Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Don’t you just love when Americana intermingles with Hollywood history; much like the intersected streets of Hollywood and Vine. It happened today. We can thank Elon Musk at SpaceX for the reference. Here is the backstory:

“`SpaceX Falcon Heavy launched unique test cargo into space, today; sending a motor vehicle driven by a mannequin  for an unprecedented adventure. The much-anticipated launch demonstrated that SpaceX’s beefed-up rocket can lift heavier craft into space for future missions to Mars and the moon. The so-called driver is behind the wheel of Musk’s cherry red Tesla Roadster. He is named STARMAN, and his car radio is blasting Space Oddity by David Bowie. A Hot Wheels was also on its dash with a tiny spaceman on board.

“`This vehicle serves an actual purpose. When new rockets are tested, they often carry a demonstration cargo load, like blocks of concrete or steel, to simulate the weight the rocket must lift into space. The Roadster and Starman shall be floating through the solar system for a billion (or so) years.

“`Starman is a 1984 science fiction romance film, directed by John Carpenter. It shares the story of a humanoid alien played by Jeff Bridges, who flies to Earth after responding to an invite found on a gold phonograph record installed on the Voyager 2  space probe. Launched in 1977, this rocket carried a message of peace. Bridges received an Oscar nod for his performance.

“`Musk is brilliant enough to comprehend subtle similarities of his latest launch, and its relative relationship to this cinematic production.

“`CONGRATS to Elon Musk and his team for collective genius!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`John Mahoney played a retired Seattle police officer and prickly blue collar father, Martin Crane, on Frasier. The Cheers spinoff aired from 1993 to 2004. He earned two Emmy nominations for his performance as Crane. Mahoney was also a noted stage and big screen performer.

“`The actor was born in 1940 during World War II in Blackpool, England. John visited Chicago as a college student, and he eventually made it his home. A cast ensemble member with Steppenwolf Theatre Company since 1979, they canceled Monday’s scheduled performance in honor of John Mahoney (right).

“`He worked steadily in movies appearing in The American President, In the Line of Fire, Eight Men Out, Tin Men, Frantic, Suspect, Barton Fink, Moonstruck, Primal Fear, The Hudsucker Proxy, Reality Bites, and Say Anything. On television, he guest-starred in ER, Becker,  3rd Rock From the Sun, Cheers, Burn Notice,  Foyle’s War, Hot in Cleveland, and The Simpsons.

“`Mahoney worked as a voice actor, and performed on Broadway and in Chicago theaters. He won a Tony Award for his starring turn in The House of Blue Leaves. Mahoney also had a prominent role in the Broadway revival of Prelude to a Kiss. He narrated Midwest Airlines commercials for a time.

“`His friends from the stage included John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. Along with David Hyde Pierce, Mahoney was godfather to Frasier and Hot in Cleveland co-star Jane Leeves’ son.

“`John Mahoney was 77.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Comic book icon Stan Lee was rushed to the hospital after experiencing shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat.  The 95-year-old is at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, and in stable condition. A spokesperson for Stan Lee commented on his condition, saying that he is staying there for a few days for some check ups as a safety precaution.

“`In recent years, Stan has called off several appearances due to this health. After canceling two appearances in Ohio in 2012, Lee revealed he had a pacemaker implanted. Lee was also rushed to hospital in 2015; though, was able to attend the red-carpet premiere of Ant-Man, which happened the next day. In 2017, Lee cancelled appearances at Big Apple Con and Salt Lake City Comic Con’s FanX.

“`Lee has been slowing his schedule in recent years, having already made his final convention appearances in Canada and Europe. However, Lee still keeps an incredibly active schedule. Back in 2016, he shot four cameos in one day; and he just threw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game.

“`Lee joined Timely Comics, which later became Marvel Comics, in 1939. Along with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Lee helped create many of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes, including Thor, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Silver Surfer, and many more.

“`Best wishes to Stan Lee (above).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, one of the historic sports venues in the nation, sold naming rights to  United Airlines in a lucrative deal that was announced by USC during its recent ground-breaking ceremony.  The agreement, which spans 16 years and is reportedly worth $69 million, will re-name the iconic stadium to the United Airlines Memorial Coliseum, beginning in 2019, and shall help fund the $270 million renovation that is already underway.

“`The Coliseum has been home to the USC Trojans football team since 1923, and will house the Los Angeles Rams for two more seasons, until their new stadium in Inglewood is ready in 2020. The Coliseum will also host its third Olympics in 2028.

“`Leading up to the name change, the Coliseum undergoes a major overhaul that will create luxury suites, and shrink overall capacity to 78,000.  This renovation will include extra aisles and handrails, installation of wider seating with more leg-room, updated stadium  Wi-Fi, and upgraded concession areas.

“`USC runs the Coliseum under a 98-year lease agreement with the city, county, and state.

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“`Actor Robert Wagner has officially been labeled a person of interest in the tragic drowning death of Natalie Wood nearly four decades ago. The actress was married to Wagner from 1972, until her untimely passing in 1981.                                ROBERT WAGNER / NATALIE WOOD –>

“`The 43-year-old drowned off the coast of Catalina Island,  after she went missing from her family yacht. Captain Dennis Davern and actor Christopher Walken were also aboard on the fateful evening. Natalie’s death was ruled an accident. In 2011, this case was re-opened, and a death certificate was updated:  Drowning and undetermined factors.

“`A CBS special, called Natalie Wood:  Death in Dark Water, will air Saturday at 10p. It  features additional witnesses, evidence, and theories as to what happened the final night of her life. Los Angeles investigators are now calling it a suspicious accident.

Until next time>                               “never forget”