Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Richard Adler, who was a fine lyricist, composer and producer of  memorable Broadway shows, has died. He’s best known for his work with Jerry Ross on The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees.

   Frank Loesser mentored the collaborators, and they quickly wrote hits for Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney. Rags to Riches and Hey There were top tunes for the team. They were likely poised to challenge Rodgers and Hammerstein when their Broadway shows won back-to-back Tonys in 1955 and 1956. However, Ross died suddenly of a lung ailment at the tender age of 29 in November of 1955.                                                         RICHARD ADLER –>

   Other popular musical standards include Whatever Lola Wants and Heart from Damn Yankees; Hernando’s Hideway in The Pajama Game; and Everybody Loves a Lover for Doris Day.  Adler also had iconic flirtations with our American history when he staged and produced events  for US presidents; the most notable of these was a 1962 Madison Square Garden birthday celebration for John F. Kennedy, highlighted by Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday to the president in her trademark breathy voice. He also composed several symphonic pieces, such as one to celebrate the Statue of Liberty’s centennial.

   He’s a deserved member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, complimenting the tributes and  accolades he received over his long career. Richard Adler was 90.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Forgotten Hollywood Book Series has reached a couple of notable milestones. Thanks to purchases made by the Fullerton Sunrise Rotary Breakfast fellowship, here’s what I can report:

   2500 copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History have been purchased (paperbacks and eBooks). If you count just the First Edition copies sold, we’re a little short of 2400 actual books in the hands of readers, globally. On September 15th, I plan on donating $2400+ to Mooseheart… my official charity in an official ceremony. Dignitaries will include regional Moose International officers and local Orange County, CA press.

   300 copies of Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History are now in the sales column. The really good news is this doesn’t include the 50+ confirmed purchased by libraries nationwide. A three-month lag from business sales (bookstores, libraries, etc.)  to collections-through-distribution exists. There is an outstanding chance, I’ve sold closer to 400 of my latest work over the last six months.

   I show my appreciation for each book sold, which I happily do every single day…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The British Empire has always been steadfast in their support of Hollywood. Let me provide some current global examples…

 ~ Queen Elizabeth II has just recognized members of the motion picture community this past week in a bi-annual ceremony that takes place on her birthday and on New Year’s Day. The most recent honorees:

   Actor and director Kenneth Branagh was knighted, and will be known as Sir Kenneth. A native of Belfast, Ireland, this puts him in a pantheon of theatrical knights; and alongside Sir Laurence Olivier, whom Branagh played in My Life With Marilyn. Also given a royal accolade by the queen was Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet.                                          SIR KENNETH BRANAGH —>

~ Bonhams is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. There are two large salerooms in London.

   A collection of Hollywood Programs are being offered for bid, celebrating movies from the 1930s-1950s. I’m No Angel and Gold Diggers of 1933, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre premiere programmes; Gone With The Wind, 1939 programme; The Great Dictator, 1941 programme; Limelight, 1952 programme.

~ The Village of Millbrook, Northumberland in Ontario, Canada is launching its 20th year of live performances  at the Millbrook 4th Line Outdoor Theatre.

   They open their 2012 summer season on July 3rd with Queen Marie. It’s a musical comedy based on the life of Cobourg-born Marie Dressler, one of the finest stars of Broadway and Hollywood. She was the fourth winner of an Academy Award in 1930, for her role in Min and Bill. The community recently held a gala,  which included screenings of Dressler’s silent films.

   As the Brit’s say… Bob’s Your Uncle!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A couple of weeks ago, I started listing nationwide locations holding classic movie festivals. Here are a few more to consider this Summer:

~ BRYANT PARK (MANHATTAN) – City of New York Parks and Recreation is hosting FREE Monday series of films. The lineup includes Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (6/25); The Wizard of Oz (7/2); On the Waterfront (7/9); Roman Holiday (7/16); The Maltese Falcon (7/23); Rebel Without a Cause (7/30); The Adventures of Robin Hood (8/6); and All about Eve (8/13)

   What a lineup! This is a weekly outdoor event. Here’s a link for all the details:

http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/free_summer_movies

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~ PARAMOUNT THEATER SUMMER CLASSIC FILM SERIES (AUSTIN, TX) – Over 80 classic films as they were meant to be seen! Here are some July highlights:

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me (July 5th-8th);  The Night of the Hunter (July 10th-12th); Bringing up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, My Man Godfrey, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Buck Privates (July 13th-18th); The Third Man (July 19th); The House on the Haunted Hill, Dracula, Freaks, Frankenstein (July 24th-29th)

   For a complete listing:

http://www.austintheatre.org/site/PageServer?pagename=summer_film_series#July

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~ SAENGER THEATRE (PENSACOLA, FLA) – Their classic movie series begins Saturday, July 14th at 7p. Here’s the fabulous lineup: On the Town (7/14); The Maltese Falcon (7/21); 42nd Street (7/28); Showboat (8/4); Citizen Kane (8/11); My Fair Lady (8/18); Fiddler on the Roof (8/25); The Music Man (9/1); Casablanca (9/8)

   Click below if you live in the area:

http://www.pensacolasaenger.com/classic-movies

# # #

   There are classic film festivals popping up everywhere!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

The Beverly Hills Hotel is celebrating its golden anniversary. At 100, the location is a landmark from Hollywood’s Silent Era. Over the weekend, the bash generated A-LIST celebrities, including Warren Beatty, Mary J. Blige,  Brenda Vaccaro, Donna Mills,  Frances Fisher, Bill Cosby, songwriter Diane Warren, and producer-director Irwin Winkler.

The original main building was created by Pasadena architect Elmer Grey, who also designed  Huntington Art Gallery and Pasadena Playhouse. The sign was drawn by Paul Williams. Margaret Anderson (and son Stanley, who had managed the Hollywood Hotel) opened the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows in May, 1912.

   It’s been a central meeting place for business folks, especially from the Los Angeles motion picture and television industries. Many movie deals were consummated with drinks over the decades. Iconic cinema filmed on location included Designing Woman (1957) with Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall; Move Over Darling (1963) featuring Doris Day and James Garner; and California Suite (1978) with Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Maggie Smith, and Michael Caine. The Beverly Hills Hotel:  The First 100 Years was written by Robert Anderson, capturing its must-see majesty in print and photos.

The gala over the weekend raised monies, with all proceeds to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The National Indie Excellence Book Awards have been presented for 2012. According to their announcement, Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has WON its category.

http://www.indieexcellence.com/indie-results-2012-winners.htm#9

   Book Expo American 2012 is going on this week, and a press release has been sent to all the media signed up for that event, letting them know of the contest and it’s awards. An ad was also placed in Publisher’s Weekly and Publisher’s Daily with a banner linking to the site.

   Here’s my portion of the Press Release info:

   Forgotten Hollywood’s Brand is the recipient of SIX literary accolades since 2009. This is very GOOD NEWS! I can officially proclaim that my work:   An Award-Winning Book Series…

   Below is a visual power point created by the website highlighing the winners from this year’s Indie Excellence Book Awards:

National Indie Excellence Awards Video

“http://www.youtube.com/embed/LpxXE3HFLMI“

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Frank Worth was considered a photographer-to-the-stars during Hollywood’s Golden Age. His most famous shot was of Marilyn Monroe standing on a subway grate during the filming of The Seven Year Itch. Her dress billowing upward defined a generation. It also may have led to Joe DiMaggio divorcing her. Frank snapped candid pictures of his actor-friends between 1939 and 1964.

   The NAC Gallery in Ft. Lauderdale is presenting the work of Frank Worth through July 14th. The exhibition is appropriately called The Seven Week Itch, due to the length of its run, which began last week. Featured is seldom seen snapshots of  <– Marilyn, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, and Jayne Mansfield (who dated Worth for a time). His access to the sets of studio productions included How to Marry a Millionaire, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.

   At the time, Frank Worth’s day job was as a newswire sports photographer. His assigned team was the Los Angeles Dodgers. Some of his early subjects were James Cagney, Frank McHugh, Pat O’Brien, and Spencer Tracy (below). He also documented Elizabeth Taylor’s first wedding. Worth died in 2000. His work became available through Christie’s Auction House about a decade ago.

   HOLLYWOOD’S IRISH MAFIA

   The NAC Gallery is at 3325 N.E. 32nd St. in Fort Lauderdale. The cost to attend The Seven Week Itch is FREE; and when dressed as a vintage star, take home a limited-edition lithograph.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Blog has just been named a FINALIST at the Los Angeles Press Club 54th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards.  The 2012 winners will be announced at an Awards Gala in the Crystal Ballroom at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on Sunday, June 24th. This was the actual  site where the idea of the Academy Awards ceremony was formulated in 1926 by movie studio moguls.

   I’m up against extraordinary talent. How amazing to be named in the same company with top journalists in the #2 Market associated with television, radio, print, newspaper, and internet-related investigative news, sports, entertainment and photo journalism. This is my initial award-nomination in my broadcasting career, spanning three decades. What a true honor for the short time the FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Blog has existed. And, it’s a fabulous promotion for my Book Series.

   According to the Los Angeles Press Club online site:

Nominees were selected by volunteer members of press clubs from around the nation in one of the oldest and largest journalism competitions; not just in Southern California, but the nation as well.

   Here’s a portion of the Announcement of Finalists news release:

Manny P. here…

   Ann Rutherford, who played Vivien Leigh’s youngest sister in Gone with the Wind, and Mickey Rooney’s long-suffering beau in the Andy Hardy series, has died. The Orange County Register radio columnist, Gary Lycan, paid special tribute in his Introduction of my recent book-release – Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

   Ann’s screen career began at Republic Pictures studios (then called Mascot Pictures) in low-budget Westerns opposite Gene Autry and John Wayne. After she signed with MGM, Rutherford was a co-star in memorable movies, including Of Human Hearts, A Christmas Carol, Pride and Prejudice, and with Glenn Miller in Orchestra Wives. For five years, she played Polly Benedict a dozen times in the series that made Mickey Rooney a bankable star. Rutherford was also Red Skelton’s gal-pal in a trio of Whistling comedy-mysteries.

   Legend has it, the actress secured the role of Scarlett O’Hara’s young sibling in Gone with the Wind because Judy Garland was unavailable, due to her schedule on The Wizard of Oz.  Despite personal objections, Louis B. Mayer loaned Rutherford to his rival, David O. Selznick.  Ann later joined Clark Gable, Carole Lombard (his wife), and author Margaret Mitchell at the  premiere of the epic blockbuster in Atlanta.

   After she left MGM, Rutherford replaced Penny Singleton on radio as Blondie; and was cast opposite Danny Kaye in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. In 1950, she retired from films. One of her final on-camera appearances was in television as Suzanne Pleshette’s mother on The Bob Newhart Show. Rutherford was offered the part of the elderly Rose Calvert in the 1997 version of Titanic, but she turned it down. This choice role was played by actress Gloria Stuart.

   In retirement, Rutherford was quite popular when she appeared at Gone with the Wind reunions. And, her second husband, William Dozier, created the television program – Batman.

   By most accounts, Ann Rutherford was 94.

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   Henry Hill Jr. is also dead. He was a mobster, who became an FBI informant that led to 50 convictions of American Mafia-types. His life story was documented in Wiseguy, a 1980s biography. Hill felt his  time in Witness Protection was equal to the kind of life experienced by what he called 9-to-5 snooks who lived in the neighborhood where he grew up. The Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas in 1990 was based on the publication. Ray Liotta played the colorful criminal-turned-snitch.  Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci also starred in the iconic motion picture. In fact, Pesci won an Oscar for his performance. HENRY HILL JR –>

   Henry Hill Jr. croaked peacefully. He was 69.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   At my recent visit to the Huntington Beach Rotary Club, they completely surprised me in a most unusual way. One of their members was former child star Layne (Dick) Tom Jr. His career lasted a decade during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   Born in 1927, Tom appeared in a number of cinematic classics. He began his journey as an extra in Stowaway, which starred Shirley Temple. MGM borrowed him for San Francisco with Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Jeanette McDonald. Tom had minor roles in The Good Earth and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

LAYNE TOM JR.      C. AUBREY SMITH 

   His scenes in The Hurricane with C. Aubrey Smith (the notable actor who has a Chapter in Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History) were taken seriously by studio executives. Because of this, he was cast as the #2, #5 and #7 Son in the Charlie Chan series with Warner Oland and Keye Luke. Tom left acting after he entered The Service during World War II. His had a brief comeback when he appeared in two documentaries about the Chinese detective: Layne Tom Jr: The Adventures of Charlie Chan, and The Legacy of Charlie Chan, as the narrator.

   After Tom got out of the Navy when World War II ended, he turned down a five-year motion picture contract with Monogram Pictures to instead attend college to become an architect. Tom is currently retired.

   His daughter Kiana Tom is the glib host of Kiana’s Flex Appeal, a television fitness series. In retirement, Dick Tom Jr. is an OC Rotarian,  an avid reader, and now, a proud owner of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series.

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   Brevard County, in the heart of Space Coast Florida, have purchased both works in the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series for their Central Branch in Cocoa, FL. This means four copies are in three libraries in their literary system. Merritt Island and Satellite Beach are other locales in Central Florida that own the original Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. A former resident of Cocoa is comedian Carrot Top.

   Overall, 97 nationwide locations carry both paperbacks; 80 branches house my  first work; and 36 reading shelves currently hold Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in their collection, including two copies recently added by my friends at the El Segundo Library.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Frank Cady was a popular television supporting co-star, who got his start in cinema. He had parts in some of the best films during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   Cady’s first flick was Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. His career continued after World War II, and his breakthrough role was opposite Edmond O’Brien in D.O.A., a film noir classic. He also appeared in Flamingo Road, The Asphalt Jungle, Father of the Bride, Billy Wilder’s Ace in the Hole, Rear Window, When Worlds Collide, The Bad Seed, and The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao.   FRANK CADY

   The small screen was Cady’s calling card. On television in the 1950s, he had guest shots on December Bride, The Gale Storm Show, Maverick, 77 Sunset Strip, and Make Room for Daddy. Over the next decade, he was cast in Wagon Train, The Untouchables, The Virginian,  Rawhide, Cheyenne, Perry Mason, Hazel, Dennis the Menace, The Andy Griffith Show, and Gunsmoke. He finished up on Hawaii Five-O, Eight is Enough, and After M.A.S.H.

   But, Frank Cady will always be remembered for The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet; and as Sam Drucker in The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, and Green Acres. Cady was the singular actor in television history to play a same character on three sitcoms at the precise moment. He reprised playing Sam Drucker in 1990 on a Green Acres reunion special. He retired the following year. By all accounts, his peers considered him a complete joy to work with.

   Frank Cady was 96.

Until next time.                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Quite possibly, the finest movie musical ever produced is celebrating its birthday. Singin’ in the Rain will be 60 in July. Of course, Turner Classic Movies will coordinate the festivities. According to their website:

NCM Fathom, Turner Classic Movies, and Warner Brothers come together again…

The event begins with a Turner Classic Movies original production featuring TCM host Robert Osborne in an exclusive interview with star Debbie Reynolds, as she shares memories of working with Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.
 

   My local library in Cypress in now carrying Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. This makes 35 nationwide branches housing my latest work; and 96 total reading houses that own the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. The Cypress location carries my original paperback, which I donated to the library last year.

Manny P. here…

   Hollywood-and-Vine moments is my metaphor when Hollywood history and Americana cross paths. This weekend, several of these newsworthy events are taking place around the country.

~ The Superman Celebration is going on in the Ohio River community of Metropolis, Illinois, and runs through Sunday. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend, which includes a slew of Man-of-Steel related  cinema and Hollywood dignitaries, such as Cassidy Freeman and John Glover from the television series Smallville.

   Superman’s co-creator Jerry Siegel chose the name Metropolis when he first created the comic strip in the 1930s.

~ On Sunday, Heritage Auctions will offer up 100 Annie Oakley-related items in Dallas, including her Stetson hat, letters, photographs, and guns  that are expected to fetch thousands of dollars for her family.

   Oakley gained fame in the 1880s and 1890s for her shooting skills as a performer in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. She died in 1926, but has remained a pop culture icon. Her life story inspired a film and Broadway’s Annie Get Your Gun. Several museums throughout the country have collections related to her, including the Garst Museum’s Annie Oakley Center in her hometown of Greenville, Ohio, and the iconic Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

~ Unfortunate news, as New York firefighters this weekend are investigating the cause of a fire that broke out in an apartment complex at Central Park West. The Hollywood tie-in… Robert De Niro and 95-year old Celeste Holm are residents. De Niro was out of the country. But, Holm and her husband were at home as the Friday afternoon blaze erupted. Fortunately, no one was injured.

   Holm won an Oscar. She received a statuette for her performance in Gentleman’s Agreement in 1947. Holm was also wonderful in All About Eve.

~ GOOGLE is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Movie Drive-In.  They have created a special logo honoring this uniquely American idea, and placed it on their website. A very cool concept; and quintessential Hollywood-and-Vine moment!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’d like to offer my sincere heartfelt thanks to the Santa Ana North Rotary Club. After a recent visit to their Fellowship Lunch, and engaging discussion about Forgotten Hollywood, they showed their appreciation for my appearance in a most charitable way.

   I was informed by the local Rotary that a donation would be made in my name to the Free Wheelchair Mission. This international non-profit organization is dedicated in providing many instruments of mobility to the impoverished disabled in developing nations. According to this fine charity’s website, over 645,000 wheelchairs have been distributed to date. A year-long Rotary effort compliments my Lionel Barrymore chapter in Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, who was a pioneer with regards to disability issues.

   The Orange County, CA offices of the Free Wheelchair Mission is located at 15279 Alton Parkway, Suite 300, Irvine. Here’s a link to their website:

http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/site/c.fgLFIXOJKtF/b.4916275/k.BE91/Home.htm

   The Santa Ana North Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at Antonello Ristorante Italian Restaurant in Costa Mesa. Again, let me extend my thanks to this extraordinary service group’s weekly effort to embody their concept of Service Above Self.

   Please visit their website for more information about sterling charitable work:

http://santaananorthrotary.org/

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   I would also want to take a moment to express the fun I had at the Huntington Beach Rotary weekly meeting. What a lively membership! This is one of the few groups where I had previously not met any of the folks; yet, they embraced my visit. The members were quite attentive, and tested my knowledge about Hollywood’s Golden Age with tough questions. We had a ball!

   Among the charities this fine organization sponsors: Handicapped  Ramp Rotary Refresh Project. Access to mobility is a most precious of gifts. The Huntington Beach Rotary shares  more information on their award-winning website and newsletter (called The Spoke).

 THE  SPKE

   Thanks again to President Wendy Rogers, and incoming President Scott Smith for their kind invitation.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The greatest scribe of 20th Century science fiction is dead. Ray Douglas Bradbury was the most prolific author of the genre since Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. However, his influence into the field of speculative fiction was actually Edgar Allan Poe and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Much of Bradbury’s work has been interpreted in television anthology programming and in cinema.

   During his youth, the movies of Lon Chaney captured Ray’s imagination. His literary legacy  began after watching the daytime matinee serials, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. Bradbury began having his science fiction stories published in 1938. He was a mainstay maestro of the genre until the 1980’s, when he dabbled in detective fiction. In between (and so respected),  Ray became a consultant for the American Pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair; and the original exhibit housed in Epcot’s Spaceship Earth geosphere at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

   Many of his short stories were adapted to radio and television anthologies, such as X Minus One, Tales of Tomorrow, Lights Out, Suspense, and most notably, on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone. I Sing the Body Electric (from the book of the same name) was adapted for its 100th episode, which first aired on May 18, 1962. The Martian Chronicles became a three-part miniseries starring Rock Hudson that broadcast on NBC in 1980. From 1985 to 1992, the writer hosted a syndicated anthology series The Ray Bradbury Theater.

   His most famous screen adaptations include It Came From Outer Space; Fahrenheit 451, directed by Francois Truffaut; and The Illustrated Man, which featured Rod Steiger and Claire Bloom.

   Among the many accolades Ray Bradbury has received: An asteroid discovered in 1992 was named 9766 Bradbury in his honor. In 2004, he was the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, presented by President George W. Bush. Three years later, Bradbury received a special citation from The Pulitzer Board – for his distinguished, prolific, and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy. The Ray Bradbury Award, presented annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America for screenwriting, was named in the author’s honor.

   The esteemed Ray Bradbury was 91.

Until next time>                               “never forget”