Manny P. here…
“`It is football season. I join Art Kirsch and John Coleman on Celebrating Act 2 as we discuss movies that featured the pigskin. Also, there are a number of actors that have come from the ranks of the NFL.
“`Enjoy!
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`I decided to catch Art Kirsch and John Coleman with a surprise topic during my latest visit on Celebrating Act 2. When we lose celebrity on the same day, it is twice the grief and twice the heartache. Here is the engaging conversation…
“`Enjoy!
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`Many people have come together to create three days of special presentations and events as part of this year’s It’s a Wonderful Life Virtual Festival. A full program and information on how to register (free admission) will be available on their website soon:
“`On a personal note, you can pick up a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History at the museum gift shop. The paperback features chapters that capture personal stories of many of the original cast members in the 1946 production.
“`Plan now to spend the It’s a Wonderful Life weekend, virtually, in Seneca Falls . . . the real Bedford Falls.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`After a deal made with PBS, the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas specials will return to network television. Viewers can be thankful that their efforts made this seasonal tradition once again available for kids of all ages.
“`Last month, Apple TV+ became a brand new home to the beloved Peanuts holiday specials. Good grief! That sparked an outcry from viewers accustomed to annually tuning in on network television. Apple offered each special to stream for free for a handful of days, but that did not stop online petitions from gathering hundreds of thousands of signatures.
“`Today, Apple bowed to the backlash, announcing it had teamed up with PBS for ad-free broadcasts of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on November 22nd, and A Charlie Brown Christmas on December 13th.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here… 
“`A team of media brokers are contemplating ways to find a way around a political decision that sinks their future legacy. Losing is too awful to contemplate. Drastic (dare I mention), unlawful decisions are reached to save their collective butts. No, I am not referring to strategy applied to alter a recently decisive election. I am analyzing a visionary screenplay that predicted current ways we consume news and information. Network was released in 1976.
“`Paddy Chayefsky used his written words to draw lines in the sand about culture. A scathing look at broadcasting predicted the rise of reality television, live audiences that can embolden questionable behavior in front of a camera and the creation of the partisan twenty-four-hour news cycle.
“`Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch, Ned Beatty, and Robert Duvall were pitch-perfect as heathens to media ratings. As the narrative progresses, their decisions become more reprehensible as they develop programming featuring revolutionaries-as-stars, and an unbalanced mad as hell news anchor. An ultimate decision involves a live assassination on television during network sweeps. The moral compass of the film is played by the dependable William Holden.
“`Network is special for accuracy in its prediction that television is a sometimes reckless and even dangerous way to consume information. Plus, 1976 was a special year for movie making with productions, including All the Presidents Men, Bound for Glory, Taxi Driver, Carrie, Marathon Man, Silver Streak, The Shootist, and of course, Rocky. Adaptations of A Star is Born and King Kong were also released.
“`Satire remains a steadfast platform as a way to examine cracks to our democracy. Network is the reliable seed from films such as Citizen Kane, Ace in the Hole, A Face in the Crowd, among others. And this might be the finest of the bunch. It also served to inspire the creation of My Favorite Year, Broadcast News, Quiz Show, and The Social Network.
“`Well, that is all I have. Now, I am prepared to travel to a press conference in Pennsylvania at the Four Seasons something-or-other.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`If you missed my recent appearance on Everybody with Angela Williamson, a program that airs Wednesdays at 10:30p on KLCS (PBS). Here is a special opportunity to re-visit this fun interview. I am the second guest on the show.
“`Just click on the YouTube link and enjoy!!
“`Enjoy!
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`Let us honor our veterans on Celebrating Act 2, hosted by Art Kirsch and John Coleman. This is a rundown of some the great celluloid that depicts the nature of war.
“`Enjoy!
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`The Answer is…
“`For thirty-six years, he was an elegant front man of Jeopardy!, replacing game-show icon, Art Fleming. His commitment was to make the contestant actual stars, leaving all schtick and jokes to other game show hosts. The format of Jeopardy! was created by the spouse of Merv Griffin in the early 1960s.
“`The budding star began his career at the Canadian Broadcasting Co., initially as a staff announcer and eventually becoming a radio and television reporter. He moved to the United States in 1973 and was hired to host The Wizard of Odds, High Rollers, The $128,000 Question, and Double Dare. In the early 1990s, he simultaneously worked on Jeopardy!, To Tell the Truth and Classic Concentration. He earned seven Emmys along the way. In 2012, the show won a prestigious Peabody Award.
“`He became a hero to people across the nation fighting pancreatic cancer. His candor about his struggle became heroic in video diaries that vividly spoke about his final journey. Former contestants were quite vocal in his praises.
“`His final Jeopardy! program will air on Christmas. He was eighty.
“`The question is… WHO IS ALEX TREBEK?
================================
“`And now a word from our sponsors…
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here… 
“`Norm Crosby was a comedian from the Borscht Belt who often appeared on television in the 1970s. He was known for his use of malapropisms and often called The Master of Malaprop.
“`Crosby became a standup comedian, adopting a friendly, guy-next-door persona in the 1950s. He first appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in December 1964. In 1968, he co-starred on The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show, an NBC twelve-week series. From 1974-1984, Norm was on several Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, including programs celebrating George Burns and Redd Foxx.
“`Crosby became a commercial pitchman for Anheuser-Busch Natural Light beer. He also appeared as a celebrity guest on a number of game shows, such as Celebrity Bowling, Liar’s Club, Tattletales, and Hollywood Squares. From 1983 until the program’s disassociation with Jerry Lewis, Crosby contributed to the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
“`Norm Crosby was ninety-three.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`Celebrating Act 2 offers a look at cinema that features folks who have occupied the White House. Art Kirsch and John Colman have asked me to suggest memorable performances by actors who portrayed real and fictional presidents.
“`Enjoy! And do not forget to vote…
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here –
“`The definitive James Bond, Sean Connery carved a wide career as an actor despite being typecast as a suave spy. His body of performances puts him in the pantheon of great movie stars. He won an Oscar for his fine role in The Untouchables. Connery personally never took himself too seriously, and for this, he was beloved by colleagues and fans, worldwide. SEAN CONNERY ->
“`Sean Connery was born in 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He left school during World War II to help support his family. He joined the British navy, but was medically discharged after three years because of stomach ulcers. Back in Edinburgh, he competed in the Mr. Universe contest, coming in third. He considered becoming a pro soccer player, but instead chose acting.
“`He earned his initial break performing to There is Nothing Like a Dame in South Pacific on the London stage before acting in television and “B” movies. He traveled to Hollywood to co-star in Disney’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People and Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure. His first memorable role was as a soldier who stormed the beaches of Normandy in The Longest Day. His character was quirky and funny, which mirrored his private persona.
“`Then came the audition that changed his life. American producers Albert Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman had bought the film rights to a string of post-World War II spy adventure novels by Ian Fleming. Connery was not their first selection for Dr. No. They turned to him when they decided they could not afford to hire Cary Grant. The flick was condemned by the Vatican and the Kremlin. Connery continued as James Bond in From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, ,Thunderball, and Diamonds Are Forever, and often performing his own stunts. He would reprise the Bond role in Never Say Never Again in 1983.
“`Determined to be considered a serious actor, Connery decidedly chose to accept roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie, The Anderson Tapes, Murder On the Orient Express, The Wind and the Lion, The Man Who Would Be King, Robin and Marian, The Hunt For Red October, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Finding Forrester.
“`Age only heightened his appeal; he set a celebrity record when at age fifty-nine he was named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. When receiving his Academy Award, and at peace with James Bond, the actor arrived onstage at the Oscars ceremony and declared:
The name’s Connery. Sean Connery!
“`Connery received numerous honors, including Commander (the same rank as Bond) of France’s Order of Arts and Literature. The following year, Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed him a British Knight, for services to film drama.
“`A commanding screen presence for forty years, Sean Connery (above) was ninety.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here… 
“`EXCITING NEWS HERE!
“`I am thrilled to announce that I have been cast in a national radio play production of It’s a Wonderful Life. The part: Angel Clarence Odbody!
“`This production is being presented by the Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center in Pennsylvania. The radio program will be streamed nationwide in conjunction with a Broadway streaming app. It will be presented three times on December 17, 18, and 19.
“` Radio drama has a rich and storied tradition during Hollywood’s Golden Age. It’s a Wonderful Life aired on the Lux Radio Theater program on March 10, 1947, starring James Stewart (left) and Donna Reed in their original roles.
“`Here is the amazing factor in my involvement with this production. I found out about it on Facebook by one of the original co-stars of the 1946 motion picture. Yes, she is still alive! Carolyn Grimes played little Zuzu, the daughter of George and Mary Bailey. It was Zuzu’s petals in the pocket of George that proves he is still alive. I have been friends with Grimes (right) on Facebook for almost a decade. I hope she will be one of the many listeners of the show.
“`Clarence was played by Henry Travers, the remarkable British actor. His movie credits include The Invisible Man, High Sierra, Shadow of a Doubt, Ball of Fire, and Mrs. Miniver; the latter production earning him a well-deserved Best Supporting Actor nomination.
“`What makes this assignment so personally special is that I have penned several chapters in my Forgotten Hollywood Book Series about many of the co-stars that appear in the movie, including Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter), Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy), Gloria Grahame (Violet Bicks), Ward Bond (Bert the Cop), Beulah Bondi (Ma Bailey) and Carl Alfalfa Switzer. Plus, my literary works can be purchased at the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum in Seneca Falls, New York.
“`This winter journey will be relayed back to my Forgotten Hollywood family. I embrace the challenge!
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`Halloween in the age of Covid 19 reminds us that their are plenty of great flicks to watch on October 31st. Universal and Hammer Studios had their monsters. Television programs such as Dark Shadows is a ghoulish pick to binge watch as well. On the next frightful installment of Celebrating Act 2, Art Kirsch, John Coleman and I discuss what to watch on that Night of the Living Dead…
“`Enjoy!
“`P. S. – I VOTED !! You should too…
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`With the Los Angeles Dodgers winning their first World Series in thirty-two years, let me present the best tribute ever recorded to honor the team. Sung by Danny Kaye in 1962, this tune is filled with references of baseball players of the past.
“`Kaye was a huge fan of America’s pastime and he loved the boys of summer. A good friend of Leo Durocher, he often traveled with the team. Kaye and his business partner Lester Smith also led an investment group which was awarded the American League’s thirteenth franchise, which became the Seattle Mariners on February 7, 1976.
“`On a personal note, I was at Game Three of the World Series at Dodger’s Stadium in 1981. They would capture a World Series championship beating the New York Yankees. That year was also an abbreviated season.
“`Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers!
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`I am sincerely honored to pay an on-camera visit with Angela Williamson, a noted Southern California educator, author, documentary filmmaker, and happily, my good friend. She hosts a new show on KLCS (PBS affiliate station); an engaging one-on-one interview program called Everybody. My upcoming segment airs this Wednesday at 10:30p. Check your local listings for the correct channel. The interview can also be found on www.klcs.org.
“`We will be chatting about my career as a broadcaster, Hollywood historian, and author of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. We will take a nostalgic look at Hollywood’s Golden Age. I am expecting a lively conversation, indeed!
“`Prior to my visit, I will be involved in an expanded interview with Angela on Facebook Live at 4:30p. This promises to be an engaging warmup act to the main attraction on KLCS.
“`PLease join me on Wednesday, 10:30p on Everybody with Angela Williamson on KLCS. It should be fun.
Until next time> “never forget”
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