“Forgotten Hollywood”- LitFest in May…

April 29th, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`Please stop by at LitFest Pasadena taking place Saturday, May 18th. I will be hosting an engaging discussion about Hollywood. Two award-winning experts on the subject are author-friends, Mary Mallory and Jordan R. Young. We will be signing our literary work after a panel discussion. This presentation takes place at the  El Portal Restaurant banquet room in the Pasadena Playhouse District. LitFest goes on all weekend.

 

==================================

“`It is official! I am proud to have sold my first one hundred copies of my latest work:  Road to Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Just like previous paperbacks, readers cannot get enough of the award-winning Forgotten Hollywood Book Series.

Until next time>                                  “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Kate Smith Speaks Out…

April 27th, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`Two intolerant compositions recorded by Kate Smith in the early 1930s led to a statue of the songstress removed from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and the ouster of her recorded performance of God Bless America at Philly Flyers and New York Yankees games. However, is there a possibility that Kate was actually a voice against racial and religious discrimination?

“`In a forgotten broadcast on January, 1945, the First Lady of Radio offered a wholehearted speech attacking bigotry and racism. As millions listened, Smith called for every church and family to commit to tolerance and understanding. She gave the speech on the CBS program We the People.

Race hatreds — social prejudices — religious bigotry — they are the diseases that eat away the fibers of peace. Unless they are exterminated it’s inevitable that we will have another war. And where are they going to be exterminated? At a conference table in Geneva? Not by a long shot. In your own city — your church — your children’s school — perhaps in your own home.
`
You and I must do it – every father and mother in the world, every teacher, everyone who can rightfully call himself a human being. Yes, it seems to me that the one thing the peoples of the world have got to learn if we are ever to have a lasting peace, is — tolerance. Of what use will it be if the lights go on again all over the world — if they don’t go on … in our hearts.

“`The sponsors of We the People received over 20,000 requests for copies of the speech. National newspapers reprinted passages of the statement. President Harry S. Truman likely was influenced by this manner of impassioned plea as he integrated our military in 1948.                                                         KATE SMITH –>

“`The music imposed upon Kate Smith by her managers in the early 1930s was derived from 1920s attitudes. Plus, the 1920s was a race-hostile environment, with a resurgence of the KKK, and fewer opportunities for many African Americans due to the establishment of Jim Crow laws. By the mid-1940s, Kate Smith had evolved and she made her feelings understood. This is not an apology… It is a reminder of an unfortunate time in history.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Death of a Poster…

April 25th, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`Released in 1915, D. W. Griffith​’s The Birth of a Nation was the blockbuster film about the Civil War and Reconstruction. This controversial movie has been widely criticized for its use of blackface, celebration of white supremacy and its romanticizing of the Ku Klux Klan. President Woodrow Wilson screened the production for guests at the White House.

“`The flick has been analyzed for years for its reflection of certain ideas at the time, and the use of pioneering film techniques such as fade-outs. Many cinematic experts have called it a technically amazing work of horrifically bigoted ideas. The American Film Institute placed the film among the hundred greatest American movies of all time.

“`Chapman University has just removed The Birth of a Nation posters from visible places in its film school after students objected to the centrality of a work littered with racism.  They organized a rally in which they talked about the impact of walking by posters that celebrate a notoriously racist work of art. The Dodge College of Film and Media Arts faculty voted for the posters removal, which officially occurred on Monday. The posters have been returned to the estate of Cecil B. DeMille.

“`The silent film influenced the creation of Jim Crow, encouraged voting disenfranchisement of African Americans, and popularized lynchings. A Chapman spokesperson announced the work would continue to be analyzed in a classroom environment. Motion pictures first blockbuster is cinema that intersects with American History’s sordid past. It is often screened at film schools because of the impact it had on the movie industry when it premiered.

“`Student protests and social media activity became a teachable moment within the confines of Chapman University, and the removal decision made by faculty should be categorized as a profile in courage.

=================================

“`Ken Kercheval played Cliff Barnes to Larry Hagman’s scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing on the hit television series Dallas. He was in for the full run, from 1978 to 1991, and returned for a revival of the prime-time drama that aired from 2012-2014.

“`He made frequent guest appearances on the small screen, stretching from Naked City and The Defenders in the 1960s to ER and Diagnosis: Murder in the 1990s and 2000s. He also had a role in the movie classic, Network.

“`Ken Kercheval (above) was eighty-three.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Movie Mogul Joins Passing Parade…

April 22nd, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`Legendary movie producer David Picker helped bring Ian Fleming’s  James Bond novels to cinema. He guided an X-rated film to Oscars glory and introduced The Beatles to Hollywood with Hard Day’s Night and Help!. He became a studio chief, with stops at United Artists, Columbia, and Paramount in a prestigious run of box-office successes.

                                                      DAVID PICKER

“`David’s favorite film as a kid was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. After serving in the United States Army, he joined United Artists in 1956, and he quickly rose through the ranks, first becoming an assistant, and then, the head of production. His dad ran a chain of theaters, and his uncle was the vice president for United Artists, as well as the finance chairperson for Edmund S. Muskie during his 1972 presidential campaign.

“`David was credited with expanding the careers of legends, including Ingmar Bergman, Bob Fosse, Billy Wilder, and Paddy Chayefsky. He helped launch Woody Allen and Steve Martin, as well. His production choices included  Tom Jones and Midnight Cowboy, which both won a Best Picture statuette. Other movies include Yellow Submarine, Women In Love, Lenny, Saturday Night Fever, Last Tango in Paris, Ordinary People (another Best Picture nod), Grease, Being There, and The Jerk.

“`Not all of his decisions captured gold. He had hoped to find a James Bond story for Alfred Hitchcock to produce. This never happened. He also passed on Robert Altman’s Nashville, and instead, produced the terrible Ishtar.

“`David Picker was eighty-seven.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Tragedy in the House of Gable…

April 18th, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`A medical examiner says the only grandson of actor Clark Gable died of an accidental opioid overdose. Gable died in February. The thirty-year-old resided in Dallas, and hosted the reality television show Cheaters, which featured confrontations with people suspected of infidelity. He is survived by his fiancée and their infant daughter.    CLARK JAMES GABLE III –>

“`The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s office says an autopsy found that Clark James Gable III died from a combination of fentanyl and oxycodone, and the sedative alprazolam. It ruled his death an accident.

“`Gable’s death was the latest in a national opioid crisis that the  Centers for Disease Control says claimed 48,000 lives in 2017. The manufacturer of Oxycodone last month agreed to pay $270 million to settle one of thousands of lawsuits blaming it in the crisis.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Notre Dame Ablaze…

April 15th, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`Notre Dame de Paris is the thirteenth century Gothic cathedral in Paris. The church was one of the most widely recognized symbols of the city of Paris and the French nation. While undergoing renovation and restoration, the cathedral caught fire and sustained catastrophic damage, including the collapse of the entire roof and the main spire. Many of their artifacts were saved before the fire spread to to other parts of the structure.

“`Popular interest in the church blossomed right after the publication in 1831 of Victor Hugo’s work, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This led to a major restoration project between 1844 and 1864.

“`It has been an architectural backdrop in iconic movies. Glimpses of the structure can be seen during moments in An American in Paris, Midnight in Paris and Charade. The 1939 adapted version of Victor Hugo’s publication remains the definitive reference to the cathedral.

“`The Hunchback of Notre Dame starred Charles Laughton, Maureen O’Hara, and Thomas Mitchell. For this production, RKO Radio Pictures built on their movie ranch the massive medieval city of Paris and Notre Dame Cathedral in the San Fernando Valley.  The finished set was the most expensive ever created at RKO.

“`Local Catholics are contemplating where to pray on Easter Sunday. One prayer can be dedicated towards efforts to restore the cathedral.

“`French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Notre-Dame will be rebuilt.

================================

“`I am thrilled to announce that thirteen branches of the Los Angeles Public Library is adding my latest work Road to Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. The area repositories are located in South Los Angeles, Cypress Park, Brentwood, Los Feliz, Woodland Hills, Pico Union, Reseda, Mid City, San Pedro, West Los Angeles, Mid Wilshire, Harbor Gateway, and a main branch located in Downtown. Twenty five national libraries now carry my latest paperback.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood” – Picture This…

April 14th, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`The 18th annual Picture This… Film Festival in Calgary, Alberta was everything that was advertised. First and foremost, it had great documentaries from tremendous filmmakers from London, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Russia, Iran, Canada (of course), and the United States. I networked with plenty of industry professionals, and made great friends.

“`Sheryl Lenthall is the PTFF Director and the architect of a well run four-day event. Plus, she is a kind soul that deserves kudos from everyone involved. I have truly made a lifelong friend.

      

                                   ARZU QADERI  LINDA BLACKWELL  MANNY PACHECO

“`At the festival, Accessible Media, Inc. is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs, and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating a number of broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s works to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities,  as they represent their values, interests, and concerns through accessible media, reflection, and portrayal.

“`I was interviewed on Kelley and Co., an audio podcast that was on remote location at the Picture This… Film Festival. I also was featured in an upcoming documentary being made about this year’s fest.

“`On Thursday, I hosted the fest’s morning session. I began by introducing an award-winning documentary, entitled The Social Model. I then presented my Forgotten Hollywood trailer, which met with a warm reception. My goal is to be back at the Picture This… Film Festival in an upcoming year with the completed Forgotten Hollywood project.

“`My first international appearance was a great success!

Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Stampede to Calgary…

April 5th, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`Picture This… Film Festival is an International disability film festival. Now in its 18th year, this annual event takes place in Calgary, Alberta. This year, I have been invited to participate, and I will be traveling to Canada on Tuesday.

“`On April 12th,  I will host a morning session that includes my oral presentation, screening of my Forgotten Hollywood Documentary Trailer, and book-signing after the event. Autographed copies of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series will be available.

“`The festival features films that are about disability and/or films on any subject that were produced, directed and/or written by people with disabilities. Films are entered into one of five genres: animation, documentary, drama, education and performance. Film submission grows every year, and to date, there have been over 1900 projects entered.  Picture This…  Film Festival is an initiative of Calgary SCOPE Society, a registered non-profit.

      

“`This will be my first Forgotten Hollywood event outside of the United States. I am thrilled that my book series has become an International phenomenon.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- A Warner Milestone…

April 4th, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`On this day in 1923, Warner Brothers Pictures was formally created by the four founders of the company:  Jack, Harry, Albert, and Sam Warner. With help from money loaned to Harry by his banker Motley Flint, they formally became Warner Bros. Pictures, Incorporated.

“`Born Wonskolaser, Harry, Albert and Sam emigrated as young children with their parents to Canada from Krasnosielc, Poland. Jack, the youngest brother, was born in London, Ontario.

“`The three elder brothers began in the movie theater business, having acquired a projector. They showed films in the mining towns of Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the beginning. Sam and Albert Warner invested $150 to screen Life of an American Fireman and The Great Train Robbery, both released in 1903. Later that year, the brothers opened their first theater, The Cascade, in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

“`In 1904, the siblings founded the Pittsburgh-based Duquesne Amusement and Supply Company to distribute films. In 1912, Harry hired an auditor named Paul Ashley Chase. As World War I approached, they had begun producing films.  By 1918, they opened the initial Warner Brothers Studio  on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Sam and Jack produced the pictures, while Harry and Albert along with their auditor and now controller Chase, handled finance and distribution in New York City.

“`The incorporation was put in place five year later. Today, is their ninety-sixth anniversary.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Gucci Golden Age Ad Campaign…

April 2nd, 2019

Manny P. here…

“`Alessandro Michele has fostered a fascination with Hollywood and celebrity culture since he took the creative lead at Gucci back in 2015. It should come as no surprise that Michele uses this cinematic approach of Tinsel Town and turned it into a dazzling advertising campaign for Gucci’s Spring 2019 collection.

“`The imagery and corresponding video take inspiration from classic Hollywood productions from the 1940s and 1950s, including An American in Paris, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Cover Girl, and Singin in the Rain. Expect glitz, glitter and glamour. A choreographed clip set to the Irving Berlin classic There’s No Business Like Show Business features Gucci-clad characters crooning, dancing, directing, and working behind the scenes; a re-imagined Technicolor musical extravaganza.

 

“`In the past year, Gucci has collaborated with Major League Baseballand held a party for the new faces of its Guilty fragrances inside the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Plus, Michele has surrounded himself with attractive muses, such as Jared Leto and Harry Styles, in print ad campaigns. His recent collections have included nods to iconic Los Angeles landmarks, like the Chateau Marmont and Paramount Studios.

“`This retro homage is stunning.

Until next time>                              “never forget”