Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Barbara Walters was a trailblazing news veteran.  Known for her dogged interviewing ability, she appeared as a host of numerous television programs. Walters was a working journalist in a male-dominated industry from 1951 until her retirement in 2015.

“`During her childhood, her father managed the Latin Quarter nightclub in Boston. In 1942, her father opened the New York version of the Latin Quarter. He also worked as a Broadway producer where he produced the Ziegfeld Follies of 1943. He was the Entertainment Director for the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he imported the Folies Bergère stage show from Paris to the resort’s main showroom.

“`Walters began working at the NBC affiliate in New York City, WNBT-TV (now WNBC), doing publicity and writing press releases. She began producing a fifteen-minute children’s program, Ask the Camera, directed by Roone Arledge in 1953.

“`Walters began her network career on Today as a writer and segment producer of women’s interest stories. Florence Henderson, Helen O’Connell, Estelle Parsons and Lee Meriwether all had previously held her position.  Walter’s popularity with viewers resulted in receiving more airtime. In 1974, she became co-host of the program, the first woman to hold such a title on an American news program. Two years later, she was hired as the first female co-anchor of a network evening news program alongside Harry Reasoner on the ABC Evening News. By all accounts, it was a contentious union. But it broke a longstanding glass ceiling.

“`In November 1977, she conducted a historic joint interview with Egypt’s president, Anwar Al Sadat, and Israel’s Prime Minister, Menachem Begin. From 1979 to 2004, Walters worked as a producer and co-host on the ABC news magazine 20/20. She also hosted the annual special, Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People. It usually aired after the Oscars ceremony. Among the notables who were her guests…  Katharine Hepburn, Fidel Castro and every sitting United States president and first lady from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama.

“`Walters created, produced and co-hosted the ABC daytime talk show The View, which she appeared from 1997 until her retirement in 2014. She continued to host a number of special reports for 20/20 as well as documentary series for Investigation Discovery. BARBARA WALTERS ->

“`Walters was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1989. On June 15, 2007, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Saturday Night Live often lampooned her in skits.  She was close friends with Tom Brokaw, Woody Allen and Joan Rivers.  A longtime confidante was Fox News head Roger Ailes until his death in 2017. Oprah Winfrey sites Walters as her childhood role model (along with Sidney Poitier).

“`A cultural icon, Barbara Walters was ninety-three.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Celebrating Act 2, with Art Kirsch and John Coleman, re-visits forgotten musical classics from Christmas films. Why not reveal rarely heard sounds of the season!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`My good friend Dave Greim joins me on Celebrating Act 2 to chat about the sites and sounds of Cinecon 58. He has seen a lot over the years!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Prior to this year’s selections for the 2022  Library of Congress National Film Registry, I had a conversation with Art Kirsch and John Coleman of Celebrating Act 2. I gave the boys a complete rundown on how the process works and notable omissions of great cinema. By the way, anyone can vote and it’s free to participate.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Celebrating Act 2 returns to Cinecon 58 to recap the screening of The Mad Game, a film that starred Spencer Tracy and Claire Trevor.  I join Art Kirsch and John Coleman as we put Tracy’s time at Fox Studios in the appropriate perspective.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`It is that time of the year again! The 2022 selections of the Library of Congress National Film Registry have just been announced. This year’s selections are more modern and diverse, including Hairspray (1988),  The Little Mermaid (1989),  When Harry Met Sally (1989), Iron Man (2008), and curiously, home movies from Cab Calloway, taken between 1948 and 1951.

“`Let us look at the Golden Age selections:

~ CYRANO DE BERGERAC (1950) –  Produced by Stanley Kramer and directed by Michael Gordon, this was the first U. S. film version of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 French play. Despite Cyrano’s low budget and it appearing too much like a stage production,  José Ferrer’s star-making performance received much acclaim. For his performance, Ferrer won the Oscar for Best Actor, becoming the initial Hispanic actor to win the statuette.  Preserved from the 35 mm nitrate original camera negative and a 35 mm acetate fine grain master in cooperation with Paramount Pictures.

~ CHARADE (1963) – Dubbed the greatest Alfred Hitchcock motion picture NOT made by the iconic director. Instead, Charade was directed by Stanley Donan. It was the only opportunity to enjoy the onscreen chemistry of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, two of Hollywood’s most sophisticated actors. It also boasts support from three actors who would go on to win Oscars: Walter Matthau, George Kennedy and James Coburn. The elegant score was created by Henry Mancini.

~ SUPERFLY (1972) – The film is a classic of the escapist Blaxploitation wave of  the 1970s. The Harlem community backed the flick financially, and a number of black businesses helped with production costs. Curtis Mayfield’s soulful score received lots of acclaim for the dynamic sound and for challenging the drug culture in its lyrics.  Superfly and Freddie’s Dead became pop chart hits.

~ CARRIE (1976) – This remains a magical year of cinema, with Network, Rocky and All the President’s Men already in the National Film Registry. Brian De Palma burst onto the national spotlight with Carrie. Adapted from the Stephen King novel, De Palma mixes up a stylish cauldron of horrific scenes coupled with unforgettable performances by Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie. It was a film that helped define the slasher genre of movies. King’s works would be revisited after the success of Carrie.

“`The Library of Congress National Film Registry annually inducts twenty-five movies that are considered culturally, historically or aesthetically significant. These films must be at least ten years old.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Among cinephiles and fans alike, we all agree… The Big Sleep, with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, is really hard to follow. Bogie plays Phillip Marlowe, a literary character created by author Raymond Chandler.

“`Researchers put together a character relationship chart that might help you while watching the flick. I find it fascinating. Spoiler alert: It does tell you who lives and dies.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`What is it like to be a board member of Cinecon? We get an inside look with Michael Schlesinger and he shares the information with our Celebrating Act 2 audience…

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Celebrating Act 2 hosts, John Coleman and Art Kirsch, pin me down to reflect on the not-so-celebrated dancers during Hollywood’s Golden Age. The names are familiar…

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Art Kirsch, John Coleman and I look back at one of the popular times at the Cinecon 58 Film Festival  –  Kinecon at Cinecon! Celebrating Act 2 takes a peak at moments with Jack LaLaine, Lawrence Welk, Danny Thomas, Jack Benny, among others.  Let us celebrate the early days of television during this engaging discussion.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The annual Afternoon with the Authors is back this Saturday at the Hollywood Heritage Museum. This event is designed to give cinephiles and movie-lovers a chance to do much-needed Christmas shopping in a relaxed Tinseltown setting.

“`This year’s scribes include actresses – Kathy Garver (Family Affair) and Alexis Hunter; film historians – Mary Mallory, Marc Wanamaker and Mark Viera; noted authors – David McGiffert, Steve Bingen, Harlen Lebo, Phillip Dye and Darrell Rooney; and Turner Classic Movies noted commentator, Jeremy Arnold.

“`I will be on hand with all three of my Forgotten Hollywood paperbacks in the book series and I would enjoy meeting up with friends and followers of my podcast that airs weekly on Spotify. If you live in the Southern California area and want to do some fun holiday shopping, the place to be is at the Hollywood Heritage Museum this Saturday, from 11a- 3p.

“`The landmark is across the street from the Hollywood Bowl at 2100 N. Highland Ave. and there is plenty of free parking.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`After plenty of soul-searching,  the widow of actor Hugh O’Brian  has decided to put many of his memorabilia items up for auction. Virginia O’Brian is offering personal artifacts for posterity, including the iconic Wyatt Earp outfit he wore on television, a holster, guns (including a famous Buntline), correspondence from Dwight D. Eisenhower,  cufflinks from Ronald Reagan, beautiful outfits designed by noted Western tailor, Nudie, and other specialties.      HUGH O’BRIAN–>

“`O’Brian had a fine career after being discovered by movie stars, Ruth Roman and Linda Christian,  and being cast in a film by storied director, Ida Lupino.  In cinema, O’Brian was memorable in Broken Lance, In Harm’s Way, Ten Little Indians and The Shootist  (John Wayne’s finale).  On the small screen, O’Brian starred for seven seasons in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. The initial “adult Western” on television, it stayed in the Top Ten for its entire run.

“`O’Brian also shined as a philanthropist when he founded the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership organization. His commitment began after he met Albert Schweitzer. He made a pilgrimage to the eighty-three-year-old savant’s settlement and hospital in central Africa. Upon returning, he formed HOBY, which was designed to:

Motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society through understanding and action based on effective and compassionate leadership.

“`Each year, it brought together promising high school students at sites around the country for leadership seminars. He received numerous awards for his achievement.

“`On a personal note, Hugh and Virginia remained cherished friends. I met them at Republic Pictures 75th Anniversary celebration.  Later, by co-incidence, O’Brian’s memoirs were made into a literary work through the efforts of the Book Publishers Network, the same organization I used to create the Forgotten Hollywood book series. An interview I had with Hugh before he passed in 2016 will be aired in an upcoming episode of Manny Pacheco’s Forgotten Hollywood podcast.

“`Click on the link below to examine Hugh O’Brian’s one-of-a-kind memorabilia NOW available for auction through Heritage. They are treasured items and all part of Hollywood and television history!

https://entertainment.ha.com/c/search-results.zx?N=53+793+794+791+792+2088+4294938617+4294967003&type=friend-consignorlive-notice

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Singer-songwriter Irene Cara was a gifted talent,  who was best known for her singing the title tracks to Fame and Flashdance. She earned Grammy consideration for both tunes and won an Oscar for the latter composition. She actually co-starred in the former film. She also had a hit with Out Here On My Own, which was also included in the Fame soundtrack. Her publicist has written…

“`Cara trained in music, dance and acting and appeared on stage and on television, including appearances on The Electric Company on PBS and on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show in the 1970s. Cara has also worked as a backup vocalist for Vicki Sue Robinson, George Duke, Lou Reed, Oleta Adams and Evelyn “Champagne” King.

“`The eubillent Irene Cara was sixty-three.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is the place to check out if you are up in Northern California.  I had a chance to catch up with David Kiehn, the curator of the museum and a film historian, while at Cinecon 58 and we had a lovely chat. The Celebrating Act 2 cameras caught the conversation.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Mickey Kuhn started his career as a child actor during Hollywood’s Golden Age. He appeared in some of the most iconic motion pictures until his retirement from cinema after his service in the military.  His face was most welcome in the flicks he made.    MICKEY KUHN –>

“`His initial fame came when he won the role auditioned for by over one hundred kid actors:  Beau Wilkes (the son of Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland’s characters Ashley Wilkes and Melanie Hamilton) in Gone with the Wind. Kuhn became the last living actor from this epic film after the passing of de Havilland.

“`His resume included roles in Juarez, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, Red River, Dick Tracy, Broken Arrow,  and A Streetcar Named Desire (again paired with Vivien Leigh). He appeared with the top actors of the day such as Claude Rains, Bette Davis, Dick Powell, Irene Dunne, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Fredric March, Clark Gable, Barbara Stanwyck, Montgomery Clift, Kirk Douglas, James Stewart, and Marlon Brando. His final acting appearance was on Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

“`While in the Navy, Kuhn worked as an aircraft electrician. He left the film industry in 1956 and worked for American Airlines and Boston Airport in administrative positions until his retirement.

“`Mickey Kuhn was ninety.

Until next time>                               “never forget”