“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Chase Is On…

July 22nd, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Celebrating Act 2 looks at one of those exciting moments in most films, simply called “the chase.” Art Kirsch, John Coleman and I examine some of the more iconic chases in celluloid history.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                              “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Adventures of…

July 8th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Art Kirsch and John Coleman of Celebrating Act 2 are pressing me to finish my next book… The Adventures of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. I am spending the summer putting the finishing touches on this latest work. I offer a sneak peak.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Celebrating Richard Sherman…

June 24th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Art Kirsch, John Coleman and I stroll along humming the remarkable music of the Sherman Brothers. They are synonymous with the Disney brand of television, movies and theme parks. And we honor the memory of the late Richard Sherman, as well.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Prolific Donald Sutherland…

June 20th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Donald Sutherland was one of the busiest movie stars in Hollywood. He appeared in over two hundred films, many were memorable roles, and he was superlative in almost all of his performances. Always understated, he could be menacing, funny and intense. And like Myrna Loy and Edward G. Robinson, he never received an Oscar nomination.  His son is the popular actor, Kiefer Sutherland.

“`Sutherland began his career as a news correspondent for local radio station in Nova Scotia at the age of fourteen.   He later studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His film work began when Hammer Studios began casting the lanky thespian in horror flicks.

“`His breaks came early, with roles in  The Bedford Incident, The Dirty Dozen, M*A*S*H, Kelly’s Heroes, The Day of the Locust, Fellini’s Casanova, The Eagle Has Landed, The Kentucky Fried Movie, Ordinary People, National Lampoon’s Animal House, Invasion of the Body SnatchersA Time to Kill, JFK, Cold Mountain, Backdraft, Space Cowboys, Klute and The Hunger Games franchise. In 2017, Sutherland received an honorary Academy Award for his contributions to cinema.

“`In 2023, Sutherland told The Canadian Press that he had not spent much time reflecting on the legacy of his career, stating that: You know, it’s over or very nearly over, so I guess I really got to get down to thinking about it. Viking Canada will publish his memoir, Made Up, But Still True, in November 2024.

“`The esteemed Donald Sutherland (above right) was eighty-eight.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Let’s Go to a Film Festival…

June 10th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Art Kirsch, John Coleman and I enjoy treasured time chatting about the various film festivals around the country such as Cinecon and the Columbus Moving Picture Show. Celebrating Act 2 takes a field trip!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The John Garfield Method…

May 27th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`I have a really fine conversation with John Coleman and Art Kirsch on Celebrating Act 2 on the life and times of noted actor, John Garfield. His career trajectory was tragically cut short and we only have a glimpse of what might have been had he lived past thirty-nine.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- A Smaller World…

May 26th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Richard Sherman  was one-half of iconic siblings that created some of the most memorable music for Walt Disney and his franchise. With his brother Robert, they composed the soundtrack for Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Winnie-the-Pooh and a number of tunes for the Disney theme parks, including It’s a Small World, In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room and There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow. They penned the hits, You’re Sixteen in 1960, and Tall Paul for Annette Funicello.

“`The brothers received nine Oscar nominations and won two statuettes for Mary Poppins. They also claimed three Grammy Awards. Both were inducted as Disney Legends in 1990. In 2005, they were invited into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

“`B. J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman portrayed Robert and Richard, respectively, in  Saving Mr. Banks, a dramatized account of the making of Mary Poppins. The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California recently re-dedicated Stage A as the Sherman Brothers Stage.

“`I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Richard in Beverly Hills at a concert event. He was the conductor for the program. This was a true joy!

“`Richard Sherman (above right) was ninety-five.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Hello Columbus Moving Picture Show!

May 21st, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`I am returning to the Columbus Moving Picture Show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, this Memorial Day weekend. This is the Midwest’s premiere classic film festival. What makes this a unique viewing experience is that all films are presented exclusively in 16mm.

“`The show organizer is Samantha Glasser, the perky Columbus native, who has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio State University, with a minor in film studies. Some of the prestigious films screened include Steamboat Bill Jr., Blotto and D. W. Griffith’s Hearts of the World.

“`Much like the TCM Film Festival,  the Columbus Moving Picture Show has movie experts introducing selected film screenings, a massive dealer room, seminars and book signings. My dealer table proudly features the Forgotten Hollywood book series,  a collection of Forgotten Hollywood film DVD’s and other items that will interest patrons of the Columbus Moving Picture Show. I am presenting an oral program on Friday at 4p, with an autograph session to follow.

“`The Columbus Moving Picture Show is at the Renaissance Downtown  beginning on Thursday and running through Memorial Day weekend.

“`See you there!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Fragrant Old West…

May 13th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`John Coleman, Art Kirsch and I spend treasured time dispelling myths about the Western movie on Celebrating Act 2. This is a guaranteed rollicking good time!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Honoring Jack Pierce…

May 7th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`To honor the birthday of a legendary makeup man of cinema,  I will be visiting Palos Verdes to chat about the wonderful career of Jack Pierce. The Friday event is part of the very popular Lectures with Lianne series at Fred Hesse Community Park. The presentation begins at 4p.

“`Jack Pierce enjoyed most of his career at Universal and created just about every monster made famous at the studio. Max Factor defined beauty; Pierce sensationalized the macabre! His 135th birthday was on May 5th.

“`I will also have copies of my Forgotten Hollywood Book Series to autograph! Please start the weekend right and stop on by!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Putting the Bite on Dracula…

April 29th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`John Coleman, Art Kirsch and I break down the analysis on the best Dracula in cinematic history. It all happens on Celebrating Act 2!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Joy of Internet Archive…

April 16th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Celebrating Act 2 is the place to find out new platforms sharing classic cinema. Art Kirsch, John Coleman and I go scavenger hunting for on-line sources that satisfy our urge to watch forgotten movies!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                                “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Way Out West Thrills and Laughter…

April 8th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`So thrilled to be returning to the  Way Out West Tent of the Laurel and Hardy International Appreciation Society. The event is on Tuesday, with door’s opening at 6:30p. I will be introducing a screening of Robert Youngson’s Days of Thrills and Laughter.  

“`I will also have copies of my Forgotten Hollywood book series for you to purchase. The meeting will be at the Mayflower Club, 11110 Victory Blvd. in North Hollywood.

“`See you there!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Two Giants Are Gone…

April 1st, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Two legends in the film and television industry have passed away. They were very familiar on screen.

=====

“`Barbara Rush was an actress, who began appearing in two science fiction classics. She had a six-decade career.     BARBARA RUSH–>

“`Rush was discovered at the Pasadena Playhouse  and signed to a contract at Paramount Pictures in 1950. She found her early niche in sci-fi, appearing in When Worlds Collide and It Came From Outer Space.  The latter part garnered her a Golden Globe as Most Promising Newcomer of the Year – Female.

“`Other movie roles followed, including Magnificent Obsession, The Young Lions, Come Blow Your Horn, The Young Philadelphians, Robin and the Seven Hoods and Hombre. She co-starred in small screen productions of Peyton Place, Flamingo Road, 7th Heaven and the soap opera, All My Children. She also had recurring roles in Dr. Kildare, Batman, Mannix, Medical Center, Ironside, Marcus Welby M. D., Fantasy Island and The Love Boat.

“`Barbara Rush was ninety-seven.

=====

“`Louis Gossett Jr. was a powerful figure on screen, with a performance in An Officer and A Gentleman that garnered him an Oscar;  and a role in Roots that won him an Emmy. He stayed busy in movies and on television in a career that continued up until his death.      LOUIS GOSSETT JR. –>

“`Standing over six feet tall, he was offered the opportunity to play for the New York Knicks; he turned down the offer to accept a role in A Raisin in the Sun.  Gossett had his cinematic debut with the film adaptation in the role he performed on Broadway. He spent the rest of the decade on stage.

“`Returning to film, he appeared in Travels with My Aunt, The Deep, Toy Soldiers, The Laughing Policeman, and this year in the musical version of The Color Purple. Over the years, he has also been recognized for humanitarian activities.

“`Louis Gossett Jr. was eighty-seven.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Celebrating MacGuffins!

March 18th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Join Art Kirsch, John Coleman and I as we chat about Alfred Hitchcock and his MacGuffins in movies. This is the usual fun on Celebrating Act 2.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”