Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Documentary filmmaker Susan Lacy has spent over 30 hours interviewing the finest filmmaker of our generation for Spielberg, which premieres on October 7th on HBO. Lacy expected  4 interviews with the traditionally private Steven Spielberg; but, they ended up meeting 17 times. Lacy created and produced  American Masters on PBS for decades.

“`Lacy also met with Spielberg’s parents and sister,  as well as, scores of collaborators,  including Matt Damon, Daniel Day-Lewis, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, Tom Cruise, and Martin Scorsese. The most compelling item about Spielberg to his colleagues is his knowledge and enthusiasm for the medium.  His movies often pay homage to classic filmmakers he has admired, such as William Wyler and John Ford.

“`For example, the decision to make Schindler’s List, his personal story of The Holocaust, didn’t come out of any kind of focus group. It was something he simply needed to produce. Spielberg won his first director Oscar for the 1994 film; also named Best Picture.

“`His least favorite film he made… Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. His biggest flop… 1941. And finally, Steven has given his approval after viewing the new documentary.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`June Foray was an iconic voice actor, who was best known as the voice of Rocket J. Squirrel, Lucifer from Disney’s Cinderella, and Cindy Lou Who, among others. Her career encompassed radio, theatrical shorts, features, television, recorded albums  (particularly with Stan Freberg), video games, talking toys, and other media. She was often compared to her male counterpart, Mel Blanc.

“`Foray starred in her own radio series, Lady Make Believe, in the late 1930s. She became a popular voice actress, with regular appearances on coast-to-coast network programs, including Lux Radio Theater and The Jimmy Durante Show. During the 1940s, she began film work, including a few roles in live action productions; but mostly doing voiceovers for animation. She worked for Walt Disney, Walter Lantz, Chuck Jones, and Hanna-Barbera.

“`By the time television became popular, June Foray played a variety of characters on The Flinstones,  The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, and Tom and Jerry. After Mattel hired June to voice the popular Chatty Cathy, Rod Serling cast her as Talking Tina in a teriffic episode of The Twilight Zone. A role she regrettably lost — Betty Rubble on The Flinstones, which went to Bea Benaderet.

“`For Jay Ward, Foray performed nearly every female character in the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, including Natasha; and in  Fractured Flickers. June was also memorable as Ursula in the George of the Jungle cartoon program. Her voice appeared in the movie, Jaws.

“`She is credited with coming up with the notion of the Annie Awards in 1972, having noted that there had been no awards to celebrate the field of animation.  In 1988, she was awarded the  Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award. Her most lasting legacy might be a tireless campaign to get the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to include an Oscar category for Best Animated Feature, which they finally did in 2011.

“`In 2012, June finally received her first Emmy nomination, and actually won in the category of Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program  for her performance as  Mrs. Cauldron on The Garfield Show; becoming at age 94, the oldest entertainer to be nominated for, and to win, a television statuette.  In 2013, Foray was honored with a Governors Award at the 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

“`The legendary June Foray was 99.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Barbara Sinatra was the fourth wife of legendary singer Frank Sinatra, and a prominent children’s advocate and philanthropist who raised millions to help abused youngsters. She met Francis Albert through her second husband,  Zeppo Marx; the youngest of The Marx Brothers. Barbara’s interest with Sinatra date back to her teenage years in Wichita,  when she heard him croon on the radio.                         FRANK / BARBARA SINATRA —>

“`A former model and Las Vegas showgirl, Barbara Sinatra was a prominent Palm Springs socialite,  before she wed  Ole Blue Eyes in 1976; he was 60, and she was 49.  They remained married for 22 years, until his passing at 82 in 1998. It was a most enduring union for both.  Sinatra had previously been wed to Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow.

“`With her husband’s support, she founded the nonprofit center in 1986 near Palm Springs, to provide therapy, and other support, to young victims of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center is located in Rancho Mirage, within the Eisenhower Medical Center campus, next to the Betty Ford Center. The couple played a prominent role at the children’s center. She remained active, until recently; raising capital, and dropping by to make sure all children were provided for. To date, almost 20,000 kids have been treated at the center.

“`Barbara Sinatra was 90.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`I had the chance to visit Jackie Goldberg, aka the Pink Lady, recently. She is an 84-years young advocate for the causes, such as veteran’s affairs and support for age-related issues. Her work includes the creation of Senior Star Power, which highlights 60+ performers, who have appeared on screen and television. Jackie’s pals include Margaret O’Brien and George Chakiris.

“`Through the Celebrating Act 2 network, we were able to visit Jackie and she gave us a complete tour of her kitschy Pink Lady home. I also conducted a taped interview. We learn that she is an actor, author, motivational speaker, and tireless supporter of her causes.

“`Her mantra is Get up, get out, and get a life; and It ain’t over until I say it’s over!

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`A singer of Pop Music appears in an epic war saga. I am not talking about Harry Styles from One Direction co-starring in Dunkirk. I refer to a lineage that stretches back to Hollywood’s Golden Age. Everyone from Frank Sinatra in From Here to Eternity, Frankie Avalon in The Alamo, Desi Arnaz in  Bataan, and Trini Lopez in The Dirty Dozen; pop music stars reach a certain demographic that adds to the bottom line potential of a production.

“`The one movie outdoing this concept was the 1962 D-Day epic tale, The Longest Day. It features an international cast, including Richard Burton, Roddy McDowall, Peter Lawford, Robert Mitchum, Rod Steiger, Jeffrey Hunter, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne. Smaller roles were also assigned to Paul Anka, Fabian Forte, and Tommy Sands.

 PAUL ANKA               FABIAN FORTE               TOMMY SANDS

“`Paul Anka is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, whose compositions include English lyrics for My Way, She’s a Lady for Tom Jones, and  The Tonight Show  theme for Johnny Carson. Records he produced include Put Your Head on My Shoulder, Diana and Lonely Boy. He also penned the title tune to The Longest Day.

“`Fabian Forte actually found movie stardom. He was cast in Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation, North to Alaska, Five Weeks in a Balloon, Ride the Wild Surf, Ten Little Indians, and Dear Brigitte. His hit records include Tiger, Turn Me Loose, and Hound Dog Man.

“`Tommy Sands never had the kind of teen idol career that Paul and Fabian had. Arguably, he had a longer film career. His most memorable roles include the remake of Babes in Toyland, Ensign Pulver, and None But the Brave.  On television, he guest-starred in Wagon Train, Laramie, Bonanza, Combat, and Hawaii 5-0.

“`Good luck to Harry Styles. Dunkirk is an Oscar-contender for 2017.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`What an absolutely special moment for our family. My mother, Margaret Gloria Pacheco is 80 years young !!

                  MARGARET GLORIA PACHECO             PACHECO FAMILY

“`My family is spending this treasured day at the Getty Center. At the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, in the heart of the Sepulveda Pass, this is a great place, with a fine restaurant, an incredible garden, unique museum exhibitions, and stunning views. Amazingly, it is our initial visit to this eclectic center. To be fair, anywhere we planned on visiting is destined to be quite special because of what the day represents.

“`My love to mom… Celebrate your day!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`John Heard was a busy actor, best known as the father in the Home Alone series of flicks; and his Emmy-nominated performance on The Sopranos. He was a familiar face on the big screen and on television. He also had a cult following from his appearance on Sharknado.

“`Hollywood came calling after he received attention in off-Broadway roles. Heard was memorable in Cat People, Big, A Trip to Bountiful, Beaches, The Milagro Beanfield War, Radio Flyer,  Rambling Rose, The End of Innocence, In the Line of Fire, Awakenings, The Great Debaters, My Fellow Americans, Executive Power, and The Pelican Brief.

“`On the small screen, John guest-starred in Battlestar Galactica, Miami Vice, Law and Order, Touched by an Angel, CSI: Miami, Elementary, Modern Family, Person of Interest, and Entourage.  JOHN HEARD –>

“`Heard was married briefly to Margot Kidder, and dated actress Melissa Leo.

“`John Heard was 71.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`A lost Lon Chaney silent production will be unveiled at this year’s Cinecon 53.  This is great reason to visit this annual film festival. Lon Chaney was the biggest star during the Silent Era. I can guarantee that this particular screening will be a sell-out.

“`Nitrate screenings are made possible through support of the  Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Turner Classic Movies, and The Film Foundation, in partnership with the American Cinematheque and Academy Film Archive. The Cinecon movie fest will take place during the Labor Day Weekend holiday.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Two hundred years to the day after Jane Austen died, a new 10-pound note featuring an image of one of England’s most revered authors has been unveiled — right where she was buried. At the unveiling of the new tenner at Winchester Cathedral in southern England, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said – it highlights a universal appeal of Austen’s work.

“`Austen, whose novels included Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, is widely considered as a perceptive chronicler of English country life during the Georgian era. Combining wit, romance, and social commentary,  her books have been adapted a number of times in movies and television.

“`The new note, due to go into circulation on September 14th,  is the bank’s latest effort to make its notes more secure by using plastic, not paper. It’s printed on polymer, just like the recently re-launched 5-pound note, which features Winston Churchill. A new 20-pound note will feature landscape painter J.M.W. Turner, and is scheduled for 2020. The latest note also includes a new tactile feature to assist the visually impaired;  developed in conjunction with Royal National Institute of Blind People.

“`Apart from Queen Elizabeth II,  whose portrait is on all United Kingdom currency, Austen is only the third woman to appear on the modern-day British bank note, after medical innovator Florence Nightingale and social reformer Elizabeth Fry. Austen was chosen during a campaign for more female representation.

“`Those holding the current 10-pound note, which features Charles Darwin, have only until the Spring, 2018 before they are withdrawn.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The United States Postal Service will celebrate the rich legacy of Walt Disney Studio’s Ink and Paint Department by dedicating a sheet of Forever Stamps, featuring classic Disney villains. This issuance celebrates Disney’s animation that began in 1923.

“`Each stamp showcase classic Disney villains: Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), Honest John (Pinocchio), Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), The Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Lady Tremaine (Cinderella), Scar (The Lion King), Cruella De Vil (One Hundred and One Dalmatians), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), and Ursula (The Little Mermaid).

“`The words  USA and FOREVER appear in the top right corner, or bottom right corner of each stamp; the name of the classic villain, and the film in which the character appears, runs along the left edge. The announcement was made over the weekend at the D23 Expo in Anaheim.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Martin Landau was a stellar character actor, who thrived on screen and in television. He is best remembered for his three-year stint on  Mission: Impossible;  and his Oscar-winning performance as Bela Lugosi in  Ed Wood. A role he did not play: The pointy-eared Spock on Star Trek, which he turned down. He was wed to actress Barbara Bain.                                                          MARTIN LANDAU –>

“`Landau had studied drawing at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and worked as a New York Daily News cartoonist, before he switching careers. In 1955, Landau was among hundreds who applied to study at the Actors Studio, one of two picked. The other… Steve McQueen.

“`His litany of fine cinematic roles include North By Northwest, Pork Chop Hill, Cleopatra, Nevada Smith, The Greatest Story Ever Told; and after his success on television, Meteor, and two Oscar nods for performances in Tucker: The Man and His Dream and Crimes and Misdemeanors. When Tim Burton cast Martin as Lugosi, he was clearly at the top of his craft, carrying home a statuette, while up against Paul Scofield in Quiz Show, Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction, Gary Sinise – Forrest Gump, and Chazz Palminteri – Bullets Over Broadway. Encouraged by his mentor, Lee Strasberg, Landau decided to teach acting. Noted thespians he coached included Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston.

“`He also guest-starred in television shows, such as Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, The Rifleman, The Outer Limits, The Big Valley, Get Smart, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Columbo, Murder She Wrote, and The Simpsons.

“`Martin Landau was 89.

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“`George A. Romero was the creator of the modern zombie-genre of films, producing the low-budget, Night of the Living Dead. A decade later, Dawn of the Dead cemented his legacy. He also produced the horror schlock — Creepshow. Romero’s influence could be seen across decades of American culture, from the cinematic work of John Carpenter; writings of Stephen King, and vast success of Silence of the Lambs. Ironically, his favorite Hitchcock production was not Psycho; it was North by Northwest, a film that featured a young Martin Landau as a metro-sexual villain.

GEORGE A ROMERO

“`George A Romero was 77. If he comes back to life, it may be just a desire for human flesh.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The annual Mayberry Days is a festival with activities and events for fans who long for days when life was simple and the sheriff didn’t carry a pistol. Drink a bottle of soda pop, play a game of checkers and enjoy local bands playing tunes that were heard on The Andy Griffith Show. The festival takes place September 19th-24th.

“`From the first swing at The Emmett Golf Tourney on Thursday and chomping on a barbecue sandwich, to crooning a song at the Blackmon Amphitheatre on Sunday morning. The Surry Arts Council and the City of Mount Airy welcomes people of all ages, and from all around the world, to Mayberry Days. Make plans to attend this family friendly festival.

“`Mayberry Days takes place around Mount Airy with Andy Griffith Museum Theatre, Andy Griffith Playhouse, Historic Earle Theatre, and Blackmon Amphitheatre being the hubs of activity. Everything is within walking distance; so, wear comfortable shoes and clothes (the festival goes on, rain or shine). There is free parking in downtown municipal lots. Most events are scheduled for minimal overlap where you can enjoy nearly everything.

“`There is so much to do during the festival with all types of shows, a parade, special guests, contests, a silent auction full of unique Mayberry items, food, and games… Something for the entire family! Plus, take time to slow down and enjoy what Mayberry means to you.

“`Guests scheduled to appear:  Betty Lynn, Ronnie Schell, Maggie Peterson, Rodney Dilolard, Margaret Kerry, Ronnie Dapo, and others.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Politicos meet with foreign operatives to receive contributions that encourages the peddling of influence.  I am not writing about a presidential candidate’s son, son-in-law, and campaign manager that recently met with Russian agents. I am referring to the very-real Abscam sting operation that took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

“`The F.B.I.,  aided by the Justice Department, videotaped politicians accepting bribes from a fictitious Arab company in return for political favors. Over 30 political figures were investigated, and among those, six members of the  United States House of Representatives and one senator, were convicted. One congressman did not accept any bribes. John Murtha, of Pennsylvania, would remain a distinguished member of Congress for the remainder of his career.

“`The Abscam operation is dramatized in a 2013 movie production, American Hustle, directed by David O. Russell. It’s described as a fictionalization, rather than a straight adaptation. The film featured Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner.  It received ten Oscar nominations,  including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and, all four acting categories. It received zero Academy Awards.

“`When the investigation became public in the early 1980s, an ethical controversy focused on the use of the sting technique. Ultimately, all Abscam convictions were upheld on appeal; but, some judges criticized the tactics used, and lapses in F.B.I. and D.O.J. supervision. Americans supported the operation; others argued that Abscam was an entrapment scenario. Among the concerns expressed were the undercover agents’ involvement in illegal activity, the possibility of entrapping individuals,  the prospect of damaging reputations of innocent civilians, and the opportunity to undermine legitimate rights to privacy. Congressional concerns over the nature of sting operations still persist to this day.

“`I know of one president who might express his concerns about this process of investigation… But, I digress.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`In observance of the  200th birthday of the iconic Henry David Thoreau, the United States Postal Service is marking the occasion with a new postage stamp honoring the Walden and Civil Disobedience  writer, philosopher, and naturalist. The poet was born in Massachusetts, on July 12, 1817.

“`Fans are gathering at Walden Pond, where Thoreau lived and worked, to read aloud from Walden, and other classics. Concord Postmaster Ray White, and officials from the Thoreau Farm and Birthplace, will be on hand to dedicate the stamp. They say it will be in tribute to Thoreau’s personal example of simple living,  his criticism of materialism, and the timeless questions he raises about the place of the individual in society.

“`Last May, actor and environmentalist, Ed Begley Jr. (above), a board member of Walden Woods Project,  was at a dedication of the Postal Service’s new Thoreau postage stamp at Walden Pond in Concord.

“`As Thoreau observed:  You must live in the present; launch yourself on every wave; find your eternity in each moment. For the present… Let us remember the eternal Henry David Thoreau.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The personal collection of Vivien Leigh, the Academy Award-winning actress, best known for her performance in Gone With the Wind, is going up for bidding at Sotheby’s London. Prior to the auction, taking place September 26th, you can currently view a curated selection from the collection until August 11th.

“`The collection, passed through Leigh’s family, includes her personal edition of Gone With the Wind, given to her by author Margaret Mitchell, and copy of the  Gone with the Wind script  (circa 1939). Her wig from A Streetcar Named Desire,  and a portrait of the movie star by Augustus John, are also up for grabs. Jewels worn by the actress will be on sale. VIVIEN LEIGH –>

“`A style icon of her time, Leigh was known for having glamorous wardrobe and exquisite jewelry.  Her private collection doesn’t disappoint. Each of the 250-plus lots are estimated to sell for between 100 to 100,000 pounds.

“`In 2013, Leigh’s grandchildren sold her archive, including correspondence, photographs, and awards, to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum for an undisclosed sum.

“`A full exhibition of all lots in the sale opens September 22nd.

Until next time>                               “never forget”