Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   My wife Laurie and I attended the 2010 Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting Christmas Party aboard a yacht formerly owned by the iconic John Wayne. Our gracious hosts, Tom and Lindy, invited the folks who train tomorrow’s broadcasters on a dinner cruise, which traveled along the Newport Beach Harbor area. What started as a friendly get-together, turned into an informative walking-tour retrospective, which captured a portion of The Duke’s private life.

   The Wild Goose, a 136-foot yacht, was a second home for the actor and his family during the last 16-years that he lived. The sailing vessel was a former U.S. Navy Minesweeper. Wayne was intent on maintaining its naval heritage, and left many of her original military elements intact; like the old-fashioned swivel wall fans, the bell, and the brass wheel in the wheelhouse. However, A wood-burning fireplace, poker table, and built-in wet bar were added to make the vessel a comfortable, family-friendly cruiser.

   Wayne’s last trip aboard The Wild Goose was a cruise to Catalina Island on Easter weekend in 1979. Before he died of complications from stomach cancer, he sold The Wild Goose to a Santa Monica attorney. Today, the yacht is still docked in Newport Beach, and is chartered for events through Hornblower Cruises.

   John Wayne is buried on a hill above Newport Beach, overlooking his beloved harbor.

   I suggest you visit this vital piece of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. You’ll enjoy the experience!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   At the time It’s a Wonderful Life was made in 1946, more than a few folks speculated that Director Frank Capra based his mythical community of Bedford Falls on the New York mill-town of Seneca Falls in Upstate New York. Well, the community has embraced this urban legend, and has just opened The Seneca Falls It’s a Wonderful Life Museum. The museum is free to the public during the week, and  displays several exhibitions that include movie posters, photographs, magazine covers, and memorabilia.   DIRECTOR FRANK CAPRA  —>

   Seneca Falls annually decorates its Main Street with holiday lights and wreaths, and resembles the town in the film. And, even though Capra never acknowledged the societal homage, he did often visit an aunt in nearby Auburn. He had a unique familiarity of the town. Also, characters in the movie refer to cities close to Seneca Falls (Elmira and Rochester).

   On hand for Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu, the youngest daughter of George and Mary Bailey in this heartwarming motion picture. At the end of the film, she tells James Stewart and Donna Reed:

“Teacher says – Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is proud to include special stories about many of the actors from this timeless classic including Beulah Bondi, Thomas Mitchell, Lionel Barrymore,  Ward Bond, and Gloria Grahame. And I believe, winter is the perfect season to open this most Wonderful museum.

“Atta boy, Clarence…”

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  For me, personally, the Holidays always begin when I get to celebrate my father’s birthday. Happy birthday POP !!  I love you…       ————————>

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’ll be visiting Las Vegas, January 9th-13th, to compete in the 2nd Annual  MOOSE INTERNATIONAL 2011 TEXAS HOLD ‘EM Poker Tourney. And, several members from my (Buena Park) Lodge are participating in the tourney. This is great news for a number of reasons…

* I get to help raise money for my official Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History charity:  MOOSEHEART Child City & School. A portion of my entrance fee will go to this fine educational facility.

* I’ll have access to MOOSE members from all over the country. I intend to introduce Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to these fine folks. My fraternal family will have a unique opportunity to purchase my book, and donate an additional $1 to MOOSEHEART.

* While visiting, I’ll get a chance to visit Barnes & Noble Book Sellers  that carry my paperback. I’m also planning an autograph party at one of these locations.

   Of course, this is Las Vegas! So I’m gambling this will be a fortuitous trip. All I can say is Shuffle Up & Deal…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m pleased to confirm over 100 book stores and shops carry Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. This is a very satisfying acheivement. Three Independent locations put me over the magic number:

* STORIES BOOKS * GIFTS * CAFE – Located in Echo Park at 1716 W. Sunset Blvd., just outside of Hollywood, an elegant place with wine tasting and a comfortable atmosphere. Here’s a link to their blog page:

http://www.storiesla.com/

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* APOSTROPHE BOOKS – Another Long Beach Indie bookstore has signed on to carry my paperback (complimenting Gatsby Books, and the Barnes & Noble / Borders chain of stores in the area). This is a quaint location in Belmont Shore at 4712 E. 2nd St. Here’s their link:

http://www.apostrophebooks.net/index.html

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* LIDO VILLAGE BOOKS – This is another location near the Pacific Ocean in Newport Beach (on the Balboa Peninsula). Actually, the shop has been carrying my book for a while now (as I discovered speaking with the owner). Their address is 3424 Via Oporto #101.

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   101 bookstores, gift shops, museums, and restaurants now carry Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History throughout the nation. Of course, this figure continues to expand…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Google, Inc. has set up an online virtual bookstore developed as a genial  alternative to Amazon. Unlike other web-friendly sources, Google is partnering with Independent book stores to help mom-and-pop shops keep up with the method of selling literary product. More than 100 book retailers in 36 states have teamed up with Google  including Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon; and the online-only merchant, Alibris.com.

   Of course, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is one of the books now available. Here’s the site link promoting my work (On Demand):

http://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Manny+Pacheco%22 

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   Shore Books in Long Beach is another retailer now carrying my paperback (On Demand). They’re located 3064 E. Broadway. Here’s a direct link to their website:

http://shorebooks.indiebound.com/book/9781935359166

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   I’d like to thank Robert Haro, a California resident who has positively reviewed Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History on Amazon. Giving it 4-Stars, he writes:

  Brief, but informative account of Hollywood history. Not for the serious scholar, but better for an informed layperson with an interest in some little known history of Hollywood.

   Robert’s remarks are right on the money, since I wanted to reach the average person who has a legitimate love for Americana and classic cinema. I appreciate the reviewer’s frank and unsolicited opinion.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Disney Studios has proudly distributed their 50th animated movie with the release of Tangled. Based on the Brothers Grimm 1812 fairy tale of Rapunzel, it’s a wonderful family-friendly motion picture that has Oscar written all over it. No one does it better in my estimation.

   Historically, Walt Disney took a chance in 1937 with his first animated Technicolor feature film release of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. Studio chiefs throughout Hollywood, and Disney’s wife were convinced it would fail. The film became the #1 money-maker of 1938, and was second only to Gone With the Wind for the decade. Prior to Snow White, animation was  presented in a two-reel format. Disney tested the Technicolor process in his 1936 short – The Three Little Pigs.

   The tale of Rapunzel, part of a comprehensive assemblage, was originally created back in 1698, adapted from Persinette by Charlotte-Rose de Caumont de La Force. The Brothers Grimm included the story in a collection that included Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. In 2002, a Barbie doll resembling Rapunzel was created for a new generation of children to enjoy.

   Kudos to Mandy Moore and a fine cast for providing a stellar vocal track. This latest feature is filled with a usual blend of humor and pathos; all classic Disney. As usual, the music is predictabaly top-notch. And, Tangled is the most expensive film made in the history of  screen animation.

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is delighted to celebrate the pioneering work and legacy of Walt Disney in Cinema.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I discovered a new site that sells Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History (On Demand). Their link is:

http://www.booksinc.net/storeinfo

   This website promotes the sales of books at locations in Anaheim and Northern California.

   The Orange County shop is in the heart of Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort at the Compass Books & Cafe. Known as The West’s Oldest Independent Bookseller, their address is 1565 S. Disneyland Dr. #102. And, they’ve just added my book to be purchased at their store by tourists for the Holidays. This is my 98th nationwide location.

   There are 10 Northern Cali stores stretching from Palo Alto, Berkeley, and San Francisco.

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   As a self-published author, I’m thrilled to get recognition from other sites promoting my work as an Indie seller of books. Enter Mark’s Writer’s Bloc  (as they put it):

An Indie Book Blog; Free Book Promotion; Indie Books; Indie Authors

   According to their website:

Basic Listing: Free!  Are you an author looking for free book promotion? Send your name, book title, book cover, description of your book, author bio, Amazon link and excerpt of your book to:  markoneal66@gmail.com.

   Here is a link to their website:

http://www.markswriterbloc.com/

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  Finally, a big thank you to my friends at Hollywood History: The Golden Era page on Facebook for a promotional message sent to their followers. I appreciate the kind words, and a link to my blog site.

   Here’s a link to their fine webpage:

http://www.facebook.com/HollywoodHistory

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Ching’s Cafe & International Restaurant is the 97th location to carry Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Located at 10832 Katella in Garden Grove, and minutes from Disneyland, this fine eatery is going to create a Hollywood environment that should attract tourists and regular customers from their busy neighborhood.

   Owner Cherie Jones just purchased enough books to sell in her restaurant to put me at 1300 in book sales. I completely appreciate her faith in my work. She tells me that even though they primarily serve Chinese food (made to order) to accommodate customers, she is expanding her menu to include Mexican and Italian cuisine.

   My goal is to jump-start the Hollywood angle by placing Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in her place of business. This is not a typical store to purchase my book. But I like Cherie’s out-of-the-box approach, and I’ll support Ching’s, wholeheartedly!

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   Congratulations to 85-year old Hal Holbrook for his latest performance (last night) as Mark Twain in honor of the writer on his 175th Birthday. The actor’s re-enactment as the famous  humorist at the (Samuel) Clemens Center in Elmira, New York drew a sellout crowd. Holbrook recited from memory a long passage from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and selected lectures from Twain’s celebrated turn-of-the-century world-wide tour.

HAL HOLBROOK                     MARK TWAIN

   Holbrook first appeared in Mark Twain Tonight in 1959. He would take his show on Broadway in 1966, and won a Tony Award the following year. He earned an Emmy nomination for the celebrated 1967 broadcast on CBS.

   Hal Holbrook has been a staple in cinema for 4 decades with roles in All The President’s Men, Magnum Force, Midway, Julia, Wall Street, and The Firm. He received an Oscar nomination in 2008 for his crusty performance in Into the Wild.

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History personally thanks Hal Holbrook for remembering Mark Twain, who died in 1910 (a century ago).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is committed to the education of children. As you know, $1 for every sale of the 1st edition of my work will go to MOOSEHEART Child and City School, outside of Chicago; and part of MOOSE International, Inc.

   And now, BORDERS is doing something extraordinarily special on a nationwide level. Any  customer making an in-store purchase on Dec. 4th – 5th (whether a book or food item), will receive a $15 Gift Card to donate to a public school of their choice through the internet-based charity, DonorsChoose.org. Anyone purchasing the book – Waiting for Superman: How We Can Save America’s Failing Public Schools (published by PublicAffairs, part of the Perseus Books Group) – will receive an additional $15 Gift Card. DonorsChoose.org and BORDERS announced this national campaign on Sunday.

   The bottom line – if anyone decides to buy Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History on December 4th – 5th, not only will you aid my official MOOSE charity, you’ll obtain a Gift Card that automatically goes to your favorite local public school. I urge you to visit any one of my 27 BORDERS locations in Southern California, and do some charitable Christmas shopping. For a complete list of book stores, visit the Navigation Bar to the left, and click on the Book Purchase Locations link. Then click on the BORDERS Location link for the shop nearest you.

   DonorsChoose.org is underwritten by CNN, Hewlett Packard, Chevron, Chase, The Wall Street Journal, and NPR.

   Tis the season to help the needy and less fortunate…

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   Happy birthday to my wife – Laurie.  YOU ARE MY LOVE !!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Most younger folks remember Leslie Nielsen as a great comedian. Over the last 3 decades,  he co-starred in Airplane!, The Naked Gun series, and in a couple of Scary Movies. However, this fine character actor toiled in variety of genres that spanned over 100 movie credits, and 1,500 television appearances. Most media experts will discuss in the coming days about his large comedic ability, most notably in the Police Squad! series, which led to The Naked Gun films. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History chooses to remember his entire stellar career…

   The Canadian-born actor was inspired to perform by his famous uncle – Jean Hersholt. Nielsen began his long career during The Golden Age of Television, and was cast in several episodes of  Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The New Breed, and The Virginian. He also had recurring roles on The Bold Ones, Hawaii 5-0, Columbo, The Streets of San Francisco, Kung Fu, and Murder She Wrote.

LESLIE NIELSEN & ANNE FRANCIS IN FORBIDDEN PLANET

   In his early motion pictures, Nielsen usually played villains, or persons-of-authority. His most notable pre-comedic screen roles were in Forbidden Planet, Tammy and the Bachelor, Ransom!, and The Poseidon Adventure. He also auditioned for Ben-Hur, though he was not selected. When not on television, he spent most of the 1960s in “B” Westerns.

   In 1993, he wrote what he called a Fictional Autobiography called The Naked Truth. The tagline to the book: At Last! The Hero of The Naked Gun Tells His Incredible Life Story — Uncensored, Uninhibited, and Totally Made Up!  There is no question, this versatile actor completely embraced the Comedy genre.

   Between appearing in those popular comedies, he often toured with his one-man show on the life of the great defense lawyer, Clarence Darrow.

   Leslie Nielsen died on Sunday from complications with pneumonia. He was 84.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Another book store this week with VILLAGE as part of its name has added Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. To compliment Village Books in Pacific Palisades…The Village Book Shop in Glendora will now carry my work. Located in the heart of this quaint community in the San Gabriel Valley, I’m proud to announce I’ll also be signing books at this location on Tuesday, December 21st from 7p-9p. The Village Book Shop is at 123 North Glendora Ave.  DEBORAH GOULD / THE VILLAGE BOOK SHOP —–>

   The owner is Deborah Gould, daughter of the Emmy-nominated character actor Harold Gould. Her father appeared in The Sting as Kid Twist (Best Picture of 1973); the 1974 version of The Front Page,  starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau; Two For The Seesaw; Inside Daisy Clover; and Silent Movie. He also appeared as the father of Richie Cunningham in the pilot for Happy Days, which aired on an episode of Love American Style; and he had recurring roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, and The Golden Girls.

<–Harold Gould’s fine performances compliment the subjects of my work, and I’m absolutely thrilled to visit his daughter’s book shop for the Holidays.

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   Three new BARNES & NOBLE stores have added my paperback to their shelves. You will find it in Washington D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Oak Brook and Orland Park, Illinois; and this also means we are in 48 B&N book shops. We’ve now reached our 96th nationwide location.

   How fitting to find Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in our nation’s capital. We’ve come full circle, it seems, when you consider our esteemed Secretary of State (and former First Lady), Hilary Clinton, once wrote a book entitled It Takes a Village.

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   Finally, here are the links to the recent press releases about the GOLD recipients (including Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History) from the year’s 2010 WORLD BOOK AWARDS:

http://www.prlog.org/11087121-world-book-awards-2010-winners-announced.html

http://www.worldbookawards.com/html

Until next time>                               “never forget”

 Manny P. here…

   The Thanksgiving holiday has a rich tradition dating back the earliest days of our nation.

   Here’s wishing you a happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends. God Bless you all…

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Several more Independent book stores have decided to stock Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History as the Holidays approach. A couple of other shops will also carry my book (on demand) for you to order as that special gift. These stores are in a variety of California locations. Depending on where you live, I urge you to check them out…

* VILLAGE BOOKS – This neighborhood store is at 1049 Swathmore Ave. in Pacific Palisades. According to their website:

On July 4th, 1997, amidst fireworks and parades, Katie O’Laughlin opened the doors of Village Books to Pacific Palisades. Located at the end of a shop-lined street in the heart of town, Village Books is a small store that offers a wide selection of books, weekly events with authors, and an inviting refuge for readers.

The concrete floor of the store is peppered with quotes from enduring heavyweights like Einstein and Thoreau, to quips by Mae West and James Thurber. A trompe l’oeil mural on the floor remembers Irish writers, including James Joyce and Samuel Beckett, who are painted in deep discussion around a table with Maya Angelou and Katie’s late father.

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* FLINTRIDGE BOOK STORE & COFFEEHOUSE – This is a full-service independent book store in La Canada. They are located at 1010 Foothill Blvd. On their Facebook page:

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* RUSSO’S MARKETPLACE BOOKS – I’m particularly happy to find this gem in Central California. Their address is 900 Ming Ave., #1-4 in Bakersfield. Recently, they have organized prestigious booksignings with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and Olympic medalist Apolo Ohno. According to their website:

The Russo Family (Kathleen & Tony, and their children, Michael, Anna-Marie, Patricia, and John) has owned and operated Russo’s Books since 1989. The company has grown and flourished to become Bakersfield’s premier Independent bookstore.

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   In addition to these new locations, two other book shops can order my book from their warehouse (upon demand)…

* THE BOOK WORKS – Located in Del Mar (San Diego), The Book Works is located east of the I-5 at the Via De La Valle exit. They are in the Flower Hill Promenade on the second level.

* METROPOLIS BOOKS – This Independent book store is in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles at 440 South Main Street. Edwards Air Force Base, radio station KCRW, and SCIBA are top organizations supporting this fine venue.

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   This brings the number of stores carrying Forgotten Hollywood  Forgotten History to 91 (in addition to 6 confirmed mom-and-pop  locales with my work available on demand). Click Book Purchase section of the Navigation Bar, you’ll see I have realigned all of the Independent shops. They are now the 3rd largest category of  locations (behind Barnes & Noble and  Borders).

https://www.forgottenhollywood.com/independent-book-store-locations

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I have found two Independent book stores where you can purchase Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History (on demand). They deserve your patronage:

* SKYLIGHT BOOKS –  According to their website:

We’re a general bookstore serving such historic L.A. neighborhoods as Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Echo Park; located in the shadow of Griffith Park and its iconic Observatory, and surrounded by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, R.M. Schindler, and Richard Neutra. Our eclectic clientele, including many local artists, musicians, writers, and scholars, challenges us to provide the cutting edge of culture including the best in literary fiction, books on music, art, film and theatre, Los Angeles regional culture and history, graphic literature, children’s books, political theory, and more.

We opened November 1, 1996. Located at 1818 N. Vermont Ave., 3 1/2 blocks north of the Sunset/Vermont Metro Station, just next to the Los Feliz 3 Cinemas.

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* ST. HELEN’S BOOK SHOP – Located at the site of one of the most famous active volcanos on the West Coast, this store sells items that actually celebrate Hollywood’s story. According to their website:

Lots of books.  And what we don’t have on hand, we’re more than happy to order.  We can get pretty much any book that’s still in print. From time to time, we end up with rare and/or unusual books in the store, and we’ll list them here for you.

We’re located at 2149 Columbia Blvd in St. Helens, OR, next to Houlton Bakery across from Sunshine Pizza.

   Royal Navy Commander George Vancouver of the HMS Discovery made the Europeans’ first recorded sighting of Mount St. Helens on May 19, 1792. Vancouver named the mountain for British diplomat Alleyne Fitzherbert, 1st Baron St Helens on October 20, 1792, as it came into view when the Discovery passed into the mouth of the Columbia River.

   In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, and became the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the U.S. 57 people were killed; 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles of railways, and 185 miles of highway were destroyed. The Eruption of Mount St. Helens was a popular documentary that chronicled the destructive event.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   There’s a new place to buy my paperback. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History can now be found with The Bookman in Orange County, CA. According toindependent owner David (The Bookman):

We specialize in used, out-of-print, and unique books! Our online inventory is updated daily for exactly what you want. We have safe and secure ordering at your fingertips. And, visit our HUGE paperback room.

   I invite you visit our new friend:  The Bookman at 840 N. Tustin St. in Orange. This is my 88th location.

   Here’s the link to their website: www.ebookman.com

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   The Southern California Library (The People’s Library) has also accepted a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History for their shelves. According to their website:

The Southern California Library is a people’s library dedicated to documenting and preserving the histories of communities in struggle for justice and using our collections to address the challenges of the present so that all people have the ability, resources, and freedom to make their own histories. Because of the support of people like you, the Library’s resources on creating change in Los Angeles are available to everyone. We are an independent organization.

   The Southern California Library (my 48th library)  is located at 6120 S. Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles. Here is a link to their website:

http://www.socallib.org/support/index.html

Until next time>                               “never forget”