“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Prime of Miss Maggie Smith…

September 27th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Dame Margaret Natalie Smith was a personal favorite actress of mine. I loved her in great cinema, such as in  The V. I. P.’s, Death on the Nile, A Room with a View, Gosford Park, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and her Oscar-winning turn in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I fancied her comedies, such as  Sister Act, Quartet and particularly, Murder by Death. I watched her on television each week on Downtown Abbey and I never missed an episode. I even supported her exemplary performances in inferior productions, including in The First Wives Club and her Oscar-winning role in California Suite.                           MAGGIE SMITH ->

“`At the Oxford University Dramatic Society, Smith began her stage career in 1952 as Viola in Twelfth Night. In 1956, she made her Broadway debut. Laurence Olivier invited Smith to become part of his new National Theatre Company, soon after it was formed at The Old Vic in 1962. Alongside Derek Jacobi and Michael Gambon, she was a fixture at the Royal National Theatre in the 1960s. Hollywood came calling and she never looked back.

“`A young generation of viewers emerged after Smith was cast in the Harry Potter series of movies. After co-starring in every episode of Downtown Abbey, she continued her role as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in two big screen productions.

“`She received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five Baftas, four Emmys, three Golden Globes and a Tony Award. Smith was one of the few film performers to earn the Triple Crown of Acting.

“`It would be easy to include Maggie Smith in the Top Ten of all-time great British Actresses, alongside  Wendy Hiller, Vivien Leigh, Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr, Elizabeth Taylor, Vanessa Redgrave, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren and Judi Dench.  Some might include Judith Anderson and Margaret Rutherford as well.

“`My first choice from such a treasured list remains Maggie Smith. She was eighty-nine.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Places to Visit in Hollywood…

September 16th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`There are so many places in Hollywood to visit and Celebrating Act 2 has a rundown. John Coleman, Art Kirsch and I recommend some of our favorites!

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Voice…

September 9th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`James Earl Jones was a sensational Broadway and movie actor, who may have been more famous with his voice than with his looks. He is best remembered for his audio performance as Darth Vader in the  Star Wars franchise, as Mufasa in The Lion King and as the vocal brand of CNN. He was one of the few performers to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony). JAMES EARL JONES ->

“`Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 in Sunrise at Campobello. He gained prominence for acting in numerous productions with Shakespeare in the Park, including  Othello, Hamlet and King Lear. He won a Tony for his role as a boxer in The Great White Hope, in which he reprised in the 1970 film adaptation, earning him Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.

“`Jones made his movie debut in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove. Other notable film roles include: Claudine, The Comedians, Conan the Barbarian, Coming to America, Field of Dreams, The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.

“`On television, Jones appeared in Dr. Kildare, Sesame Street, L. A. Law, Highway to Heaven, Third Rock From the Sun, Will and Grace, Mad About You, The Simpsons, Frasier, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and the celebrated Roots.

“`In 2019, he was honored as a Disney Legend. In March 2022, Broadway’s Cort Theatre was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor. After his passing. the NAACP, SAG-AFTRA and Major League Baseball paid tribute to the actor.

“`James Earl Jones was ninety-three.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- The Girl That Can’t Say No…

September 3rd, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`John Coleman, Art Kirsch and I spend treasured time on Celebrating Act 2 chatting about the life and times of screen siren, Gloria Grahame. She was sultry and vulnerable and a big favorite of our crew.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget” 

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Hollywood Resources…

August 19th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Where do I go for research for my blogs and books? Find out when I share with Art Kirsch and John Coleman on Celebrating Act 2.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“Forgotten Hollywood”- Radio Dayz…

August 5th, 2024

Manny P. here…

“`Today, I join Art Kirsch and John Coleman on Celebrating Act 2 as we discuss the Golden Age of Radio, when movie stars often were featured in radio programs.

“`Enjoy!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

“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”