Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Toshiro Mifune is the legendary Japanese actor who starred in such Akira Kurosawa classics as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Throne of Blood. Now, count him as the posthumous recipient of his own Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

   Almost all of the 16 Kurosawa–Mifune collaborations are considered cinematic classics. The Magnificent Seven attributes its script to the Seven Samurai story. Clint Eastwood was among the first of many actors to adopt a wandering warrior persona attributed to Mifune, which he used to great effect in his roles; especially playing the man with no name character in Spaghetti Westerns made with Sergio Leone.

   When he traveled to Tinsel Town, he was cast in Grand Prix, Midway, Hell in the Pacific, and  Steven Spielberg’s 1979 comedy flop, 1941. On television, he appeared on the NBC’s Shōgun. Yet, Kurosawa didn’t rejoice in his estranged friend’s success, and publicly made derisive remarks about his friend and the mini-series. After his comments, the relationship between Kurosawa and Mifune remained ambivalent. They never fully reconciled, and they died within a year of each other in the 1990s.

   A date for the Walk of Fame ceremony will be set later this year.

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   The father of a high school friend has died. DICK VAN PATTEN —> was best known as the patrician of a large family in Eight is Enough on television. He also appeared in several Mel Brooks feature films: High Anxiety, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

   His motion picture resume also includes Soylent Green, Charly, and Westworld. Plus, Dick Van Patten guest-starred on Naked City, Rawhide, I Dream of Jeannie, Love American Style, Cannon, Medical Center, Maude, Adam-12, The Streets of San Francisco, Barnaby Jones, Banacek, Phyllis, The Six Million Dollar Man, Baywatch, The Love Boat television movies, and most recently, Hot in Cleveland.

   Dick’s sister is actress Joyce Van Patten. And, my friend… actor, former tennis professional, and television host of World Poker Tour events:  Vince Van Patten. Let me offer my personal condolences to the entire Van Patten family

   The likeable Dick Van Patten was 86.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   An airplane registered to James Horner crashed in Los Padres National Forest in Southern California (around 60 miles north of Santa Barbara). The pilot died in the crash and was the only person aboard. Though the crash victim was not immediately identified, Variety later confirmed Horner’s death. His singular sound graced some of the biggest moments in the history of movies.

   Horner was an accomplished concert hall composer before he moved into writing film scores. His first was for The Lady in Red, but he did not establish himself until he worked on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

   His scores for Titanic and Avatar remain the best selling orchestral film soundtracks to date. Both directed by James Cameron, they are also the highest-grossing movies of all time. Titanic’s enduring theme song, My Heart Will Go On, hit #1 around the world and become the best-selling single of 1998. The National Endowment for the Arts and the Recording Industry Association of America included it in the Songs of the Century rankings. Celine Dion performed the track.                 JAMES HORNER —>

   He also collaborated multiple times with George Lucas, Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, Mel Gibson, and Oliver Stone. Horner composed music for over 100 films, and won two Oscars and two Golden Globes. He prolifically scored for major productions, including  Braveheart, Cocoon, Field of Dreams, Aliens, Glory, An American Tail, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Legends of the Fall, The Perfect Storm, A Beautiful Mind, Clear and Present Danger, The Pelican Brief, Patriot Games, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Willow, Apollo 13, The Mask of Zorro, and The Amazing Spiderman. Somewhere Out There was another tune masterfully imagined by the maestro.

   Horner created the 2006-2011 theme music for the CBS Evening News. It was introduced as part of the debut of Katie Couric as anchor on September 5, 2006.

   James Horner, one of the essentials composers in cinematic history, was 61.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   WELLS FARGO is conducting a small business contest, where the winners can earn up to $25,000. This is a unique opportunity to receive needed funds for our team to continue work on our film production. Please click on the link below, and simply vote for the FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD DOCUMENTARY project.

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andvote_13748_21″>https://wellsfargoworks.com/Resource/Contest?x=us-en_viewentriesandvote_13748_21

   It just takes a second to click and VOTE… THANK YOU in advance.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A former child actor who got his start in Our Gang / The Little Rascals movies of the 1930s now has his own Long Island street. Officials named a portion of St. Ann’s Avenue in Copiague in honor of 89-year old Jerry Schatz.

   Schatz went by the stage name Jerry Tucker (right). He acted alongside Shirley Temple (in Captain January) and Clark Gable during the 1930s and 1940s. He also appeared as one of Mother Peep’s kids in the 1934 Laurel and Hardy feature film March of the Wooden Soldiers.

   Jerry joined the Navy during World War II. He also served during the Korean conflict. That’s when his career in Hollywood came to a close. He moved to Copiague after the war with his wife and worked as an engineer.

   Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer called the US Navy vet one of our own as officials unveiled Jerry Schatz Place on Tuesday. What a wonderful local honor.

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<– JACK ROLLINS has passed away. He’s best known for his successful partnership with Charles H. Joffe, the producer or executive producer of virtually all of the films directed by Woody Allen. Rollins’ management clients also included Dick Cavett, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Martin Short, Robert Klein, Tom Poston, Paula Poundstone, and David Letterman.

   Jack Rollins was 100.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The grandson of Oscar Hammerstein has lost his bid to create a museum and educational theater honoring the Broadway lyricist. The Doylestown Township’s zoning board voted on Monday evening to deny variances that Will Hammerstein needed to undergo the project at his grandfather’s former Pennsylvania farm. The plan included construction of a 400-seat theater.                                  OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN —–>

   Neighbors and township supervisors had opposed the proposal at Highland Farm, saying they didn’t want to deal with the noise, traffic, or safety issues they feared it would bring. Hammerstein tells the Doylestown Intelligencer that he was anticipating the decision. He hasn’t decided if he’ll appeal, but says it’d be tough to overturn the three-member board’s unanimous decision.

   Highland Farm was Oscar Hammerstein’s primary residence during his musical partnership with Richard Rodgers. Hammerstein died there in 1960.

   So much for The Sound of Music in a Pennsylvania hamlet…

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   All the best to John Hurt, who has revealed that he is suffering from the early stages of pancreatic cancer. He plans to keep working as he undergoes treatment for the disease. His medical team is confident they caught the problem in time for a full recovery.

   The actor is a two-time Oscar nominee. He received nods for his work in The Elephant Man and Midnight Express. He is best remembered as the ill-fated astronaut in Alien. Other films include A Man For All Seasons, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and a recurring role in the Harry Potter series.

   John Hurt (above) was knighted last December.

Until next time>                               “never forget’

Manny P. here…

   Robert Chartoff was a top motion picture producer. He produced more than thirty movies. He had a knack for taking films about boxing and making them a critical success. Together with Irwin Winkler, he won an Academy Award for Best Picture for the 1976 film Rocky. He received further Oscar consideration in 1981 for co-producing Martin Scorsese’s biopic of boxer Jake La Motta. The Chartoff-Winkler movies garnered 12 wins and 40 nominations.                                ROBERT CHARTOFF —>

   Chartoff had a hand in fine cinema created over the last five decades, including They Shoot Horses Don’t They, The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight, The Mechanic, Up the Sandbox, Raging Bull, The Right Stuff, Comes a Horseman, and the entire Rocky series. He employed top actors, such as Sylvester Stallone, Burgess Meredith, Gig Young, Lee Marvin, Keenan Wynn, Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand, Joe Pesci, Charles Bronson, Donald Sutherland, Jill Ireland, Robert DeNiro, Elliott Gould, Dennis Quaid, James Caan, Ryan O’Neal, Ed Harris, Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, Jason Robards, Liza Minnelli, Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, and recently, Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Lange, John Goodman, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren.

   Robert Chartoff was 81.

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   The singing voice of Chiquita Banana animation has died. Monica Lewis began her career as a vocalist with Benny Goodman’s orchestra and went onto record several jazz hits in the 1940s. In 1950, she hit Hollywood, signing an exclusive contract for music and movies with MGM. She had small roles in movies with Mickey Rooney and Red Skelton. Later, she appeared in a number of disaster films, including Earthquake and several of the Airport series of motion pictures. Lewis also guest-starred on a few television shows, such as Ironside, Marcus Welby M.D., Remington Steele, and Falcon Crest.

   Never a second banana, Monica Lewis was 93.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Two of the greats have died.

CHRISTOPHER LEE                           RON MOODY

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~ Christopher Lee will forever be known as the vampire Count Dracula in a slew of gory, gothic British Hammer horror production thrillers churned out in the 1950s and 1960s that became hugely popular around the world. He also appeared in more than 250 movies, taking on memorable roles such as a James Bond enemy, and the evil Count Dooku in two Star Wars prequels.

   Lee attended Wellington College, an elite boarding school, and joined the Royal Air Force during World War II. Poor eyesight prevented him from becoming a pilot, and he served as an intelligence officer in North Africa and Italy. After the war, he was signed to a contract with Britain’s Rank Studio, and spent the next decade playing minor roles in a series of formulaic pictures. He also appeared briefly in Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet in 1948 along with his future Hammer co-star, Peter Cushing.

    His filmography is quite vast. But, he’s best remembered for roles in Quo Vadis, Moulin Rouge, The Curse of Frankenstein,  The Four Musketeers, The Man with the Golden Gun, Airport ’77, Hugo, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

   The versatile Christopher Lee was 93.

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~ Ron Moody was nominated for an Oscar as the playful Fagin in the Best Picture of 1968… Oliver! He did receive a Golden Globe for his performance. He created the role in the original West End production in 1960, and reprised it in the 1984 Broadway revival, garnering a Tony Award nod for Best Actor in a Musical. He would reprise the role throughout his career, including a command appearance before Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh in 1985.

   Moody was also wonderful in Mel Brooks’ The Twelve Chairs. Others movies he appeared in include Murder Most Foul and A Kid in King Arthur’s Court. On television, he guest-starred in The Avengers, Gunsmoke, and Starsky and Hutch, among others.

   Ron Moody was 91.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   NEW FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD SHOW ON THERAPYCABLE

   Episode #6 of FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD on THERAPYCABLE features guest Jackie Goldberg, (AKA The Pink Lady). This one-woman tour-de-force is the innovative creator of Senior Star Power, Senior Star Search, and a litany of entertainment programs and motivational ideas tailored to the active elderly.

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   Senior Star Power engages, inspires, and enriches the lives of seniors through the arts. Its vision is to establish a year-round theatrical performing arts complex that welcomes the entire Hollywood senior community. It’s their goal to offer workshops, performance opportunities, mentoring programs, and master classes; to educate and embrace seniors so they can further develop vital, productive, and creative people. In addition, they are looking to provide a chance for employment to the mature community-at-large.

   The interview on THERAPYCABLE CHANNEL is vibrant and positive. Named a hero by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, our beloved Pink Lady is the catalyst of the 501 {c}3 charity group. Goldberg’s commitment to seniors is unyielding. And, her ideas are quite impressive. Among her many supporters: Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, actors George Chakiris, Florence Henderson, and Margaret O’Brien.

   Click (or cut-and-paste) to view and enjoy our latest program:

http://therapycable.com/elderly-care/hollywood-s-senior-star-power.html

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A rare piece of celluloid is destined for the Library of Congress.

   Preparing to launch her ill-fated attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world, Amelia Earhart brought her personal photographer to a California airport in 1937 to document the journey’s beginning. Several still photographs were taken by Al Bresnik, some likely seen by millions in the years since Earhart’s plane vanished over the Pacific Ocean weeks later. Bresnik’s brother, John, however, made a grainy 3.5-minute home movie almost nobody has seen — until now.

                           AMELIA EARHART

   The film, titled Amelia Earhart’s Last Photo Shoot, is being released by The Paragon Agency publishing house, along with an 80-page book carrying a day-by-day description of Earhart’s journey. The publisher and author believe it is the final film heralding her departure from California on that final journey. A downloadable copy of the piece is being provided to those who buy the book.

   As the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, Earhart was one of the most recognizable celebrities of her time, and plenty of people may have taken her photo during stops on that trip. Dressed in a smart pantsuit rather than her standard flight jacket, she shows people around the plane, climbs on top to pose for still photos and occasionally grins broadly, something she rarely did in her official photos.

   This intimate portrait should continue our multi-generational fascination with the iconic aviator.

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   Vincent T. Bugliosi Jr. was an attorney and New York Times bestselling author. During his eight years as a deputy in the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, he successfully prosecuted 105 out of 106 felony jury trials, which included 21 murder convictions without a single loss.

   He’s best known for prosecuting Charles Manson and others accused of the Tate-LaBianca murders of 1969. Although Manson did not physically participate in the murders at actress Sharon Tate’s home, Bugliosi used circumstantial evidence to show that he had orchestrated the killings. This sensational trial captured the horror and imagination of the nation. It sent the star’s husband, director Roman Polanski, into a dark depression. The story was chronicled in the best selling work, Helter Skelter, which was co-written by Bugliosi. It’s the biggest selling true crime book in publishing history with over 7 million copies sold.                   VINCENT BUGLIOSI —>

   After leaving the district attorney’s office, Bugliosi unsuccessfully ran for district attorney. At the time of his passing, he was considered a highly popular author of political non-fiction. He was a three-time winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award.

    Vince Bugliosi was 80.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Turner Classic Movies and CNN are collaborating to celebrate the 70s and The Big Apple. TCM will air great cinema on Tuesday, including Annie Hall, Mean Streets, Going in Style, Dog Day Afternoon, and Shaft.

   And, CNN will continue its series on the 1970s on Thursday at 9p.

   Right on!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Abbott and Costello’s heirs are suing the producers of a Broadway play in which a character uses sock puppets to perform part of the comedians’ famous Who’s on First routine. The copyright holders sued Hand to God producers, promoters and playwright Robert Askins on Thursday in Manhattan federal court, accusing them of copyright infringement.                                    ABBOTT AND COSTELLO —->

   Hand to God is up for five Tony Awards on Sunday. The play’s lead producer, Kevin McCollum, called the filing on the eve of this weekend’s Tony’s is nothing more than a publicity stunt. He says the other producers welcome the attention.

   The lawsuit seeking unspecified damages claims the play copied the very heart of Who’s on First. It claims the routine was lifted so the play could more easily be promoted as a comedy. Sometimes, courts have tossed out copyright lawsuits when it can be shown that previously used material was used in a new and transformative way. The comedy duo first performed Who’s on First in March 1938 with Lou trying to learn the names of players on a baseball team from Bud.

   Bulletins as they break…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Actress Nichelle Nichols has suffered what is considered a mild stroke at her Los Angeles home and was quickly hospitalized. She spent the day undergoing tests to check the severity of the episode.The 82-year-old will begin therapy on Friday

   Nichols began her career as a vocalist with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton before turning to acting. Her most famous role is that of communications officer Lieutenant Uhura aboard the USS Enterprise in the popular Star Trek television series, as well as the succeeding motion pictures, where her character was later promoted in Starfleet to the high rank of commander. Her portrayal, one of the first African American female characters on television not cast as a servant, was groundbreaking. Civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. praised her work on the program and asked her to remain when she considered leaving the series. Former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison cited Nichols’ role of Lieutenant Uhura as her inspiration for wanting to become an astronaut; and Whoopi Goldberg has also spoken of Nichols’ influence. Whoopi eventually asked to participate in Star Trek: The Next Generation.                     NICHELLE NICHOLS  —>

   She also appeared in the Chicago stock company production of Carmen Jones, and performed in a New York production of Porgy and Bess. On the West Coast, she appeared in The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd. Between acting and singing engagements, she did occasional modeling work. In January 1967, Nichols also was featured on the cover of Ebony magazine.

   After the cancellation of Star Trek, Nichols volunteered her time in a special project with NASA to recruit minority and female personnel for the space agency. The program was a success. Among those recruited were Dr. Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut, as well as Dr. Judith Resnik and Dr. Ronald McNair, who both flew successful missions during the Space Shuttle program before their deaths in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986. Recruits also included Charles Bolden, the current NASA administrator. An enthusiastic advocate of space exploration, Nichols has served since the mid-1980s on the Board of Governors of the National Space Society, a nonprofit, educational organization founded by Dr. Wernher von Braun.

   Best wishes to Nichelle Nichols, and a speedy recovery.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A longtime actress, who may have been best know as playing the mother of Jason Voorhees in the first two Friday the 13th film series flicks, has died. Betsy Palmer was also a regular panelist, and the last surviving member of the televised game show I’ve Got a Secret.

   Palmer got her first acting job in 1951 when she joined the cast of a daily soap opera, Miss Susan, which was produced in Philadelphia. She was discovered for this role while attending a party in the apartment of actor Frank Sutton. A life member of The Actors Studio, she appeared in numerous television shows dating to the early 1950s Golden Age of Television. Among them were such classic dramas as Kraft Theatre, Playhouse 90, and Studio One. Later small screen roles included stints in Columbo, Newhart, Knot’s Landing, The Love Boat, and Murder She Wrote. Betsy also had a recurring part in the daytime soap opera in As the World Turns in the 1990s.

   Before her murderous turns in the Friday the 13th series, Palmer was memorable in a number of screen roles in the 1950s. She worked opposite top stars, including Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara in The Long Gray Line; Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, and Jack Lemmon in Mr. Roberts; Paul Muni in The Last Angry Man; Joan Crawford in Queen Bee; and again with Fonda and Anthony Perkins in The Tin Star. She ultimately came to embrace her participation in the horror films genre, and appeared in the 2006 documentary Betsy Palmer: A Scream Queen Legend.                    BETSY PALMER —->

   Palmer’s stage work included a tour of South Pacific. She also appeared in several plays on Broadway, such as Same Time Next Year and Cactus Flower. Her final stage credit was in On Golden Pond in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada.

   Betsy Palmer died peacefully of natural causes. She was 88.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Wally Cassell was a durable character actor during Hollywood’s studio era. He began his cinematic career in 1942, initially appearing in uncredited roles. Today, he is a little-remembered cog in a litany of wonderful films. He was a also a lifelong friend of Mickey Rooney. The popular actor served as the best man at his 1947 wedding. Wally remained married until the day he died.

   His movies include Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, National Velvet, The Thin Man Goes Home, The Story of G.I. Joe, The Clock, The Postman Always Rings Twice, Son of Lassie, Anchor’s Aweigh, Sands of Iwo Jima, White Heat, Quicksand, City That Never Sleeps, and Island in the Sky. Cassell also guest starred in several television series, including The Loretta Young Show, Gunsmoke, the 1959 premier episode of The Untouchables, Rawhide, and The Beverly Hillbillies.

   He retired from acting in 1964 and became a businessman. One of the oldest remnants from our celluloid past, Wally Cassell was 103.      WALLY CASSELL

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Actress and comedian Anne Meara, whose comic work with husband Jerry Stiller helped launch a 60-year career in film and television, has died. She was also the mother to comedian Ben Stiller.   ANNE MEARA—>

   The couple performed regularly as Stiller & Meara on The Ed Sullivan Show and other programs in the 1960s, and appeared on other variety programs. They won awards for the television and radio commercials they made together.

   Meara had recurring roles on Rhoda, Archie Bunker’s Place, Alf, Sex and the City, and The King of Queens. Her husband co-starred in the latter series. She was a cast member for seven years on All My Children. Her movies included stints in Lovers and Other Strangers, The Out-of-Towners, The Boys in Brazil, Awakenings, Fame, Zoolander, and recently, Night At the Museum.

   Anne Meara was 85.

Until next time>                               “never forget”