Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Julian Goodman (right), a former NBC president, has died. He first joined the network in 1945, and worked the nightly news desk. He eventually became executive vice president of NBC News at the time Chet Huntley and David Brinkley were competitors to Walter Cronkite on CBS.

   He was promoted to Network President, and served in that capacity from 1966 – 1974. His influence was immediately felt. Goodman gave Johnny Carson a long-term contract to stay on the Tonight Show; and first broadcast American Football League football games, which led to the eventual creation of a Super Bowl between the leagues.

   His political leanings motivated the Nixon administration to add the television executive to their White House Enemies List. The New York Times confirmed this unfortunate decision in a 1973 article. He retired as NBC’s chairman of the board in 1979.

 JULIAN GOODMAN with PRESIDENTS FORD, JOHNSON, and NIXON  

   Julian Goodman was 90.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Paramount Pictures is officially 100! The studio has released some knockout photos. As my good friend, Gary Lycan, would say on our Forgotten Hollywood radio program: Here is the back story…

Paramount was born from New York-based businessman Adolph Zukor in 1912. He invested $40,000 in a French film production of Queen Elizabeth, starring stage actress Sarah Bernhardt, in return for distribution rights. Zukor showed the film at New York’s Lyceum Theater on July 12th (despite threats from the motion picture trust ruled by Thomas Edison), and then in roadshow screenings across the country. The 40-minute film – the first backed feature length movie in the United States – was a success.

Zukor then formed Famous Players Film Company, and its first production was The Count of Monte Cristo. Through mergers (and later, bankruptcy), Famous Players eventually became Paramount Pictures.

             MONKEY BUSINESS              SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS   DOUBLE INDEMNITY

The Hollywood studio, with its iconic gates, created classic films, and featured memorable moments from screen stars. Zukor died in 1976 at the age of 103.

                            ROAD TO RIO                                    SUNSET BOULEVARD  

   As Bob Hope famously recited…  Thanks for the memories!

                                                               ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Portions of this story were written by CBS News. Photos provided by Paramount Pictures.

Until next time>                               “never forget” 

Manny P. here…

   The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences have adjusted a few of their rules for the upcoming Oscar ceremony at the Dolby Theatre on February 24th, 2013. Among the changes:

~ The Academy Award category for makeup will be known as Best Makeup and Hairstyling

~ The Board of Governors also voted to allow additional songwriters to be considered in the Original Song category

~ Clarifications were made in the rules regarding technical requirements to be eligible in the Foreign Language and Visual Effects categories

   Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences reviews each category rule established by previous Board of Governors.

   The Academy also announced new member invitees. They include Best Actor winner Jean Dujardin, Best Supporting Actress Octavia Spencer, and Best Director Michel Hazanavicius. 2011 Oscar-nominated supporting actresses Berenice Bejo, Melissa McCarthy, Janet McTeer, Jessica Chastain; and supporting actor Jonah Hill are among the 176 moviemakers asked to become part of Academy membership. Another notable on the list: Matthew McConaughey.

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~ Doris Singleton was part of Lucille Ball’s stable of character actors she employed at Desilu. Doris is best remembered for playing Carolyn Appleby (among other comedic foils for the legendary red-head) on I Love Lucy. She also appeared on Here’s Lucy and The Lucy Show. Singleton appeared in a variety of television situation comedies and weekly dramas for almost two decades.  

   Doris Singleton (right with Lucille Ball) was 92.

~ Don Grady began his career on the Mickey Mouse Club. But, he’s known for portraying the elder Robbie Douglas on My Three Sons. After the series ended, Grady dabbled as a successful composer and musician. He wrote The Phil Donahue Show theme; composed the  score for the film Switch, which was directed by Blake Edwards; and created the sound for the Las Vegas show, EFX, a live showcase for Michael Crawford.

   Don Grady (right) was 68.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A couple of auctions of interest are taking place for those fascinated with Hollywood and American history. Here are the details:

~ The Oscar awarded to director Michael Curtiz for Casablanca in 1943 will be purchased this weekend. Nate D. Sanders Fine Autographs and Memorabilia, based in Los Angeles, is coordinating the effort; and the statuette is expected to sell for a record $3 million. The current owner is magician David Copperfield, who bought this in 2003 through Christie’s Auction House. At the start of the week, about 20 bidders had already registered their interest in the valued item.

   The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences frowns on the sale of statuettes, but  the Board of Governors are helpless to interfere with any sale of Oscars awarded previous to 1950. After that year, winners signed agreements designating the right-of-first-refusal to the governing body, compensating the former owner a sum total of one dollar.

~ Former New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen is set to auction off his baseball uniform that he wore the day he threw his perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 World Series. His jersey will be sold through Steiner Sports Memorabilia. The sale will be held over 56 days from October through December to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the only time it was accomplished in a championship Major League game. He’s expected to fetch $1 million, which the auction house feels is a low estimate.

  Larsen won the Most Valuable Player Series and the Babe Ruth Award in recognition of his 1956 postseason. The 82-year old legend plans to use the proceeds to pay the tuition for two grandchildren’s college education.  This guy remains a class act!                                                                    DON LARSEN

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Nora Ephron was a prolific scribe of insightful essays, and producer-director of smart films  emphasizing wonderfully comedic romantic analysis and stories. An early influence was her parents, who were both screenwriters. Phoebe and Henry Ephron wrote classic screenplays, such as There’s No Business Like Show Business, the remake of What Price Glory, and Desk Set. Ephron’s folks based a character in the Jimmy Stewart / Sandra Dee movie Take Her, She’s Mine on 22-year-old Nora, and letters she sent home from college.

   Early on, Ephron wrote articles for the New York Post, Esquire, and the New York Times Magazine. Prior to that, she had been an intern in President Kennedy’s White House. In 1976, she married Carl Bernstein (who I met on Sunday).  Her husband and Bob Woodward encouraged her to re-write William Goldman’s screenplay to All the President’s Men. Though it was eventually discarded, the effort led her to Hollywood. Ephron claimed to be among only a few people who knew the identity of Deep Throat, the secret source for stories written by the Washington Post team during Watergate.             NORA EPHRON–>

   Ephron was nominated three times for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay: Silkwood, When Harry Met Sally, and Sleepless in Seattle (a homage to An Affair to Remember).  Other work included Heartburn (which was based on her volatile marriage to Carl Bernstein), Mixed Nuts, You’ve Got Mail (re-working of The Shop Around the Corner),  the film version of Bewitched, and Julie & Julia. Ephron also produced New York Tribute; a collage of celluloid from Big Apple cinema for the 2002 Academy Awards ceremony. Nora directed many of her own projects brought to the big screen.

   Ephron married Nicholas Pileggi in 1987, a journalist and screenwriter. He wrote Wiseguys. Goodfellas was the movie project based on the book. Pileggi also penned Casino.

   In 1994, she was awarded the Women in Film Crystal Award. Her words provided great characterizations played by Cher, Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Nicole Kidman. Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Billy Crystal were also delighted to work in her productions.

   Recently, she spent much of her day writing a women-related blog for the Huffington Post. On a personal note, the blogger in Julie & Julia was my personal inspiration on the reason why  I currently blog. Yes, she had a sincere impact on guys. Nora once famously surmised:

 So many of the conscious and unconscious ways men and women treat each other have to do with romantic and sexual fantasies that are deeply ingrained, not just in society but in literature. The women’s movement may manage to clean up the mess in society, but I don’t know whether it can ever clean up the mess in our minds.

   Nora Ephron was 71.

~  ~  ~

I’d like to personally thank RED ROOM for selecting this blog I wrote as a recent editor’s pick. RED ROOM is a national writer’s blog site. I’m honored they recognized this most personal of stories I shared… 

It’s my initial accolade from this website! Here’s a link:

http://redroom.com/blogs/all

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   In the Silent Era of cinema, Rin-Tin-Tin was a Top 10 bonafide star. In the 1940’s, during Hollywood’s Golden Age, no actor made more cash for a movie studio than Lassie did for MGM. For their contributions, they have Stars on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Today, we have a new generation of canine personality joining their ranks.

   On a day his trainer announced his retirement, Uggie placed his paws in cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The popular pooch arrived to their festivities by firetruck; and during their hour-long event, Uggie received a golden bow-tie collar, and given a cake in the shape of a fire hydrant after performing tricks for photographers and tourists along the red carpet. The Jack Russell terrier also autographed (???) Blu-ray and DVD copies of The Artist. His film credits included a role in Water for Elephants.

   Uggie joins a long list of celebrities who have left hand and footprints in the iconic courtyard of the tourist spot. Among the hands and feet are John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire, and curiously, Kobie Bryant.

   The Artist won five statuettes at the Academy Awards earlier this year, including Best Picture and Best Actor. The production pays homage to the Silent Era (when Rin-Tin-Tin was the King of the Pictures); and studio era films, such as A Star is Born and Singin’ in the Rain.

   NOW, where’s the love for Nick and Nora Charles famous dog… Asta? … just sayin…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   My wife Laurie and I had an amazing evening at the 54th Annual Los Angeles Press Club Journalism Awards gala at the Biltmore Hotel in the heart of Downtown. Here are some of the photo highlights, including a very special opportunity to meet the legendary Carl Bernstein.

                                                  CARL BERNSTEIN

   Martin Sheen presented the journalist and his Washington Post colleague Bob Woodward  with a Lifetime Achievement award. 40 years ago, they investigated the Watergate break-in and subsequent White House cover-up. Their historic series of hard-hitting stories led to an unprecedented call for President Richard Nixon to step down or face Impeachment by the US Senate.

            CARL BERNSTEIN     BOB WOODWARD (on Skype)     MARTIN SHEEN         

   We sat with esteemed Southern California broadcasters who represented television and radio: KABC 7, KNX 10-70, and KCLU. Congratulations to co-winners in the category I was a 2012 finalist for my Forgotten Hollywood blog site:

* WEBLOG INDIVIDUAL (Online): 

Danielle Berrin, Jewish Journal / Richard Stellar, The Wrap

   No doubt, my blog received an extraordinary accolade.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Richard Adler, who was a fine lyricist, composer and producer of  memorable Broadway shows, has died. He’s best known for his work with Jerry Ross on The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees.

   Frank Loesser mentored the collaborators, and they quickly wrote hits for Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney. Rags to Riches and Hey There were top tunes for the team. They were likely poised to challenge Rodgers and Hammerstein when their Broadway shows won back-to-back Tonys in 1955 and 1956. However, Ross died suddenly of a lung ailment at the tender age of 29 in November of 1955.                                                         RICHARD ADLER –>

   Other popular musical standards include Whatever Lola Wants and Heart from Damn Yankees; Hernando’s Hideway in The Pajama Game; and Everybody Loves a Lover for Doris Day.  Adler also had iconic flirtations with our American history when he staged and produced events  for US presidents; the most notable of these was a 1962 Madison Square Garden birthday celebration for John F. Kennedy, highlighted by Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday to the president in her trademark breathy voice. He also composed several symphonic pieces, such as one to celebrate the Statue of Liberty’s centennial.

   He’s a deserved member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, complimenting the tributes and  accolades he received over his long career. Richard Adler was 90.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Forgotten Hollywood Book Series has reached a couple of notable milestones. Thanks to purchases made by the Fullerton Sunrise Rotary Breakfast fellowship, here’s what I can report:

   2500 copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History have been purchased (paperbacks and eBooks). If you count just the First Edition copies sold, we’re a little short of 2400 actual books in the hands of readers, globally. On September 15th, I plan on donating $2400+ to Mooseheart… my official charity in an official ceremony. Dignitaries will include regional Moose International officers and local Orange County, CA press.

   300 copies of Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History are now in the sales column. The really good news is this doesn’t include the 50+ confirmed purchased by libraries nationwide. A three-month lag from business sales (bookstores, libraries, etc.)  to collections-through-distribution exists. There is an outstanding chance, I’ve sold closer to 400 of my latest work over the last six months.

   I show my appreciation for each book sold, which I happily do every single day…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The British Empire has always been steadfast in their support of Hollywood. Let me provide some current global examples…

 ~ Queen Elizabeth II has just recognized members of the motion picture community this past week in a bi-annual ceremony that takes place on her birthday and on New Year’s Day. The most recent honorees:

   Actor and director Kenneth Branagh was knighted, and will be known as Sir Kenneth. A native of Belfast, Ireland, this puts him in a pantheon of theatrical knights; and alongside Sir Laurence Olivier, whom Branagh played in My Life With Marilyn. Also given a royal accolade by the queen was Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet.                                          SIR KENNETH BRANAGH —>

~ Bonhams is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. There are two large salerooms in London.

   A collection of Hollywood Programs are being offered for bid, celebrating movies from the 1930s-1950s. I’m No Angel and Gold Diggers of 1933, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre premiere programmes; Gone With The Wind, 1939 programme; The Great Dictator, 1941 programme; Limelight, 1952 programme.

~ The Village of Millbrook, Northumberland in Ontario, Canada is launching its 20th year of live performances  at the Millbrook 4th Line Outdoor Theatre.

   They open their 2012 summer season on July 3rd with Queen Marie. It’s a musical comedy based on the life of Cobourg-born Marie Dressler, one of the finest stars of Broadway and Hollywood. She was the fourth winner of an Academy Award in 1930, for her role in Min and Bill. The community recently held a gala,  which included screenings of Dressler’s silent films.

   As the Brit’s say… Bob’s Your Uncle!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A couple of weeks ago, I started listing nationwide locations holding classic movie festivals. Here are a few more to consider this Summer:

~ BRYANT PARK (MANHATTAN) – City of New York Parks and Recreation is hosting FREE Monday series of films. The lineup includes Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (6/25); The Wizard of Oz (7/2); On the Waterfront (7/9); Roman Holiday (7/16); The Maltese Falcon (7/23); Rebel Without a Cause (7/30); The Adventures of Robin Hood (8/6); and All about Eve (8/13)

   What a lineup! This is a weekly outdoor event. Here’s a link for all the details:

http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/free_summer_movies

 # # #

~ PARAMOUNT THEATER SUMMER CLASSIC FILM SERIES (AUSTIN, TX) – Over 80 classic films as they were meant to be seen! Here are some July highlights:

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me (July 5th-8th);  The Night of the Hunter (July 10th-12th); Bringing up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, My Man Godfrey, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Buck Privates (July 13th-18th); The Third Man (July 19th); The House on the Haunted Hill, Dracula, Freaks, Frankenstein (July 24th-29th)

   For a complete listing:

http://www.austintheatre.org/site/PageServer?pagename=summer_film_series#July

# # #

~ SAENGER THEATRE (PENSACOLA, FLA) – Their classic movie series begins Saturday, July 14th at 7p. Here’s the fabulous lineup: On the Town (7/14); The Maltese Falcon (7/21); 42nd Street (7/28); Showboat (8/4); Citizen Kane (8/11); My Fair Lady (8/18); Fiddler on the Roof (8/25); The Music Man (9/1); Casablanca (9/8)

   Click below if you live in the area:

http://www.pensacolasaenger.com/classic-movies

# # #

   There are classic film festivals popping up everywhere!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

The Beverly Hills Hotel is celebrating its golden anniversary. At 100, the location is a landmark from Hollywood’s Silent Era. Over the weekend, the bash generated A-LIST celebrities, including Warren Beatty, Mary J. Blige,  Brenda Vaccaro, Donna Mills,  Frances Fisher, Bill Cosby, songwriter Diane Warren, and producer-director Irwin Winkler.

The original main building was created by Pasadena architect Elmer Grey, who also designed  Huntington Art Gallery and Pasadena Playhouse. The sign was drawn by Paul Williams. Margaret Anderson (and son Stanley, who had managed the Hollywood Hotel) opened the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows in May, 1912.

   It’s been a central meeting place for business folks, especially from the Los Angeles motion picture and television industries. Many movie deals were consummated with drinks over the decades. Iconic cinema filmed on location included Designing Woman (1957) with Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall; Move Over Darling (1963) featuring Doris Day and James Garner; and California Suite (1978) with Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Maggie Smith, and Michael Caine. The Beverly Hills Hotel:  The First 100 Years was written by Robert Anderson, capturing its must-see majesty in print and photos.

The gala over the weekend raised monies, with all proceeds to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The National Indie Excellence Book Awards have been presented for 2012. According to their announcement, Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has WON its category.

http://www.indieexcellence.com/indie-results-2012-winners.htm#9

   Book Expo American 2012 is going on this week, and a press release has been sent to all the media signed up for that event, letting them know of the contest and it’s awards. An ad was also placed in Publisher’s Weekly and Publisher’s Daily with a banner linking to the site.

   Here’s my portion of the Press Release info:

   Forgotten Hollywood’s Brand is the recipient of SIX literary accolades since 2009. This is very GOOD NEWS! I can officially proclaim that my work:   An Award-Winning Book Series…

   Below is a visual power point created by the website highlighing the winners from this year’s Indie Excellence Book Awards:

National Indie Excellence Awards Video

“http://www.youtube.com/embed/LpxXE3HFLMI“

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Frank Worth was considered a photographer-to-the-stars during Hollywood’s Golden Age. His most famous shot was of Marilyn Monroe standing on a subway grate during the filming of The Seven Year Itch. Her dress billowing upward defined a generation. It also may have led to Joe DiMaggio divorcing her. Frank snapped candid pictures of his actor-friends between 1939 and 1964.

   The NAC Gallery in Ft. Lauderdale is presenting the work of Frank Worth through July 14th. The exhibition is appropriately called The Seven Week Itch, due to the length of its run, which began last week. Featured is seldom seen snapshots of  <– Marilyn, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, and Jayne Mansfield (who dated Worth for a time). His access to the sets of studio productions included How to Marry a Millionaire, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.

   At the time, Frank Worth’s day job was as a newswire sports photographer. His assigned team was the Los Angeles Dodgers. Some of his early subjects were James Cagney, Frank McHugh, Pat O’Brien, and Spencer Tracy (below). He also documented Elizabeth Taylor’s first wedding. Worth died in 2000. His work became available through Christie’s Auction House about a decade ago.

   HOLLYWOOD’S IRISH MAFIA

   The NAC Gallery is at 3325 N.E. 32nd St. in Fort Lauderdale. The cost to attend The Seven Week Itch is FREE; and when dressed as a vintage star, take home a limited-edition lithograph.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Blog has just been named a FINALIST at the Los Angeles Press Club 54th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards.  The 2012 winners will be announced at an Awards Gala in the Crystal Ballroom at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on Sunday, June 24th. This was the actual  site where the idea of the Academy Awards ceremony was formulated in 1926 by movie studio moguls.

   I’m up against extraordinary talent. How amazing to be named in the same company with top journalists in the #2 Market associated with television, radio, print, newspaper, and internet-related investigative news, sports, entertainment and photo journalism. This is my initial award-nomination in my broadcasting career, spanning three decades. What a true honor for the short time the FORGOTTEN HOLLYWOOD Blog has existed. And, it’s a fabulous promotion for my Book Series.

   According to the Los Angeles Press Club online site:

Nominees were selected by volunteer members of press clubs from around the nation in one of the oldest and largest journalism competitions; not just in Southern California, but the nation as well.

   Here’s a portion of the Announcement of Finalists news release: