Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Frank Buxton was an actor, teleplay writer, television director, and author. He’s best known for his collaboration with Gary Marshall on programs, including Happy Days and Mork and Mindy. He also received critical acclaim for his penned work on The Odd Couple.

“`In the 1960s, Buxton rose to fame as the host and producer of the ABC documentary show  Discovery, teaching tots about the world, often with his trusty bloodhound, Corpuscle, at his side. In 1966, Buxton teamed up with Hal Seeger in the animated cartoon series Batfink. For much of the 1970s, Buxton worked as a writer and director at Paramount Television. Frank served as a story editor for the comedy anthology series Love American Style. He earned a Peabody Award for directing and writing Hot Dog for NBC, which starred Jonathan Winters, Woody Allen, Tom Smothers, and Joanne Worley. 

“`As an actor, he appeared in movies, such as What’s Up Tiger Lily, Frankie and Johnny,  Beaches, and Overboard. Buxton remained active in local theater and improv groups in his hometown Bainbridge Island, Washington.

“`Frank Buxton was 87.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`UCLA Film and Television Archive  and the  Hugh M. Hefner Classic American Film Program presents Michael Curtiz:  A Life in Film. This retrospective features many iconic motion pictures; and, a series of oral presentations that covers the life and career of the acclaimed director. This airs from tonight to March 17th at the Billy Wilder Theater.

“`The Archive is pleased to celebrate the career of Michael Curtiz with a retrospective of some of the director’s most renowned and seldom shown titles,  including a pair of rare silent movies, and a couple of movies from his production company that were created at Warner Brothers. Each screening includes Four Daughters,  Casablanca,  The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Sea Wolf,  Romance on the High Seas, 20,000 Years in Sing Sing, Kid Galahad,  The Kennel Murder Case, Yankee Doodle Dandy,  or Mildred Pierce.

“`In-person will be author Alan K. Rode, who will sign copies of his book, Michael Curtiz:  A Life in Film, before each screening (except February 3rd). Curtiz directed over 180 films; 94 of them during more than a quarter-century at Warner Brothers. He was in many ways the anti-auteur, directing tearjerkers, swashbucklers, musicals, melodramas, war epics, historical dramas, westerns, horror flicks, and film noir.

“`For a complete list of screenings, please visit:

https://www.cinema.ucla.edu/events/2018/michael-curtiz-life-in-film

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`News sources are reporting that  Paul Sorvino has made threatening comments against former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who allegedly sexually harassed his daughter Mira Sorvino. The GoodFellas actor initially made his wise guy-style comments to TMZ.

“`Sir Peter Jackson claimed last month that  Weinstein actively blocked Mira Sorvino from getting work in Hollywood, which she cited as confirmation of him derailing her career. Sir Peter’s allegation about the black-listing of Sorvino was echoed in a similar claim made by  Bad Santa director Terry Zwigoff. Her father has responded to the claims and he’s pulling  zero punches. In response, Mira tweeted much love over her dad’s support.

“`Mr. Sorvino did not know about Weinstein’s alleged sexual harassment of his daughter, nor the subsequent alleged career black-listing when Mira fought back. Sorvino’s tough response included putting the embattled movie producer in a wheelchair or leaving him on the ground. Sorvino also noted Weinstein should go to prison; plus, could be a target while incarcerated. He peppered his comments with a bit of profanity.

“`Mira previously said Weinstein had given her an unwanted massage in the 1990s and attempted to get more physical. He then allegedly started telling  filmmakers not to cast her. For his part, Weinstein has denied the allegations.                                           PAUL and MIRA SORVINO –>

“`Later in the interview, Mr. Sorvino mellowed his outlook, saying that he would just slap him around instead of doing anything too terrible.

“`Bulletins as they break.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`The  Upcountry History Museum brings Hollywood chic to the Upstate as it hosts their Katharine Hepburn-Dressed for Stage and Screen exhibit. With a stage and film career spanning six decades, Hepburn is an American icon who dazzled all silver screen, theater, and television audiences with her extraordinary talent, keen sense of contemporary fashion, and fiercely independent spirit.

“`The exclusive exhibition of Hepburn’s private collection will make its Southeastern United States debut in Greenville, South Carolina. Featuring over 35 free-standing costumes, worn in 21 films and six stage productions,  spanning Hepburn’s illustrious career, the 2500 square foot project will be the first major costume exhibition in the Upstate South Carolina region.

“`Hepburn’s sixty-year career is further highlighted through the display of costumes worn for publicity shots and in private life; including Hepburn’s signature look, an ensemble of tailored beige trousers and linen jackets. Also on exhibit are film stills, photographs, posters, playbills and related objects.

“`In addition to introducing visitors to the renowned actress, role model, and fashion icon, the project also showcases some of the best costume designers of the time. Cecil Beaton, Howard Greer, Valentina, and Jane Greenwood, who designed stage costume for Hepburn; Edith Head, Walter Plunkett, Irene, Muriel King, and Margaret Furse, who designed her film costumes.

“`Katharine Hepburn is the most honored actress in the history of American cinema,  with four Academy Awards for Best Actress, and eight other Oscar nominations. Hepburn’s star power appeal, the allure of fashion,  her mystique of Hollywood, and their exhibit’s proven success in drawing large audiences both nationally and internationally ensures both local and out-of-town attendance.

“`On loan from Kent State University Museum, the project will include an extensive list of related programming. The exhibition runs through January 14th.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Peggy Cummins was a Welsh-born stage and screen actress who worked just a few years in Hollywood; but, left behind an indelible performance as the lethal, beret-wearing  femme-fatale in the film noir classic Gun Crazy.

“`A child actor in England, Cummins was not yet 20 when brought to the United States in 1945 by studio boss Darryl F. Zanuck to play the title character in  an adaptation of one of the decade’s raciest novels, Forever Amber. The petite blonde was passed over in favor of Linda Darnell, allegedly, because she was too young. PEGGY CUMMINS ->

“`Secretly co-written by the blacklisted Dalton Trumbo,  who devised a tale of sex, violence, and love, destroyed by greed. Her co-star was John Dall. The production’s erotic energy and documentary approach eventually made it a cult classic. Admirers included French new wave directors Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard.

“`David Newman and Robert Benton were trying to sell a synopsis for what became Bonnie and Clyde. Truffaut arranged a screening of Gun Crazy, and suggested it as inspiration. In 1998, the Library of Congress selected the production for preservation for being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

“`She briefly dated then-aspiring politician John F. Kennedy; and, was asked out by Howard Hughes, only to have the wealthy aviator crash his plane and cancel their dinner plans. She would retire after making just a handful of movies.

“`In recent years, Cummins appeared at numerous retrospectives for Gun Crazy, calling this her favorite production, even though she insisted she was nothing like her character. Her only regret was to never play roles that resembled her Hollywood inspiration — Bette Davis.

“`Peggy Cummins was 92.

Until next time>                               “never forget”