Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

   The success of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is mounting! Tonight, I made my confirmed 400th sale for the paperback. The number is obviously higher; but in the publishing business…there is a certain amount of lag time in confirmation from the actual book retailers – to wholesaler – and finally to the author.

   Thanks to my good friend, Tom Terrific, a karaoke host in Southern California who made the memorable purchase. Tom works in Huntington Beach / Westminster on Tuesdays at Michael’s Sports Bar; and in Long Beach on Saturdays at Clancys. Tom is also a noted lover of classic movies, so I know he will enjoy my book.

   Next stop:  Borders – Yorba Linda on Saturday from 1p-3p for my book signing. A reminder, this particular store is in the Savi Ranch Shopping Center, off the 91 freeway (the Weir Canyon exit). I can’t wait to meet you and talk classic films!

   Karaoke Host Tom Terrific  

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Chevalier’s Book’s is one the premier Southern California independent sellers of literature. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History can now be found at Chevalier’s.

   In addition to now selling my paperback, I will be doing a pre-Turner Classic Movies, 2010 Film Festival book signing at this special location. The date of this event is April 18th, Sunday, from 1p-3p. Go to the Chevalier’s Book link at the navigation bar to the left for more info.

   The topic of my book compliments the nature of the upcoming Festival.

   I hope you will stop by and visit the eclectic and uniformly revered Chevalier’s Books, located at 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., right by Hollywood. The store recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. I offer my heartfelt congratulations!

   One more item, while at my navigation bar, visit the new sites including, Good Reads, the Amazon Author page, Creative Media, LA Radio.com, Twitter, and the new locations on my Book Tour Schedule page.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Look for my radio appearance on the Lunchtime With Ira program, a radio/internet show that promotes Las Vegas and features Ira David Sternberg talking with the celebrities, entertainers, writers and personalities who make Las Vegas the most exciting city in the world.

   Some of the guests who have appeared on Ira’s program:

Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Michael Bublé, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Andy Williams, Paul Anka, Vince Gill,  Bill Cosby, Don Rickles, Jon Lovitz, Chazz Palminteri, Jamie Farr, Joe Piscopo, Adam West, David Copperfield, Rich Little, Emeril Lagasse, Don King, Bob Eubanks, and Robin Leach

   Lunchtime With Ira can be heard on KUNV-FM (91.5) at 6 p.m. (PST) on Thursdays, as well as online at http://kunv.unlv.edu/ .  Of course, we will be discussing my new book – Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

   If you don’t live in the Vegas area, make sure you stream it online, Thursday, February 11th at 6pm (PST) at http://kunv.unlv.edu/.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“Puppy Bowl” contender – ENO

   Jeff Bordner lives in Utah, and he is the most successful voice-over guy outside of Southern California. We’ve been  buddies for almost thirty years. And, he just ordered a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History through Amazon.

   If you don’t know about Puppy Bowl VI, just ask your children. It’s very popular with the younger set. And, the Kitty Half Time Show is funny and entertaining. Last year, I watched Puppy Bowl V! Check your local cable listings for Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VI starring my pal, Jeff Bordner! Here’s a link leading to a promotion of the event…

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/about.html

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   To compliment 27 Borders book stores in Southern California, The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, and The Granada Pavilion in Granada Hills …Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History can now be purchased at 3 Barnes and Noble locations.

   Additionally, B&N promises if you reserve it online, you can pick up your copy of the paperback at the Barnes and Noble store of your choice within an hour (after they send you an email  confirmation) !! What a great offer…

   You can currently find the book at:

The Grove at Farmers Market
189 Grove Drive Suite K 30
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Aliso Viejo Town Center
26751 Aliso Creek Road
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Puente Hills  17490 Colima Road
Rowland Heights, CA 91748

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has landed all over Southern California in 2010. What’s your excuse? Go pick up a copy!

   We’ll keep you posted with more locations as they arrive.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P here…

   Now that 31 Borders stores in Southern California are currently carrying Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, I’m proud to announce book-signings at participating locations. Several stores have expressed interest on having events over the next two-three months.

   Borders in Yorba Linda / Anaheim Hills has confirmed a book-signing on Saturday, February 20 between 1-3pm. This location is located off the 91 freeway, Weir Canyon exit at 22401 Old Canal Rd. in the Savi Ranch Shopping Center  (you can actually see the Borders from the freeway). I would like to personally thank General Manager Jamie Valdez for her exuberance in setting this event up.

   Borders in La Habra has also committed to a March book-signing on a Saturday to be determined over the next couple of weeks. This store is convenietly located on the corner of Beach and Imperial Hwy. Again, thanks to General Manager Trent Vernon for his friendly willingness to set up a book-signing event.

    A reminder – For full details on my event signings, please refer to the Navigation Bar to the left in the appropriate Book Tour Schedule section for updates.

   Remember, I’ll be at the Los Altos Branch Library in Long Beach, Tuesday at 6pm to discuss “How to Self-Publish YOUR Book” to the California Writers Club. The event is actually free for any potential author in the area. A book-signing will follow after the lecture.

   Please go to the following link for more information…

http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/writers-club-become-published-author/

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   What a week we are having!

   You can now find Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in 10 Southern California Borders stores. They can be found at each location in the All Things Local – Local History section. Here’s where you can find the paperback:

LOS ANGELES                              

EL SEGUNDO  –  TORRANCE

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

NORTHRIDGE 

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

ARCADIA

ORANGE COUNTY

BREA  –  MISSION VIEJO   –  RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA

INLAND EMPIRE

RANCHO CUCAMONGA  –  RIVERSIDE

VENTURY COUNTY

 SIMI VALLEY  

   For exact addresses, go to www.borders.com. Next stop…book signings at a Borders location in Southern California near you!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   As promised, here is how I filled out my ballot for this year’s Screen Actors Guild Acting Awards. I consider 2009 a down year for the quality of movies. And I believe some folks and films should have been considered for specific awards.  Let me explain:

OUTSTANDING MALE:  Jeremy Renner

   It comes down to Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) and Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker). Ben Foster (The Messenger) should have received a nod. Bridges is getting all of the attention. However, Crazy Heart seems way too familiar to other movies showcasing the washed up older guy (ie. The Wrestler last year). Renner was uncompromising and ferocious. It’s not sexy, but he’s my pick.

OUTSTANDING FEMALE:  Sandra Bullock

   The best performance of Sandra Bullock’s career (The Blind Side)! A great movie and a great cast, which should have been given overall consideration. I liked Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia) and Carey Mulligan (An Education), but Bullock really delivers.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING MALE:  Christoph Waltz

   I didn’t enjoy Inglourious Basterds. Revising history for any reason on film is dangerous.

   That said, Christoph Waltz is delicious in his villainy. Flat out the best performance by any actor (male or female) this season. In another year, Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones) or Woody Harrelson (The Messenger) might have been my pick, but not today. Alfred Molina (An Education) was outstanding and deserves Oscar consideration. I wish he would have received a SAG Award nomination.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING FEMALE:  Anna Kendrick

   Two outstanding performances this year – Mo’nique (Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire) and Anna Kendrick (Up In the Air). Mo’nique probably wins this award. However, Kendrick is funny, sad, and extremely talented in a very slick hip film. I’m not complimenting the movie, per se, but she was fun everytime she appeared on screen.

OUTSTANDING CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE:  An Education

   The Blind Side, An Education, and The Hurt Locker were outstanding. Actually, Invictus was quite good too. I’ll be very disappointed if Inglourious Bastards, Nine or Precious wins this award. An Education was the biggest surprise, so I voted for this motion picture. If The Hurt Locker is chosen, it won’t bother me at all…

   Because ten pictures will be nominated for an Oscar this year, I hope The Blind Side is included.

   These are my official choices. I hope you will take my suggestions on the movies I believe were worth watching… I’m proud of my 28-year membership in SAG.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

I have exciting news!

   A preliminary deal has been reached with Costco Wholesale chain to sell Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in two of their brick-and-mortar stores in Los Angeles County. The paperback should be available around February 15th at the Burbank and Hollywood locations. What a thrill to add this major store to the places where you can currently buy the book: The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills and The Granada Pavilion in Granada Hills.

   The Burbank address of Costco is 1051 Burbank Blvd. The LA address in Hollywood is 2901 Los Feliz Blvd. I’ll work the membership warehouses to provide appropriate signage for my work.

   I also plan on setting up book-signing appearances at both locations. I hope to set this up soon with the local Costco stores. You’ll be the first to know when the days are assigned for these book events.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Everyone is invited to attend my lecture at the California Writers Club of Long Beach on Tuesday, February 2nd at 6pm. I’ll be discussing the creation of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History including self-publication, marketing, and distribution. I’ll bring flyers and provide information about my team who have worked tirelessly in making my paperback a “fairy tale” success.

   Immediately after the lecture and Q&A, I’ll be selling my book and personally autographing them. The event will be held at the Los Altos Branch Library at 5614 Britton Dr. (one block east of Bellflower Bl. and one block south of Stearns) in Long Beach.

   Topics will include:

• Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History (of course) !!
• How to diagram a non-fiction book (from Table of Contents to Appendix)
• How to layout your book (including cover and back cover development)
• Photos that will bring your words to life (and legal issues regarding use)
• Finding the right publisher
• Setting up a Web Site and other marketing tools (a complete strategy)
• How the distribution process works (the importance of wholesalers)
• YOUR involvement in selling the book

Los Altos Library

   If you’re interested in creating your dream book using my ideas and techniques, or if you’d like to purchase a copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History… stop on by!

   Here’s the direct website link for further info on this fun and educational event:

http://www.calwriterslongbeach.org:80/

THIS IS PERSONAL INVITATION…

And best of all, the event is FREE !!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

Luise Ranier

   The oldest living Oscar winning actress will be celebrating her 100th birthday next week. Luise Ranier won back to back Academy Awards in 1936 & 1937 for The Great Ziegfeld and The Good Earth.  Her small role in Ziegfeld led to the creation of the Best Supporting Acting award the following year.

   She made two memorable television appearances on Combat and The Love Boat. I recently watched the episode on Combat, and found her to be compelling and as gifted an actress as she was in the 1930’s.

   Happy Birthday to Luise Ranier, who lives quietly in London.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I found something that was special 95 years ago, and still relevant today. I’d like to share it with you as we enter 2010.

Until next time (year)>                     “never forget”

Manny P. here…

Celeste Holm / Gentleman’s Agreement

   The Margaret Herrick Library at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences welcomed their newest voters for the 2010 Oscar Ceremony in a private reception today. The 133 new Academy members join the over 5,600 voters who   will make their selections for the 82nd annual gala to be held on March 7th. The nominees will be announced on February 2nd. Ballots went out today to the entire Academy membership.

   I’m proud the Margaret Herrick Library recently added my paperback Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to their shelves.

   Tomorrow the 16th annual SAG Award ballots will be mailed to all of its members across the country for their selection of winners. I’m a voting member of this prestigious award, and I’ve voted every year since the SAG Award’s inception. One year, I was actually on the Television Nomination Committee (year #4). And, my wife and I attended the live ceremony two years ago (year #14). The 2010 awards presentation will be held on January 23rd at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center.

   Good Luck to all the nominees. I’ll announce my voting selection on this blog in the future, since I cherish my right to vote for the SAG Awards. We’ll see how well I do with my choices.

 Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Lots of reasons to celebrate.

   Have a joyous and wonderful holiday with family and friends.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   On of the most popular characters in literary history is having another movie debut on Christmas. Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. as the sleuth, and Jude Law as Dr. Watson will premiere nationwide at a theatre near you.To honor this prolific character, Turner Classic Movies will have a holiday celebration with a Sherlock Holmes marathon.

   Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created Holmes in the latter part of the nineteenth century. In fact, my book ends on a spectacular note with a look at the Victorian Age. Of course, many actors have played the British detective, but the man most associated with the private investigator from 221-B Baker Street is Basil Rathbone. I do my own tribute to Rathbone in Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. If you want to gear up for the new motion picture, get your fill on TCM and their visit on December 25th with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson…

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”