Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`We have finally made it to the top of the countdown. Two words suffice… Damien Chazelle. As it turns out, the gifted director put together cinematic masterpieces; one a frothy musical and the other, an intense jazz-laden thriller. Both flicks also feature actor J. K. Simmons. He earned an Oscar for the effort. First, let me rundown the previous entries of what I consider the finest productions of the last two decades:

#50 Gosford Park – #49 The Reader – #48 I Tonya – #47 Molly’s Game – #46 The Post

#45 Woman in Gold –  #44 Midnight in Paris – #43 The Grand Budapest Hotel

#42 Jojo Rabbit – #41 The Green Book – #40 Hidden Figures – #39 Truth – #38 Dark Water

#37 Chicago – #36 Darkest Hour – #35 Cold War – #34 The Producers – #33 Brooklyn

#32 The King’s Speech – #31 Nightcrawler – #30 Motherless Brooklyn

#29 Charlie Wilson’s War – #28 Richard Jewell – #27 The Ides of March – #26 Argo

#25 Thirteen Days – #24 An Education – #23 The Queen – #22 Hell or High Water

#21 The Ladykillers – #20 Frost/Nixon – #19 American Hustle – #18 Nebraska

#17 Promising Young Woman – #16 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

#15 The Imitation Game – #14 The Trial of the Chicago Seven – #13 Spotlight

#12 Sideways – #11 Lincoln – #10 Mank – #9 The Artist – #8 My Week with Marilyn

#7 Bad Times at the El Royale – #6 The Social Network – #5 Get Low – #4 Stan & Ollie

#3 Lion

====================

~ #2 – LA LA LAND (2016)

“`Damien Chazelle wrote and directed this cotton-candy homage to Los Angeles. La La Land features a start that rivals the choreographic openings to  Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man and West Side Story. The style and tone of the movie were inspired by Jacques Demy’s  The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and The Young Girls of Rochefort. It draws visual allusions to top musicals such as Broadway Melody of 1940, The Band Wagon, Singin in the Rain, and An American in Paris. The movie travels through the Warner Brothers lot, Angels Flight, Griffith Observatory, Rialto Theater, Lighthouse Cafe, the 10 Freeway, and Hollywood Hills. The story focuses on balancing a career pursuit in Tinsel Town and falling in love.

“`Chazelle actually conceptualized the idea of this musical before turning out Whiplash. Due to the latter movie’s success,  its star Miles Teller was set to team with Emma Watson on the project.  Eventually, the script landed on the doorstep of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. She was actually delighted for the opportunity because of her childhood love of musicals. She had appeared in a Broadway revival of  Cabaret and her favorite all-time film is Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights. The two channeled their inner Tracy/Hepburn, Bogie/Bacall, Astaire/Rogers, and William Powell/Myrna Loy.

“`La La Land earned fourteen Oscar nods and won six; Best Director, Best Actress (Stone), Best Original Score, Best Original Song,  Best Production Design, and Best Cinematography. The movie matched All about Eve and Titanic for the most nominations. Hilariously, at the Academy Awards ceremony, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced it had captured Best Picture of the Year. They were wrong… Moonlight won. Ironically, this is the only false note delivered by this loving tribute to the American musical.

~ #1 – WHIPLASH (2014)

“`After Damien Chazelle finished completing the script of Whiplash, Right of Way Films and Blumhouse Productions  helped him turn fifteen pages of the script into an eighteen-minute short film. It received acclaim after debuting at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and attracted investors to produce a cinematic version.  The screenplay was based on his tempestuous bond with a former band instructor while he was in the Princeton High School Studio Band. I just love a Hollywood story!

“`With reference to the careers of Charlie Parker and Buddy Rich, the production’s soundtrack also features the arrangements of Duke Ellington and Juan Tizon (Caravan), and saxaphonist and composer Hank Levy (Whiplash). For his part, J. K. Simmons portrays a frustrated music professor who is profane, cruel, and utterly compelling. As a result, this psychological thriller has many neo-noir elements.

“`Loaded with bravado and swagger, Whiplash earned five Oscar nominations and received statuettes for Best Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Supporting Actor.  Entertainment Weekly and Movies.com named the production Best Motion Picture in 2014. It is better in my estimation… Simply, my FAVORITE movie of the twenty-first century.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Colin Powell was one of our country’s most prominent Black figures for decades. He served three Republican presidents in senior posts and reached the top of the United States military as it was regaining its vigor after the trauma of the Vietnam War. His highs and lows included leading Allied forces that drove Iraqi troops from Kuwait in 1991, and later as the head of the State Department, relying on erroneous intelligence about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

“`Powell was born in New York City , and raised in the South Bronx neighborhood, the son of a shipping clerk and a seamstress from Jamaica who arrived in America in 1920 aboard a United Fruit Company steamer. His path to success was the military’s  Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He was commissioned an Army second lieutenant in 1958.

“`He served thirty-five years in the Army, including two combat tours in Vietnam and stints in West Germany and South Korea.  He was injured twice during his service. He earned a White House fellowship while in the Army during Richard Nixon’s presidency and won the respect of officials who later would serve in senior posts under Reagan. He was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993.

“`One of his top accomplishments was his development of the Powell Doctrine on the use of military force, which arose out of ambiguous objectives and erratic troop build-up during the Vietnam War era. The doctrine states:

War should be a last resort; force, when used, should be overwhelming; there must be strong public support for it and a clear exit strategy.

“`While in the George W. Bush cabinet,  Powell was often at odds with Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He announced his resignation after the president’s November 2004 re-election.

“`Powell espoused outspoken political rhetoric (especially against then-President Donald Trump) and claimed unabashed support for candidate Barack Obama.

“`A reluctant warrior and a true patriot, Colin Powell (right) was eighty-four.

Until next time>                               “never forget’

Manny P. here…

“`I am happy to once again appear on Celebrating Act 2 with John Coleman and Art Kirsch. We have a conversation about those iconic movie moguls during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`It is time for the presentation of the understudy… the opening act… two can’t miss celluloid beauties. Both films provide poignant stories that make me shed tears each time I sit down to watch. These are two wonderful examinations on my Top Fifty favorite movies of the last two decades.

====================

~ #4 – STAN AND OLLIE (2018)

“`Two journeyman charactor actors take on the opportunity to portray the finest comedy team in cinematic history and they knock it out of the park. Such is the story of Stan & Ollie. Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly capture the mannerisms and the iconic routines that made the team famous. The movie focuses Laurel and Hardy’s personal relationship while they embarked on a gruelling music hall tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland during 1953.

“`The production was ignored by the Oscars, but Reilly received a Golden Globes nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy.  Ironically, Laurel and Hardy earned an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Subject for their work on The Music Box in 1931;  extremely rare for film comedians.

“`Stan was the creator of their comedy bits, Ollie (also known as Babe) could also sing. Hal Roach paired the duo in 1927 in Putting Pants on Phillip. Some of their best remembered movies include Tit for Tat, Big Business, Sons of the Desert and Way Out West. In the latter flick, they performed one of their best moments on screen when they crooned Trail of the Lonesome Pine. This is beautifully recreated in Stan & Ollie. Other famous personalities featured include actors Jimmy Finlayson, Harry Langdon, and producer Bernard Delfont.

“`After Hardy suffered a heart attack in 1954, the remainder of the tour was cancelled.  They never performed together on stage again. After Babe’s passing in 1957, Stanley kept working on bits for the team. Curiously, his home phone number was listed in the Santa Monica phone book. He was called by a fellow who wanted to pay a visit to the iconic comedian. That person was Dick Van Dyke and it became the reason he entered show business. And so it goes…

~ #3 – LION (2016)

“`Lion tells the tale of a young man’s twenty-five year odyssey to find his birth family. An episodic motion picture that begins as a subtitled masterpiece and ends with tour-de-force performances by Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, and Rooney Mara. It is based on the 2013 non-fiction book A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley. This is a production that has the feel of a Dickens novel with unsparing realism of its Indian first half, and a modern angle due to its reliance on Google Earth as part of the plot line.

“`Lion received six Oscar nods: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and love for Patel and Kidman. Remarkably, Sunny Pawar (who plays the young Saroo) was snubbed during awards season.  He is the heart of the movie and his emotional strings tug at the most hardened of hearts. I was sorry to see him grow up.

“`The finale has a heartfelt punch. As a child, the protagonist mispronounces his name as Saroo. When reunited with his mother, she calls him Sheru; the English translation… LION! Hence the title of the film…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`We are getting down to the nitty gritty of my  favorite fifty movies of the last two decades. Today’s choices are incredibly well-made productions. Sensational writing and outstanding acting make these a cut above average releases in any given year. Let us get to it…

====================

~ #6 – THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010)

“`Social media was in its adolescence when  The Social Network was released. It chronicles the rise of Mark Zuckerberg, who became the youngest media mogul on the globe. He refined the idea of how people would predominately communicate in the 21st century. In the spirit of cinema such as Network, A Face in the Crowd, and Citizen Kane, this production offers a glimpse of our collective future. It does not look pretty.

“`Without question, this is Aaron Sorkin’s essential work. EVERY word counts! The actors are handed volumes of word-heavy scripts. Jessie Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield, Max Minghella, and Armie Hammer (in dual roles) delivers. David Fincher creates a lightening paced narrative and he is one of two directors on my countdown who has two films in my Top 10 (The other – Mank). Nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (Eisenberg),  it garnered three; for Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing.

“`The Social Network is a snarky exploration of how Facebook was born and it is a searing indictment of what it inevitably became. Sorkin’s portrait of Zuckerberg was hardly flattering, but upon reflection after his many testimonies before Congress, the film may have been too sympathetic on the media giant.

“`The Social Network has earned a fierce reputation since its initial release, and is cited by critics as one of the most topical motion pictures of the century. A sequel is being discussed. Representatives of Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok are holding their collective breath.

~ #5 – GET LOW (2009)

“`Get Low is the least-watched flick on my list, earning less than ten million in receipts.  Yet, critics who have sat through the movie found it to be visual poetry of the highest order. When released to cable platforms, PBS was the first to capitalize in presenting it to a viewing home audience.  High praise for truly forgotten cinema of recent history.  Like Harold and Maude, Get Low is destined to become a cult classic.

“`The eclectic cast includes Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, and Lucas Black. But, it was summarily ignored by the Oscar faithful. Duvall found the assignment so compelling, he co-produced the venture.

“`Get Low  takes place in the back-woods of 1930s Tennessee and it has the feel of hallowed cinema such as O Brother Where Art Thou? and To Kill a Mockingbird. Duvall’s character reminds us of Boo Radley, had he grown into full maturity. A multi-genre production, the film is an atmospheric mystery, tragic love story, and subtle comedy. Promising Young Woman and Parasite are recent examples of cinematic entertainment benefitting from a multi-genre approach.

“`When discussing the best actors of the last half-century, including De Niro, Hanks, Pacino, Bridges, and Day Lewis, Duvall certainly belongs in this conversation. And does Spacek and Murray ever make a bad movie? Just asking for a friend…

Until next time>                               “never forget“

Manny P….

“`Art Kirsh and John Coleman allow me to promote my countdown of my favorite movies of the last two decades on Celebrating Act 2.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`You can get an intimate look at the behind-the-scenes and off-camera life of John Wayne. Ethan, the Duke’s son, is hosting a podcast about his dad. Called the John Wayne Gritcast.  The show promises to give listeners insight into the movie star that America idolized. New episodes drop every Thursday.

“`They promoted the show on the estate’s Instagram. The inaugural episode of the Gritcast dropped last week. It features an interview with Patrick Wayne, one of John Wayne’s oldest children.

“`Patrick, who starred with his dad in the western comedy McLintock!, talked about the film’s difficult shoot (including the famous mud scene),  and nearly freezing with his dad while being stuck in a terrible Arizona motel.

“`The Colt Single Action Army revolver that John Wayne used in True Grit and The Cowboys is up for auction later this week.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`So proud to join Pat Pattison on his Best of California cable program. Pat was on hand to witness the unveiling of the Chaplin–Keaton–Lloyd Alley on Wednesday. His segment features the President of Cinecon – Stan Taffel; and the grandkids of two Hollywood legends – Charlie and Buster!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget“

Manny P. here…

“`The countdown continues of my favorite movies of the last two decades. Eddie Redmayne and Jeff Bridges are recent recipients for Oscars in great cinema: The Theory of Everything and Crazy Heart. They made a number of films over the last ten years, two of which are featured this week.

======================

~ #8 – MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (2011)

“`A sumptuous chronicle of the time when Marilyn Monroe traveled to England to co-star with Laurence Olivier in The Prince and the Showgirl. My Week with Marilyn is based on two books by Colin Clark, the second assistant director who became a companion to Monroe.

“`The production features Monroe, Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Arthur Miller and Paula Strasberg, principal figures during this era of filmmaking. The movie’s cast includes Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Julia Ormand, Emma Watson, Derek Jacobi, and Redmayne (Colin Clark). Williams and Branagh received Oscar attention.

“`1957 was a transitional year for both Monroe and Olivier. Marilyn studied The Method Acting approach and yearned to be considered a serious thespian. Larry simply wanted to be a movie star by channeling Monroe and his wife Vivien as his vessels to stardom. Neither accomplished their desired goal with The Prince and the Showgirl. Career and personal setbacks make for compelling screen drama.

“`History tells us that Billy Wilder added to the Monroe mystique when he created Some Like It Hot, Marilyn’s next assignment. She received a Golden Globe for her work. Spartacus and The Entertainer were on Olivier’s horizon, with the latter earning Olivier another Oscar nod. Monroe would divorce Miller in 1961; Olivier left Leigh in 1960.

“`This moment in time represents a vanishing era of British filmmaking.

~ #7 – BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE (2018)

“`A neo-noir thriller, Bad Times at the El Royale has the earmarks of a Quentin Tarantino production (it was not), without the feet. An ensemble cast with Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, John Hamm, and Chris Hemsworth. Sadly, the Oscars snubbed this flick.

“`The El Royale is a hotel separated by the California-Nevada border. Each of six characters are placed in a metaphorical purgatory and each must decide which path will offer salvation. The tale takes place in 1969 during the time of the hippie movement and the Tate–LaBianca murders and draws inspiration on morality from the techniques used by the Coen brothers.

“`This is actually a worthy companion piece to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (hence the Tarantino reference). The soundtrack is 1960s pop music heaven, with such nuggets as He’s a Rebel, Hold On I’m Comin’, Bend Me Shape Me, The Letter, and Bernadette. The flaw with the production is El Royale was marketed as a kind of a slasher film. There is a tension of violence throughout the movie. However, the deadly scenes have more a Hitchcock-feel to its approach, a throwback to a time when gore was suggested.

“`They even showcase a mcguffin (a plot device that appears vital when introduced), common in films, especially thrillers. In this case, a film reel implicating famous people in compromising situations. Though never said out loud, one of the Kennedy brothers and Marilyn Monroe might be the subjects on the reel.  The El Royale is modeled after the Cal Neva Lodge and Casino, frequently visited by Monroe and the Kennedy family. The audience is left to wonder.

“`From start to finish, El Royale remains a fast-paced psychological exercise on celluloid that crackles to its suprise ending.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`With the Chaplin–Keaton–Lloyd Alley dedication ceremony in the books, I cornered Stan Taffel of Hollywood Heritage to put in context the importance in preserving landmarks that help tell Hollywood’s story. Kudos to Tim Greenwood of Magnolia Street Productions for documenting this moment!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`A great time was had by all who attended the dedication ceremony of the newest landmark in Hollywood:  Chaplin–Keaton–Lloyd Alley at 1640 Cahuenga Boulevard.  This iconic location was the backdrop during the Silent Era in many movies and two-reelers. The most famous of these productions made at this locale include The Kid, Cops, and Safety Last.

“`A little clambake preceded the ceremony. The dedication featured remarks from members of Hollywood Heritage including Board President Brian Curran and boardmember and President of Cinecon film festival, Stan Taffel. Also in attendance, Los Angeles City Councilman and the new President Pro-Tempore Mitch O’Farrell. Offering heartfelt remarks were grandchildren of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Jackie Coogan, and Harold Lloyd.

                                                                                  KEITH COOGAN – MANNY PACHECO 

“`Fellow KNX 1070 AM weekend traffic reporter Tim Greenwood documented the festivities and produced the interviews you will be seeing in days to come. We present a taste in photos that reprises the day.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`After a successful GoFundMe campaign, Hollywood Heritage is dedicating an iconic alley in Tinsel Town this Wednesday (09/29). Three of the greatest silent comedies of all time:  Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921) – Buster Keaton’s Cops (1922) – Harold Lloyd’s Safety Last (1923) were filmed in the heart of Los Angeles at the unnamed alley running just south of  Hollywood Boulevard, from Cahuenga to Cosmo. As of this week, it will always be called:

“`Dedicating this site honors the legacy of great filmmakers, generates publicity and goodwill and creates a Hollywood tourist attraction. Each film has been inducted into the National Film Registry of the  Library of Congress as a work of enduring importance to American culture. This humble spot honors Hollywood’s brightest stars in three of their most famous movies.

“`You are welcome to join Los Angeles Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, the descendants of Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd and local dignitaries in celebration of National Silent Movie Day. Hollywood Heritage has partnered with local property owners, community leaders, and film historians to ensure that this forgotten locale is recognized as one of the most significant backdrops in early cinematic history. The event begins at 2p. Arrive early to proceed through Covid protocol.

“`Here is a trailer that shares the history of the alley and the process to make this moments a reality. Hollywood Heritage received permission to display photos from these iconic movies.

“`I will be on hand to absorb the immense context of such a dedication.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`We have reached the Top Ten of the countdown of my favorite fifty films of the last two decades. Ironically, the first two selections are in black-and-white, joining Cold War and Nebraska on my list. One of the two picks is also my top Best Picture film in the countdown. The other selection was my favorite movie last year.  Both are homages to the motion picture process. Let’s get to it…

====================

~ #10 – MANK (2020) 

“`A definitive look at Hollywood’s Golden Age, Tinsel Town’s golden child (Orson Welles), and possibly the finest movie ever made according to many critics and historians (Citizen Kane). Featured in this film are the likes of Welles, William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, Louis B. Mayer, John Houseman, Irving Thalberg, and Herman and Joe Mankiewicz. It was directed by David Fincher, based on a screenplay by his late father Jack Fincher.

“`Despite its insider feel and snappy dialogue, Mank delivers first-rate cinema. Nominated for ten Oscars, it actually won more (two), Production Design and Cinematography, than Citizen Kane (one). It also received nods as a Best Picture nominee, for Best Director, and accolades for its stars, Gary Oldman (as Herman Mankiewicz) and Amanda Seyfried (as Marion Davies). Joe’s grandson (TCM host) Ben Mankiewicz has a cameo voiceover role.

“`Welles took credit for the penned work of Herman Mank and that is the premise of the work. Plus, the creative wing of Hollywood were constantly at odds with the financial sector. Citizen Kane caused a higher level of vitriol as Welles and Houseman directly targeted media magnet William Randolph Hearst and his mistress, Davies. Hearst publicly campaigned against the film during award’s season and eventually derailed the career of Welles. One thing is sure… Welles and Hearst were both sides of the same narcissist coin.

“`As a dedicated cinephile, I offer that the essence of Mank is the stuff dreams are made of.

~ #9 – THE ARTIST (2011)

“`For decades, Hollywood has been re-imagining the What Price Hollywood? concept; the rise of one actor or filmmaker at the expense of another thespian who tumbles into ignominy. This premise is on display in each version of A Star is Born, Singing in the Rain, All About Eve, Sunset Boulevard, and the surprisingly sumptuous silent presentation of The Artist.

“`This tale focuses on the relationship between a rising young actress and an older film star as silent cinema falls out of fashion and is replaced by talkies. It stars Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. Both got Oscar attention, with Dujardin capturing a statuette. Like Mank, it collected ten nominations and won five:  Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture. The initial silent production to take Best Picture was Wings in 1927; the previous black-and-white film to garner gold was Schindler’s List in 1993.

“`The screenplay took four months, inspired by the 1928 silent comedy Show People. The Artist evolved into a silent melodrama, the kind made famous by the likes of Mary Pickford, Lon Chaney, Gloria Swanson, and particularly, Douglas Fairbanks. The performance of Uggie the pooch is an obvious homage to the popularity to other screen dogs, such as Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, and especially, Asta in The Thin Man. The flick’s climax is set to Bernard Herrmann’s Scène d’amour from his score to Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo.

“`Silence was golden in 2011!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Through the magic of radio, I spent the morning on John Mariani’s Almost Golden program. This airs every Wednesday at 11A (EDT) on WVOX 1460 AM in New Rochelle, New York. The topic of our conversation was the great movies of the 1950s.

“`Almost Golden remembers the past. The time was the 1950s and the places were the Bronx and Westchester County, in so many ways linked, in so many ways distinct. From rock and roll to country club dances, from Playland to Freedomland, from candy stores to college bars. John Mariani is an award-winning journalist who was born in the Bronx and moved with his family to Westchester. He was the long-time restaurant critic for Esquire Magazine, New York Times, USA Today, and the Westchester Gannett Newspapers.

“`The hour-long conversation focused on magnificent cinema, including  Singing in the Rain, Sunset Boulevard, Bridge on the River Kwai, The Night of the Hunter, The Quiet Man, Around the World in Eighty Days, Anatomy of a Murder, Tweve Angry Men, Them!, All About Eve, Forbidden Planet, and more. Sometimes we agree on what were the best films, sometimes we disagree, and all with great fun!

“`WVOX is Westchester’s Soap Box, the last great community station in the nation. Click on the link below to enjoy the conversation.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`John Coleman and Art Kirsch have invited me to chat about one hit wonders; actors who win an Oscar and then disappear from cinema. The show of course… Celebrating Act 2…

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”