Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“Puppy Bowl” contender – ENO

   Jeff Bordner lives in Utah, and he is the most successful voice-over guy outside of Southern California. We’ve been  buddies for almost thirty years. And, he just ordered a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History through Amazon.

   If you don’t know about Puppy Bowl VI, just ask your children. It’s very popular with the younger set. And, the Kitty Half Time Show is funny and entertaining. Last year, I watched Puppy Bowl V! Check your local cable listings for Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VI starring my pal, Jeff Bordner! Here’s a link leading to a promotion of the event…

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/about.html

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   To compliment 27 Borders book stores in Southern California, The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, and The Granada Pavilion in Granada Hills …Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History can now be purchased at 3 Barnes and Noble locations.

   Additionally, B&N promises if you reserve it online, you can pick up your copy of the paperback at the Barnes and Noble store of your choice within an hour (after they send you an email  confirmation) !! What a great offer…

   You can currently find the book at:

The Grove at Farmers Market
189 Grove Drive Suite K 30
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Aliso Viejo Town Center
26751 Aliso Creek Road
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Puente Hills  17490 Colima Road
Rowland Heights, CA 91748

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has landed all over Southern California in 2010. What’s your excuse? Go pick up a copy!

   We’ll keep you posted with more locations as they arrive.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P here…

   Now that 31 Borders stores in Southern California are currently carrying Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, I’m proud to announce book-signings at participating locations. Several stores have expressed interest on having events over the next two-three months.

   Borders in Yorba Linda / Anaheim Hills has confirmed a book-signing on Saturday, February 20 between 1-3pm. This location is located off the 91 freeway, Weir Canyon exit at 22401 Old Canal Rd. in the Savi Ranch Shopping Center  (you can actually see the Borders from the freeway). I would like to personally thank General Manager Jamie Valdez for her exuberance in setting this event up.

   Borders in La Habra has also committed to a March book-signing on a Saturday to be determined over the next couple of weeks. This store is convenietly located on the corner of Beach and Imperial Hwy. Again, thanks to General Manager Trent Vernon for his friendly willingness to set up a book-signing event.

    A reminder – For full details on my event signings, please refer to the Navigation Bar to the left in the appropriate Book Tour Schedule section for updates.

   Remember, I’ll be at the Los Altos Branch Library in Long Beach, Tuesday at 6pm to discuss “How to Self-Publish YOUR Book” to the California Writers Club. The event is actually free for any potential author in the area. A book-signing will follow after the lecture.

   Please go to the following link for more information…

http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/writers-club-become-published-author/

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   What a week we are having!

   You can now find Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in 10 Southern California Borders stores. They can be found at each location in the All Things Local – Local History section. Here’s where you can find the paperback:

LOS ANGELES                              

EL SEGUNDO  –  TORRANCE

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

NORTHRIDGE 

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

ARCADIA

ORANGE COUNTY

BREA  –  MISSION VIEJO   –  RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA

INLAND EMPIRE

RANCHO CUCAMONGA  –  RIVERSIDE

VENTURY COUNTY

 SIMI VALLEY  

   For exact addresses, go to www.borders.com. Next stop…book signings at a Borders location in Southern California near you!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   As promised, here is how I filled out my ballot for this year’s Screen Actors Guild Acting Awards. I consider 2009 a down year for the quality of movies. And I believe some folks and films should have been considered for specific awards.  Let me explain:

OUTSTANDING MALE:  Jeremy Renner

   It comes down to Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) and Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker). Ben Foster (The Messenger) should have received a nod. Bridges is getting all of the attention. However, Crazy Heart seems way too familiar to other movies showcasing the washed up older guy (ie. The Wrestler last year). Renner was uncompromising and ferocious. It’s not sexy, but he’s my pick.

OUTSTANDING FEMALE:  Sandra Bullock

   The best performance of Sandra Bullock’s career (The Blind Side)! A great movie and a great cast, which should have been given overall consideration. I liked Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia) and Carey Mulligan (An Education), but Bullock really delivers.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING MALE:  Christoph Waltz

   I didn’t enjoy Inglourious Basterds. Revising history for any reason on film is dangerous.

   That said, Christoph Waltz is delicious in his villainy. Flat out the best performance by any actor (male or female) this season. In another year, Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones) or Woody Harrelson (The Messenger) might have been my pick, but not today. Alfred Molina (An Education) was outstanding and deserves Oscar consideration. I wish he would have received a SAG Award nomination.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING FEMALE:  Anna Kendrick

   Two outstanding performances this year – Mo’nique (Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire) and Anna Kendrick (Up In the Air). Mo’nique probably wins this award. However, Kendrick is funny, sad, and extremely talented in a very slick hip film. I’m not complimenting the movie, per se, but she was fun everytime she appeared on screen.

OUTSTANDING CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE:  An Education

   The Blind Side, An Education, and The Hurt Locker were outstanding. Actually, Invictus was quite good too. I’ll be very disappointed if Inglourious Bastards, Nine or Precious wins this award. An Education was the biggest surprise, so I voted for this motion picture. If The Hurt Locker is chosen, it won’t bother me at all…

   Because ten pictures will be nominated for an Oscar this year, I hope The Blind Side is included.

   These are my official choices. I hope you will take my suggestions on the movies I believe were worth watching… I’m proud of my 28-year membership in SAG.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

I have exciting news!

   A preliminary deal has been reached with Costco Wholesale chain to sell Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in two of their brick-and-mortar stores in Los Angeles County. The paperback should be available around February 15th at the Burbank and Hollywood locations. What a thrill to add this major store to the places where you can currently buy the book: The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills and The Granada Pavilion in Granada Hills.

   The Burbank address of Costco is 1051 Burbank Blvd. The LA address in Hollywood is 2901 Los Feliz Blvd. I’ll work the membership warehouses to provide appropriate signage for my work.

   I also plan on setting up book-signing appearances at both locations. I hope to set this up soon with the local Costco stores. You’ll be the first to know when the days are assigned for these book events.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Everyone is invited to attend my lecture at the California Writers Club of Long Beach on Tuesday, February 2nd at 6pm. I’ll be discussing the creation of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History including self-publication, marketing, and distribution. I’ll bring flyers and provide information about my team who have worked tirelessly in making my paperback a “fairy tale” success.

   Immediately after the lecture and Q&A, I’ll be selling my book and personally autographing them. The event will be held at the Los Altos Branch Library at 5614 Britton Dr. (one block east of Bellflower Bl. and one block south of Stearns) in Long Beach.

   Topics will include:

• Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History (of course) !!
• How to diagram a non-fiction book (from Table of Contents to Appendix)
• How to layout your book (including cover and back cover development)
• Photos that will bring your words to life (and legal issues regarding use)
• Finding the right publisher
• Setting up a Web Site and other marketing tools (a complete strategy)
• How the distribution process works (the importance of wholesalers)
• YOUR involvement in selling the book

Los Altos Library

   If you’re interested in creating your dream book using my ideas and techniques, or if you’d like to purchase a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History… stop on by!

   Here’s the direct website link for further info on this fun and educational event:

http://www.calwriterslongbeach.org:80/

THIS IS PERSONAL INVITATION…

And best of all, the event is FREE !!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

Luise Ranier

   The oldest living Oscar winning actress will be celebrating her 100th birthday next week. Luise Ranier won back to back Academy Awards in 1936 & 1937 for The Great Ziegfeld and The Good Earth.  Her small role in Ziegfeld led to the creation of the Best Supporting Acting award the following year.

   She made two memorable television appearances on Combat and The Love Boat. I recently watched the episode on Combat, and found her to be compelling and as gifted an actress as she was in the 1930’s.

   Happy Birthday to Luise Ranier, who lives quietly in London.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I found something that was special 95 years ago, and still relevant today. I’d like to share it with you as we enter 2010.

Until next time (year)>                     “never forget”

Manny P. here…

Celeste Holm / Gentleman’s Agreement

   The Margaret Herrick Library at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences welcomed their newest voters for the 2010 Oscar Ceremony in a private reception today. The 133 new Academy members join the over 5,600 voters who   will make their selections for the 82nd annual gala to be held on March 7th. The nominees will be announced on February 2nd. Ballots went out today to the entire Academy membership.

   I’m proud the Margaret Herrick Library recently added my paperback Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to their shelves.

   Tomorrow the 16th annual SAG Award ballots will be mailed to all of its members across the country for their selection of winners. I’m a voting member of this prestigious award, and I’ve voted every year since the SAG Award’s inception. One year, I was actually on the Television Nomination Committee (year #4). And, my wife and I attended the live ceremony two years ago (year #14). The 2010 awards presentation will be held on January 23rd at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center.

   Good Luck to all the nominees. I’ll announce my voting selection on this blog in the future, since I cherish my right to vote for the SAG Awards. We’ll see how well I do with my choices.

 Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Lots of reasons to celebrate.

   Have a joyous and wonderful holiday with family and friends.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   On of the most popular characters in literary history is having another movie debut on Christmas. Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. as the sleuth, and Jude Law as Dr. Watson will premiere nationwide at a theatre near you.To honor this prolific character, Turner Classic Movies will have a holiday celebration with a Sherlock Holmes marathon.

   Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created Holmes in the latter part of the nineteenth century. In fact, my book ends on a spectacular note with a look at the Victorian Age. Of course, many actors have played the British detective, but the man most associated with the private investigator from 221-B Baker Street is Basil Rathbone. I do my own tribute to Rathbone in Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. If you want to gear up for the new motion picture, get your fill on TCM and their visit on December 25th with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson…

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I would like to thank Sharon Roberts from Richland Creek Publishing for her thoughtful review of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. She writes:

Kay Kyser

   I am currently a publicist for “Kay Kyser – The Ol’ Professor of Swing! America’s Forgotten Superstar!”

   I just wanted you to know that I have had the opportunity to read your book and congratulate you for your contributions in keeping Old Hollywood alive and the many actors who are such an important part of where our movie history stems from. I wish you continued success and hope that some time in the near future we will cross paths as we continue to preserve the memories of so many for generations to come.

Sharon Roberts
Author Representation
http://www.kaykyserbook.com

   I am thrilled about Sharon’s comments and urge my readers to pick up a copy of her author’s book. Kyser appeared in many films during Hollywood’s Golden Era, and was a big band leader. The name of his orchestra was The Kollege of Musical Knowledge.

   Follow the link above for more information on this timeless work.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   As we approach the new year. I’d like to take a moment to remember fine actors who were a part of Hollywood’s Golden Age. These are a few exceptional stars that left us this year:

   James Whitmore – An Oscar nominee, and absolute joy to watch in any genre of cinema. In fact, he did receive an Academy Award nod in his first film, Battleground. He appeared in The Asphalt Jungle, Kiss Me Kate, Across The Wide Missouri, and quite memorable in the horror film, Them!  He was also nominated for Best Actor in Give ‘Em Hell Harry, a one-man retrospective of President Truman. James appeared with Forgotten Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame in Oklahoma.

   Ricardo Montalban – Most famous for welcoming all to Fantasy Island, this Latin lover of the big screen appeared with James Whitmore in Battleground and Across The Wide Missouri. He also was cast in Sayonara and Sweet Charity. He co-starred with Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History actors John Carradine and Arthur Kennedy in Cheyenne Autumn.

<—Karl Malden – A prolific actor who won an Oscar for his role in A Streetcar Named Desire. He was fantastic in the Best Picture of 1954, On The Waterfront. He appeared with a variety of actors in Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in fine movies, including The Birdman of Alcatraz and How The West Was Won (Thelma Ritter), Nevada Smith (Arthur Kennedy), and Cheyenne Autumn (Arthur Kennedy and John Carradine). He also played Omar Bradley in Patton, the Best Film of 1970. My good friend Peter Parker, publisher of Karaoke Scene Magazine appeared with Malden in the film Murderers’ Row.

Jennifer Jones (right) – She was one of the most gifted actors in Hollywood’s Golden Age. She won an Oscar for her role in A Song of Bernadette. She actually was nominated for an Academy Award five times in her illustrious career. She co-starred with Karl Malden in Ruby Gentry. Her most notable work includes Love Letters, Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, Beat the Devil, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, The Towering Inferno, and re-makes of The Barretts of Wimpole Street, and A Farewell to Arms. She appeared with actors that appear in my Forgotten Hollywood book series:  Lionel Barrymore in Since You Went Away and Duel in the Sun, and Van Heflin in Madame Bovary. She was also married to actor Robert Walker and David O. Selznick, the producer of Gone With the Wind.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“Road to Tara” – Gone With The Wind Museum

   On December 15, 1939  the premiere of Gone With The Wind took place in Atlanta, after three days of celebrations. Clark Gable almost boycotted the opening, when he found out the Black actors were not allowed to attend (due to Jim Crow laws). Hattie McDaniel decided to intervene. Gable relented, appearing with his wife Carole Lombard.

   The film won eight Oscars and two additional Academy Awards). TCM is showing the film this Tuesday, exactly seventy years after the initial premiere. This presentation climaxes a year of anniversaries of superior films produced in 1939 (including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Of Mice and Men, Beau Geste, Stagecoach, The Roaring Twenties, Son of Frankenstein, Babes In Arms, Juarez, Jesse James, Destry Rides Again, Golden Boy, Ninothchka, Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Dark Victory, Wuthering Heights, and The Wizard of Oz).

———————————-

   Three of my actors in Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History co-star in the epic: Thomas Mitchell, Eddie Anderson, and Ward Bond. I also spend much of Chapter Six writing about the careers of Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, Olivia DeHavilland, Hattie McDaniel, and the author Margaret Mitchell. Jane Darwell, who has a small role in the motion picture, is a projected subject in the book’s sequel.

   And, Happy Birthday to my pop, who was born one year before the premiere of Gone With The Wind. Hope it’s a good one…

Until next time>                               “never forget”