Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   What a great start to the first quarter of 2011! Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is showing a steady increase with regards to sales, according to various indicators. Here are the details…

 ~ TOWER.com has seen my book remain in the TOP 10  in their Social History category since before Christmas. This consistent figure is extraordinarily positive from the website which has been my finest ally in my sales journey.

   Here is a link to purchase my book:

http://www.tower.com/forgotten-hollywood-history-manny-pacheco-paperback/wapi/114104227

 ~ The announcement of the unfortunate closing of BORDERS stores throughout Southern California has had one unintended benefit. My work has spent this past week in the TOP 10 in the Local History category, since liquidators started slashing storewide prices on its inventory.

(My gut feeling is this bookstore chain might have avoided Chapter 11 by rewarding customers with weekly sales on selected inventory; and closing their coffee shops, to deter loafers from spending many hours each day reading books for free)

~ Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is reaping the benefit from a great cinematic awards season, and several best-selling classic film books currently available on AMAZON.

   Sales figures are at an 18-month high since the release of my paperback. I’ve dabbled in the TOP-100 in the Social History and the History & Criticism categories. And, my ranking in the all-important BOOKS category (out of 8-million titles) has been in the Top 1% of all product sold on the site. Here’s their link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1935359169/?tag=forgothollyw-20

   Needless to say, I’m pleasantly surprised by the acceptance of my printed words.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I hope my friends in the Southern California-area will join us this Saturday, March 5th at BARNES & NOBLE in Montclair. Located at 5183 Montclair Plaza Lane (just off the 10 Fwy), my radio partner Gary Lycan and I’ll be personally greeting folks interested in buying a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. This book-signing will be a unique opportunity for us to chat about Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   My paperback is available in 42 BARNES & NOBLE locales in four states including Nevada, California, Washington, and New York. We are thrilled to spend a day with you, our first since the announcement of  the winners at the 2011 Academy Awards.

   Come on by and let’s meet!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Jane Russell, the iconic star from Hollywood’s Golden Age, has died. She’s best known for her memorable performances in The Outlaw, Macao, The Paleface, and Gentleman Prefer Blondes.

   Born in Minnesota, Jane grew up in Burbank. Like your blogger, she attended Van Nuys High School. From urging by her mom,  Russell studied drama from Maria Ouspenskaya (the Gypsy in The Wolfman).

   Howard Hughes signed Russell to a seven-year contract in 1940. Her first movie was an issue with censors, and not because of its plot. Her ample cleavage was the source of the controversy. Hughes used the stir to his advantage while promoting the film. The Outlaw was released in 1946, and Jane Russell became an overnight sensation.

   A highlight in her career was to have her hands and feet placed in cement in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with Marilyn Monroe in 1953. Russell also has a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Jane suddenly retired from cinema in 1970.

   Away from the silver screen, Jane Russell married  Los Angeles Ram’s quarterback, Bob Waterfield (also a Van Nuys High graduate). In 1955, she founded the World Adoption International Fund, an organization to place children with families that pioneered adoptions from foreign countries by Americans. She also became a popular spokesperson for Playtex.

   She spent her later years in Santa Maria. Jane Russell was 89.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Though we’re in February, Spring Training is officially here. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History pays homage to  America’s Past Time.

   On Monday, a Montreal duplex housing Jackie and Rachel Robinson during the summer of 1946 will be the focus of a ceremony as part of Black History Month. The event will be attended by Robinson’s daughter, our US Ambassador to Canada, and Montreal’s Mayor. During  commemorations, a plaque will be placed at the site. Jackie Robinson enthralled fans of the minor league Montreal Royals for one season in his final stop before joining the majors the next year with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Baseball’s racial barrier was broken for good in 1947.

   One of those Dodger greats (nicknamed The Boys of Summer) has died. Centerfielder Duke Snider played in Brooklyn and Los Angeles from 1947 to 1962. The eight-time All Star also had  short stints with the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants. Snider was eventually elected to Cooperstown in 1980 on his 11th attempt. He spent his final years at Valle Vista Convalescent Hospital in Escondido, California. Duke Snider was 84.

   I’ll be honoring the grand old game on my Forgotten Hollywood radio program. The episode will air on April 3rd around the start of the 2011 season. The show runs each Sunday at 3pm on THE SPA – 15 10 AM. Here’s a link to the show if you’re outside the coverage area:

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

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here..

   Amoeba Music is the latest location to sell Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Located at 6400 Sunset Blvd., they’re a Green venue emphasizing the sale of music and movies with a slant on Tinsel Town.

   According to their website:

More than just a record store…together with our customers, we’re a meeting place for California’s most colorful community of progressive and creative minds.

We’re committed to putting a part of our proceeds into people and organizations who work tirelessly to keep our earth safe and our local communities healthy. Our customers help us sustain that commitment and make those efforts possible.

   Included in their non-profit strategy: American Red Cross, Humane Society of America,  Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, Hollywood Arts Council, Amnesty International, and  Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

   It’s the perfect spot to find my paperback! I’m thrilled over the opportunity.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   What a week I have planned. In honor of the upcoming Academy Awards, I’ll be devoting 8 days to Oscar activities, culminating with the actual ceremonies next Sunday, February 27th. As usual, you’re invited to participate…

   15-10 THE SPA will feature Part I of a two-part celebration of songs nominated for an Oscar throughout film history on my Forgotten Hollywood radio program beginning this Sunday at 3p (02/20). Here’s a link to the station if you live outside the Southern California listening area:

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

  On Wednesday (02/23), I’ll be chatting with the folks at the Van Nuys Chapter of the Rotary Club at their weekly luncheon, taking place at the 94th Aero Squadron. This is a private gathering of the members.

   On Thursday at 7p (02/24), I’ll be hosting an autograph party at the Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse, located at 964 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada. Everyone is invited to attend. Here’s a link to their website promoting this massively fun event:

http://www.flintridgebooks.com/

   On Saturday at 3p (02/26), I’ll be at an Oscar party and booksigning at Gatsby Books, located at 5535 Spring St. in Long Beach. There will be a trivia contest with prizes; and of course, I’ll be autogaphing copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Again, you’re all welcome to participate at this event.

    Part II of the KSPA tribute to the Oscars will air on Sunday at 3p (02/27) on my weekly edition of Forgotten Hollywood. Use the link above to listen to the show.

   WHEW! What a busy week… I hope you can stop by and visit.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Partners West regional catalog is now available to literary stores and libraries. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is one of the many books promoted by the major distributor. This is a great opportunity for my paperback to be appropriately marketed to vendors West of the Rockies.

   Our team has decided to promote my work with an ad in the catalog. Hopefully, this decision will send sales of my book right into a second printing! My personal goal is to introduce Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History by reaching libraries up and down the West Coast.

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   I’m saddened to report the closing of approximately 30% of BORDERS stores nationally. It’s part of a reorganization strategy with the intent for the company to stay solvent.

   The immediate shut-down of 200 locations means the loss of almost 6,000 jobs. Publishers can expect a 1% – 10% revenue shortfall from the sales of paperbacks in 2011. These figures have been reported by the Associated Press, and in the Los Angeles Times (among other news sources).

   On a personal note, 16 Southern California locations carrying Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History are shutting their doors. As much as this is unfortunate news for me, I worry this is a grim situation for the employees involved. My heart goes out to them for their impending unemployment. I  pray they land on their feet…

   And, I hope the chain can resolve their financial woes.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I would like to thank the Arcane Radio Blog site for promoting Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, and my new radio program on AM 15-10 (Sundays at 3pm). Jose Fritz is the fascinating writer of the blog, and his unusual pen name is Radioman. He describes his efforts as:

Hypergraphia-powered weekday rants on radio history, programming, engineering, media law, and broadcasting ephemera.

   What makes this story so personally exciting is his enthusiasm over my radio career, which has spanned 30-years. The only correction I would make – his reference to my co-host as Larry Elder. This is incorrect. My partner on the Forgotten Hollywood radio show on KSPA is Gary Lycan, the columnist of the Orange County Register. I’m impressed with the writer’s request for corrections to his stories. Radioman wants to get it right, and that’s noble.

   Here is the blog link:

http://tenwatts.blogspot.com/2011/02/hollywood-never-forgets.html

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   I’ve been invited to moderate a panel at the 6th Annual Celebrating Words Festival in May. I’ll be joined by a distinguished panel to discuss the art of Self-Publishing. The event will take place at L.A. Mission College in Sylmar.

   This will be a great opportunity for me to introduce Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to an audience interested in self-publishing their own work. I’m convinced this is the wave of the future in the literary publishing industry.

   The 6th Annual Celebrating Words Festival is hosted by Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural (a nonprofit center owned by author Luis Rodriguez). In a future blog, I’ll provide the exact date and time of the panel discussion, as well as, participating writers.

   You’re invited to attend this all-day event.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’ve reached the next plateau in the ongoing story of the First Edition of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. 1400 in confirmed sales has been officially documented; due in part to purchases made yesterday by members of the Los Alamitos / Seal Beach Chapter of The Rotary Club.

   What makes this particularly special? My next appearance will occur at the weekly luncheon of the Van Nuys Chapter of The Rotary Club. Embracing the motto:  Service Above Self, folks from this fine international organization have helped me towards reaching my goal of providing a substantial donation to MOOSEHEART, the book’s official charity.

   BRAVO to this fine group!

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   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has climbed into the TOP 3 in the Social History category at TOWER.com. It’s the highest position on this literary website to date!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Noted character actor Kenneth Mars has passed away. He’s best known for his roles in Mel Brooks-directed classic comedies. Mars was Franz Liebkind, the infamous Nazi-playwright of Springtime for Hitler in The Producers; and the police inspector with the wacky artificial arm in Young Frankenstein.

   Mars also appeared in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Parallax View, What’s Up Doc, Fletch, and Radio Days. His voice was used in The Little Mermaid, Batman – The Animated Series,  Thumbelina, and The Land Before Time (TV Series).

   He guest-starred in television on Car 54 Where Are You, Get Smart, Gunsmoke, Love American Style, Becker, and Fernwood 2-Night.

   Kenneth Mars was 75-years of age…

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   On a brighter note, I’d like to wish my wife a very happy 8th anniversary. I love you, my dear Laurie…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   VISION4MEDIA has developed a web site advertising upcoming projects set for production funding. In addition to Forgotten Hollywood, the sales force is looking to subsidize its slate of current work including Rocks, Snakes, and the Art of Desert Cooking, The High Country, and Beyond the Moonwalk.

   According to David Bojorquez – The VISION4MEDIA Executive and Creative Team is set to shop their projects and prepare them before, during, and after the Festival De Cannes:

    “We are creating a special movie presentation for key international sales agents and motion picture buyers who will be present at the Cannes International Film Festival in May, 2011.”

   Here’s a link to the page for the Forgotten Hollywood project:

http://www.theartofdesertcooking.com/forgottenhollywood.html

   I can personally speak to my complete appreciation for this ambitious strategy. It looks like a busy schedule in 2011 for VISION4MEDIA!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Actress Betty Garrett died on Saturday. Well known for her MGM work in the 1940’s, she co-starred in On the Town, Take Me Out To the Ballgame, and Neptune’s Daughter. During the next decade, she appeared in motion pictures with Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Red Skelton, Elizabeth Taylor, Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Janet Leigh, and Esther Williams. In fact, she was thrilled to sing the Oscar-winning Baby It’s Cold Outside with Skelton in the latter film. She always considered this a highlight in her career.

   She was also married to Larry Parks, best known for starring in The Jolson Story. Work became scarce after Parks admitted to his brief membership in The Communist Party during the early 1940’s when he was called to testify to the House Un-American Activities Committee. He was Blacklisted by all major movie studios after his admission.

   Dinah Shore revived her career on television, when Garrett was personally invited to be a guest on the singer’s program. She subsequently made appearances in The Fugitive, All in the Family, Murder She Wrote, and The Golden Girls. She was awared a Golden Globe, and received an Emmy-nomination for her television roles on Laverne and Shirley and Becker.

   In later years, Garrett was presented a STAR on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and last year, the character actress joined Esther Williams at the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival during a special screening of Neptune’s Daughter.

    Betty Garrett was 91-years of age…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I have found an online outlet selling Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Though an internet retailer, Langton Info Services is based in Great Britain.

   The International market has proved to be successful for my paperback in Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand, and other countries. It’s another great opportunity for folks in England to easily obtain copies of my book.

Here’s a link to LangtonInfo.com website:

http://www.langtoninfo.com/showitem.aspx?isbn=1935359169

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   I want to wish my sister Virginia a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. She’s been so supportive in helping me get the word out on my work. I hope she has a special day!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I hope you’ll stop by this Sunday at BARNES & NOBLE at The Crossings in Corona for my Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History book signing. This is my first chance to greet the patrons from the large chain of book sellers. My radio co-host Gary Lycan also plans on meeting each of you! This should be fun…

   We’re visiting the Inland Empire from 3p – 5p. Their address is 2470 Tuscany, Suite 101 (just off the 15 Freeway). C’mon by and pick up a copy of my work. We’ll be thrilled to autograph  the paperback for you.

   It’s the first of two BARNES & NOBLE appearances in Southern California. In March, I’ll be at the book shop in Montclair.

   We hope to see you on Sunday in Corona!

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   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has moved into the TOP 5 in the Social History category at TOWER.com. Also, my distributor (Laura Danforth) let me know by E-mail:  My book is one of her top sellers. Good news, indeed!

   We’ve weathered quite well what is generally regarded as a slow time in literary sales after the Christmas holidays.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m happy to announce the Screen Actor’s Guild Foundation will house Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in their prestigious library. Among other things, the SAG Foundation promotes children’s literacy through their BookPALS program. Other generous programs include Storyline Online and PencilPALS.

   According to their website:

Founded in 1985, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation is an educational, humanitarian and philanthropic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The mission of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation is to enhance the lives of actors by investing in programs which help them in their professional endeavors and the communities in which they live. Our programs reflect the concerns and interests of SAG members as well as their desire to “give back” to their communities. The SAG Foundation is independent from SAG but offers substantive services to Guild members, free of charge. The Foundation relies solely on the support from grants, corporate sponsorships, bequests and individual contributions to maintain our programs and create new ones. Our mission is to assist, educate and inspire actors.

BookPALS is founded on a clear premise: children must be exposed to the magic of books in order to develop a love of reading. The world of literacy and literature is then opened to these children by the very people who make books come alive through their talent and training. Who better to instill that love than actors, gifted in the art of storytelling?

Through our more than a decade long focus on early literacy we have identified several key obstacles that many children, especially those for whom English is a second language, face in their developmental process. In addition to our core reading aloud program, we have expanded the BookPALS program to address these primary obstacles through innovative programming that reinforces the BookPALS mission.

   Libraries nationwide offer opportunity to youngsters in a variety of ways. I’m thrilled the SAG Foundation joins the Writers Guild Foundation in targeting those young folks interested in our cherished cinematic past. With the correct literary inspiration, we could help develop our next generation of leaders in the entertainment industry.

   As a 29-year card-carrying member of SAG, a hearty thank you to Casey Lewis and the staff of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. This is an appropriate 5oth library to carry my book.

Until next time>                               “never forget”