Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Gary Lycan, the award-winning radio columnist of the Orange County Register has written a persuasive account of our Indiegogo Funding Campaign promoting the Development of our Forgotten Hollywood Documentary Pilot. In his latest column, he writes:

                                                     GARY LYCAN

What do radio personalities do in their spare time? Manny Pacheco, host of “Forgotten Hollywood” at 3 p.m. Saturdays on KSPA/1510 AM and author of a series of books by the same name, is working on a documentary film on character actor Lionel Barrymore.

The challenging part is fund-raising, he said. Dozens of Orange County residents have made contributions. Pacheco has a production team in place and commitments from talent, writers, producers, and all those other people you see named on production credits. Here is the link to check out and decide if you want to consider a contribution:

www.indiegogo.com/forgottenhollywoodseries/x/1999460

   Gary’s story will appear in the Sunday edition of the Orange County Register. However, his column is now online at:

Manny P. here…

   On this Valentine’s Day… many happy returns from these sirens of classic Hollywood:

~ SHIRLEY TEMPLE  ~  MARILYN MONROE  ~  ELIZABETH TAYLOR ~

   ~ LUCILLE BALL  ~  JUNE ALLYSON  ~  AUDREY HEPBURN ~

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The ninth edition of Glasgow Film Festival begins on Valentine’s Day and runs until February 24th, the evening of the Academy Awards. Following in the  footsteps of the 2012 Gene Kelly retrospective, this year’s Festival celebrates the fine achievements of Hollywood’s favourite tough guy… James Cagney.

   Long before Goodfellas or The Godfather, James Cagney was Hollywood’s ultimate gangster.  Born in 1899, he was raised in the tough neighborhoods of New York’s lower East Side, and started his career in vaudeville and Broadway musicals. An electrifying performer, Cagney blazed across the screen in a series of landmark crime stories torn from the bleak headlines of Prohibition-era America. Equally adept at screwball comedy and wartime drama, he won a Best Actor Oscar for his beloved performance as George M. Cohan.

<– James Cagney: Top Of The World, Ma! is also a documentary paying tribute to one of the greatest stars from Hollywood’s Studio Era.

02/15 – The Public Enemy (1931);  02/16 – Angels With Dirty Faces (1938);     02/17 – Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942); 02/18 – The Roaring Twenties (1939);     02/19 – White Heat (1949); 02/20 & 02/21 – Love Me Or Leave Me (1955);             02/21 – One, Two, Three (1961)

      SUNSET BOULEVARD                                      THE BLACK PIRATE

   Also on tap is a special screening of Sunset Boulevard (1950) on 02/16. The Glasgow Film Festival is proud to host the European premiere of its sumptuous 4K restoration from Paramount Pictures. The Out of the Past cinema program also includes a silent era early Technicolor gem starring Douglas Fairbanks called The Black Pirate (1926) on 02/24.

   This two-week festival in the heart of Scotland sounds like a real treat!

Until next time>                                “never forget“

Manny P. here…

  As we approach one-third of our Indiegogo FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Documentary Pilot  (Development) funding campaign, we’ve collected over $1375 for the cause. For further info, click on the Indiegogo link:

http://www.indiegogo.com/forgottenhollywoodseries/x/1999460

CONTRIBUTIONS

~ KARAOKE SCENE MAGAZINE ($51) – This is the second place of business to participate in our funding drive. Karaoke Scene provides the casual Southern California karaoke singer with locations to sing, interesting columns, and all the latest equipment information. They sponsor several of the largest national contests: the SONGBURST and Creme de la Creme, Creme de la King, and the Creme de la Kids competitions (all part of the KARAOKEFEST).

   The Cypress business provides an app to read the bi-monthly issues of the magazine. Just click on one of the links below:

 iphone:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/karaoke-scene/id389763745?mt=8

android:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.islandmediagroup.karaokescene

~ JAMESON WONG ($40) – My neighbor is a production coordinator for Simple Green. Recently, at his company party, Jameson won a singing contest. We enjoy his country rendition of tunes at the Starting Gate in Los Alamitos. Like my friend, Ray Jordan, Jameson has an affinity to reptiles!

~ ROBIN ITZLER ($25) – A popular OC pet sitter, this is one busy gal. Robin writes a column for the Orange County Breeze; and belongs to the Cypress Chamber of Commerce and Los Alamitos Republican Club. She is also an aspiring scribe. With this kind of work-ethic, I’m convinced she will succeed in whatever endeavor she put her mind to.

~ FRANK “CISCO” SANTANGELO ($25) – My former Program Director at KIK-FM, a former sister broadcasting company to the Financial News and Talk Network, which airs the Forgotten Hollywood radio program each Saturday, Cisco currently is a placement coordinator at the Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting. The longtime radio personality is also a big fan of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

~ AUSTIN CLOUGH ($25) – Austin is having a busy 2013 award’s season. The Costa Mesa native has been on the Red Carpets at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. When Austin is not interviewing A-List stars, he’s a counselor at the Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting.

~ SUSAN GARRETT ($20) – Sue is an unabashed lover of karaoke, and frequently performs at Orange County shows, including the Starting Gate and Mr. B’s in Los Alamitos; and Valley View Lanes in Garden Grove. She’s also made sure her parents own copies of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series.

~ MICHELE BERRIER ($10) – Michele is a Cypress homemaker. She is also a member of the Buena Park Women of the Moose. This club chapter is my host location that helped me recently raise $2400 for my official charity – Mooseheart. A dollar for every first edition of my initial book was donated to this Chicago-based national educational facility, which we did in total last September.

~ BRAD BAKKEN ($10) -Brad is a network administrator who lives in Anaheim. He has numerous hobbies; including karaoke and his motorcycle. Brad was one of my first friends who supported my desire in becoming an author, when he bought an early copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

~ BRYAN VANCE ($10) – Bryan resides in Santa Ana. For years, he’s been an instructor at the Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting. The folks at this fine facility have been very generous in their contributions, which I truly appreciate.

~ GRANADA PAVILION BINGO LADIES ($7) – A number of these wonderful women passed the hat at a recent evening of bingo, and gladly, donated to the cause. Every dollar counts in our funding campaign.

PROMOTIONS / LINKS

   Helping me share the FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Documentary Pilot on their social network sites:

   Radio and television host, ERICA PORTER; and literary website RED ROOM are promoting my efforts. Itreprints my Forgotten Hollywood blogs, which I appreciate.

* * * * *

   During the 2013 campaign, I’m asking friends, family, and supporters of our FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD franchise to help us reach a 120-day goal of $5000. We’re currently at almost 28% because of 41 wonderful contributions.

   YOU can contribute ANY AMOUNT. This step ensures Development, and we’ll be able to:

1. Hire a research archivist to track down footage and photos; and secure licensing
2. Hire a consultant / casting director to book actors and behind-the-scenes folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age; plus cinematic historians for original interviews
3. Set up a production shoot to tape these candid moments

   Again, here’s the Indiegogo link for your chance to participate:

http://www.indiegogo.com/forgottenhollywoodseries/x/1999460

   I’m really blessed for your official future consideration… And, I’m thrilled about our latest round of contributors and supporters (above).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Margaret Herrick Library is the official repository for cinematic materials related to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. They just received a wonderful collection of “B” movie posters from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   Almost 1100 in the series have been donated by a Chicago real estate developer. Dwight Cleveland had amassed one of the largest and most historically significant collection in the world. The donated posters document the studio era in the first half of the 20th century, and include examples from Twentieth Century-Fox. A variety of genres are represented, including westerns, war films, musicals, biblical epics, and social drama.

   The Cleveland collection has been meticulously cataloged, conserved and photographed. The gift, which will be housed in the library, fills some significant gaps in the Academy’s collection. Posters in the library’s collections are stored in climate-controlled vaults in Beverly Hills, and may be accessed by filmmakers, historians, journalists, students, and the general public. They are frequently shown at the Academy’s own exhibitions, and loaned to international cultural institutions.

   By the way, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is also housed at the prestigious Margaret Herrick Library. For more information about the Academy’s holdings, visit www.oscars.org.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   As we enter our second month for the Indiegogo funding campaign for our FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Documentary Pilot (Development), I can confidently state that we have collected well over a $1150 for the cause. For further info, click on the Indiegogo link:

http://www.indiegogo.com/forgottenhollywoodseries/x/1999460

CONTRIBUTIONS

~ GARY BEEBE ($50) – The father of Candice Worl, who contributed $25 last week, Gary lives in Orange. A fine singer, and he loves to sing with his daughter. They delight karaoke audiences when they perform together. Gary also enjoys bowling at Westminster Lanes in his spare time.

~ SYNDY PRINCE ($25) – Syndy is an Operations Manager, who lives in Torrance. I can state with confidence that she has a wonderful family, and they have been  loyal patrons of karaoke at Mr. B’s in Los Alamitos. Syndy is a longtime friend of mine.

~ RAY JORDAN ($25) – Ray is resident of the Inland Empire, settling in Corona. A retired postal carrier, he loves to bowl, and is a huge fan of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Ray (like Johnny below) is a big supporter of the Forgotten Hollywood concept. And yes, that’s a gator he’s holding in the photo. Don’t ask me why…!!

~ JOHNNY RODRIGUEZ ($25) – Johnny is a Carson resident, who spends his work days as a graphic printing operator. Each weekend, Johnny is a friend to the many folks who visit the Starting Gate in Los Alamitos. He’s a real fan of classic cinema, an avid reader, and a supporter of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series (I’m happy to say).

~ BERNIE GREENBERG ($20) – A real proud grandmother, who resides in Huntington Beach, Bernie is another of my bowling friends. When she’s not spoiling her grandchildren, she enjoys watching Turner Classic Movies. Bernadine is thrilled to support our Forgotten Hollywood Documentary project.

~ PETE MIRANDA ($20) – Like Johnny, Pete spends his many weekends at the Starting Gate. He’s retired, and is real fond of singing karaoke at my shows. Born and raised in New York, Pete currently lives in La Mirada.

   I’d also like to offer my personal thanks to JAY BULLARD ($20), who is a court reporter in Santa Ana; RON MURPHY ($10), a retired firefighter from Midway City (a real hero for his tireless service during his career); and KIM HOUSKA ($10), a Cerritos resident who works as a customer service manager. All three are bowlers at Westminster Lanes, a location that is really friendly to my cinematic project.

   Finally, let me also share my appreciation to ISAIAH GONZALES ($20), a student at The Academy of Radio & Television Broadcasting. I’m proud to say, he’s a Marine veteran, and a member of the Army Reserves. His hometown is Bakersfield. Isaiah also likes to keep up with my Forgotten Hollywood blog.

* * * * *

   During the 2013 campaign, I’m asking my friends, family, and supporters of our FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD franchise to help us reach a 120-day goal of $5000. We are currently at a  steady 23% because of 29 thoughtful contributions.

   YOU can contribute ANY AMOUNT. This step will ensure Development, and we’ll be able to:

1. Hire a research archivist to track down footage and photos; and secure licensing
2. Hire a consultant / casting director to book actors and behind-the-scenes folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age; plus cinematic historians for original interviews
3. Set up a production shoot to tape these candid moments

Again, here’s the Indiegogo link for your chance to participate:

http://www.indiegogo.com/forgottenhollywoodseries/x/1999460

   I really appreciate your official future consideration… And, much love to our latest round of  contributors and supporters (above).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Library of Congress have made their 2012 selections for the National Film Registry. The highlights include:

~ Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1914) – Harriet Beecher Stowe published her great anti-slavery novel in 1852. Adapted as a play in 1853, it had continuously been staged in the US for a century. The World Producing Corp. set an important milestone in American movie history.

~ Sons of the Desert (1933) – Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, along with comedian Charley Chase, star in this riotous comedy. Directed by veteran comedy director William A. Seiter for Hal Roach Studios, the film was ranked among the Top 10 box office hits after its release. Film scholars and fans consider it to be the duo’s finest feature motion picture.

~ Born Yesterday (1950) – Judy Holliday’s sparkling lead performance as not-so-dumb blonde Billie Dawn anchors this comedy classic based on Garson Kanin’s play, and directed for the screen by George Cukor. Holliday’s work in the film (a role she had previously played on Broadway) was honored with the Academy Award for Best Actress, and it has endured as one of the era’s most finely realized comedy performances.

~ 3:10 to Yuma (1957) – Considered to be one of the finest westerns of the 1950s, it compares favorably with High Noon. This innovative classic from director Delmer Daves starred Glenn Ford and Van Heflin in roles cast against type, and was based on a short story by Elmore Leonard.

~ Anatomy of a Murder (1959) – Director Otto Preminger brought a new cinematic frankness to film with this gripping crime-and-trial story shot on location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where the incident occurred. James Stewart received his final Oscar nomination for his work. The flick includes an innovative jazz score by Duke Ellington (who makes a cameo appearance), and one of Saul Bass’s most memorable opening title sequences.

~ Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1960) – Truman Capote’s acclaimed novella, the author believed that Marilyn Monroe would have been perfect for the film; and judged Audrey Hepburn, who landed the lead, just wrong for the part. However,  audiences disagreed. Critics also have lauded the movie’s director Blake Edwards for scenes using creative visual gags. Composer Henry Mancini’s classic Moon River, featuring lyrics by Johnny Mercer, received critical acclaim. Edwards and Mancini became cinematic collaborators for several decades.

~ Dirty Harry (1971) – Clint Eastwood’s role as rogue police officer Harry Callahan in director Don Siegel’s controversial paean to vigilante justice had marked a major turning point in the actor’s career. A Top 10 box office hit after its release, the film’s kinesthetic direction and editing laid the aesthetic groundwork for many of the 1970s’ gritty police dramas.

   Other highlights include a 1922 Kodachrome Color Motion Picture Test film; and They Call It Pro Football, which has been described as the Citizen Kane of sports movies.

   Established by Congress in 1989, the National Film Registry spotlights the importance of preserving America’s unparalleled film heritage. These selections are not considered the best American celluloid of all time, but rather as works of enduring importance to American culture. Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Library of Congress nominates 25 films to the National Film Registry that are culturally, historically or aesthetically significant. They must be at least a decade old. Spanning the period 1897-1999, the movies named to the Registry includes Hollywood classics, documentaries, early works, independent and experimental motion pictures. This year’s selections bring the number of cinema in the Registry to 600.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   When the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49ers in this weekend’s Big Game in New Orleans, a real Hollywood-and-Vine moment will emerge. Ravens right tackle Michael Oher was the subject of the 2009 blockbuster film, The Blind Side.

   The award winning film captures the story of the Tuohy family, who adopted the trouble teen from a broken home. Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award for playing the matriarch of the family, who overcame a litany of issues to assure that Oher would succeed in life, including a lingering bigotry of African-Americans from her Memphis neighbors; to NCAA allegations that the Tuohy parents were illegally influencing the high school football sensation to attend the University of Mississippi, their alma-mater. Now, the Tuohy clan is joining the actress on Sunday at the Super Bowl XLVII to support their son.

   The Baltimore Ravens selected Oher from Ole Miss in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. His life through his final year of high school and first year of college is a subject of Michael Lewis’s 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. In fact, Lewis grew up in New Orleans and went to high school with Sean Tuohy, Oher’s adopted dad. And, both have returned to the Big Easy, hoping for a Hollywood-style ending to the Super Bowl.

   Inspired by the public’s response to The Blind Side, the Tuohys created the Making it Happen Foundation, which offers financial help to those committed to improving the lives of children living in poverty and unstable homes. According to the Associated Press newswire, they described their foundation grants as modest. In some cases, it might not be more than paying for a flight to help someone make a cross-country trip to adopt a child. Bullock has remained close friends with the entire family since filming the motion picture, and sometimes, her charity work in New Orleans coincides with that of the Tuohys.

   One thing is almost certain, Sandra Bullock and Leigh Anne Tuohy will be emphatically yelling out plays from the sidelines to Baltimore coach John Harbaugh. And, so it goes…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

    Almost a month is in the books in the Indiegogo funding campaign for our FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Documentary Pilot (Development), and through the website and from direct personal contributions, we have surpassed $900. For complete information… click on the Indiegogo link:

http://www.indiegogo.com/forgottenhollywoodseries/x/1999460

CONTRIBUTIONS~ CANDICE WORL ($25) – Candice is the longtime director at KinderCare in Santa Ana; and she owns her own karaoke company. Her clients include the TomKat Lounge in Buena Park; and the Starting Gate and Mr. B’s in Los Alamitos.