Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   I’ve been invited to attend the 2010 Edmonds International Film Festival this Fall. This world-class event is moving from Idaho to Washington to present the latest top independent films created this year. The Film Fest is now being sponsored by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, which will make it a city wide experience.

   Edmonds is 15 miles northwest of Seattle, and overlooks Puget Sound. According to the Festival website:

It’s official, a world-class international film festival is headed to Edmonds, Washington, bringing a chance for you to see new independent films from visionary directors around the world. Comedy, drama, action, adventure, romance, documentaries and much more in short and feature formats will be screened, with stars, filmmakers, crews, writers and more there to support their film and tell you, the audience, all about it. Learn from experts during our workshops and seminars, and be entertained by their war-stories of making independent films in the 21st century during panel discussions.

   And this from the My Edmunds News.com:

   The festival aims to be a signature event for Edmonds. For starters, there will be a gala kick-off party the evening of Oct. 20. Three evenings of films and three days of workshops.  A book signing by radio and television personality Manny Pacheco, author of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.  An awards brunch. And oh, yes — let’s not forget the red carpet that will be rolled out for celebrities.

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History will be showcased during the Film Festival. I’ll be negotiating with the organizers in presenting a classic film retrospective I’ll most likely host. I’ll also present my book signing at the Edmonds Theatre. According to literary publicist, Barbara Kindness, I shall also be involved with the on-going 30th Annual Friends Book Sale, which will take up the gymnasium of the Anderson Center during the same weekend in conjunction with the Fest.

   It’s really exciting about an opportunity that awaits in the state of Washington for me on  October 23rd & 24th. I’m thrilled my book will be featured during such a prestigious occasion.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   One of the most talented character actors that Hollywood has ever produced has died. Patricia Neal was an Oscar, Tony, and Golden Globe winning performer of the stage and screen.

   Her substantial film credits include The Fountainhead, Operation Pacific, The Day the Earth Stood Still, In Harm’s Way, A Face in the Crowd, The Subject Was Roses, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and her Academy Award-winning performance in Hud.

  She was also known as an extreme survivor, after living a full active life despite suffering three strokes in 1965. The situation left her in a coma for almost four weeks, yet she came back to have a fine acting career. The only real setback from the strokes was she had to turn down the part of Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, since she had not fully recovered.   PATRICIA NEAL / ANDY GRIFFITH

      The Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center that concentrates on helping people recover from strokes and spinal cord and brain injuries is named for her in Knoxville, where she grew up. This fine actress also became a noted pro-life advocate.

   Neal’s real art was to under-play her parts, which offered compelling quiet performances on screen. On television, she was the initial Mother Walton in the pilot episode of The Waltons. Again, she bowed out of the idea of playing on episodic television due to concerns about her health once the show was picked up.

   Patricia Neal lived a full 84 years when she died on Sunday.

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   I’m happy to include a 29th public library. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is now at the Warsaw, Indiana branch. Middle-America has really embraced my book, with libraries all over Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky and now Indiana in the mix.

   Warsaw is known as the Orthopedic Capital of the World. The first orthopedic device was manufactured there in 1895. It’s a small community in the northern part of the state.

   Large or small, all libraries are welcomed to the fold.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Author Elizabeth Marcheschi of Denver, Colorado recently found out about my donation of $1 of every book sold of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History’s first printing to the MooseHeart charity outside of Chicago, Il. It prompted her to send a very kind message.  She writes:

I remember driving past MooseHeart as a child. In my memories, it always seems to be during the holidays, but perhaps that was when I thought about it most. My parents would always patiently explain to me how MooseHeart was there to take care of orphans.

Conversely, I had an ulterior motive. My campaign to change my status from “only” child to “oldest child, started virtually from the day I was born at Copley Hospital in Aurora (not far from MooseHeart). Since I was born on their fourteenth wedding anniversary, my parents were reproductively challenged or reproductively uncooperative. Thus, around the age of four, I changed tactics. I began (obsessively, perhaps) suggesting that they adopt. MooseHeart, in my mind was the perfect place to find a sibling. By that point, I was willing to accept any position in birth order from youngest to oldest. My parents, fooled me by changing their spin on MooseHeart, telling me that, if anything happened to them, MooseHeart was there.

In 1968, it did. My mother died, making me a half-orphan, and MooseHeart became a safety net in my mind. Later, my father remarried, I gained a pair of younger step-sisters to love and occasionally tyrannize. I grew into a teenager, went away to college, and eventually moving to Southern California. There, from home and family, I spoke to my step-sisters often by phone. On one of those phone calls, my youngest step-sister, Jennie, mentioned that she and her husband were active in their local Moose Lodge, I thought back to MooseHeart. I thought of their two then-tiny daughters, and relaxed, knowing that if anything happened to all of us, MooseHeart would always be there for my nieces.

Thank you for thinking of MooseHeart in your generosity.

   MooseHeart is a wonderful organization. For more information on my charity, please use the Navigation Bar to your left and click on the link. And, thank you Elizabeth for sharing your childhood memories.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Two more libraries in Illinois have added Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, bringing the national total to 28. The state is second only to California in the number of libraries embracing my paperback.

  The first of these locations can be found in Des Plaines, a suburb of Chicago. Known as the City of Destiny, it rests next to O’Hare International Airport. Also, the first McDonalds was built in this area.

   The movie – The Breakfast Club – was filmed there. Famed playwright David Mamet also referenced Des Plaines in his work Glengarry Glen Ross.

  Another library in this locale now carries my book in the township of Park Ridge. The suburb is 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.

   Some relatively famous folks have resided in Park Ridge including US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton; and actors Harrison Ford, Carrie Snodgress, and Karen Black. Grant Wood, famous for his painting American Gothic, also lived in Park Ridge.

   Six libraries in Illinois have now included my book to their shelves. One location near Chicago which will receive my book as a gift (and a significant donation) is MOOSEHEART, my official charity. I plan on this special moment to occur when the paperback sells out its first printing (hopefully sometime in 2011).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   If you live in Orange County, I urge you to watch my interview next week on cable. Depending on what city you live in, and what cable provider you own… What’s Up Orange County has invited me as a guest on their show. The host of the program, Scott D. Stewart is excited to chat about Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, which I’m glad to share with his audience.

   The interview is scheduled to take place at the Starting Gate in Los Alamitos. For a complete listing of the program – check out Gary Lycan’s radio column in the Orange County Register on Sunday.

   The segment is also on YouTube. Check my Navigation Bar to the left (under Visual/Audio) to catch the interview on your computer.

   Here is the schedule (depending on where you live):

COX COMMUNICATIONS

   TIME WARNER CABLE  

Manny P. here…

   The fourth library in Illinois has just added Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. The city along the Missouri / Southern Illinois border now carrying my paperback is Wood River, most famous for being near the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803-04.

   Merriweather Lewis declared the mouth of the Dubois River to be the expedition’s official point of departure, known today as Wood River Creek. Many local businesses, schools, streets, and bridges still bear the names Lewis and Clark. The trek was the first organized journey undertaken by the U.S. to the Pacific Ocean (and back). The expedition was directed by the Federal Government to determine how much land was acquired during the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. President Jefferson determined – military and scientific exploration was necessary.

   The lasting result of the excursion would be Western expansion by settlers. It’s historical importance is well-documented. In fact, the first official meeting with the Sioux Nation was during this trip in what is now North Dakota. The expedition would cross the Continental Divide, through Portland, Oregon, and atop Mount Hood. From this vantage point, the team witnessed the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

   The city of Wood River drips in historical significance. I’m proud to include this locale as the 25th place to carry my work.

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   A 26th library can also be found in central Wisconsin. The Marathon County Public Library system located in Wausau has just added my paperback. The central part of our nation is still enchanted with classic cinema, for which I am grateful.

   By the way, I plan to highlight The Dairy State in my next book when I focus on actor Jack Carson. This noted studio era-comedian spent his formidable youth in Milwaukee before eventually traveling to Hollywood. His love of Wisconsin was very well known.

Until next time.                                 “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I received a cordial call from Katherine Royalty from the Central Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library system. She recently ordered a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History for their main location. She additionally mentioned that my paperback has been placed on the August recommended-buy list for all 72 branches in LA.

   Each library makes their book-buying decisions based on interest and need. Royalty assured me that recommendations from the Central Library carry weight in the ordering process. She was pleased over the positive reviews I’ve received from Amazon contributors, and showed enthusiasm over my work. She asked me to call her in mid-August to confirm the exact branch locations adding my book to their prestigious shelves (and I will pass the info on to the readers of this blog at a later date).

   With all the proposed library cutbacks and layoffs going on currently by the LA City Council and the Mayor’s office, I urge folks to contact City Hall (by phone or email) to voice their protest over these unfortunate budgetary decisions. We owe our subsequent generation of readers to provide comprehensive opportunities in education within the nation’s 2nd largest city.

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   On a personal note, I’d like to wish my mother the very happiest of birthdays. I’m sending her to the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to attend the Hollywood Book Festival – 2010 Best Book Awards event. This should be a great time!

   I love you mom…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Once again, thanks to Laura Danforth of Danforth Book Distribution for providing me this month’s retail numbers. Because of the latest July invoice, I just confirmed Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has crossed the 900-books-sold threshold.

   This figure still doesn’t cover sales during my Spring book-signings at local Borders and Costco stores, nor does it reflect the spike at Amazon (when my paperback sold out 4 times in a 48 hour period after my appearance on FOX 11 in May). I consider this fantastic news.

   FYI, Danforth Book Distribution handles over 65 books each month, making sure noted authors can be found at major book stores around the country (and all over the world). Click on the link below to find out the literary work Laura distributes:

http://danforthbooks.com/

 Unil next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

    Kudos to Larissa Wohl, a cable news reporter on El Segundo TV-Magazine, for her solid journalistic story about the recent Author Fair at their local library. The report now appears on YouTube. It’s a nice chance to check out this news segment if you don’t live in the city of El Segundo.

Here’s the link to the news story:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ElSegundoTV#p/u/8/wpFDugaDihQ

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is very prominent in the report. I’m glad I didn’t end up on the cutting room floor (lol). The real winner in the piece is the concept of reading books, which is a noble premise.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s amazing. I’m talking about my wife’s Movie Quilt. She designed it to honor my book.

  The design showcases a number of cinema-related items including a director, reels of celluloid, clapboard, projector, and Hollywood. It also highlights memorable movies – Gone With The Wind and The Wizard Of Oz. In the outer section: Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, Judy Garland, and Frank Morgan. Laurie also paid homage to 42nd Street, the Busby Berkeley musical, in the interior layout.

   It really is magnificent. The snap shot here doesn’t do the actual quilt justice. But, I felt it was time to at least tease you with a photograph of it. I will display this wonderful quilt at upcoming book-signings including  Cinecon in September and The Latino Book and Family Festival in October.

   Thank you honey!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A dollar for every one of my books sold benefits MooseHeart, a non-profit educational facility located in Chicago, sponsored by Moose International, Inc. This fact is listed in the Copyright section of my paperback. I’ll be proud to provide a check to the charity upon completion of sales of the first edition of my work (approximately $2500).

   Amazon is also providing proceeds from the sales of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to a charity. According to their website:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/storefront/index.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sellerID=AOG4J3OGFSGMA

Manny P. here…

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is making its way into small towns. The rural community of Kewanee, Illinois has a small public library, which has now added my paperback. This is the 23rd national location to house my work.

   Kewanee (Indian for prarie chicken) is located near Peoria, and is well known as The Hog Capital of the World. In reality, the town’s largest plant manufactures steam boilers. These well-known boilers were featured in The Blues Brothers movie, and an updated film version of the John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row. Their high school monicker is The Boilermakers  (the same nickname as Purdue University).

   Middle America has tremendous Midwestern values, and a great place to find Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m delighted the Hollywood Book Festival has just made Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History a Finalist (Biography / Autobiography Category) in their 2010 Book Contest. This is now the second honor my paperback has received. Actually, my book was one of the runners-up to the overall winner of the entire contest, which I believe is quite impressive.

   Here’s the overall results in my category according to their press release:

HOLLYWOOD BOOK FESTIVAL NAMES 2010 WINNERS

HOLLYWOOD, CA. (July 12, 2010) – The 2010 Hollywood Book Festival has named God, The Universe, and Where I Fit In by Dr. Laurie Ann Levin as the winner of its annual competition honoring books worthy of further attention from the film and TV industries.

BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

WINNER

God, The Universe, and Where I Fit In / Laurie Ann Levin

HONORABLE MENTION

• Homeboy’s Soul / Don Armijo and Fred Stawitz
• Laffit: Anatomy of a Winner / Madelyn Cain
• Breaking Clean / Judy Blunt
• Agnes Moorehead:  The Lavender Lady / Quint Benedetti
• Wheeling The Deal / Chip Jacobs
• Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History / Manny Pacheco
• The Passion and Death of Rahman the Kurd / Carol Prunhaber
• The Little Coat / Alan J. Buick

Here’s a link to the entire press release:

http://www.hollywoodbookfestival.com/winners2010.html

   The Hollywood Book Festival will be holding their annual awards ceremony on Friday, July 23 at the Roosevelt Hotel. The hotel, one of the restored gems of Hollywood, was the home to the first Academy Awards, and is convenient to the main attractions of the city.

   What a feeling of accomplishment to be considered in this select group.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is breezing along in retail sales, thanks in large part to the Hollywoodland Experience gift shop along Hollywood Blvd. In fact, the whole Hollywood-Mega chain in the area are moving my paperback out of their stores on a weekly basis.

   Because of this wonderful news, I can now report 33% in sales, and that figure should start moving upward rapidly as I start receiving monetary compensation from Costco, Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

   I will be stopping at the Universal Citywalk gift shops to see if there is an interest in my book… With a little luck, I will report even more good news later in the week.

   Summer is sizzling with each purchase of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

Until next time>                               “never forget”