Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   As the author of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, I love seldom shared stories that become riveting tales told by screenwriters.  The King’s Speech has evolved as the front-runner during the Oscar season. I’m thrilled at its recent selection for Best Ensemble Movie Cast during the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

   With Colin Firth receiving all of the accolades for playing the father of Queen Elizabeth II, and with a celebrated stammering issue, the film really captures the unique relationship between King George VI and his therapist. Former Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush was a creative architect at making sure this story became an instant cinematic classic.

   Lionel Logue was the Australian speech therapist who treated the stuttering King at a time the British people needed his guidance during The Blitz of 1940. Their mutual collaboration actually began in 1927, when he diagnosed poor co-ordination between the then-Duke of York’s larynx and thoracic diaphragm. Using tongue-twisters and vocal exercises, Logue’s treatment gave the Duke confidence to relax and avoid tension-inducing muscle spasms. Because of Logue’s novel approach, King George VI delivered his Coronation Address and radio messages with confidence. His crowning achievement came as he rallied his people in their initial stand against Nazi aggression.

LIONEL LOGUE  

   Though never accredited, Logue had helped soldiers during the Great War overcome shell-shock with patience and self-deprecating therapy. He remained friends with the Royal Family until the King’s death in 1952. Logue would die a year later. His grandson went on to co-write the book The King’s Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy.

   The rest (as they say) is history!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Orange County Register radio columnist Gary Lycan will actually program this week’s edition of the Forgotten Hollywood radio show on K-SPA AM 1510 / AM 1450. The reporter will share his unique view about Hollywood’s Golden Age by selecting great Standards and stories from cinema’s cherished past. (I can tell you) topics will include a look at the comedy of Laurel and Hardy, and great love songs in film from the 1950’s.

   Each week, Lycan provides an On The Backlot segment on my program, which offers current news and notes that relate to the Studio Era. So, I’m really pleased to invite the talented writer to sit in this week as my special guest on the show.

   Forgotten Hollywood can be heard each Sunday at 3pm on The Spa. Here’s a link to the show in case you live outside the signal area:

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/playlists/am1510kspa/am1510kspaKSPAAM.asx

   I hope you’ll spend Sunday (and every weekend) with us at Forgotten Hollywood… (which is based on my award-winning paperback).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Because the Screen Actor’s Guild is giving Ernest Borgnine a Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday, Turner Classic Movies is spending an evening with the versatile actor. The tribute will take place this Saturday with some of the iconic films from Hollywood’s studio era.

   A personal favorite of mine is FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, which starred James Stewart, Dan Duryea, and a litany of fine character actors. This is one movie that provides a great story and well-rounded performances.

   Among the scheduled motion pictures to be screened on TCM:

BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK

MARTY

THE DIRTY DOZEN

THE WILD BUNCH

   Congratulations to Ernest Borgnine on the recognition of his versatile career!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   It was 50 years ago when a new generation received the peaceful torch of transitional power in this nation. John Fitzgerald Kennedy became President after taking the oath of office, and then delivered a 14-minute Inaugural Address. It was the fourth shortest address, but considered one of the most memorable ever spoken.

   The address was co-drafted by Kennedy’s speech writer Ted Sorenson, and bears a strong resemblance to President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

   His administration would be metaphorically compared to King Arthur’s Court, and nicknamed Camelot. A regal splendor shrouded The White House during his 1000-day term of office. At 43, Kennedy remains the youngest elected president in our history. Among his notable passages:

Let every nation know… that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.

   (I know it sounds a bit bizarre, but in Camelot) History tells us that it was a perfect start to something still considered quite special.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

  I’ve been invited by the Los Alamitos / Seal Beach chapter of the local Rotary Club as a guest speaker at their February 15th luncheon. The topic will include my charity involvement with Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. This weekly meeting will take place at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach.

   According to the International Rotary website:

Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto “SERVICE ABOVE SELF…”

   I’m proud to share a meal with these selfless folks in my community.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

    BARNES & NOBLE has rescheduled my Montclair book signing in February to Saturday, March 5th from 1p-3p, so we avoid a time conflict with this year’s Super Bowl. This is a fortuitous postponement. I hope it will encourage more folks to visit us in the Inland Empire for our autograph party.

   The location is at 5183 Montclair Plaza Lane in Montclair.

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   Let me welcome my first new library of 2011 (and my 49th national addition) to carry on their shelves – Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Appropriately, this venue is located outside of Chicago in Harwood Heights. Their address is 4613 N. Oketo Ave.

   The Eisenhower Public Library is part of SWAN, which stands for the System Wide Area Network. As of February, 2010, 85 libraries belong to SWAN. Six million books are now accessible in their entire online catalogue (including my paperback).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’ll be spending this week (January 9th – 13th) in Las Vegas participating in a poker tournament benefiting MOOSE Charities. This three-day event will allow me to introduce Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to my national brothers and sisters belonging to MOOSE INTERNATIONAL. As you know, one dollar of every paperback I sell (First Edition) is going to MOOSEHEART. My official target amount is $2500 going to the Illinois-based charity.

   I’ll be staying at the Golden Nugget in Downtown Vegas, reporting from my laptop with all news related to my paperback. I WON’T let you know if I win or lose when I spend personal time gambling… lol.

   I can let you in on a little secret. I’ve contacted the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (home of the Pawn Stars on the HISTORY Channel). These folks are considering the idea of carrying my work in their store. A final decision will be made after I meet with them during the week. Keep your fingers crossed over this creative opportunity.

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   Meanwhile in Australia, Booktopia is an online store based in Sydney now selling Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History (On Demand). They’re the Aussie equivalent of Powell Books  (here in the states).

   Welcome aboard mates!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   My February (and March) will be busy with four book signings events planned for my work  Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Over the next six weeks, I’ll spend quality time at BARNES & NOBLE in the Inland Empire.

   On the week of the Oscar ceremony, join me at FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE & COFFEE HOUSE in La Canada, and GATSBY BOOKS in Long Beach for Academy Awards pre-parties. We’ll have trivia contests, prizes, informal Q&A, and of course, I’ll be signing my paperback.

   I hope you’ll join me for one of these fun appearances. Here’s the complete schedule:

BARNES & NOBLE – The Crossings

 2470 Tuscany St.,  Suite 101, Corona, CA

Sunday, February 13th, 2011; 3p – 5p

*** just added

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FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE AND COFFEE HOUSE – Oscar Party

964 Foothill Blvd.,  La Canada, CA

Thursday, February 24th, 2011; 7:30p – 9p

*** just added

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GATSBY BOOKS – Oscar Party

5535 E. Spring St.,  Long Beach, CA

Saturday, February 26th, 2011; 3p – 5p

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BARNES & NOBLE – Montclair Plaza

5183 Montclair Plaza Lane,  Montclair, CA

 Saturday, March 5th, 2011; 1p – 3p

*** re-scheduled 

 Until next time>                              “never forget” 

Manny P. here…

   The Forgotten Hollywood Radio Show is set to debut on THE SPA – AM 1510 this Sunday at 3pm. The program will offer a two-part look at Academy Award history. This week, Gary Lycan and I will spend some time sharing a number of winners in the Best Song category. Since this is cinema’s award season, what a great way to focus on the history of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   And next week, we’ll conclude with a review of Best Song nominees… but eventually lost. I must admit, you’ll be surprised at the wonderful music selections that fell short.

   If you read Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, or if you are interested in picking up a copy, I hope you tune in. The program will air in Southern California. If you live outside the area, here’s the website link to THE SPA:

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/playlists/am1510kspa/am1510kspaKSPAAM.asx

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m currently reviewing this year’s crop of films nominated for the 2011 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards. Among the motion pictures I’ve seen (or plan on seeing) include: The King’s Speech, The Fighter, The Black Swan, True Grit, The Social Network, and Winter Bone. The SAG Nomination’s Committee has selected surprisingly wonderful cinema such as Rabbit Hole and Get Low. Here is a website link to the complete list of nominees:

http://www.sagawards.org/media-pr/press-releases/17th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards-%C2%AE-nominations-announcement

   As a voting member of SAG, I plan on watching every movie involved in the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Stunt Ensemble, and Best Acting Ensemble categories. My choices will be made in about two weeks.

   As I did last year, I’ll let you in on how I vote, once I have seen all involved motion pictures. If you scroll down my blog, you’ll see I sided with the majority of SAG voters in 2010 when they selected Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side, and Christoph Waltz for Inglorious Basterds.

   A well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Ernest Borgnine. This fine character actor won an Oscar in 1955 for his role in Marty. He was quite memorable in From Here to Eternity, Bad Day at Black Rock, Flight of the Phoenix, and The Poseidon Adventure.

   The 2011 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards will be handed out on Sunday, January 30th.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A fundamental reason Americans focused on the creation of a military  arsenal during World War II had a lot to do with a government campaign  encouraging civilians to work in munitions factories. This effort would  ultimately help the nation out of the grips of the Depression for good.

   According to the History.Com website:

At 17, a young factory worker named Geraldine Doyle unwittingly inspired J. Howard Miller’s “WE CAN DO IT!” poster, an image that later became a powerful symbol of American women’s contributions during World War II, and of female empowerment. More than four decades would go by before she learned that she had become the face of ROSIE THE RIVETER. Doyle died on December 26th in Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 86.

In 1942, the UPI photographer visited the metal pressing factory outside Detroit and took a snapshot of the slim, fresh-faced brunette leaning over a machine. This led to the poster that achieved iconic status, and became associated with the domestic war effort.

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   Powell’s City of Books, based out of Oregon, has obtained copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to be sold in their Portland location. Their address is 1005 W. Burnside.

   My paperback has actually been available On Demand from Powell’s over the past year.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A simple message of peace, prosperity, and good health for the New Year.

Until next time>                               “never forget”