Manny P. here…
“`I came across this YouTube retrospective of many of the great character actors during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Many of these supporting stars are featured in my Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. ENJOY!
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`Fred Silverman was a television executive and producer. He worked as an executive at all three television networks. Small screens were filled with iconic programming throughout the 1970s and 1980s developed and brought along by Fred Silverman (below right).
“`His first job at CBS was to oversee the network’s daytime programming. In 1970, Silverman was promoted from Vice-President of Program Planning and Development to Vice President of Programs; heading the department at CBS. Fred orchestrated the rural purge of 1971, which eventually eliminated many popular country-oriented shows, such as Green Acres, Mayberry R. F. D., Hee Haw, and The Beverly Hillbillies from the network’s schedule.
“`What emerged, adult-themed comedies, such as All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and their spin-offs. Plus, M*A*S*H*, The Waltons, Barnaby Jones, and Kojak. He developed Good Times to directly take on Happy Days. He also revived The Price is Right and Match Game.
“`When he moved to ABC, he brought back Happy Days from the brink of cancellation, and created Laverne and Shirley. Fred green-lit The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, The Bionic Woman, Charlie’s Angels, Three’s Company, Eight is Enough and Soap. The respected mini-series Rich Man Poor Man and Roots were developed during Fred Silverman’s watch. Family Feud was created by his team, as well.
“`His tenure at NBC was problematic, but he did offer Diff’rent Strokes, and The Facts of Life; and was instrumental in a future airing of Cheers and St. Elsewhere. Fred also hired host Pat Sajak to oversee Wheel of Fortune.
“`His production company revived a number of classic television programs with actors, who spent most of their time on CBS: Perry Mason, Matlock, Diagnosis: Murder and In the Heat of the Night (Raymond Burr, Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke, and Carroll O’Connor).
“`In 1999, Fred Silverman was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. He was eighty-two when he passed.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`Mrs. Beasley from the hit television show Family Affair is back as an adorable collectible. The doll celebrates its fiftieth anniversary; an authentic talking reproduction collector-quality vinyl doll, brought to you from the Ashton-Drake Galleries. On Family Affair, adorable Mrs. Beasley was Buffy’s best friend, and now she can be yours!
“`This collectible doll includes all of the authentic details, from her square glasses to her knowing smile. She even speaks the original beloved eleven phrases voiced by actress Cheryl Ladd to sound like the kindly voice you remember.
“`Mrs. Beasley has a soft baby powder scent. What a wonderful way to relive memories! Strong demand is anticipated for this Family Affair replica, so do not wait. Order now…
“`It’s a fine adult collectible, not intended for children under fourteen.
“`Here is the link if you are interested in purchasing Mrs. Beasley:
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`There was a time when young folks of the 1960s would rush home from school to watch (of all things) a soap opera. The program was macabre, filled with vampires, a wolfman, assorted other ghouls and ghosts, and starred one of Hollywood’s Golden Age greats… Joan Bennett. It was called Dark Shadows.
“`The program became popular with the introduction of Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid. The character who unshackled the monstrous Barnabas was a Dwight Frye-type, named Willie Loomis, portrayed by the late John Karlan.
JOHN KARLAN
“`Karlan began his career when he enrolled in American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Upon graduation, he began working in live television, such as the Kraft Television Theatre. John also had a role in Naked City. After his five-year stint on Dark Shadow, he guest-starred in The Mod Squad, The Magician, Kojak, Police Story, Medical Center, Barnaby Jones, Mannix, The Streets of San Francisco, All in the Family, and Hill Street Blues.
“`During the second phase of his career, Karlan was added to the cast of Cagney and Lacey. This assignment lasted over six years, and he earned an Emmy for his efforts. So memorable was his work, Karlan would reprise his roles on Cagney and Lacey and Dark Shadows in a number of big screen productions and made-for-TV specials. He also appeared in Mad About You and Murder She Wrote.
“`For the record, Willie Loomis was one of my five favorite characters on episodic television of the 1960s. The others were Dr. Zachary Smith (Lost in Space), Emma Peel (The Avengers), Tony Newman (The Time Tunnel), and The Riddler (Batman).
“`John Karlan was eighty-six.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here… 
“`Turner Classic Movies has announced that the 3rd annual Robert Osborne Award, recognizing any individual who has kept the cultural heritage of classic films alive for future generations, will be presented to one of the world’s most respected movie critics and historians… Leonard Maltin (right). His face is well known to lovers of Hollywood.
“`Best known for a widely-used reference Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide and its companion volume Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide, as well as his thirty-year run on television’s Entertainment Tonight, Maltin served two terms as the President of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, is a voting member of the National Film Registry, and was appointed by the Library of Congress to sit on the Board of Directors of National Film Preservation Foundation.
“`He teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, appears regularly on TCM, and hosts the weekly podcast Maltin on Movies with his daughter Jessie. He was the recipient of awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Telluride Film Festival, Anthology Film Archives, American Society of Cinematographers,George Eastman House and San Diego’s Comic-Con International.
“`The initial Robert Osborne Awards were handed out in 2018 to iconic movie maker Martin Scorsese, and 2019 to film preservationist Kevin Brownlow. It will continue to be presented annually at the TCM Classic Film Festival.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`This is the annual presentation of my SAG Awards Ballot, highlighting personal selections for cinema-related performances in 2019. In my humble estimation, this was a solid year for film productions. Almost everything I watched, I totally enjoyed. Here are my selections:
OUTSTANDING MALE: Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)
There were a number of amazing male lead performances this year, a far cry from the last two years. Joaquin Phoenix rises from this talented pack, including Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Adam Sandler, Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo and Antonio Banderas; all snubbed. Of those chosen, Christian Bale’s was my second selection, Adam Driver was solid, Leo DiCaprio works well with Tarentino. As for Taron Egerton, he is no Rami Malek. Joker is landmark moviemaking due to the contributions of Phoenix.
OUTSTANDING FEMALE: Renee Zellweger (Judy)
This category remains a two-horse race. It would be easy to pick Cynthia Erivo, clearly a rising star in Hollywood. At the end of the day, Renee Zellweger garners a statuette for her magnetic performance in Judy. That said, the actual production was quite pedestrian. Renee rises from the ashes like a phoenix (Joaquin?). I was also impressed with the work of Scarlett Johansson and Charlize Theron. Saoirse Ronan was clearly snubbed.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING MALE: Joe Pesci (The Irishman)
Brad Pitt will walk away with The Actor. He is phenomenal opposite DiCaprio. I just personally loved Joe Pesci a bit better. If either wins, I will be satisfied. Jamie Foxx and Tom Hanks give their dependable best. It is hard to believe that Al Pacino rounds out the field. How does Paul Walter Hauser, the protagonist of Richard Jewell, not get considered? He clearly delivered a Hollywood-defining role.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING FEMALE: Laura Dern (Marriage Story)
A competitive field, Laura Dern edges out Scarlet Johansson. She portrays a sassy lawyer with amazing green tea and scones. Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman are brassy bombshells; J-LO fades off the block. Kathy Bates was shut out when the production company submitted her in the lead category by mistake, a real shame.
OUTSTANDING CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE: The Irishman
Once again, my favorite cinema of the year had casts largely ignored… Motherless Brooklyn, Richard Jewell, Hidden Gems, Ford vs. Ferrari, and especially, Marriage Story. How did the latter receive such individual accolades, only to be missing as a collaborative effort. Of the actual nominees, The Irishman slips past Parasite, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Bombshell. I loved Jojo Rabbit because of the individual performance of Johannson and the children.
~ My 2019 Top 10 Fav Motion Pictures: 1. Motherless Brooklyn 2. Richard Jewell 3. Ford vs. Ferrari 4. Just Mercy 5. The Irishman 6. 1917 7. Jojo Rabbit 8. Joker 9. Dark Water 10. Hidden Gems / Marriage Story (tie)
“’The SAG Awards airs on January 19th on TNT and TBS. We will see how I do this year…
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`Bronze statues depicting famous moments and characters in celluloid from the last century will be placed in Leicester Square in a celebration of London’s film history. The locale was first home to cinema in 1930, with the initial premiere taking place there in 1937. Since then, this square has cemented its place in British cinema history and it regularly plays host to some of the most high-profile events in the United Kingdom’s movie calendar.
“`Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, and Mr. Bean will be among eight figures in the statue trail, which will open next month. Also represented in the square will be Looney Tunes’ Bugs Bunny, Wonder Woman, and Paddington. A statue of Gene Kelly recreating the memorable Singin’ In The Rain dance sequence will also be on display. Concept art shows a statue of Batman stood watching over the square from the roof of the Odeon Luxe.
“`The statues will interact with the square, and designers plan on using walls, benches, and flower beds. A couple of the figures are going to be illuminated at night and accompanied by videos and music.
“`The statues will be unveiled on February 27th.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here…
“`Buck Henry was an actor, screenwriter, and director. He was twice nominated for an Academy Award; 1968 for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Graduate, 1979 for Best Director for Heaven Can Wait. Henry’s long career started on television with work on shows with Steve Allen and Mel Brooks, and on Saturday Night Live. Buck Henry (right) was the face and the written word of comedy for generations.
“`Buck began his journey as a cast member in topical variety shows, most notably, on That Was the Week That Was. Brooks collaborated with the comedian to develop a sitcom satirizing the James Bond franchise. Get Smart ran for five seasons. Captain Nice was a short-lived but cult classic that was written by Henry. His edgy comedy played well on late night television. Buck would host Saturday Night Live ten times.
“`On the big screen, Henry co-starred in memorable comedies, including The Graduate, Catch-22, The Owl and the Pussycat, Eating Raoul, and Grumpy Old Men. He also received writing credits for the first three mentioned, plus on What’s Up Doc?.
“`A prolific figure in the field of comedy, Buck Henry was eighty-nine.
Until next time> “never forget”
Manny P. here… 
“`Burt Ward, who played Robin on Batman in the 1960s, is receiving a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday. It will placed right by the actor who played the Caped Crusader, his co-star Adam West. Bob Kane, who created the Batman comic strip is also in the same vicinity. He was one of the iconic supporting players of Television’s Golden Age.
“`Burt’s career never materialized, typecast as the Boy Wonder since the original run of the television show. He made a few live appearances with West, fully in costume. Burt ended up in dozens of forgettable made-for-television films. Recently, Ward promoted Batman on ME-TV.
“`Lately, Ward has been a front man in efforts to promote animal rescue and adopt. He and his wife appeared in an Animal Planet Adoption Tales episode.
“`Congratulations to the durable Burt Ward (above) !!
Until next time> “never forget”
You must be logged in to post a comment.