Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here… 

“`Tom Hanks is set to appear as Mister Rogers in the upcoming biopic, You Are My Friend.  TriStar Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to the film, to be directed by The Diary of a Teenage Girl filmmaker Marielle Heller.

“`The film focuses on a kinship between the host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (it ran from 1968 – 2001) and journalist Tom Junod. He reluctantly agreed to profile Fred Rogers.

“`Prior to his iconic program, Fred appeared on Your Hit Parade and The Kate Smith Hour. Rogers was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, almost forty honorary degrees, and the Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and was ranked #35 in TV Guide’s Fifty Greatest Television Stars of All Time.

“`Production will begin in September, with a 2019 release expected. I hope Hanks looks good in a cardigan sweater. Fred Rogers died in 2003 at age seventy-four.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Comic strip artist, Mort Walker, was a World War II veteran who satirized the military, tickling millions of newspaper readers with the antics of the lazy private Beetle Bailey. The character made his debut in Mort’s cartoons (as Spider) in the Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. Beetle Bailey appeared in as many as 1,800 newspapers.

“`Walker (right) began publishing cartoons at age 11, and was involved  with over a half-dozen comic strips during his career, including  Hi and Lois,  Boner’s Ark, and Sam and Silo. But, he found his greatest success developing slacker Beetle, his hot-tempered sergeant and the rest of the soldiers at fictional Camp Swampy for nearly 70 years.

“`At first, the strip failed to attract readers. King Features Syndicate considered dropping it after six months. The syndicate suggested Beetle join the Army at the start of the Korean War, and it took off.  Walker attributed the success of the strip to Beetle’s indolence, and reluctance to follow authority.

“`Tokyo editions of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes dropped Beetle Bailey in 1954 for fear it might encourage disrespect of its officers. But, media coverage spurred over 100 newspapers to add the strip.  In 2000, Walker was invited by The Pentagon to be given the Army’s Distinguished Civilian Service  Award for his printed work, armed service, and contributions to a new military memorial.

“`Beetle Bailey also featured one of the first African-American characters to be added in an established comic strip; Peanuts had added the character of Franklin in 1968. Lt. Jack Flap debuted in the comic strip’s panels in 1970.

“`In 1974, he founded the Museum of Cartoon Art in Connecticut to preserve and honor the art of comics. Mort changed the name to the  National Cartoon Museum, and he announced in 2005, plans to relocate it to the Empire State Building. However, the following year, the deal fell through.

“`The genial Mort Walker was 94.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning composer John Morris was a steady collaborator with Mel Brooks. His themes defined an era of comedy not to be replicated. He is best remembered for writing the theme to Blazing Saddles, and the score of Young Frankenstein.

“`He studied at the Juilliard School of Music and New School for Social Research. John went on to work on Broadway, doing dance arrangements for noted musicals, including Bells are Ringing, Bye Bye Birdie, and Mack and Mabel. He also had his hand in Shakespeare, creating music for productions of King Lear and Hamlet.  Morris preferred to perform as an accompanist, playing piano for many singers; most notably, with Judy Garland.

“`Morris first worked with Brooks on 1967’s The Producers. He arranged the popular tune, Springtime for Hitler, and composed the score for the movie. Morris also penned a dramatic score for The Elephant Man, which earned him a Grammy nomination. The two worked together for 24 years on ten films, including The Twelve Chairs, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, Spaceballs, History of the World, Part I, and Mel’s reworking of To Be or Not To Be.

“`Outside of the Brooks cinematic universe, John wrote scores for benchmark films during the 1980s, such as Johnny Dangerously, Clue, Dirty Dancing, and Ironweed. Morris provided the music for Gene Wilder’s motion pictures, including The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother and The Woman in Red. 

“`On television, Morris wrote the title track for Julia Child’s  The French Chef; and the lively theme for Coach. He composed the scores for a few mini-teleplays, and received a Daytime Emmy in 1978 for the after-school special, The Tap Dance Kid.

“`John Morris (above) was 91.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Col. Harland Sanders, who died 36 years ago,  first started selling fried chicken from a single restaurant in 1930.  KFC, now owned by Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum Brands Inc., resurrected the Colonel for its ads in 2015 after a nearly 20 year absence, hiring Rob Lowe, Ray Liotta, Darrell Hammond, and other famous men for the role.

“`Their next Colonel Sanders is giving the character a bit of country music flair. KFC has just selected singer Reba McEntire to portray the founder of the fried chicken chain.  KFC has picked McEntire because of her Southern roots, and to help promote their new Smoky Mountain BBQ. McEntire says she has eaten at KFC all her life, since her days growing up in Oklahoma.

“`In commercials starting next week, McEntire dons the Colonel’s famous white suit and black tie, but with a twist:  McEntire’s outfit has fringe on the back. McEntire croons on stage as the Colonel, with a white wig and white facial hair.

“`A rotating cast of famous names have portrayed the Colonel. However, McEntire is the first famous female, and the initial musician. She may also be the first woman in KFC’s nearly 90 year history to depict the Colonel.  The company says the best historical minds at KFC could not remember a woman having stepped into the role.

“`In light of today’s atmosphere of female empowerment, and the necessary backlash against harassment, the company may want to drop their slogan, Finger Lickin Good.

“`Just sayin’…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Thanks to eBook sales; plus, general wholesale deliveries, I have reached two milestones. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has reached 3500 in sales.  Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is also at 1600 in purchases.

“`Rarely, both paperbacks have reached specified goals at the same time. What a great way to start 2018. They are both available on Amazon.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Actress Dorothy Malone was best  familiar to 1960s television viewers as Constance Mackenzie, the long-suffering mother of Mia Farrow, in the night-time soap  Peyton Place. She also won an Oscar for her work in  Written on the Wind.  After 11 years of roles playing sweethearts and wives, the brunette actress decided she needed to gamble on her career. She fired her agent, hired a publicist, dyed her hair blonde and sought a sultry image, which led to her award-winning performance.

“`In 1942, an RKO talent scout saw her on stage at Southern Methodist University, and recommended her for a film contract. Moving to Warner Brothers in 1945 gave her a great opportunity. In her first film at the studio, The Big Sleep, she was cast as a bookshop clerk opposite Humphrey Bogart.

“`She took on roles in Night and Day, Colorado Territory, Artists and Models, and Battle Cry. During the 1950s, she thrived in biopics, Man of a Thousand Faces and Too Much Too Soon, the scripted tales of Lon Chaney and John Barrymore  (working with James Cagney and Errol Flynn).

“`Malone thrived on television guest-starring in Route 66, Dr. Kildare, The Untouchables, Ellery Queen, Ironside, and Vega$. She also had a prominent role in the mini-series, Rich Man Poor Man. Her final big screen part was in Basic Instinct.  Dorothy got the latter part, after impressing Michael Douglas on an episode of  The Streets of San Francisco, a decade before. They remained friends after her appearance.

“`Malone’s enduring connection to Peyton Place led to co-starring in two made-for-television movies:  Murder in Peyton Place and Peyton Place – The Next Generation.

“`A lingering memory to Hollywood’s Golden Age, Dorothy Malone (above) was 93.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Bradford Dillman was an actor and author in familiar movies throughout his career. He appeared in film, television, and stage. BRADFORD DILLMAN –>

“`After serving in Korea, Bradford studied at the Actor’s Studios. He spent several seasons as an apprentice with the Sharon Connecticut Playhouse before making his professional acting debut in The Scarecrow in 1953.

“`Dillman began on Broadway career in the Eugene O’Neill play Long Day’s Journey Into Night in 1956, as the author’s alter ego, Edmund Tyrone, and won a Theatre World Award. The production also featured Fredric March, Florence Eldridge, and Jason Robards Jr., and it ran for 390 performances. In 1957, Katharine Cornell cast him in a Broadway production of Robert E. Sherwood’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, There Shall Be No Night.  It was later adapted for television in a Hallmark Hall of Fame production.

“`On screen, Dillman appeared in  Compulsion, Sergeant Ryker, The Bridge of Remagen, Jigsaw, The Mephisto Waltz,  Escape from the Planet of the Apes, The Way We Were, The Swarm, Love and Bullets, and Sudden Impact. Bradford was cast in the melodrama A Certain Smile, for which he earned a Golden Globe Award.

“`On television, he guest-starred in Kraft Television Theatre, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Wagon Train,  The Name of the Game, Wild Wild West, Columbo, The Big Valley, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,  Barnaby Jones, The F.B.I., Marcus Welby M.D., Fantasy Island,  Mission:  Impossible,  The Streets of San Francisco, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and   Ironside. In eight different episodes, he had a part in Murder She Wrote.

“`Dillman wrote a sports fan book  Inside the New York Giants; and an autobiography Are You Anybody:  An Actor’s Life. He lived for many years in Montecito, California, and helped raise money for medical research. His second wife was actress Suzy Parker.

“`Bradford Dillman was 86.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Val Zavala, the anchor, producer, and an award-winning journalist of KCET  SoCal Connected, is retiring after thirty years of covering Los Angeles. She is known for her collaboration with Ralph Story’s  Things That Aren’t Here Anymore series of documentaries.                                 VAL ZAVALA —>

“`Zavala began her career at KCET in 1987, and has reported on critical topics such as the election of Los Angeles’ first Mexican American mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa;  the tragedy of 9/11; the Democratic National Convention in 2000; and much more.  The winner of 18 Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards and eight Golden Mikes, Val earned a Walter Cronkite Award  for Ballot Brief, an informative digital program on California’s ballot measures in the 2016 election.

“`Although viewers know Zavala from her work as an anchor for the last 10 years, her legacy at the station goes beyond her on-screen talents. From 2014 to 2017, she became executive producer on KCET’s award-winning news magazine show, SoCal Connected; and served as the station’s Vice President of News and Public Affairs.

“`From 2004 to 2008, Zavala was a reporter, producer, and anchor for KCET’s weekday news program Life and Times, in addition to several other news specials and series such as Town Hall Los Angeles and Bracing for a Quake:  A Survival Guide, among others.

“`Zavala’s career will be honored in an episode of SoCal Connected called 30 Years with Val Zavala;  which will air on Tuesday evening, February 13th at 8p on KCET; and will encore on Wednesday, February 14th at 7:30p.

“`Val is an active community leader. She was honored by Hispanic Americans for Fairness in Media, and named one of the 100 most influential Latinos by Hispanic Business magazine. Val also serves on the board of Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles, and one of the regents for Mount Saint Mary’s University.

“`Val plans on spending more time with her family.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“`This is how I voted for this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards. The movies in 2017 didn’t match the quality of last year’s assortment;  however, there are still wonderful reasons to visit the cinema. My year #9 thoughts on this blog site:

   OUTSTANDING MALE:  Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour)

This selection is not even close. Oldman embodies Winston Churchill, as John Lithgow did in The Crown; for which, he won many accolades. Denzel Washington was terrific in a flawed production; while James Franco was spot-on in The Disaster Artist. Timothee Calamet will remain in any conversation for future award’s consideration.  Personally, this critical chatter over Get Out is perplexing. Again, another glaring omission for Tom Hanks (The Post).

   OUTSTANDING FEMALE:  Frances McDormand (3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, MO)

Count me in the camp that considers Frances McDormand one of four top actresses of our generation. Her Fargo performance was exceptional; as was her moments in Mississippi Burning. She has a knack for finding quirky assignments. Margot Robbie in I Tonya was totally edgy; Judi Dench always performs; and, Sally Hawkins is fitting in a visual fantasy. Although, I adore Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird’s angst has been more realistic in past films.  Jessica Chastain (Molly’s Game) and Emma Stone (Battle of the Sexes) were snubbed.

  OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING MALE: Sam Rockwell (3 Billboards Outside Ebbing MO)

Manny P. here…

“`John V. Tunney successful campaign for a California seat in the United States Senate became the basis for the 1972 Robert Redford movie The Candidate. Tunney defeated a former star-turned-senator, and became  among the youngest candidates to sit in the senate in the  20th century when he won his seat in 1970 at age 36. And then, John was one of the youngest in recent history to lose the congressional seat when defeated after one term.

“`Tunney was born in New York, and his dad was boxer Gene Tunney,  a 1920s heavyweight champion, whose two victories over Jack Dempsey were among the most renowned fights of the 20th century. The elder Tunney was insistent that his sons pursue professions other than boxing. John chose law and politics.

“`The charismatic young Democrat was often compared to the Robert Kennedy; but, had to swing to the center to beat the 68-year-old Republican incumbent, George Murphy, in 1970. Director Michael Ritchie worked on Tunney’s campaign; and, this generational story, and the machinations of elections contained perfect fodder for the political-minded Hollywood of the day. Redford took on the role of Bill McKay, based on Tunney.  This production was a critical and commercial success, winning an Academy Award for screenwriter Jeremy Larner.

“`In his next primary run, he defeated Tom Hayden. He would lose in the general election to S. I. Hayakawa. Tunney returned to a Los Angeles firm and resumed practicing law.

“`John Tunney (above) was 83.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Keith Jackson, whose signature phrase, Whoa Nelly!, made him the down-home voice of college football during more than five decades as a sportscaster. Jackson covered many sports; but, he was best known for college football.

“`After serving four years in the Marine Corps., Jackson broadcast his first college football game in 1952 as an undergraduate at Washington State. He worked in radio and television before joining ABC Sports in 1966.  He also called NFL football games, and was the initial play-by-play announcer on  ABC Monday Night Football before being replaced in the second season by Frank Gifford. He was a member of the Wide World of Sports team.                                KEITH JACKSON —–>

“`Keith called a number of World Series and baseball’s All-Star games, and he was ABC’s lead NBA play-by-play announcer, auto racing, PGA Tour Golf, and worked college basketball with Dick Vitale. Jackson also covered ten Olympics, calling swimming, track and field, basketball, speed skating, and ski jumping.

“`He appeared in the movie, The Fortune Cookie; and on an episode of Coach on television. He also was cast in many commercials throughout his career. The Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University awarded him the Murrow Award for leaders in the communication industry in 1999

“`Jackson first announced his retirement in 1998; but, returned to work. He retired for good after the 2006 Rose Bowl, featuring the Texas University upset of USC in the BCS national championship game. He’s a member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The Rose Bowl stadium’s radio and television booths were renamed in his honor, two years ago. He is in the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame for his contributions to the New Year’s Day game,  which he called a record 15 times; and he nicknamed The granddaddy of them all. He could turn a phrase…

“`My prayers to his family, and especially, his son Lindsey, who was a high school friend. Keith Jackson was 89.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Montecito,  the California coastal enclave devastated by this season’s deadly mudslides, is known as Oprah Winfrey’s hometown. Ellen DeGeneres, Al Gore, Rob Lowe, Patrick Stewart, Drew Barrymore, and Jeff Bridges either live there or own part-time homes there. Chef Julia Child lived there late in life. But, it was Charlie Chaplin, the biggest star of another era, who helped make it a haven for celebrities.  To the south is the Pacific Ocean; and to the west is Santa Barbara.

“`In his first visit and fell in love with the area and its Mediterranean climate, ocean views, and canyon serenity. At the height of his fame in 1928, Chaplin led a small group of investors, including Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle, who built the Montecito Inn, which he called the cream of the coast, a posh getaway two blocks from the ocean, that became a local landmark.  In 1942, Chaplin, age 53,  married 18-year-old Oona O’Neill, at a Montecito event that scandalized the entire nation. In its hotel lobby, there is a life-size statue of Chaplin. It is a nostalgic reminder.

“`The deadly mudslides that ravaged the town came a month after a massive wildfire drove many residents from their homes and blackened the nearby mountains. With no vegetation left to absorb the rain, the slides came quickly in the midst of a torrential downpour. Tennis great Jimmy Connors was among those stranded and airlifted by the Coast Guard.

“`My prayers to the residents of Montecito.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The common wisdom is today’s actors do not match up to stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. When making comparisons, modern headliners offer favorable similarities. Here’s my Top 10:

~ Tom Hanks / James Stewart – This is one comparison that is frequently mentioned. With age, Hanks has developed an edge, much like Stewart did in his later career. Who couldn’t see Hanks befriending an invisible rabbit? Stable marriages enhance their popularity

~ Daniel Day-Lewis / Paul Muni –  Muni meticulously prepared for roles as he became invisible on screen. He also stepped away from his career at various times. Day-Lewis is a respected actor, and adopted this method-approach that Muni perfected.

~ Ralph Fiennes / Laurence Olivier – Comfortable in starring parts, as well as character roles in support of the storyline. Fiennes has the style, grace, and talent of his predecessor. One more thing… The pair could excel in villainy with aplomb.

~ Kevin Costner / Henry Fonda – They were realistic on the prairie and within the confines of the Oval Office. Comedic and dramatic opportunities are no issue for Costner, nor for Fonda. The fabric of America suits these screen icons. Either wears plain-spoken heroism well.

~ Gene Hackman / Spencer Tracy – You accept each of their characters, and this makes them the best in the business. Clark Gable once called Spencer:  An actor’s actor; Hackman could be described as such. Both were two-time Oscar-winners, and should have won gobs more statuettes.

~ Al Pacino / James Cagney –  Ferocity best describes the approach of these two giants of cinema. They portrayed criminals you want to root for. There exists this fatalism in their eyes that transcends the body of their work, making them kindred spirits.

~ Michael Keaton / Jack Lemmon – They are at their best equally handling comedy and drama with total ease. Tragic turns have wonderfully funny moments. Each scene gives the audience a full spectrum of emotions with deceptive range.

~ Jeff Bridges / Clint Eastwood – Bridges can deliver a performance without uttering a word.  John Wayne’s bravado was too chatty; Gary Cooper had too much of an aw-shucks attitude. Eastwood’s silence sets a scene with such command; so, the comparison is more appropriate.

~ Robert De Niro / Edward G. Robinson – It’s natural to compare De Niro to Humphrey Bogart.  However, De Niro is a fine comedian, and his approach better resembles Robinson. Additionally, the two have been pretty remarkable gangsters, as well.

~ George Clooney / Cary Grant –  Both are incredibly good looking; however, it belies their undeniable talent. They were willing to play against-type. Plus, Clooney and Grant’s on-screen personas markedly differ from their real-life personalities.

“`Your thoughts?

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Alex Trebek has taken a brief medical leave from his duties as host of Jeopardy! following surgery last month. He is set to return to taping in mid-January.

“`He underwent surgery on December 16th for a subdural hematoma, or blood clot on the brain, that Alex incurred from a fall back in October. He was released from the hospital on December 18th. Trebek is expected to make a complete recovery from the procedure.         ALEX TREBEK —>

“`Trebek has been the host of the syndicated quiz show since 1984, when it was revived by creator Merv Griffin and King World Productions. Previously, the show was moderated by Art Fleming. Jeopardy!, with a distinctive format of contestants delivering their answers in the form of a question, has become a prime time television mainstay; as well as Wheel of Fortune, another Griffin production.

“`The only change to the show’s on-air schedule will be the shift of its College Championship episodes from March to April. In a video message, Trebek thanked his fans for their concern, as word of his surgery spread.

“`Viewers of the game show are glad this isn’t Final Jeopardy for the amiable host.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Jerry Van Dyke was the younger brother of Dick Van Dyke, who struggled for decades to achieve his own stardom,  before clicking as the amiable sidekick in  Coach. For his efforts, Jerry received four consecutive Emmy nominations. He also co-starred with Ann Southern in the dreadful sitcom My Mother the Car. He joined  The Judy Garland Show in 1963, to provide comic relief; but, was unceremoniously let go at the end of the season.

“`Jerry knew from childhood that he wanted to be a comedian, and grew up listening to the radio shows of Bob Hope and Red Skelton. Van Dyke entered  Eastern Illinois University. His education was interrupted by service in the  Air Force throughout the Korean War.  Jerry would entertain at military shows with comedy skits and his banjo playing. After his service, he followed his brother to Hollywood.

JERRY VAN DYKE

“`He had his initial break with a recurring role on  The Dick Van Dyke Show as Rob Petrie’s banjo-playing brother. Van Dyke also guest starred on  The Ed Sullivan Show, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., Perry Mason, That Girl, Love American Style, The Andy Williams Show, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. However, he did turn down a chance to replace Don Knotts on The Andy Griffith Show, and the character of Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island. Jerry also lamented losing a role in 1982 when he was up for a supporting gig in a Bob Newhart vehicle, which would run for eight celebrated seasons.  But, Tom Poston got the part on Newhart. In 1995, Van Dyke appeared in a series of Hardee’s commercials.

“`He was cast in motion pictures, including  McLintock!,  The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Palm Springs Weekend, and Angel in My Pocket. During the 1970s, Van Dyke returned to stand-up comedy. He toured Playboy Clubs around the country, and headlined venues in Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City.  Van Dyke was an avid poker player, and announced a number of poker tournaments for ESPN.

“`Jerry Van Dyke was 86.

Until next time>                               “never forget”