Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Orson Bean was an actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He was also a long-time panelist on the television game show To Tell the Truth. An admirer of Laurel and Hardy, Bean served as a founding member of The Sons of the Desert, an international organization devoted to the duo’s career.

“`Following military service, he started working in small venues as a magician before transitioning in the early 1950s to stand-up comedy. His career took off when he adopted the stage name Orson Bean. –>

“`His acting career almost ended before it actually begun. He was placed on the Hollywood blacklist for attending Communist Party meetings while dating a member.  Fortunately, live television was desperate for talent in the early era of the small screen and Orson was very available.

“`On Broadway, Bean appeared in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Bean received a Tony nomination for his role on Subways are For Sleeping. He also voiced the title character on the concept album for You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Plus, Orson appeared in several films, including Anatomy of a Murder and Being John Malkovich.

“`In the end, television proved to be most fruitful for Bean. He was Mr. Bevis on a memorable episode of The Twilight Zone, and a regular on Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2Night, and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Orson also guest-starred Love American Style, The Love Boat, The Facts of Life, Murder She Wrote, and Diagnosis: Murder. Both Jack Paar and Johnny Carson invited him frequently on their versions of The Tonight Show.

“`Orson Bean was ninety-one.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Kirk Douglas was a physical actor whose stardom was assured the second he appeared on the big screen; a social activist whose defining moment occurred when he singularly took on the blacklisting of screenwriters during the production of Spartacus;  and the patriarch of a family that included an Oscar-winning son and daughter-in-law. He was unique unto himself, a force for change, and symbol of endurance. Plus, he had one hell of a cleft on his chin.

“`He changed his name to Kirk Douglas while at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Beginning in 1941, Douglas won a series of small roles on Broadway, and served briefly in the Navy. He received a major Hollywood break when an old friend from New York, Lauren Bacall, recommended he co-star with Barbara Stanwyck in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. He gained further attention with the film noir Out of the Past and A Letter to Three Wives.

“`The 1950s were kind to Kirk Douglas and his credits read as some of the most revered productions of the decade: Champion (actually filmed and released in 1949), Young Man with a Horn, Detective Story, The Bad and the Beautiful,  20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Ace in the Hole, Lust For Life, Gunfight at the OK Corral, and Paths of Glory. He started his own film production company in 1955, when many actors still depended on the studios, and directed some of his later movies.

“`In 1960, the actor’s legacy was cemented. Kirk delivered a hit to the Hollywood blacklist when he openly credited former Communist and Oscar winner Dalton Trumbo for his script work on Spartacus. (Earlier, Otto Preminger had announced that Trumbo’s name would appear on the credits for Exodus, but Spartacus debuted first.)

“`During the decade, Kirk appeared in Town without Pity, Lonely are the Brave, The List of Adrian Messenger, Seven Days in May, In Harm’s Way, and The War Wagon. As the studio era ended, Douglas had collaborated with some of Hollywood’s finest directors, such as Vincente Minnelli, Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick, and Elia Kazan.  Plus, his most reliable co-star was Burt Lancaster.

“`Kirk Douglas tried for years to make a movie out of Ken Kesey’s cult novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. In the 1970s, he gave up and let his son Michael have a go. The younger Douglas produced a classic that starred Jack Nicholson, and it dominated the Oscars, winning for picture, director, actor, actress, and screenplay.

“`Though Douglas never won a competitive Oscar,  the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him an honorary award in 1996. His other accolades included a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Lifetime Achievement Award from American Film Institute.

“`After dabbling on television, and writing a few books, Kirk became one of Hollywood’s leading philanthropists. The Douglas Foundation, in which he and Anne Douglas co-founded, has donated millions to a range of non-profits, such as Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Motion Picture and Television Fund. In 2015, this foundation endowed the Kirk Douglas Fellowship; a full-tuition AFI scholarship.

“`Overcoming a stroke and advancing age, Kirk Douglas (right) finally left us after a life well lived. He was 103.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`A couple of locations on my wish list are about to be checked off this coming weekend. I am attending two long sought-after events as a guest speaker and Hollywood historian. These are amazing organizations that have piqued my interest since my fledgling days as an author back in 2008.  Amazingly, my invite for each event arrived at the same time for the same weekend. And I can attend both!

FRIDAY 02/07/2020

“`ROTARY LA5 has long been regarded as a bully pulpit for speakers.  This club was founded in 1909, and is the fifth oldest Rotary club in the world. LA5 is not only one of the oldest clubs in the world, it is also one of the largest.  LA5’s membership of more than three hundred men and women of accomplishment represent a cross-section of the private sector and government in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

“`With a universal message of Service Above Self, LA5 embodies the work and effort of its global membership. With this in mind, their guest speakers have come from all walks of life including politics, business, non-profits, entertainment, education, and sports.  On Friday, I graciously join the pantheon of luncheon speakers that have graced their microphones.

`

SATURDAY 02/08/2020 – SUNDAY 02/09/2020

“`My visit to the NILES ESSANAY SILENT FILM MUSEUM in Fremont, CA will be really special. A former West Coast motion picture studio, “Broncho Billy” Anderson and Charlie Chaplin solidified their on screen personas at this iconic silent movie mecca.

                              CHARLIE CHAPLIN

“`I will be on hand Saturday evening to introduce two-reelers featuring Harold Lloyd and Will Rogers. The main attraction is the magnificent The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. On Sunday afternoon, their bill of fare are productions by Our Gang, Laurel & Hardy and Charley Chase.

                                           WILL ROGERS      HAROLD LLOYD

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“`Over three days, I will be autographing copies of my Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. The weekend promises to be remarkable; a decade in the making.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds is set to appear at the Skirball Center later in 2020 with a visual display of the science fiction franchise’s impact on culture, art, and technology. Originally organized by the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Exploring New Worlds shall feature over a hundred artifacts, set pieces, and props; from communicators and phasers to tribbles, all from the television series, spin-offs, and films.

“`Highlights include Captain Kirk’s command chair and navigation console from the original Star Trek; costumes worn by Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols and Patrick Stewart (Spock, Uhura, and Picard);  and models of the U.S.S. Enterprise, U.S.S. Excelsior, U.S.S. Phoenix, and the Deep Space Nine space station.

“`More details about the exhibition (including pricing and programming) to come out in March. Beam me there, Scotty!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`I came across this YouTube retrospective of many of the great character actors during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Many of these supporting stars are featured in my  Forgotten Hollywood Book Series.  ENJOY!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Fred Silverman was a television executive and producer. He worked as an executive at all three television networks. Small screens were filled with iconic programming throughout the 1970s and 1980s developed and brought along by Fred Silverman (below right).

“`His first job at CBS was to oversee the network’s daytime programming. In 1970, Silverman was promoted from Vice-President of Program Planning and Development to Vice President of Programs; heading the department at CBS. Fred orchestrated the rural purge of 1971, which eventually eliminated many popular country-oriented shows, such as  Green Acres, Mayberry R. F. D., Hee Haw, and The Beverly Hillbillies from the network’s schedule.

“`What emerged, adult-themed comedies, such as All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and their spin-offs.  Plus, M*A*S*H*, The Waltons, Barnaby Jones, and Kojak. He developed Good Times to directly take on Happy Days.  He also revived The Price is Right and Match Game.

“`When he moved to ABC, he brought back Happy Days from the brink of cancellation, and created Laverne and Shirley. Fred green-lit  The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, The Bionic Woman, Charlie’s Angels, Three’s Company, Eight is Enough and Soap. The respected mini-series Rich Man Poor Man and Roots were developed during Fred Silverman’s watch. Family Feud was created by his team, as well.

“`His tenure at NBC was problematic, but he did offer Diff’rent Strokes, and The Facts of Life; and was instrumental in a future airing of Cheers and St. Elsewhere. Fred also hired host Pat Sajak to oversee Wheel of Fortune.

“`His production company revived a number of classic television programs with actors, who spent most of their time on CBS:  Perry Mason, Matlock, Diagnosis: Murder and In the Heat of the Night (Raymond Burr, Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke, and Carroll O’Connor).

“`In 1999, Fred Silverman was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. He was eighty-two when he passed.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Mrs. Beasley from the hit television show Family Affair is back as an adorable collectible. The doll celebrates its fiftieth anniversary; an authentic talking reproduction collector-quality vinyl doll,  brought to you from the Ashton-Drake Galleries. On Family Affair, adorable Mrs. Beasley was Buffy’s best friend, and now she can be yours!

“`It’s a fine adult collectible, not intended for children under fourteen.

“`Here is the link if you are interested in purchasing Mrs. Beasley:

https://www.bradfordexchange.com/products/327614001_family-affair-talking-mrs-beasley-doll.html

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`There was a time when young folks of the 1960s would rush home from school to watch (of all things) a soap opera. The program was macabre, filled with vampires, a wolfman, assorted other ghouls and ghosts, and starred one of Hollywood’s Golden Age greats… Joan Bennett. It was called Dark Shadows.

“`The program became popular with the introduction of Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid. The character who unshackled the monstrous Barnabas was a Dwight Frye-type, named Willie Loomis, portrayed by the late John Karlan.

                                        JOHN KARLAN

“`Karlan began his career when he enrolled in American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Upon graduation, he began working in live television, such as the  Kraft Television Theatre. John also had a role in Naked City. After his five-year stint on Dark Shadow, he guest-starred in The Mod Squad, The Magician,  Kojak, Police Story,  Medical Center, Barnaby Jones, Mannix, The Streets of San Francisco, All in the Family, and Hill Street Blues.

“`During the second phase of his career, Karlan was added to the cast of Cagney and Lacey. This assignment lasted over six years, and he earned an Emmy for his efforts. So memorable was his work, Karlan would reprise his roles on  Cagney and Lacey and Dark Shadows in a number of big screen productions and made-for-TV specials. He also appeared in Mad About You and Murder She Wrote.

“`For the record,  Willie Loomis was one of my five favorite characters on episodic television of the 1960s. The others were Dr. Zachary Smith (Lost in Space), Emma Peel (The Avengers), Tony Newman (The Time Tunnel), and The Riddler (Batman).

“`John Karlan was eighty-six.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Turner Classic Movies has announced that the 3rd annual Robert Osborne Award, recognizing any individual who has kept the cultural heritage of classic films alive for future generations, will be presented to one of the world’s most respected movie critics and historians… Leonard Maltin (right). His face is well known to lovers of Hollywood.

“`Best known for a widely-used reference Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide and its companion volume Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide, as well as his thirty-year run on television’s Entertainment Tonight, Maltin served two terms as the President of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, is a voting member of the National Film Registry, and was appointed by the Library of Congress to sit on the Board of Directors of National Film Preservation Foundation.

“`He teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, appears regularly on TCM, and hosts the weekly podcast Maltin on Movies with his daughter Jessie. He was the recipient of awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Telluride Film Festival,   Anthology Film Archives, American Society of Cinematographers,George Eastman House and San Diego’s Comic-Con International.

“`The initial Robert Osborne Awards were handed out in 2018 to iconic movie maker Martin Scorsese, and 2019 to film preservationist Kevin Brownlow. It will continue to be presented annually at the TCM Classic Film Festival.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`This is the annual presentation of my SAG Awards Ballot, highlighting personal selections for cinema-related performances in 2019. In my humble estimation, this was a solid year for film productions. Almost everything I watched, I totally enjoyed. Here are my selections:

 OUTSTANDING MALE:  Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)

There were a number of amazing male lead performances this year, a far cry from the last two years. Joaquin Phoenix rises from this talented pack, including Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Adam Sandler, Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo and Antonio Banderas; all snubbed. Of those chosen, Christian Bale’s was my second selection, Adam Driver was solid, Leo DiCaprio works well with Tarentino. As for Taron Egerton, he is no Rami Malek.  Joker is landmark moviemaking due to the contributions of Phoenix.

   OUTSTANDING FEMALE:  Renee Zellweger  (Judy)

This category remains a two-horse race. It would be easy to pick Cynthia Erivo, clearly a rising star in Hollywood. At the end of the day, Renee Zellweger garners a statuette for her magnetic performance in Judy. That said, the actual production was quite pedestrian.  Renee rises from the ashes like a phoenix (Joaquin?).  I was also impressed with the work of Scarlett Johansson and Charlize Theron. Saoirse Ronan was clearly snubbed.

  OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING MALE:  Joe Pesci (The Irishman)

Manny P. here…

“`Bronze statues depicting famous moments and characters in celluloid from the last century will be placed in Leicester Square in a celebration of London’s film history. The locale was first home to cinema in 1930, with the initial premiere taking place there in 1937. Since then, this square has cemented its place in British cinema history and it regularly plays host to some of the most high-profile events in the United Kingdom’s movie calendar.

“`Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, and Mr. Bean will be among eight figures in the statue trail, which will open next month. Also represented in the square will be Looney Tunes’ Bugs Bunny, Wonder Woman, and Paddington. A statue of Gene Kelly recreating the memorable Singin’ In The Rain dance sequence will also be on display. Concept art shows a statue of Batman stood watching over the square from the roof of the Odeon Luxe.

“`The statues will interact with the square, and designers plan on using walls, benches, and flower beds. A couple of the figures are going to be illuminated at night and accompanied by videos and music.

“`The statues will be unveiled on February 27th.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Buck Henry was an actor, screenwriter, and director. He was twice nominated for an Academy Award; 1968 for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Graduate, 1979 for Best Director for Heaven Can Wait. Henry’s long career started on television  with work on shows with Steve Allen and Mel Brooks, and on Saturday Night Live. Buck Henry (right) was the face and the written word of comedy for generations.

“`Buck began his journey as a cast member in topical variety shows, most notably, on That Was the Week That Was.  Brooks collaborated with the comedian to develop a sitcom satirizing the James Bond franchise. Get Smart ran for five seasons. Captain Nice was a short-lived but cult classic that was written by Henry. His edgy comedy played well on late night television. Buck would host Saturday Night Live ten times.

“`On the big screen, Henry co-starred in memorable comedies, including The Graduate, Catch-22, The Owl and the Pussycat, Eating Raoul, and Grumpy Old Men. He also received writing credits for the first three mentioned, plus on What’s Up Doc?.

“`A prolific figure in the field of comedy, Buck Henry was eighty-nine.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Burt Ward, who played Robin on Batman in the 1960s, is receiving a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday. It will placed right by the actor who played the Caped Crusader, his co-star Adam West.  Bob Kane, who created the Batman comic strip is also in the same vicinity. He was one of the iconic supporting players of Television’s Golden Age.

“`Burt’s career never materialized, typecast as the Boy Wonder since the original run of the television show. He made a few live appearances with West, fully in costume. Burt ended up in dozens of forgettable made-for-television films. Recently, Ward promoted Batman on ME-TV.

“`Lately, Ward has been a front man in efforts to promote animal rescue and adopt. He and his wife appeared in an Animal Planet Adoption Tales episode.

“`Congratulations to the durable Burt Ward (above) !!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Lee Mendelson was a producer who changed the face of the holidays when he brought A Charlie Brown Christmas to television in 1965 and wrote the lyrics to its signature song, Christmas Time Is Here. Mendelson headed the team that included Peanuts author Charles Schulz, director Bill Melendez, and pianist and composer Vince Guaraldi.

“`Lee graduated from Stanford University in 1954, served in the Air Force, and worked for his father’s fruit-and-vegetable company before being employed at the Bay Area’s KPIX-TV. In 1963, he started his own production company and made a documentary on San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays, A Man Named Mays, that became a hit special on NBC.

“`Mendelson’s team was convinced to create the comic strip’s first television special in 1965. Schulz wrote the now-familiar teleplay of a depressed Charlie Brown seeking the meaning of Christmas. Lee hired Guaraldi to provide the music after hearing the jazz artist’s composition Cast Your Fate to the Wind while driving over the Golden Gate Bridge. It became the biggest holiday classic on television. The program won an Emmy and Peabody Award and has played on the small screen annually ever since.

“`Mendelson also took other comic strips from newspapers to animated television, including Garfield, for which he produced a dozen specials. Lee won twelve Emmys in his long career.

“`Lee Mendelson was eighty six.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Bing Crosby is best known as a crooner of holiday tunes. His most famous was White Christmas. But upon closer inspection, Bing has garnered more single purchases than Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Judy Garland, Gene Autry and Alvin and The Chipmunks… combined! White Christmas is the world’s best selling song with an estimated fifty million copies sold.

“`Here is a rundown:

~ I’ll Be Home For Christmas – A Top Ten tune for Bing in 1943, it was originally written to honor our military overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time. This song touched the hearts of Americans, soldiers and civilians alike, in the midst of World War II.

~ Mele Kalikimaka – One of the earliest recordings of this novelty composition was made by Crosby and The Andrews Sisters in 1950. It was written in 1949.

~ Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep –  An Oscar-nominated song from the musical, White Christmas, it is a duet sung by Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. It is a yuletide classic, despite zero references to Christmas in the lyrics. Also featured in the film is the ditty Snow.

~ Do You Hear What I Hear – This is a tune that feels like a twentieth century standard, but it was actually conceived as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crises in 1962. It shares the heartfelt passage of the Nativity of Jesus, as referenced in the Gospel of Matthew.  Initially performed by the Harry Simeone Chorale, it was an instant classic for Bing the following year.

~ Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth –  It was a televised duet performed one month before the passing of Crosby; he is incredibly joined by David Bowie in the performance. The Christmas special aired as a posthumous tribute to Bing. The eventual single became one of Bowie’s best selling in his career, with estimated sales of 400,000 in the United Kingdom.

“`By the way, Crosby did not like White Christmas. It took Fred Astaire to convince Bing to record the Irving Berlin composition originally intended as an offering for Astaire. Go figure…

“`Bing Crosby is the perfect way to usher in the holidays!

Until next time>                               “never forget”