“Forgotten Hollywood”- Podcast on Spotify…

October 3rd, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`Manny Pacheco’s Forgotten Hollywood podcast on Spotify. This show is streamed each week! And you can listen for FREE…

“`Episode Eighty-Six on the cloud.

A few years back, I was fortunate to have a conversation with Hugh O’Brian, before he passed away. The actor is mostly remembered for his starring role in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp for six seasons on television. O’Brian also appeared in movies, notably with John Wayne in The Shootist and In Harm’s Way.

O’Brian’s legacy also includes his HOBY Foundation, dedicated to global youth leadership. The organization is still running, thanks to the efforts of his wife, Virginia.

~ ~ ~

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK to also listen to the previous eighty-five episodes.

“`Joining me this week is broadcaster Joe Lyons with his weekly Backlot report, with news and notes that reference Hollywood’s past.

“`If you do not subscribe to Spotify, you can still listen to Forgotten Hollywood on Castos. And no membership is necessary. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK:

https://manny-pachecos-forgotten-hollywood.castos.com/episodes/ep-86-a-conversation-with-hugh-obrian-100423?_gl=1*k8b7yv*_gcl_au*MjA2Nzc5NDYyNi4xNjk0ODI5MzMx

Until next time>                               “never forget” 

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Celebrating The Big Apple…

October 2nd, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`Today, John Coleman, Art Kirsch and I stroll through Central Park, walk across from the Empire State Building and check out Time Square as Celebrating Act 2 looks at movies about New York.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Pal from U.N.C.L.E…

September 25th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`David McCallum was a Scottish actor,  who gained recognition in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television program The Man from U.N.C.L.E.  His brand personified the British Invasion, which included The Beatles, James Bond and Twiggy.

“`In his youth, he attended Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Joan Collins was a classmate. After a stint at BBC Radio, McCallum began working in motion pictures and television.  On the big screen, he co-starred in A Night to Remember, Billy Budd, The Great Escape, The Greatest Story Ever Told and One of Our Spies is Missing.

“`Once he was cast in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., he became a sex symbol with his Beatles-style blond haircut and was elevated to co-star status. While playing Kuryakin, McCallum got more fan mail than any other actor in MGM’s history,  including such popular actors as Clark Gable, Robert Taylor and Elvis Presley. He also received two Emmy nominations in the course of the show’s four-year run for playing the intellectual and introverted secret agent.

“`He also guest-starred in small screen shows, including The Outer Limits, Perry Mason, Hullabaloo, Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, Night Gallery, The Six-Million Dollar Man, Hart to Hart, The A-Team, Matlock, McCloud and Murder She Wrote. McCallum never quite repeated the popular success he had gained as Kuryakin until he was cast in NCIS.

“`For a time he was married to Jill Ireland. She met Charles Bronson while McCallum worked with the actor in The Great Escape. After their divorce, she wed Bronson.

“`David McCallum (above right) was ninety.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Celebrating Sidekicks…

September 19th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`Art Kirsch and John Coleman join me in chatting about the great buddies and sidekicks of Hollywood on Celebrating Act 2.  From Gabby Hayes to Nigel Bruce,  we profile some of the great second fiddles to ever grace the silver screen.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Back to Van Nuys…

September 18th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`I am returning to my home town in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, where I went to high school, the city of Van Nuys, CA. The Van Nuys branch of Los Angeles Public Library system will be hosting a Forgotten Hollywood event this Thursday at 3p. I will be offering an oral presentation and autographing copies of my Forgotten Hollywood book series.

 

“`My presentation includes fascinating tales about Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Arthur Lake, Frank Morgan and Lionel Barrymore. Consider this my personal invitation to enjoy an afternoon of nostalgia about Hollywood’s Golden Age.

“`The Van Nuys Library is located at 6250 Sylmar Avenue. By the way, I graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1975. I would love to see my fellow Wolves attend the event!

“`See you there!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Marilyn Monroe House Saved…

September 10th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`The owners of the 1920-era home, which Marilyn Monroe purchased in the early 1960s and where the actress died of an overdose in 1962,  submitted a permit request to the city of Los Angeles to raze the estate.  It was unclear why the owner was looking to demolish the home. News of the residence’s pending demolition, however, sparked outrage from local history buffs and fans of the actress. As news of the demolition plans spread, a change.org petition to save Monroe’s home quickly garnered thousands of signatures this past week.

                          MARILYN MONROE

“`On Friday, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion seeking to save the Brentwood place by having it declared a historic-cultural monument.  The popular motion was introduced by Councilwoman Traci Park whose 11th District includes Monroe’s home. After the vote, the Department of Building and Safety issued an official notice to stop construction,  as well as a notice of intent to revoke the permit for the demolition of Monroe’s home.

“`The motion was handed in to Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission. The CHC will have to make a decision within seven-five days.

“`Monroe bought the home after she moved back to the West Coast following the end of her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller. Sources say the price was $77,500. She reportedly paid for half with cash and took out a mortgage for the rest. She described her casa as a “fortress where I can feel safe from the world.”

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Celebrating Ida Lupino…

September 4th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`I am happy to provide a sneak peak into my next book,  Adventures of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, on Celebrating Act 2. I join Art Kirsch and John Coleman in profiling the life and times of the wonderful Ida Lupino, a chapter subject in my next literary effort.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Game Show Host Extraordinaire…

August 26th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`Bob Barker was a television game show host and his career spanned over five decades.  His most memorable work was on Truth or Consequences and The Price is Right. He hosted the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants, giving him a distinction as the longest-serving host of those annual events. BOB BARKER ->

“`He was hosting an audience-participation radio show on KNX 1070 AM in Los Angeles when game show producer Ralph Edwards who was looking for a new host to replace Jack Bailey on the daytime-television version of his long-running show, Truth or Consequences, happened to be listening and liked Barker’s voice and style.

“`After nineteen accolades throughout his career, Barker received a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the 1999 Daytime Emmy Awards. He was also inducted into the 2004 class of the Television Hall of Fame.

“`He became an advocate for animal rights, supporting groups such as the United Activists for Animal Rights. He began ending The Price Is Right show with: This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population; have your pets spayed or neutered. He participated in several PETA public service announcements over the years.

“`Bob Barker was ninety-nine.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- A Special Book-Signing Event…

August 22nd, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`I am totally thrilled to spend this upcoming  Saturday at the Woman’s Club of Hollywood. I am introducing a rare screening of the 1925 production of  The Lost World and presented by Retroformat Silent Films.  The musical accompaniment will be provided by Cliff Retallick. And the fun starts at 7:30p.

“`One of the most influential silent movies,  The Lost World highlights pioneering stop motion animation by the legendary Willis O’Brien. His work was not surpassed in importance until eight years later by another of his creations: King Kong. The screenplay was adapted by one of silent era’s most successful female writers, Marion Fairfax, adapted from a book by Arthur Conan Doyle. The film was directed by Harry O Hoyt and stars Wallace Beery, Bessie Love, Lewis Stone and Arthur Hoyt.

“`In addition to this special screening, I will also be autographing my Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. Retroformat Silent Films is an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit, located in Los Angeles. The Woman’s Club of Hollywood is at 1749 North La Brea Ave.

“`Consider this my personal invitation for a memorable Saturday evening!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Celebrating Film Flops…

August 21st, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`John Coleman and Art Kirsch of Celebrating Act 2 have asked me to chat about film flops, good and bad films that failed to turn a profit. You will be surprised at the list I compiled!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Two Events in Rolling Hills Estates…

August 9th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`I will be at two book-signing events on Friday in Rolling Hills Estates, CA.  It is a chance to spend time with friends of my Forgotten Hollywood franchise that includes an award-winning book series, a podcast on Spotify, an award-winning blog site and a documentary currently in production.

“`I will start my afternoon at The Canterbury, a private assisted-living community. Exchanging fellowship with octogenarians who were fans of Hollywood’s Golden Age is always a blessing. The oral presentation begins at 1:30p.  Obviously, this is not a public event.

“`I will then be part of the Lectures with Lianne series held at Fred Hesse Community Park. Below are the complete details and this event begins at 4p.  The public is invited to attend. Of course, I will be autographing my Forgotten Hollywood book series at this function.

“`As always, consider this my personal invitation to attend!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Art of the Miscast…

August 8th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`Celebrating Act 2, with hosts John Coleman and Art Kirsch, explains why film studios might miscast a movie. It could be that a box-office draw is necessary.  Or maybe, they simply have an inferior casting director. Either way, this is an interesting discussion!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- In Solidarity: A.I. before 2001…

July 26th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`The Writers Guild of America and  SAG-AFTRA are fighting movie moguls against artificial intelligence as a means to replicate a printed word and likeness for the sake of wider profits and at the expense of its original authors and talent. These same owners repeatedly warn a viewing audience that copying television programs, sporting events, Hollywood specials and other general content appearing on the small screen, dvd’s,  or on streamers to your phone would subject you to a fine and potential incarceration. Does this sound like hypocrisy from the suits and their lawyers?

“`Aside from the talked about 2001: A Space Odyssey, classic film and television have had a firm opinion over the idea and use of artifical intelligence in society.

“`The use of electronic computors to aid or replace a work force played for laughs in 1958 in Desk Set, the eighth flick made by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (Heburn wins; the computer loses). In an episode of The Twilight Zone, called From Agnes with Love, a wall-sized model becomes jealous of female affection hurled at her programmer, played by Wally Cox. This 1963 episode proves that computers were still imperfect creatures. I mean, Wally Cox… really?

“`Due to a recklessness by humans, computors are set on a path to independently navigate a thermonuclear war in Dr. Strangelove (the Russians with an automated Doomsday Machine) and in War Games, two decades later. In the latter movie, Matthew Broderick uses a game of tic tac toe to teach his computor pal that sometimes,  no one wins in a game, especially when atomic bombs are involved.

“`Replicating the likeness of an individual using artificial intelligence was a common theme in  The Twilight Zone. Episodes include The Lonely, The After Hours, The Lateness of the Hour, In His Image and Steel. Characters replicated and replaced became the victim. Women were victimized in the Twilight Zone-esque The Stepford Wives. Of course, it was Mary Shelley, who initially pondered an artificially built man and his bride in the nineteenth century.  That so-called monster was named Adam, not Frankenstein (the actual name of the doctor).

“`A most salient example of art versus A. I., comes by way of a comedy classic What a Way to Go, and stars Shirley MacLaine, Dick Van Dyke, Robert Mitchum, Gene Kelly, Dean Martin, and Paul Newman. It is Newman, who toys with artificial intelligence to create art, a Faustian bargain to be sure. Kudos to YouTube, I have the evolution of Newman’s demise. By the way, Newman’s character is named Larry Flynt (you cannot make this stuff up). Watch how fast he goes from the penthouse to the outhouse.

“`Click on the link and enjoy! And please, support the original work of writers and actors…

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- TCM… The Rest of the Story…

July 25th, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`I was a recent guest on Celebrating Act 2 with John Coleman and Art Kirsch and I chatted about the ongoing turmoil at TCM. I was pleased to offer my insight. During the interview, I coincidentally received an email from Charles Tabesh, Senior Vice President of Programming and Content Strategy, and he confirmed that TCM will air An Evening with Robert Youngson, tentatively scheduled on November 5th beginning at 5p (pst) and 8p (est).  This news broke on the air, so to speak! It is fun to watch it unfold.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Good Life…

July 21st, 2023

Manny P. here…

“`Tony Bennett is considered one of the finest jazz stylists over the last century. Along with Johnny Mathis, his career certainly had longevity. And his favorable comparisons to Sinatra, Torme, Nat Cole and other contemporaries are well deserved.

“`Bennett grew up listening to Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby as well as jazz artists, such as Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden. His uncle Dick was a tap dancer in vaudeville. At age ten, Bennett sang at the opening of the  Triborough Bridge, standing next to Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. As a teen, he began crooning for money, performing as a singing waiter in a few Italian restaurants around his native Queens. Bennett began winning amateur nights all around the city and enjoyed a successful engagement at a Paramus, New Jersey, nightclub.

“`During World War II, Bennett fought in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate a couple of concentration camps.  After discharge from the Army in 1946, he enrolled at the American Theatre Wing on the GI Bill. He developed an unusual approach that involved imitating as he sang,  the style and phrasing of musicians—such as Stan Getz’s sax and Art Tatum’s piano—helping him to improvise as he interpreted a song.

“`In 1949, Pearl Bailey asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village. She invited Bob Hope to the show. He decided to take Bennett on the road with him. The next year, he cut a demo, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, and was signed to the major label Columbia Records by Mitch Miller.  Tony had his first #1 hit record with Because of You. Rags to Riches followed in 1953. He refined his approach to encompass jazz singing.  In 1962, Bennett recorded his signature song, I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

“`Bennett hits included The Good Life, When Joanna Loved Me, A Taste of Honey, For Once in My Life, The Shadow of Your Smile and Fly Me to the Moon.  After performing live all over the globe, he began recording, once again. His collaborative effort with top singers re-invigorated his career. They include Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall, Billy Joel, Michael Buble, k. d. Lang, Amy Winehouse and most notably, with Lady Gaga.  Bennett and Gaga’s Grammy-winning album, Cheek to Cheek, which debuted at #1 on Billboard, earning the Guinness World Records for “oldest person to reach No.1 on the U. S. Album Chart with a newly recorded album”, at the age of eighty-eight years and sixty-nine days.

“`The crooner had a minor film career with appearances in The Oscar, The Scout, Analyze This and Bruce Almighty. Bennett also had tremendous success as a painter.  He exhibited his work in numerous galleries around the world.  He was chosen as the official artist for the 2001 Kentucky Derby and commissioned by the United Nations, as well.  Boy on Sailboat, Sydney Bay is in the permanent collection at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, New York, as is his Central Park at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

“`He had zero intention of retiring, referencing Pablo Picasso, Jack Benny and Fred Astaire:

“Right up to the day they died, they were performing… I never sing a song that’s badly written. In the 1920s and 1930s, there was a renaissance in music that was the equivalent of the artistic Renaissance. Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and others just created the best songs that had ever been written. These are classics, and finally they’re not being treated as light entertainment. This is classical music.” 

“`A purveyor of the classics, Tony Bennett (above right) was ninety-six.

Until next time>                               “never forget”