Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`David McCallum was a Scottish actor,  who gained recognition in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television program The Man from U.N.C.L.E.  His brand personified the British Invasion, which included The Beatles, James Bond and Twiggy.

“`In his youth, he attended Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Joan Collins was a classmate. After a stint at BBC Radio, McCallum began working in motion pictures and television.  On the big screen, he co-starred in A Night to Remember, Billy Budd, The Great Escape, The Greatest Story Ever Told and One of Our Spies is Missing.

“`Once he was cast in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., he became a sex symbol with his Beatles-style blond haircut and was elevated to co-star status. While playing Kuryakin, McCallum got more fan mail than any other actor in MGM’s history,  including such popular actors as Clark Gable, Robert Taylor and Elvis Presley. He also received two Emmy nominations in the course of the show’s four-year run for playing the intellectual and introverted secret agent.

“`He also guest-starred in small screen shows, including The Outer Limits, Perry Mason, Hullabaloo, Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, Night Gallery, The Six-Million Dollar Man, Hart to Hart, The A-Team, Matlock, McCloud and Murder She Wrote. McCallum never quite repeated the popular success he had gained as Kuryakin until he was cast in NCIS.

“`For a time he was married to Jill Ireland. She met Charles Bronson while McCallum worked with the actor in The Great Escape. After their divorce, she wed Bronson.

“`David McCallum (above right) was ninety.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Art Kirsch and John Coleman join me in chatting about the great buddies and sidekicks of Hollywood on Celebrating Act 2.  From Gabby Hayes to Nigel Bruce,  we profile some of the great second fiddles to ever grace the silver screen.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`I am returning to my home town in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, where I went to high school, the city of Van Nuys, CA. The Van Nuys branch of Los Angeles Public Library system will be hosting a Forgotten Hollywood event this Thursday at 3p. I will be offering an oral presentation and autographing copies of my Forgotten Hollywood book series.

“`My presentation includes fascinating tales about Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Arthur Lake, Frank Morgan and Lionel Barrymore. Consider this my personal invitation to enjoy an afternoon of nostalgia about Hollywood’s Golden Age.

“`The Van Nuys Library is located at 6250 Sylmar Avenue. By the way, I graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1975. I would love to see my fellow Wolves attend the event!

“`See you there!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The owners of the 1920-era home, which Marilyn Monroe purchased in the early 1960s and where the actress died of an overdose in 1962,  submitted a permit request to the city of Los Angeles to raze the estate.  It was unclear why the owner was looking to demolish the home. News of the residence’s pending demolition, however, sparked outrage from local history buffs and fans of the actress. As news of the demolition plans spread, a change.org petition to save Monroe’s home quickly garnered thousands of signatures this past week.

                          MARILYN MONROE

“`On Friday, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion seeking to save the Brentwood place by having it declared a historic-cultural monument.  The popular motion was introduced by Councilwoman Traci Park whose 11th District includes Monroe’s home. After the vote, the Department of Building and Safety issued an official notice to stop construction,  as well as a notice of intent to revoke the permit for the demolition of Monroe’s home.

“`The motion was handed in to Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission. The CHC will have to make a decision within seven-five days.

“`Monroe bought the home after she moved back to the West Coast following the end of her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller. Sources say the price was $77,500. She reportedly paid for half with cash and took out a mortgage for the rest. She described her casa as a “fortress where I can feel safe from the world.”

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`I am happy to provide a sneak peak into my next book,  Adventures of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, on Celebrating Act 2. I join Art Kirsch and John Coleman in profiling the life and times of the wonderful Ida Lupino, a chapter subject in my next literary effort.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”