Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   Despite the closing of a number of BORDERS book stores in Southern California, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is still selling well. Thanks to documented holiday revenue, and Kindle eBook downloads, let me relay to you a growth in profit towards our goal in selling out the First Edition of my work.

   For the record, 1812 copies are now in the proper hands of interested readers. BOOYAH!

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   A new online store based in the U.K. called The Book Depository is a dedicated online bookseller offering the largest range of titles in the world. Along with publishers, distributors and wholesalers, they even list and supply inventory data from other retailers!

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is one of 2.5 million unique titles. The most amazing thing about The Book Depository is they ship their product within 48 hours FREE OF CHARGE to nearly 90 countries. And, this site is currently the fastest growing virtual literary shop in Europe with over a million loyal patrons.

   Also, the company fully supports Down Syndrome Education International. Fortunately, reading is an activity young folks with this affliction can excel in.

   Here’s a link to their website:

http://www.bookdepository.com/Forgotten-Hollywood-Forgotten-History-Manny-Pacheco/9781935359166

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A French production shot in Los Angeles has everyone talking at this year’s 2011 Cannes Film Festival. It takes place during the final days of the Silent Era and into Hollywood’s Golden Age. What’s remarkable about this motion picture is it’s mostly a SILENT / BLACK & WHITE entry; a throwback to a more innocent cinematic technique.

   The Artist merges the magic of a lush score and direction, reminding the audience of fine work by Charlie Chaplin and Fritz Lang. In fact, research was undertaken prior to its production examining the early performances of Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford to get the exact mood and movement of the actors. The plot also mixes a heavy dose of comedy and pathos, which is very similar to scripts of that bygone era.

   The film features the talent of John Goodman, Penelope Anne Miller, James Cromwell, and stars Jean Dujardin. It was directed by Michel Hazanavicius.  The Artist is one of twenty entries competing for this year’s top honor – The Palme d’Or – the Festival’s most prestigious prize. More than a few folks in the industry regard this motion picture as the favorite to win the award.

   It’s initial screening received an impressive ten minute standing ovation after Sunday night’s gala premiere. And earlier in the day, the movie got a warm reception at a press-junket from the normally jaded journalists who attend the yearly event.

   The success of this thematic achievement bodes well for the future in our development of  the Forgotten Hollywood documentary project. Visit the Cannes Market News website for all the details about Vision4Media’s search for International pre-sale partners and co-production collaborators:

Until next time>                             “l’est we forget”

Manny P. here…

   I would like to thank Bronwyn Mauldin from Guerrilla Reads for providing a YouTube piece of a reading I did at last year’s Latino Book and Family Festival. Of course, I read from my book Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

   Guerrilla Reads is expected to be at next week’s 6th Annual Celebrating Words Festival. This special event will be held from 1p-7p on Saturday at L.A. Mission College. I’ll be moderating a panel discussion (at 4p). I’ll also be there during the day autographing copies of my paperback. The college is located at 13356 Eldridge Ave. in Sylmar.

Here is the link for Guerrilla Reads:

http://guerrillareads.com/2011/05/17/guerrillareads-no-28/

   I hope you’ll stop on by for this fun afternoon.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   In addition to now being able to download Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History for an AMAZON Kindle or a BARNES & NOBLE Nook, you can obtain my work  from a variety of eReader sources on SMASHWORDS including:

~ SONY Reader Store – A virtual newsstand for books, magazines, and newspapers. Here’s their general link:

http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/manny-pacheco/forgotten-hollywood-forgotten-history/_/R-400000000000000374242 

 ~ APPLE iBooks – Read books on your iPad by purchasing them from your App store. Here’s their introductory link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/forgotten-hollywood-forgotten/id436208454?mt=11

~ KOBO eReader– The official device used by BORDERS. For the national chain to survive, this forward-thinking strategy must catch on with the public. Here’s their official homepage:

http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_koboereader

~ DIESEL eBook Store – The independent chain of the bunch. I’m happy they also carry my paperback. Here’s their website link:

http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000053041/Pacheco-Manny-Forgotten-Hollywood-Forgotten-History/1.html

   I’m satisfied my book is available through your preferred eReader source. There’s really no excuse not to own a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   IT’S OFFICIAL! Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is visiting the 2011 Cannes Marché du Film. The festival begins on May 11th and runs through May 22nd.

   The first event was held in 1946. According to their website:

The International Film Festival was created on the initiative of Jean Zay, Minister for Education and Fine Arts, who was keen to establish a cultural event in France to rival the Venice Film Festival.

In the 1950s, the Festival became more popular thanks to the attendance of celebrities such as Kirk Douglas, Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, Cary Grant, Romy Schneider, Simone Signoret, and Gina Lollobrigida.

Today, 10,000 buyers and sellers from around the world flock to Cannes every year, making it the #1 international market for film professionals.

   As Vision4Media’s David C. Bojorquez puts it:

We have five projects we’re taking with us to Cannes (including Forgotten Hollywood). We’re confident in our goal to secure presales into foreign and domestic territories for (our) worthwhile project(s).

   It’s great to see my book travel to places I can only dream about. I wish David and his team the very best in reaching our mutual goals.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Hollywood Heritage Museum in the historic Lasky-DeMille Barn will honor silent-film icon Rudolph Valentino on his birthday. The event will take place on May 11th. The museum is billing this as an evening of rare photographs, films, and artifacts on display in our lobby.

   Hollywood’s first sex-symbol, Valentino appeared in well-known motion pictures as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, Blood and Sand, and Son of the Sheik. Audiences showed early adoration, and he is considered a primary reason the movie industry enjoyed an unparalleled growth in popularity, en route to its Golden Age.

   On August 15, 1926, Valentino collapsed at the Hotel Ambassador in New York City. On August 23rd, the actor was dead at the tender age of 31. An estimated 100,000 people lined the streets to pay their respects at his funeral. Over the years, a woman in black has placed a red rose at Valentino’s gravesite, usually on the anniversary of his death. Several myths surround the woman, though it seems it began as a publicity stunt set up by studio moguls.

   The site of the Hollywood Heritage Museum is where Jessie Lasky and Cecil B. DeMille first produced the earliest movies when they traveled to the West Coast, most notably The Squaw Man in 1914. It’s a current location where you can purchase Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in their gift shop. I’m thrilled to be a part of Hollywood’s early legacy.

   The Valentino event will begin at 7p. Admission for Hollywood Heritage members – $5.00; non-members – $10.00 general admission tickets can be purchased online with your credit card. Visit:

http://www.hollywoodheritage.org;  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/166400.

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Gary Lycan and I have a very busy day ahead:

~ BARNES & NOBLE – Book Signing 1p – 3p.  We will be autographing Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History at B&N 11090 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga. Pick up a copy, or download the paperback on your NOOK. My book makes a great Mother’s Day present. We personally invite you to stop by and visit if you are in or near the Inland Empire!

~ K-SPA – Forgotten Hollywood Radio Show. Our candid interview with Debbie Reynolds at 3p. Here’s a link to listen to this special edition of our program:

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/playlists/am1510kspa/am1510kspaKSPAAM.asx

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   Thank you to Raymond Young, a fellow author on the GOOD READS book site, for his kind words about Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. He writes:

   Be back soon with more Forgotten Hollywood for you to read about!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I have outstanding news!

   SMASHWORDS signed an eBook distribution deal with ScrollMotion to help distribute virtual eProduct through a variety of Apps including Apple, Android, HP Web OS, and Windows Phone7. This opportunity will be great for eBooks in the SMASHWORDS Premium Library including Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

According to the news release:

Shipments to ScrollMotion will commence on Friday, and titles will begin appearing in the Apps marketplaces later this month. All Premium Catalog books are automatically opted in for ScrollMotion distribution. The conversion of our eBooks into an App is completely free. In the past, authors would often have to pay thousands of dollars to have their books converted into apps.

Here’s the link for the complete press release:

http://blog.smashwords.com/2011/05/smashwords-partners-with-scrollmotion.html

   I guess my work became an eBook at the perfect moment in time in the literary world of virtual readership!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here..

   One of the first great child actors when talkies emerged has died. Jackie Cooper’s career spanned seven decades, but he’s best remembered for his incredibly gifted performances during the earliest years of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   Cooper big break came from Hal Roach Studios when he was selected to become one of the members of the Our Gang comedy series. Acclaimed director Leo McCarey suggested the young actor be part of the troupe, and he was their first real star (before Spanky and Alfalfa).

   In 1931, he was loaned to Paramount to appear in Skippy. His cinematic performance was so riveting, at 9-years of age, he became the youngest nominee for a Best Actor in Oscar history. Roach promptly sold the tot’s contract to MGM, where he made a series of memorable movies including The Champ, The Bowery, and Treasure Island.

   Cast in small film roles after he served in the military during World War II, Cooper also starred in early television. He later turned to directing episodes of iconic shows as M*A*S*H and The White Shadow. He found a whole new audience when chosen as a replacement to an ailing Keenan Wynn as Perry White in the Superman movies that starred Christopher Reeve.

   Cooper announced his retirement in 1989, although he still directed installments of the syndicated cable series Superboy.  He occasionally engaged in first-hand stories on documentaries, and in retrospectives about Hollywood’s Studio Era.

   Jackie Cooper was 88.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’ve discovered more folks who have discovered Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History and they are sharing my paperback with the world wide web! Here are the details…

~ LITTLE FILM STORE – A great site to buy books about Hollywood including  my work. Here’s the link to this gem:

http://littlefilmstore.com/history_4495_1935359169_Forgotten-Hollywood-Forgotten-History.html

~ HOUSE OF KINDNESS – Barbara Kindness is a public relations guru who promotes authors, speakers, and entertainers. She’s a resident of Edmonds, Washington in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s the link to her new blog site:

http://www.houseofkindness.net/forgotten-hollywood-page/

Studio Backlots and Ranches

~ STUDIO BACKLOTS AND RANCHES – This is a blog page devoted to lost and memorable cinema backlots where motion pictures were filmed during the Silent Era and Hollywood’s Golden Age. These photographs are from the extensive historical collection of Bison Archives. Here’s  the link to this really informational site:

http://www.retroweb.com/studiobacklots.html

~ PAPERBACK SWAP – It’s an innovative website devoted to promoting literacy by literally exchanging books by readers and fans of this idea. I admit, this virtual Book Club is not a money-maker for me. However, I’m a good sport about this. According to their mission statement:

• It’s easy: List books you’d like to swap with other club members
• Once a book is requested, mail it to the club member
• In return, you may choose from 5,064,519 available books
• Books you request are mailed to you for free / No late fees / No hidden charges

   Here’s their site link:

http://www.paperbackswap.com/Forgotten-Hollywood-History-Manny-Pacheco/book/1935359169/

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Legends of Hollywood commemorative stamp series has recently included Katharine Hepburn, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Cary Grant. Add Gregory Peck to this impressive list. The star of motion pictures as Gentleman’s Agreement, The Yearling, Duel in the Sun, and Roman Holiday has been lionized by the U.S. Postal Service for his starring role from To Kill a Mockingbird (for which he received an Oscar for Best Actor in 1962). In 2003, the American Film Institute ranked Atticus Finch the #1 movie hero in American cinema. Harper Lee’s first and only novel turns 50 this year.

    Last week, the stamp was unveiled at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Since Peck was a member of the Academy and served as its president, the organization chose to host this prestigious program. The Postal Service set up a counter in the lobby so the general public could purchase first-day issues of this stamp. 

   Among the folk in attendance:  his widow Veronique, his children, Christopher Dodd (the President of the Motion Picture Association of America {MPAA} and former Connecticut senator), director Martin Scorsese, and actors Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman, Laura Dern, and Sharon Stone, who emceed the ceremony. Also on hand was Mary Badham, who played Finch’s daughter Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird.  The event concluded with a nostalgic documentary on Peck.

Legends of Hollywood Stamp Series 

1. Marilyn Monroe issued June 1, 1995
2. James Dean issued June 24, 1996
3. Humphrey Bogart issued July 31, 1997
4. Alfred Hitchcock issued August 3, 1998
5. James Cagney issued July 22, 1999
6. Edward G. Robinson issued October 24, 2000
7. Lucille Ball issued August 6, 2001
8. Cary Grant issued October 15, 2002
9. Audrey Hepburn issued June 11, 2003
10. John Wayne issued September 9, 2004
11. Henry Fonda issued May 20, 2005
12. Judy Garland issued June 10, 2006
13. Jimmy Stewart issued August 17, 2007
14. Bette Davis issued September 18, 2008
15. Gary Cooper issued September 10, 2009
16. Katharine Hepburn issued May 12, 2010

   It’s great to see the Postal Service help us remember Gregory Peck in the most visible of ways.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   BETTER WORLD BOOKS is a site that carries Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Currently, 22 copies are kept in their Indiana warehouse. Much like POWELL BOOKS, this is a multi-pronged national literary center that aggressively engages in the sales of books.

   Here’s a direct link:

 http://www.betterworldbooks.com/forgotten-hollywood-forgotten-history-id-1935359169.aspx

   What makes this organization special is their huge commitment to literacy. According to their website:

BETTER WORLD BOOKS collects and sells books online to fund literacy initiatives worldwide. With more than 8 million new and used titles in stock, we’re a self-sustaining company that creates social, economic and environmental value for all our stakeholders.

We were founded in 2002 by three friends from the University of Notre Dame who started selling textbooks online to earn some money, and ended up forming a pioneering social enterprise — a business with a mission to promote literacy. Thus far, we’ve donated 3.3 million books to programs around the world. Our five primary literacy partners are Books for Africa, Room to Read, Worldfund, Invisible Children, and the National Center for Family Literacy.

   I encourage you to purchase my paperback with a company dedicated to helping those less fortunate.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Legendary actress Debbie Reynolds will be our guest on the Forgotten Hollywood Radio Show  on The Spa next Saturday at 3pm. My co-host, Gary Lycan, will personally chat with the iconic star, and discuss a variety of topics, such as her storied career in cinema, her work as a dynamic songstress, and she will also share her thoughts about the many actors she’s appeared with during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Debbie will also select  some of her favorite Standards for us to play in this fine hour of radio.

   Fresh from her appearance at the TCM 2011 Film Festival, our special guest will also be promoting a memorabilia auction for the many MGM artifacts she has acquired over the years. Miss Reynolds will attend the auction at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills on June 18th. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History can also be purchased at their gift shop while you’re there.

   Debbie Reynolds has appeared in top-notch motion pictures including Singin’ In The Rain, The Affairs of Dobie Gillis, The Tender Trap, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, How the West was Won, Tammy and the Bachelor, The Singing Nun, and naturally,  That’s Entertainment.

   Reynolds won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Catered Affair in 1956. She’s also received nominations for an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and several Emmy awards in a career that has spanned seven-decades. In 1996, Debbie received a Lifetime Acheivement accolade from American Comedy Awards. Tammy was her biggest selling single, and she received a Gold Record in 1957.

   She was married at one time to Eddie Fisher, and her daughter Carrie is a noted actress who  appeared in Star Wars.

   If you’re outside the Southern California broadcast area, Forgotten Hollywood can be heard by clicking on the KSPA link below:

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/playlists/am1510kspa/am1510kspaKSPAAM.asx

   We’re proud to present to you a true living legend on AM 1450 and AM 1510 The Spa…  Miss Debbie Reynolds!

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Walt Disney Family Museum helped kick off the TCM 2011 Classic Film Festival with a screening of Walt’s earliest surviving animated shorts, the Laugh-O-Grams, presented in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art. The Laugh-O-Grams will have a special repeat screening on Sunday at 5:45 pm.

   Over the next couple of days, TCM will honor Disney’s Musical Legacy with theatre screenings of Fantasia; Silly Symphonies (selected short subjects hosted by Leonard Maltin); and the Hayley Mills / Sherman Brothers 1963 classic, Summer Magic.

   In honor of the TCM Film Fest retrospective of the films and music of Disney, 1510 THE SPA will rebroadcast an encore presentation of the Forgotten Hollywoood Radio Show’s tribute to this pioneering innovator of animation. The program will air TODAY at 3pm. If you live outside the broadcast area, you can click on the link below to listen to this wonderful hour of Disney we originally aired a few months ago.  WALT DISNEY

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/playlists/am1510kspa/am1510kspaKSPAAM.asx

   We’ll spend time looking at Walt Disney’s early career, embrace his song contributions during Hollywood’s Golden Age, examine his relationship with the talented composers of his animated films and television shows, and enjoy the memorable tunes featured at his theme parks.

   If you can’t attend the weekend film fest, this is the next best opportunity to enjoy the  MAGIC of Walt Disney.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   If you believe in fairy tales, it is my pleasure to offer an inside look at the Royal Wedding of Prince William Arthur Phillip Louis, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton. Rather than offer a narrative, let me take you to their site for all the pomp and pageantry…

   Over two billion folks Worldwide are expected to witness this blessed event…

Until next time>                               “never forget”