executive who succeeded Lincoln in the White House. Barrymore also appeared in the latter film as Andrew Johnson’s nemesis, Thaddeus Stevens.

pres_posters

   One thespian who should have received award consideration was Ralph Bellamy, also playing FDR in Sunrise at Campobello. But, the adapted stage play takes place just as Roosevelt contracted polio. It ends after Franklin places in nomination New York Governor Al Smith as the Democratic standard-bearer for president during the 1920 campaign. Smith would go on to lose the election to Warren Harding, a chief exec who has NEVER been portrayed on celluloid.

And, so it goes…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Criterion Keeps Classic Films Alive!

February 16th, 2014

Manny P. here…200px-The_Criterion_Collection_Logo_svg

   Thanks to Michelle Merker, my fellow producer of the Forgotten Hollywood documentary, for sending me a link to a Vimeo vid that spotlights the absolutely fascinating work at Criterion Collection. They have restored and re-released classic films for the past thirty years.

   There are few names that represent a commitment to the distribution of classic cinema like the Criterion Collection. Since the 1980s, they have remastered and released hundreds of movies on Laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-ray. It’s noted that classic movies can easily get lost in the shuffle with regards to the restoration process. One particular obstacle these films have is the dated look that fails to compare to high-definition quality of contemporary cinema. Another issue is finding original prints to work on and remaster.

Foreign_Correspondent_trailer_29   For example, Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 espionage thriller Foreign Correspondent was a challenging assignment. The first step was tracking down the negative, or a print, that’s in decent condition. In this case, that meant going to the Library of Congress, which obtained the original negative of the film. Criterion scanned frame-by-frame at 2K resolution into digital files. The digitized reels made the rounds to each department. Color was fixed; the dirt was eliminated and scratches were re-touched; the audio was upgraded. Their experts used a combo of automated software that detects and removes image flaws, and then, they manually reworked each frame.

   The Criterion Collection is dedicated to restoring countless screen classics, and provide a look that matches the level of their captivating plots. With each film Criterion remasters, the result is a beautifully packaged ode to movies. This is a company that constantly reinvents itself to adapt to the changing technology, and they have a coherent grasp on this essential task. The entire process can take from a few weeks to a couple of months for a single motion picture, based on the original condition. The obvious goal of these creative warriors is to pass down our celluloid history for generations to come.

   Below is the link below on the story that led to striking results on Foreign Correspondent:

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http://vimeo.com/84135659

   Advocates like Martin Scorsese and Ted Turner would be quite proud of the whole enterprise!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Hail Caesar! The Comic Legend…

February 13th, 2014

Manny P. here…

   For a third time in the past couple of months, we lost two legends in a row; Peter O’Toole and Joan Fontaine… Maximiliam Schell and Philip Seymour Hoffman… and now, Shirley Temple Black and Sid Caesar are gone.

cl_sc_left_off<—— SID CAESAR was more than a genius in the field of comedy. He was a pioneer of live television, who had a keen eye for writing talent. He hired the likes of Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart, and Howard Morris to be part of his creative team; and he influenced the back stories of the Dick Van Dyke Show, and 1982 movie My Favorite Year. Though his cinematic career was brief, Sid was a giant in the early days of the small screen. He displayed remarkable skill in mimicry, pantomime, satire, dialect, and sketch comedy. He was compared to Chaplin for success at combining humor with moments of pathos. His comic view of life served him well, until his retirement from live television at 34.

   His talent for comedy was discovered when he was serving in the Coast Guard during World War II, and got a part in a musical Tars and Spars. He also appeared in the movie version. His publicity led to a few other film roles, nightclub engagements, and then his breakthrough hit, a 1948 Broadway revue, Make Mine Manhattan.

475px-Sid_Caesar_-_1961   Caesar’s official career began in earnest with a stint on Milton Berle’s Texaco Star Theater. In early 1949, Sid met with Pat Weaver, Vice President of Television at NBC (and father of Sigourney Weaver), which led to The Admiral Broadway Revue with Imogene Coca. On February 23rd, 1950, Caesar presented the first episode of Your Show of Shows, a Saturday night 90-minute variety program. His first guests were Burgess Meredith, Gertrude Lawrence, Lily Pons, and Robert Merrill. Guest stars included Eddie Albert, Fred Allen, Jackie Cooper, Michael Redgrave, Rex Harrison, Basil Rathbone, Charlton Heston, Benny Goodman, Robert Preston, Geraldine Page, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey, Jose Ferrer, and many others. Sid won his first Emmy in 1952. He was voted Best Comedian by Motion Picture Daily’s television poll later that year. His program ended after 160 episodes in 1954.            SID CAESAR —–>

   After a few months, he returned on Caesar’s Hour with Morris, Reiner, Bea Arthur, and much of his former crew. Woody Allen and Larry Gelbart joined this well-established team. Nanette Fabray replaced Coca, who left to star in her own series. Superior ratings from Lawrence Welk’s champagne music put Caesar’s Hour off the air in 1957.

   He starred with Virginia Martin in the Broadway musical Little Me, which was written by Neil Simon, choreographed by Bob Fosse, with music by Cy Coleman. Sid was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor (Musical). On film, Caesar and Edie Adams portrayed a husband and wife drawn into a race to find buried loot in the 1963 screwball comedy It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Other screen appearances included History of the World Part I, Airport 1975, Silent Movie, and the Grease series of movie musicals.

   On the downside, the unforgiving cycle of weekly television had taken its toll. He relied on booze and pills to sleep every evening, so he could create comedy the following day. It took decades for him to overcome his addiction of alcohol and barbiturates. Caesar spent the final portion of his life attending career-related panel discussions chatting about the Golden Age of Television. Many of these events were recorded for posterity. Sid was presented the Pioneer Award at the TV Land Awards in 2006. 

   Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, Carol Burnett, Flip Wilson, Dean Martin, Jerry Seinfeld, and many generations of Saturday Night Live cast members owe this legend their collective appreciation for what he created. A bonafide survivor, Sid Caesar was 91.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Good Ship Lollipop Farewell Voyage…

February 12th, 2014

Manny P. here…

   Shirley Temple Black was THE top film actress of the 1930s. A darling of the screen, her mother began styling her daughter’s hair in ringlets similar to those of silent movie star Mary Pickford, which became a signature look for the tot. Many Temple-inspired products were manufactured during the 1930s. Shirley Temple dolls realized $45 million in sales before 1941.

Shirley16   Temple began her film career in 1932 at the age of three. She found international fame in Bright Eyesand she received a special Academy Award on February 1935 for her outstanding contribution as a juvenile performer in motion pictures during 1934. Her signature roles included Little Miss Marker, Curly Top, The Littlest Rebel, Dimples, Heidi, Poor Little Rich Girl, Wee Willie Winkie (Temple’s personal favorite), Captain January, and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. In The Little Colonel, she performed an indelible dance routine with Bill Bojangles Robinson on a plantation staircase. With differences in race, age, and height, they were nevertheless a perfect match. Shirley also topped the popular hit parade with Animal Crackers in My Soup and On the Good Ship Lollipop

   Providing inspiration to families during the Depression, Temple received praise from President Franklin D. Roosevelt for lifting the spirits of a nation during a gloomy time. She embodied the economic and inspirational power of movies, and she’s credited in helping save 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy. Later, Darryl F. Zanuck declined a substantial offer from MGM to loan their star to play Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and he cast her instead in Susannah of the Mounties; her last money-maker for Fox. When her contract expired, MGM toyed with the notion of teaming Shirley with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in the Andy Hardy series.

ShirleyTemple_in_1944   In 1944, David O. Selznick signed Shirley Temple to a personal four year contract. She appeared in two wartime hits for him: Since You Went Away and I’ll Be Seeing You. The mogul, however, became involved with Jennifer Jones and lost interest in developing Temple’s career. She was loaned to other studios, with Fort Apache and The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer being her few good films at the time. After losing the role of Peter Pan on the Broadway stage, Temple announced her official retirement from films on December 16th, 1950. She briefly was married to actor John Agar.

   In 1958, she hosted and narrated a successful NBC television anthology series of fairy tale adaptations called Shirley Temple’s Storybook. She continued to work on the small screen, making guest appearances on the Red Skelton Show and Sing Along with Mitch. In 1999, she hosted the AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Stars awards show on CBS. And, in 2001, she served as a consultant on an ABC production of her autobiography, Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story.

   She entered politics, Black made an unsuccessful bid for Congress as a Republican in 1967. She was appointed as the Ambassador to Ghana, Czechoslovakia, and later, Representative to the United Nations General Assembly. She additionally served as the US Chief of Protocol. Shirley Temple excelled as a diplomat under President’s Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Bush Sr.

   Throughout her life, she remained an inspiration to many Americans. She became one of the first prominent women to speak openly about breast cancer, having been diagnosed with the disease in 1972. The tumor was removed and a modified radical mastectomy was performed. Following the operation, she announced this to the world via radio, television, and a February, 1973 article for the magazine McCall’s.

shirley temple   Temple served on the board of directors of enterprises and organizations, such as the Walt Disney Company, Bank of AmericaCommission for UNESCO, Fireman’s Fund InsuranceDel Monte, and National Wildlife Federation. She was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, National Board of Review Career Achievementand Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. On September 11th, 2002, a life-size bronze statue of the child actor was erected on the 20th Century Fox lot.

   Turner Classic Movies will celebrate her life on Sunday, March 9th, starting at 1:30pm PST with eight back-to-back films. The quite remarkable Shirley Temple Black was 85.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- New York Times Sponsors Screenings

February 11th, 2014

Manny P. here…

NYTFCHeader_012913   The New York Times hosts a Film Club that is sponsored by HBO. The events take place in collaboration with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Once in a while, they pull a classic out of the archives. Past screenings have included The ShiningAn American in Paris, and The Color Purple.

network   On February 18th, they will present an all-time classic. Enjoy the 1976 film Network, winner of four Oscars. After the screening, New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff discuss his new book, Mad as Hell: The Making of ‘Network’ and the Fateful Vision of the Angriest Man in Movies, a riveting account of this prophetic and startling motion picture; and screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky. A 35mm print of Network is provided courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.

   The New York Times Film Club is a membership-based group based in Manhattan and Los Angeles. Theater locations are included with member reservation confirmation. Each screening re-enacts a Red Carpet-style premiere. It’s the perfect gift for a family member, friend, or loved one who loves cinema. To obtain an exclusive membership, click on the link below:

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https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/store/30835/

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   Here’s a Reader’s Favorite collage of photos from the recent award’s ceremony in Miami. One of the pictures is Eriq LaSalle, who famously starred in ER… and your’s truly (lower left). We were interviewed by the local press. Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History won a gold medal.

interview

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- How The Beatles Changed the 1960s

February 10th, 2014

Manny P. here…

   The sudden loss of a president to an assassin’s bullet consigned a dark cloud over our nation. We remained that way for over two months. What we didn’t figure is how four Liverpool lads would geo-politically affect almost every American household by catering to Baby Boomers as the generation came of age one Sunday evening. The Beatles altered our collective psyche.

   Last night marked the 50th anniversary of John, Paul, George, and Ringo’s performance on the Ed Sullivan Show, their first appearance in America. On February 9th, 1964, at least 73 million viewers watched. The Nielsen ratings service says 45% of all television sets in use at the time were tuned to the broadcast. Teens from coast-to-coast and the equally fledging medium of the small screen were coming of age. The two became willing allies. They combined to make the moment so historic, it can’t be replicated in our hyper-media era.

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   Grammy Awards producer Ken Ehrlich, produced Sunday’s special The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles on CBS. According to the program, fan interest had been expertly stoked thanks to the Fab Four’s recent hits, including I Want to Hold Your Hand, and a pristine promotional campaign. Ed Sullivan also understood the value of marketing to a television audience. The Sunday evening mainstay had introduced Elvis Presley almost a decade before, and it caused a major schism among generations of parents and children. But, Sullivan’s instincts were right… Rock ‘n Roll was here to stay.

DIAA000A   Beatlemania accomplished more than a simple rating’s bonanza. It sparked a musical revolution; created a dramatic altering of the pop culture landscape; and it even set a tumultuous tone for our political agenda that lasted over ten years. Hollywood, nightly news programs, college campuses, Dixiecrats, and even the White House had to adjust to this unique metamorphosis. The band’s influence on the passage of a Civil Rights Act, protests over the Vietnam War, and Woodstock were sober examples of what transpired during the turbulent 1960s.

   In the final analysis, the origins of the British Invasion cleansing the New World from a tragic funk that began with the untimely passing of John F. Kennedy on November 22nd, 1963, and subsequent funeral (sadly, our first major live televised event). The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show certified the transition.

Until next time>                               “never forget”