Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here… 

“`Robert Francis Kennedy’s life and a transformation into a liberal hero is coming to  Netflix in a new four-part documentary series available on Friday.  Through archival footage and interviews with friends and staffers, Bobby Kennedy for President takes an in-depth view at what compelled him to seek public office, the items that shaped him, and his legacy decades after his assassination.

“`It takes viewers through RFK’s time as attorney general, his depression following his brother’s assassination, entry into the 1968 presidential race, and his own death (83 days later). The documentary explores Bobby’s growth on issues as Civil Rights through the guidance of black leaders such as John Lewis, now representing the nation as a Democratic congressman.

“`This series is produced by RadicalMedia, Trilogy Films, and LooksFilm, and features interviews from Sirhan’s brother, Munir Sirhan; and Juan Romero, an Ambassador Hotel busboy who was at Bobby’s side. For Romero, a Mexican immigrant, it was one of the few times he has openly talked about Kennedy’s death; something he has felt guilty about for years, since RFK stopped to shake his hand before the gunshots. Viewers also hears from dramatic figures in Kennedy’s life, including Paul Schrade, who was shot in the head when Sirhan Sirhan murdered Bobby on June 5th, 1968.

“`Film makers spent more than a year gathering footage from museums, news outlets, and presidential archives that transports viewers to a different time. Some of the footage, which shows RFK from his college days to the last day of his life, had never before been digitized, and was at risk of being lost forever.

“`He was once called the most likely American in the 20th Century to become president. But, Robert F. Kennedy’s bid to follow in his older brother’s footsteps as a commander-in-chief was cut short by a man with a gun.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The widow of maverick automaker  John DeLorean alleges a Texas company has illegally received money from the Back to the Future  series of films that used his iconic car. The Texas company is named DeLorean Motor Company,  but is not affiliated with the company DeLorean started.

“`The car was featured in the 1985 film, and in the 1989 sequel. Sally DeLorean claims Universal Pictures agreed in 1989 to pay her husband for use of the car’s image. The DeLorean model grew in stature when shuttling Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd to situations in the past and future in movies that were released in 1985, 1989, and 1990.  Rights to use this vehicle’s image extended to gadgets, novelties, apparel, food, books, beverages, games, and toys.

“`Her lawsuit filed in federal court in New Jersey allege the Texas company claims it is owed the money, and received a substantial payment. Sally settled a lawsuit in 2015 allowing it to use the DeLorean name, but she says contractual rights to benefit from the use in the movie were not transferred. Attorneys did not immediately return messages.

“`The Estate is now demanding the money be turned over with a claim of unjust enrichment. When Delorean died in 2005, his estate didn’t have the agreement to enforce rights.

“`Bulletins as they break.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Congratulations to Hollywood historian Leonard Maltin. He is being honored by the city of Los Angeles. He is being recognized prior to his annual participation, later this week, at the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival.

“`It is an appropriately busy time for the motion picture critic and a respected vanguard of all-things cinema.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The public will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Love Liza: The Exhibit, a blockbuster exhibition at The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. This exhibit, which will feature artifacts of the upcoming auction produced by Profiles in History, and it showcases the legendary career of Liza Minnelli, one of the world’s greatest performers, and a living member of Hollywood royalty.

“`Highlights include photographs by Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, and David LaChapelle; the finest collection of rare and unpublished photographs in existence on the lives and careers of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli; memorable costumes from stage and film, including Liza’s iconic Sally Bowles look from  Cabaret; and an extensive collection of custom fashions by Halston.

“`Profiles in History is offering over a 1000 lots from the professional and personal life of the Hollywood legend at Love Liza: The Auction in Los Angeles. The sell-off also includes items from her iconic parents. The auction is in May.

“`The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is located at 465 North Beverly Drive, at Santa Monica Blvd.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Bette Midler, also known as the Divine Miss M, is returning to the Tony Award-winning revival of  Hello Dolly! on July 17th. It is a six-week run that continues until August 25th.

“`Midler has lured previous co-stars David Hyde Pierce and Gavin Creel. Pierce earned a Tony nomination in the show, and Creel won a Tony.  Tickets for the reunited cast’s final shows goes on sale on April 28th.

“`This iconic role of Dolly Levi marks Midler’s return to the Broadway stage, and previously, she shattered box office records at the Shubert Theatre. She won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Midler stepped into the role last Spring, and she ended her run in mid-January. Bernadette Peters replaced her, and will now leave after the July 15th show.

“`The musical features Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Before the Parade Passes By, and So Long Dearie. It promises a divine score.

“`The national tour of Hello Dolly! kicks off in October at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, starring Tony Award-winner Betty Buckley.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The creators of the Broadway production of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird has filed a counter suit against the executor of the late author’s estate, which is challenging screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s adapted work. Scott Rudin’s production company, Rudinplay, filed a lawsuit in Manhattan, asking for $10 million from Lee’s estate for threatening to close the production scheduled to open in December, and other unspecified damages.

“`Lee’s estate filed a federal lawsuit in March in Alabama, stating that Sorkin’s script wrongly alters Atticus Finch from Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Rudin is arguing that the estate has made it difficult to secure money needed to finance the pending production.

“`Rudin has insisted the play is faithful to the novel, and he seeks to have the Alabama lawsuit dismissed. Ironically, the heroic depiction of Atticus was first amended in the public eye by the controversial decision to publish Go Set a Watchman, the prequel to the iconic book that was actually released in 2015. Actor Jeff Daniels is set to play Finch in the stage version.

“`Opening night on Broadway hangs in the balance. It remains to be seen if the demise of the latest version will happen. An effort To Kill a Mockingbird… You cannot make this stuff up!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Barbara Bush was a snowy-haired First Lady, whose utter lack of pretense and plainspoken manner made her more popular at times than her husband, President George Herbert Walker Bush. She was one of only two First Ladies who had a child elected as a president. The other was Abigail Adams; spouse of John Adams and a mother to John Quincy Adams. The Bush couple were wed on January 6th, 1945, and became the longest marriage of any presidential couple in American history, lasting over 73 years.    BARBARA BUSH –>

“`Mrs. Bush was born Barbara Pierce in Rye, New York. She was a distant relative of President Franklin Pierce.  Her father was a publisher of McCall’s and Redbook magazines. After going to Smith College for two years, Barbara married young naval aviator George H.W. Bush. She was 19. Mrs. Bush raised five children; a sixth dying from leukemia when she was three.

“`After World War II, the Bush’s traveled to Texas oil fields to seek their fortune, and raise a family. The elder Bush began his civic journey, and he represented Houston for two terms in Congress in the 1960s and the 1970s. They made almost thirty moves before his election to the White House in 1989. Barbara kept all opinions from the public, while her partner was in office. She deviated with him on two issues; Barbara supported legal abortion, and opposed the sale of assault weapons. Promoting literacy was her passion.

“`In 1990, Mrs. Bush gave the commencement address at the all-women Wellesley College. Some protested her choice, because she was considered prominent through the achievements of her husband. Her address was ranked by a survey of scholars in 1999:  One of the Top 100 speeches of the century.

“`When her husband was defeated by Bill Clinton after the 1992 campaign, the couple’s final move was to Houston; with a summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. Eight years later, Mrs. Bush stood with her spouse as their son George W. was sworn in as president. They returned when he won a second term. Unlike Mrs. Bush, Abigail Adams died in 1818, five years before John Quincy Adams was elected chief executive (and six years before his inauguration).

“`Upon retiring, the Bush couple helped raise millions for various charities, and they appeared together at events, such as Houston Astros baseball games. Over the decades, Barbara was a steadfast supporter of her sons in politics. Public schools in the Houston-area are dedicated to both. She definitely maintained 500 of a 1000 points of light in the Bush partnership.

“`President Donald Trump has ordered United States flags to be flown at half-staff. Mrs. Bush will lie in repose from noon to midnight on Friday at  St. Martin’s Episcopal Church for the public wishing to pay their respects. Private funeral services for Barbara Bush are planned for Saturday at the church in Houston, which she and her husband regularly attended, according to the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation website.

“`She will be buried near the Bush Library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station, 100 miles northwest of Houston. Their 3-year-old daughter is also interred at the site.

“`Considered the backbone of a political dynasty and a patriot, Barbara Bush was 92.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Two familiar faces from cinema and television have passed on. Here are the details:

“`Harry Anderson was a comedian best known for playing an off-the-wall judge presiding at a Manhattan court room in the television comedy series Night Court. He played Judge Harry T. Stone, a young jurist who professed his love for singer Mel Torme, actress Jean Harlow, magic tricks, and his collection of art-deco ties. After the show ended, he was cast in the lead role in the CBS sitcom Dave’s World, which was based on the life of Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist Dave Barry.

“`Anderson began his career as a street performer in San Francisco, New Orleans, and Austin, among other cities. He found his way to Saturday Night Live, which led to his recurring role on Cheers. His character on the latter sitcom was most like the affable magician and actor.

“`Harry Anderson was 65

“`R. Lee Ermey was a former Marine who played hard-nosed military types such as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. The Kansas native received a Golden Globe nomination for a memorable performance. His initial film credits were as a helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now; and in The Boys in Company C as a drill instructor.

“`Ermey claimed over 60 credits in movies and television. He voiced the little green army man Sarge in the  Toy Story series, and Mayor Tilman in Mississippi Burning. He also hosted the History Channel programs, Mail Call and Lock N’ Load with R. Lee Ermey; plus, he was a board member for the National Rifle Association.

“`R. Lee Ermey was 74.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Milos Forman was a Czech director, whose movies, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Amadeus, won gobs of Academy Awards, including Best Director. The former, a 1975 production, was based on Ken Kesey’s novel about the misfit who leads mental institution inmates in a revolt against authority. It captured every major statuette at the year’s ceremony; the first since 1934’s It Happened One Night.

“`The orphan of Nazi Holocaust victims, Forman left his homeland after Communist troops invaded in 1968, and crushed the brief time of political and artistic freedom, known as the Prague Spring. He had been in Paris when the agitators stopped the movement, and never bothered to return home. He became a United States citizen in 1975.

“`Of all folks, Jimmy Durante offered the acclaimed Czech director a chance to create abroad. Later, Michael Douglas gave Forman an opportunity, hiring him to direct Cuckoo’s Nest, which Douglas was co-producing. The filmmaker worked meticulously, and spent months overseeing every aspect of production.

“`Milos returned to top form, when he released Amadeus. Based on Peter Shaffer’s play, it portrayed 18th century musical genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as a foul-mouthed man-child, with lesser composer Salieri as his jealous nemesis. It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

“`In between, the director created a cinematic version of Hair; and Ragtime, which featured James Cagney’s final screen appearance. After Amadeus, Milos made Valmont, The People vs. Larry Flynt, and The Man on the Moon, which was an Andy Kaufman biopic.

“`Forman received the 5th  Hanno R. Ellenbogen Citizenship Award in 2006, presented by the Prague Society and Global Panel Foundation. Milos also was given a Doctor of Humane Letters by Columbia University. In his hometown, there is a cinema bearing his name – Kino Miloše Formana (Cinema of Miloš Forman).

“`Citizen of the world, Milos Forman (above) was 86.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`A spin doctor and a Hollywood producer fabricate a war to distract citizens from a presidential sex scandal.  Something from the pages of today’s headlines?  Actually, I reference a 1997 production that starred Dustin Hoffman, Willie Nelson, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Denis Leary, Kirsten Dunst and Woody Harrelson.

“`Directed by Barry Levinson, and nominated for two Oscars, Wag the Dog chronicles the directive of a fictional conflict in Albania, hoping the media will concentrate on this, instead of an  Oval Office transgression involving an unnamed President and an underage girl.  This artificial hostility, complete with a patriotic country theme song and fake footage, is designed to rally the vox populi. The contrived hoax is initially successful, with the President quickly gaining ground in the polls.

“`Critic Roger Ebert would offer this analysis:

The work is a satire that contains just enough realistic ballast to be teasingly plausible; like Dr. Strangelove, it makes you laugh, and then it makes you wonder.

“`Levinson’s movie is at the forefront of our political discourse. Pundits have drawn a number of comparisons between the movie’s plot and recent strikes on Syria airfields as a distraction from ongoing reports of a stormy tryst involving an adult film star, and alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign and election.

“`When cinema and modern history intersect, the Hollywood-and-Vine metaphoric referral is quite appropriate.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Throughout the 1960s, Imagineer Rolly Crump brought to life Disney Theme Parks’s most iconic attractions and rides, including It’s a Small World, Enchanted Tiki Room, Adventureland Bazaar, and Haunted Mansion. Later this month, some of his original pieces goes on the block at Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks, California.

“`The most valuable of the 400-plus lots is Crump’s original model for a clock on It’s a Small World, which could sell for $80,000, according to the auction house. The design was mocked up from Disney artist Mary Blair’s original sketch, and the result is now a permanent fixture from the boat ride attraction.

“`Other items up for grabs are Polynesian-style shield Crump sculpted for the  Enchanted Tiki Room; an original devil mock-up from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride; and a Haunted Mansion poster. A ticket for the grand opening of Disneyland in 1955 is expected to sell for as much as $5000; unfortunately, this will not allow the purchaser entry to the park. In addition to pieces created for Disney, the collection also includes Crump’s original artwork.

“`The Life and Career of Disney Legend Rolly Crump auction is scheduled for April 28th, 2018.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Rondo Hatton had a face for horror cinema. Beginning in the 1930s, this former journalist went from film extra to horror movie star. He played a monster in Universal Studios flicks,  House of Horrors and The Brute Man. Over the decade, Hatton earned cult status. Rondo was known for his facial disfigurement, a result of acromegaly; the syndrome caused from a disorder of the pituitary gland. He died in 1946 from the disease.

“`The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards are named in his honor. The trophy is a little gray bust of his head. The Rondos recently gave out this year’s statuettes.  The Shape of Water  was voted Best Movie of 2017, beating Wonder Woman, Blade Runner 2049, It, and Get Out. Stranger Things, Suspiria Blu-ray and Rue Morgue Magazine also received awards.

           RONDO HATTON   SVENGOOLIE

“`MeTV’s Svengoolie took home the trophy for Favorite Horror Host. It was his seventh time winning the award. Sven beat out runners-up Elvira and Joe Bob Briggs. Honorable mentions in this category included  Dr. Gangrene, Penny Dreadful, Count Gore De Vol, Lord Blood-Rah,  Karlos Borloff, Bone Jangler and Son of Ghoul. Svengoolie received a record number of votes in the category.

“`Over 3,700 ballots were cast via email by the Classic Horror Film Board, the largest survey in the organization’s history.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Mitzi Shore was the pioneering owner of the Los Angeles-based club The Comedy Store, and one of the most influential persons in stand-up for more than four decades. She arrived at a moment as a huge stand-up boom was erupting with arguably more power to make or break a career of an up-and-coming comedian. Mitzi’s influence matched the impact Johnny Carson had on the genre.

“`A Wisconsin native, Mitzi Saidel took over as owner of the two-year-old club on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip in 1974 after divorcing its co-founder, comedian Sammy Shore. Just about every major comic, including Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Arsenio Hall, Roseanne Barr, Jay Leno, Chris Rock, Kathy Griffin, and Jerry Seinfeld, used the club as a stepping-stone and returned to hone their act after gaining fame. Others include Tim Allen, Louie Anderson, Sam Kinison, Bill Maher,  John Belushi, Richard Belzer, Elaine Boosler, Dennis Miller, David Brenner,  Ray Romano, Billy Crystal, George Carlin, Chevy Chase, Louis CK,  Al Franken, Howie Mandel, Sinbad, Rodney Dangerfield, Rosie O’Donnell, Redd Foxx, Ellen DeGeneres, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Keaton, Sarah Silverman, Paul Rodriguez, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Margaret Cho, and The Unknown Comic. Shore provided gigs, advice, guidance, and an onsite clubhouse.

“`Mitzi essentially lived at the club through the 1970s and 1980s, and her four children were regulars, including future MTV sensation and film star, Pauly Shore. She has been in hospice, and legal documents filed acknowledged Mitzi’s affliction with Parkinson’s disease and related neurological problems. Recently, Pauly brought his mother to the club to say so long to many legion of friends and fans.

“`The Comedy Store, which takes pride in being open 365 nights a year, will be closed this evening in her honor.

“`Mitzi Shore (above) was 87

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Ralph Woolsey was an accomplished cinematographer. He’s best known for the iconic look he developed on Batman’s initial season in 1966. The bright colors, camp costumes, and sharp camera angles were like a combination of Dr. Seuss and German Expressionism films. Batman was comic books come to life. Perhaps, it remains the only superhero television show to capture the look and feel of vintage D.C. Comics.                      RALPH WOOLSEY –>

“`He began his career as a student at the  University of Minnesota, making conservation films for the state and industrials for Bell Aircraft that were used to train United States Air Force personnel during World War II. By 1950, he was teaching cinematography at USC.

“`Woolsey worked on television Westerns, such as Cheyenne and Maverick, for which he received a first Emmy nomination. Other work included 77 Sunset Strip (another Emmy nod), The Name Of The Game and the pilot of It Takes a Thief, in which he garnered a coveted Emmy Award.

         FRANK GORSHIN              ADAM WEST          BURT WARD

“`Working with creator-producer William Dozier and director Robert Butler on  Batman, many of the distinctive scenes from the first season of the pioneering program came from Woolsey’s approach. Ralph played with perspective, shooting Frank Gorshin (as The Riddler) close to the lens. The episode also featured a nifty outdoor building climb with Batman and Robin. Though not a fan of crooked camera angles to film the villains, he came to embrace the technique.

“`Woolsey switched to feature cinema in the 1970s, including work on Little Fauss and Big Halsy, The New Centurions, The Iceman Cometh, Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins, Mother Jugs and Speed, The Great Santini, and Oh God! Book II in 1980.

“`Ralph Woolsey was 104.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`New England Confectionary Co., the candy maker behind classic treats as Necco Wafers, Sweethearts and Candy Buttons, will close its operations in May if it does not find a buyer. Necco is the oldest candy maker in the United States. Its origination dates back to 1847, when Oliver Chase created the first American candy machine. Chase’s invention gave birth to the Necco Wafer, which became the company’s signature treat.

“`Public opinion on Necco Wafers has been divided. Few liken the taste to chalk or drywall, while others consider them a nostalgic treat. That nostalgia runs deep. Necco product sales spiked by 50% after this news broke that these candies may disappear forever.

“`Consumers and sellers are stockpiling all the Necco candy they can obtain. One customer even offered to trade a 2003 Honda Accord for an online store’s entire stock of wafers. The barter was naturally rejected.

“`If the company cannot find a buyer, hundreds of jobs will be lost. The company is the largest employer in its hometown of Revere, Massachusetts. CEO Michael McGee notified the state and the mayor of Revere in March that this company may have to lay off 395 workers — a majority of its workforce — if the company is not sold to a new owner.

“`Candy fans are using the hashtag SaveNecco on social media to attempt to save the beloved treats. A campaign has previously worked for the return of the Twinkie. Not bad for the chalky drywall-like confection.

Until next time>                               “never forget”