Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Mike Wallace, the initial hire during the creation of 60 Minutes, has died. A winner of 21 Emmys (among his many accolades) during his long journalistic career, an iconic figure in television journalism.

   Wallace spent six decades investigating top stories from around the world, mostly from his perch as the anchor of 60 Minutes. He began his career in Chicago in the 1940s, first as a radio news writer for the Chicago Sun, and then as a reporter in Detroit for WOOD, WXYZ, and the windy city’s WMAQ. He even joined the Midwest wrestling circuit for a time as a ring announcer.

   He was hired as a staff voice for CBS in 1951, working with Spike Jones, and on You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx. Wallace steadily introduced radio dramas: Ned Jordan, Secret Agent, Sky King, and The Green Hornet. His stints on Majority Rules, The Big Surprise, Who’s the Boss, Who Pays, What’s in a Word, and Night Beat  served as his apprenticeship that led to Mike becoming a fixture on the Sunday evening news magazine. He was a frequent panelist on To Tell the Truth. Wallace appeared on Broadway in Reclining Figure, which was directed by Abe Burrows; and also in cinema, as a newsperson in A Face in the Crowd in 1957, a stark movie starring Andy Griffith. His character’s name… Mike Wallace, of course!

   His shadow is so immense, Wallace has been portrayed by recent Oscar-winner Christopher Plummer in The Insider in 1999; and in the stage production of Frost/Nixon. He was often parodied on Saturday Night Live.

   Wallace didn’t shy away from any interview. Some of the notable figures he captured prior to, and during his tenure at 60 Minutes: Malcolm X, mobster Mickey Cohen, Johnny Carson, General William Westmoreland, John Ehrlichman, Ayatollah Khomeini, Barbra Streisand, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Louis Farrakhan, Vladamir Putin, and former baseball pitcher Roger Clemens. His only regret… he never secured treasured time with former First Lady Pat Nixon.

   As William Holden’s character surmised in Network, Mike Wallace, during his golden years, predictably prepared his memoirs, in a book entitled Between You and Me. He battled bouts of depression and thoughts of suicide over the notion of aging. He found some solace as his son Chris  developed into a credible anchor on Fox News Sunday.

   Mike Wallace was 93. 60 Minutes plans an extended tribute to their fallen colleague next Sunday.

MIKE WALLACE / HARRY REASONER

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Forgotten Hollywood Book Series is rolling along. The new paperback has approached 200 copies sold. Due to recent activity, Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is now on the prestigious shelves of personalities, including:

* LINDA MALLAH – The songwriter who wrote the tune that reached #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary charts: Make it Real (as performed by The Jets)

* WHO LET THE DOGS OUT TV.COM – The producers of the program which currently appears weekly on Animal Planet. Copies of my latest work were gifts of appreciation from Tim Keenan, the operations director and owner of Creative Media Professional Audio Production (and former mayor of Cypress, CA).

* Finally, let me personally thank my business neighbors attending the CYPRESS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE monthly Breakfast meeting at the Marriott Residence Inn (Cypress Meeting Room) on Tuesday at 7:30a; folks supporting an abiding interest in Hollywood’s Golden Age. It’s taking place at 4931 Katella Ave. I also appreciate the booksigning right after the morning event.

   By the way, Cypress is my place of residence. Success begins at home.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Ten branches of the County of Los Angeles Public Library system have just ordered copies of my new work, Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

   The locations include:

          Willowbrook Library       Hawthorne Library

          South Whittier Library    Rosemead Library

          West Hollywood Library    La Verne Library

          Rowland Heights Library       Malibu Library

          Lloyd Taber – Marina del Rey Library

          Sorensen Library (West Whittier)

   The County of Los Angeles Library System is second only to the San Francisco Library System that carries the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. This is indeed exciting news!

   91 nationwide branches now house the literary series; while 29 libraries all over the country have added Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to their shelves.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Tinseltown and history is once again having its Hollywood and Vine moment. In remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the White Star Line’s R.M.S. Titanic, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing the 1953 motion picture  that chronicled this tragic event, fully re-mastered on Blu-ray.

   Titanic had a cast featuring Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner, Richard Basehart, Brian Aherne, and Thelma Ritter (who plays a composite character based on the Unsinkable Molly Brown). The movie won an Oscar for Best Writing Original Screenplay.

   Special features will include: Commentary by film critic Richard Schickel; Additional commentary by cinematographer Michael D. Lonzo, actors Audrey Dalton and Robert Wagner, and historian Sylvia Stoddard; a MovieTone newsreel; a theatrical trailer; and a still gallery.

   In January, my wife Laurie and I visited the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. It’s quite a compelling tour of the April 14th sinking of the cruise ship that embarked on its maiden voyage four days earlier in 1912. Thelma Ritter has a featured chapter in my initial Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

   Titanic on Blu-ray is a must-have for any classic movie enthusiast and history buff. A Night to Remember was also released in 1953 from the United Kingdom, and this film was a far more accurate depiction of the tragedy.

———————————————–

   The city of Glendale, CA, Main Branch of their public library is the latest shelf to carry both books of the Forgotten Hollywood-series. Glendale is located on the other side of Griffith Park, which is right next to Hollywood. This is a perfect place to house my paperbacks.

   It’s the 75th prestigious literary location to carry my first work; and 19 branches carrying my latest paperback. There are 83 overall libraries to house some form of my book-series.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The preliminary schedule is now available for this year’s Turner Classic Movies Film Festival. This is the third year that Hollywood is hosting the event.

* Mel Brooks will introduce his production of Young Frankenstein (1974)

   Other wonderful highlights: An offering of A Night To Remember  to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic; a visit by Director William Wellman’s son at an 85th remembrance screening of Wings; a 50th anniversary showing of Dr. No, hosted by former Bond Girls, Eunice Grayson and Maude Adams; and a poolside presentation of High Society, which starred Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

   Robert Osborne is expected to interview cinema legend, Kim Novak, on Friday, April 13th. The actress will discuss her long career and private life.

   The 3rd Annual TCM Film Fest will begin April 12th.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m happy to be part of Reader’s Circle, a cyber International Book Club. It’s an interesting concept  that combines 21st Century online technology with a tried-and-true philosophy of coffee house literary discussions.

   According to their website:

You’ll note in our database that a number of listings are for Reader’s Circles. These are a new kind of book group where people attend with whatever they’re reading.

READER’S CIRCLE seeks to renew the spirit of dialogue that animated the coffeehouses of early modern England and the salons of Enlightenment France. Book clubs are only a recent form of a public conversation that goes back many, many years, and Reader’s Circles are a format that we hope adds a new dynamic to the mix of social gatherings that make for a vibrant democracy.

Each year READER’S CIRCLE serves 90,000 inquires for local book clubs in 5 countries. Top cities include: New York City, London, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Diego, Boston, Brooklyn, Portland, Cambridge, Minneapolis, Arlington, Houston, Austin, San Jose, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix.

Unlike some .org’s, which may be for-profit businesses, READER’S CIRCLE is the real thing. Donations are used to support our mission: to build an inclusive community; the reading public brought together as a body instead of existing merely as an abstraction.

   Here’s a link to their traditional-in-concept website:

                    http://www.readerscircle.org/index.html

—————————————————————-

   A book shop in Seattle lets you order copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History on demand. Secret Garden Books is located at 2214 NW Market St.

   Here’s a link to their site:

http://www.secretgardenbooks.com/book/9781935359166

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   President Barack Obama has taped a brief introduction for a special television presentation of To Kill a Mockingbird on the USA Network. A digital version of this iconic motion picture will air this Saturday as part of a 50th anniversary celebration of the creation of this fine cinematic work.

   In 1995, the motion picture was listed in the National Film Registry. It also ranks 25th on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest American movies of all time. In 2003, AFI named Atticus Finch the greatest celluloid hero of the 20th Century. Gregory Peck won his only Oscar for his role as Finch.

   Harper Lee has issued a rare public statement expressing her personal gratitude over the president’s personal gesture. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author from her home in Monroe, Alabama stated she was deeply honored by President Obama’s enduring love for her scripted words. The White House plans their own private screening this evening.

   Atticus, Scout, Jem, Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Dill will come to life for a new generation of viewers to enjoy. Check your local listings for the exact time this Saturday.

   And, if you live in the Southern California area, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will screen the digitally restored version of To Kill a Mockingbird at their theatre on Wednesday, April 11th at 7:15p. It’s located at 8949 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills. The general public can purchase tickets at oscars.org for just $5.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

(#10 in a 12-part series to be printed at the beginning of each month)

Manny P. here…

SHIP OF FOOLS – By 1965, Stanley Kramer was an accomplished producer and director. Ship of Fools is his forgotten classic. A cross-section of international folks aboard an ocean liner in the pre-fascist era play out a drawing-room drama with a toxic doctrine brainwashing entire countries in Europe, including Italy, Spain, and Germany. It was adapted by Abby Mann from the only major novel written by Katherine Anne Porter.

Back Story

   The collaboration of Stanley Kramer and Abby Mann worked well in 1961 when they adapted  Judgment at Nuremburg. The motion picture earned an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Mann was the obvious choice to flesh out characters played by Vivien Leigh, Lee Marvin, Jose Ferrer, Simone Signoret, Oskar Werner, George Segal, Elizabeth Ashley, and Michael Dunn. The script emerged as a winner.

   Katharine Hepburn was originally asked to star, but turned it down, as she was attending to the declining health of Spencer Tracy. Stan Kramer was a close friend of the couple, and so he turned to Vivien Leigh.

Positives

   Though the epic motion picture was beaten by The Sound of Music for Best Picture, the performances of Michael Dunn, Oskar Werner, and Simone Signoret made their Oscar races quite compelling. Dunn lost to Martin Balsam in A Thousand Clowns; Signoret lost to Julie Christie in Darling; and Werner lost to Lee Marvin (his co-star) for his duo-role in Cat Ballou.

   Abby Mann really ignited foolish behavior of strangers as they intermingle in various conversations. Using Michael Dunn, a dwarf, to set up the opening segment was brilliant. His perceived disability is dwarfed by the not-so-obvious psychological disabilities of his fellow passengers. The casual pace of each scene also allows for  appropriate character development.

MICHAEL DUNN

Negatives

   The Hitler overtones are a little over-the-top. Conversations involving Michael Dunn were believable and poignant. His prophecy of the Nazi Final Solution enjoyed the benefit of scripted hindsight. Less honest was Jose Ferrer’s huber-fascist propaganda. It beats the viewer up, and his revelation that his character is not German predictably parallels the pent-up psychosis of  Der Fuhrer.

   Like Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), Katherine Anne Porter won major accolades for her only novel in 1962. It’s success gave the scribe financial security, but deprived her readers from enjoying any future major literary works. She spent the remainder of her career writing short stories. This fact is a real shame.

Supporting Actor Spotlight

   The first Latin actor to win a Best Actor Oscar was Jose Ferrer. Born in Puerto Rico, Ferrer was a Broadway star during the 1930’s and 1940’s as a performer and director. He took the  stage in Charley’s Aunt, Othello, and Cyrano de Bergerac. His directorial credits include Stalag 13 and The Andersonville Trials. Due to his Tony-winning job in Cyrano, Hollywood came calling.

   Primarily a character actor, he reprised his starring role in the motion picture version of Cyrano. Ferrer took home an Academy Award in 1950. His choices were based on his desire to play a given part. He starred in Moulin Rouge; but supported in Joan of Arc, Miss Sadie Thompson, The Caine Mutiny, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Lawrence of Arabia, and Voyage of the Damned.

   Ferrer also directed movies, including I Accuse and Return to Peyton Place. He starred in Man of La Mancha on a road tour of the Broadway musical, replacing Richard Kiley in 1967.  JOSE FERRER

   Appropriately, the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) renamed its Tespis Award to the HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award in 2005. Ferrer’s commanding acting-style guaranteed scene-stealing in any motion picture for which he was cast.

Epilogue

   This was the last film made by Vivien Leigh, a fitting finale. And, Ship of Fools made major stars of George Segal, Lee Marvin, and Wener Klemperer, who was later cast on television’s Hogan’s Heroes. Michael Dunn garnered a villainous recurring role on The Wild Wild West.

   More importantly, Ship of Fools reminded audiences that a negative political climate can  generate globally disastrous consequences. In the capable hands of Stanley Kramer, this point was adroitly made.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Hollywood’s Golden Age is reaping the benefits of the Oscar ceremony in a variety of global ways. Here are a couple of examples:

~ To memorialize the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death, organizers of the Cannes Film Festival will honor the iconic actress by placing photo of her on the official poster at this year’s event. The promotional piece will show Norma Jean  blowing out a candle on a birthday cake.

   The 65th Cannes Film Festival runs May 16th to the 27th. Now, that’s quite a special week with Marilyn!

~ The Hollywood Show in Burbank is reuniting all seven Von Trapp Children from The Sound of Music. The reunion is a rare celebration of the 1965 Oscar winning movie. They last appeared together on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2010.

   The cinematic siblings will be autographing a 2012 coffee table hardcover about their lives, The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook by Fred Bronson. A certain amout will be sold and signed on Saturday, April 21st from 10a-12:30p. Each collectible includes a special  certificate of authenticity from Global Authentic.

   The Hollywood Show will be held at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center at 2500 North Hollywood Way during the weekend of April 20th.

   These are definitely a few of my favorite things…

—————————————————————————

   Ventura County’s premier independent literary store in Camarillo is carrying both copies in the Forgotten Hollywood – Book Series. Mrs. Figs’ Book Worm is stocking their shelves with  Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History & Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History  and they have additionally set up an autograph party in May.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   BARNES & NOBLE has added Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. In addition to the first work in the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series (as a paperback and as an eBook on NOOK), my new book will now be available on-line and at individual store locations.

   The first B&N stores to house my new book are at The Grove at Farmers Market in Hollywood, and in Greenwich Village in New York. The good news is a number of other locales will start placing Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History on their shelves.

   The Grove location address is 189 The Grove Drive, Suite K 30. The Greenwich Village location address is 396 Ave of the Americas at 8th St.

   Here’s a direct link to the BARNES & NOBLE page:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/son-of-forgotten-hollywood-forgotten-history-manny-pacheco/1040097290?ean=9781937454142&afsrc=1&r=1&

Until next time>                               “never forget”

   Manny P. here…

   Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is catching on throughout the world over online literary stores. Exciting news indeed! Here are the details and site links:

*ANGUS & ROBERTSON  *BOOKBYTE TEXTBOOKS  *PRICE GRABBER *DEA STORE  *BOOK DEPOSITORY  *LANGTON INFO SERVICES

http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/search/son+of+forgotten+hollywood/mediatype/all/

http://www.bookbyte.com/searchresults.aspx?type=books&kwd=son+of+forgotten+hollywood

http://www.bookdepository.com/Son-Forgotten-Hollywood-Forgotten-History-Manny-Pacheco/9781937454142

http://www.deastore.com/book/son-of-forgotten-hollywood-forgotten-manny-pacheco-book-publishers-network/9781937454142.html

http://www.langtoninfo.com/showitem.aspx?isbn=1937454142

   The web now offers online pages from the United States, England, France, and Australia for you to purchase my latest offering. Be the first one in your neighborhood to order a copy.

———————————————–

   The Orange County Breeze is promoting my visit to the Cypress Chamber of Commerce Breakfast event on April 10th at 7:30a. I’ll be sharing stories and autographing copies of Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. It’s part of the Forgotten Hollywood-Book Series.

   Also appearing at this meeting will be the former Mayor of Cypress, Tim Keenan; and the  Orange County Register radio columnist, and my co-host of the Forgotten Hollywood radio program, Gary Lycan. It takes place at the Marriott Residence Inn, Cypress Meeting Room at 4931 Katella Ave. in Los Alamitos.

   Here’s a link promoting the monthly Breakfast:

http://www.oc-breeze.com/2012/03/31/11191_local-author-manny-pacheco-to-speak-at-cypress-chamber-networking-breakfast/

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   PBS guarantees a special Monday in store for you! American Masters is planning to air back-to-back documentaries about the astonishing lives of authors Margaret Mitchell and Harper Lee. The biographies of these two extraordinary novelists will offer fabulous television programming for lucky viewers to enjoy.

    Margaret Mitchell: American Rebel airs at 9:00 pm; followed by Harper Lee: Hey, Boo at 10:00 pm (EST).

MARGARET MITCHELL    HARPER LEE  

   The first program examines the life of the creator of Rhett Butler, Scarlett O’Hara, and other rich characters that shine in Gone with the Wind. Despite winning a Pulitzer Prize, Mitchell’s life was filled with anxiety and depression. Her untimely death left a nation stunned. A literary sequel would never emerge from the mind of this gifted writer.

   The next offering shares the ongoing story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Southern belle, who also has lived a life steeped in privacy. Her friendship with Truman Capote, and possible reasons why she never published another work after her success with To Kill a Mockingbird, will be the focus of this fine cinematic piece. Tom Brokaw, Rosanne Cash, Oprah Winfrey, among others, reflect on the novel’s influence, popularity, and ways it has shaped our lives.

   Though their success took place nearly thirty years apart, both women were ahead of their time, challenged social order, and made a cultural impact with books that still resonate today.

   Check your local listings to find American Masters on PBS.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Southern California Writers Association newsletter for March contains a Five-Star Review by Charlie Redner of Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History that originally appeared on Amazon. He is the fine host of the Laguna Woods Channel 6 cable show – Write Now.

   He’s read both works in the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. I’m thrilled my fellow author and cable host comprehends the concept I surmise in both of my paperbacks:

The unique relationship and important storylines about American history and Hollywood made by studio era filmmakers from the Golden Age of cinema.

  The Southern California Writers Association is dedicated to helping writers from all genres hone their skills and advance their careers. The SCWA not-for-profit organization of diverse writers, our members are involved in a wide variety of areas including articles, essays, short stories, web content, children’s writing, novels of all genres, plays, screenwriting, and poetry.

   The review appears on p. 9 of this important West Coast literary newsletter. Below are links to the latest online monthly publication, and the Amazon page promoting Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History:

   By the way, Gary Lycan, the radio columnist for the Orange County Register, has also written a beautiful review of my latest book that now appears on Amazon. It’s another Five Star-assessment!

   Click on the link below for a peak at what Gary has written:

https://www.forgottenhollywood.com/gary-lycan

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Over 30,000 folks were canvassed at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences website in an Oscar Madness bracket of Best Picture winners and nominees. This anecdotal poll was done as a diversion from the NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament.

   When the dust settled, more votes were cast for The Shawshank Redemption, which beat Forrest Gump in the final tally. It’s all in fun, whether you agree or disagree…

   Good luck with your college basketball bracket as it proceeds to The Final Four.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   For two decades, the Texas Health Presbyterian Foundation has hosted a signature fundraising event, called the Greer Garson Gala, to raise support for programs and services for the Dallas-area hospital. The evening features a Hollywood items auction, a charitable casino, dinner by Governor’s Ball chef Wolfgang Puck, as well as, 1940s-style entertainment. You can spend treasured time with actors dressed like the Andrews Sisters and Groucho Marx.

   According to their press release:

In the early 1990s, Greer Garson, the Oscar-winning actress and long-time supporter of the hospital, lent her name to this signature event to help draw community support for the hospital. She had an active interest in health care, particularly Parkinson’s disease research and patient programs. Her husband, Col. E.E. Fogelson, passed away from complications of the incurable, debilitating disease. She dedicated much of the remainder of her life toward raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research and other health care initiatives at Texas Health Dallas.

Greer Garson was a legend both on the big screen and off. The Golden Age of Hollywood event will take us back to 1943. The Cocoanut Grove was the setting for the 15th annual Academy Awards ceremony. Greer Garson took home the Best Actress  statuette for her role in Mrs. Miniver. She even set the record for the longest acceptance speech!

The impact of her generosity for health care, education and research initiatives at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas is profound. Since 2005, more than $2.8 million has been raised to support hospital programs and services through the Greer Garson Gala.

Proceeds from the 2012 Greer Garson Gala will support critical needs of Women and Infant Services at Texas Health Dallas. The Golden Age of Hollywood is on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Union Station.

Until next time>                               “never forget”