Forgotten Hollywood

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”

Manny P. here…

   I would like to thank Sharon Roberts from Richland Creek Publishing for her thoughtful review of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. She writes:

Kay Kyser

   I am currently a publicist for “Kay Kyser – The Ol’ Professor of Swing! America’s Forgotten Superstar!”

   I just wanted you to know that I have had the opportunity to read your book and congratulate you for your contributions in keeping Old Hollywood alive and the many actors who are such an important part of where our movie history stems from. I wish you continued success and hope that some time in the near future we will cross paths as we continue to preserve the memories of so many for generations to come.

Sharon Roberts
Author Representation
http://www.kaykyserbook.com

   I am thrilled about Sharon’s comments and urge my readers to pick up a copy of her author’s book. Kyser appeared in many films during Hollywood’s Golden Era, and was a big band leader. The name of his orchestra was The Kollege of Musical Knowledge.

   Follow the link above for more information on this timeless work.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   As we approach the new year. I’d like to take a moment to remember fine actors who were a part of Hollywood’s Golden Age. These are a few exceptional stars that left us this year:

   James Whitmore – An Oscar nominee, and absolute joy to watch in any genre of cinema. In fact, he did receive an Academy Award nod in his first film, Battleground. He appeared in The Asphalt Jungle, Kiss Me Kate, Across The Wide Missouri, and quite memorable in the horror film, Them!  He was also nominated for Best Actor in Give ‘Em Hell Harry, a one-man retrospective of President Truman. James appeared with Forgotten Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame in Oklahoma.

   Ricardo Montalban – Most famous for welcoming all to Fantasy Island, this Latin lover of the big screen appeared with James Whitmore in Battleground and Across The Wide Missouri. He also was cast in Sayonara and Sweet Charity. He co-starred with Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History actors John Carradine and Arthur Kennedy in Cheyenne Autumn.

<—Karl Malden – A prolific actor who won an Oscar for his role in A Streetcar Named Desire. He was fantastic in the Best Picture of 1954, On The Waterfront. He appeared with a variety of actors in Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History in fine movies, including The Birdman of Alcatraz and How The West Was Won (Thelma Ritter), Nevada Smith (Arthur Kennedy), and Cheyenne Autumn (Arthur Kennedy and John Carradine). He also played Omar Bradley in Patton, the Best Film of 1970. My good friend Peter Parker, publisher of Karaoke Scene Magazine appeared with Malden in the film Murderers’ Row.

Jennifer Jones (right) – She was one of the most gifted actors in Hollywood’s Golden Age. She won an Oscar for her role in A Song of Bernadette. She actually was nominated for an Academy Award five times in her illustrious career. She co-starred with Karl Malden in Ruby Gentry. Her most notable work includes Love Letters, Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, Beat the Devil, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, The Towering Inferno, and re-makes of The Barretts of Wimpole Street, and A Farewell to Arms. She appeared with actors that appear in my Forgotten Hollywood book series:  Lionel Barrymore in Since You Went Away and Duel in the Sun, and Van Heflin in Madame Bovary. She was also married to actor Robert Walker and David O. Selznick, the producer of Gone With the Wind.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“Road to Tara” – Gone With The Wind Museum

   On December 15, 1939  the premiere of Gone With The Wind took place in Atlanta, after three days of celebrations. Clark Gable almost boycotted the opening, when he found out the Black actors were not allowed to attend (due to Jim Crow laws). Hattie McDaniel decided to intervene. Gable relented, appearing with his wife Carole Lombard.

   The film won eight Oscars and two additional Academy Awards). TCM is showing the film this Tuesday, exactly seventy years after the initial premiere. This presentation climaxes a year of anniversaries of superior films produced in 1939 (including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Of Mice and Men, Beau Geste, Stagecoach, The Roaring Twenties, Son of Frankenstein, Babes In Arms, Juarez, Jesse James, Destry Rides Again, Golden Boy, Ninothchka, Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Dark Victory, Wuthering Heights, and The Wizard of Oz).

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   Three of my actors in Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History co-star in the epic: Thomas Mitchell, Eddie Anderson, and Ward Bond. I also spend much of Chapter Six writing about the careers of Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, Olivia DeHavilland, Hattie McDaniel, and the author Margaret Mitchell. Jane Darwell, who has a small role in the motion picture, is a projected subject in the book’s sequel.

   And, Happy Birthday to my pop, who was born one year before the premiere of Gone With The Wind. Hope it’s a good one…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Another major milestone! A 300th purchase of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History took place. The transaction happened while Laurie and I were delivering gifts to be distributed in the annual  Toys For Tots holiday campaign, conducted each year by our US Marines.

   In just over three months, 12% of my inventory has been confirmed sold. I say this because additional sales may have occurred through on-line resources. There’s a built-in delay in receipt information. What this means – I’m sharing the minimum estimate of projected purchases, and confident sales are indeed higher. I’ll receive the hard numbers over the next sixty days from my distributor.

   By the way, my good friend Christel Santo hosted the event, which of course included Karaoke. Most of her patrons sang Christmas songs, and of course Santa and three Marine Officers were on hand to join in on the fun.

Let’s remember the needy this holiday season…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   On October 19th, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten Hollywood  won a national award from USA Book News in the History / Media-Entertainment category. I posted the information in a blog that day. I also listed the other finalists in the category, since they deserved the mention.

             Author Michael Madigan

   Michael Madigan, writer of the book, Heroes, Villains, Dames & Disasters: 150 Years of Front-Page Stories from the Rocky Mountain News  (and a finalist in the same category),  chose to congratulate me on his website. What a nice guy!

   Madigan has worked as a professional journalist for the last four decades. The Colorado resident recently retired from his day job at The Rocky Mountain News in Denver. I’ve posted a link to his site.

http://michaelmadiganauthor.com/2009/10/national-best-books-finalist/

   Once again,  I must offer my hearty kudos to Madigan for his finalist award, and for his wonderful gentlemanly persona…

Until next time>                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Tower Books.com is boasting significant sales for Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. The website has a top 100 in a variety of categories to confirm a book’s success. The paperback has been classified in the Social History category. There are 339 books to choose from in a variety of formats (hardcover, paperback, audio, etc).

   My work is currently ranked #21! Here is the best part… it’s up 13 places from last week, when it was ranked #34.  This is exciting news.  I am moving up the charts at the website in its specific category. I believe this is wonderful momentum.

   You can find the Tower site at the Navigation Bar to your left in the Purchace Locations page in the Forgotten Hollywood (Book) section. There are plenty of book purchasing links to choose from (as a matter of fact)…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   I’m happy to announce the geographic home of President Harry S. Truman added Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Mid-Continent Public Library of Independence, Missouri has ordered the paperback for heir readers. Leave it to the Show Me state…

   They are officially the second library to add Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History to their shelves; the first being The Margaret Herrick Library at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.               HARRY S. TRUMAN ->

   Harry Truman was a fine President who called Independence his home. I am proud to have my book represented in his home town.

   The Mid-Continent Public Library administrative office is located at 15616 E. Hwy 24.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Here’s a latest link of locations where you can find Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. This is the most comprehensive web page I have found to help you pick up a copy of the paperback.

   The website is called All Bookstores.com. They claim to be the “World’s Greatest Place to buy Books!” Here is the link:

http://www.allbookstores.com/book/compare/9781935359166

   I hope this gives you every opportunity available to find a special copy in your area, or a comfortable place online to do your holiday shopping.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

  Our good friend Gary Lycan has snooped out some breaking news regarding Turner Classic Movies programming. Those great interviews Robert Osborne has with legendary stars will be downloadable as podcasts. The program is called Private Screenings,and the first one will soon be ready for the public at TCM.com and iTunes.

   According to Osborne, the episode featuring terrific character actor Angela Lansbury is the initial debut podcast. Gary was happy to hear that the ENTIRE interview will be there for your listening pleasure. You may not know – all programs are edited.

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY trailer

   I recently watched Lansbury sing and dance during a scene from The Harvey Girls, and when I was a teen, I fortunately caught her starring stage role in Gypsy. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I’m proud to say she was our 1996 SAG Life Achievement Award recipient.

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   One more thing… Happy Birthday to Laurie (my wife).   I love you very much!!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Christmas shopping season is upon us. If you are like me, you probably hate going to the malls. And all those people….ugh!

   The best way to avoid the rush:  buy a copy (or two) of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History online, or by visiting the places that sells my book. Check the navigation bar where you might feel most comfortable to purchase the paperback. Of course, you can buy the book right here on this website. These three folks just did and look how thrilled they are!

   I know you have your Christmas list to fill, and I want to help. So let me remind you that Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills, The Granada Pavilion, Mr. B’s etc. are prime spots for you the find the perfect stocking stuffer.

   I hope you do. Happy Holidays!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   If you like the look and feel of the Forgotten Hollywood website and blog, it is thanks to the hard work and development of Matthew Vandewouwer.  Matt is quite accomplished in his abilities.

   Now you can have the same quality work done in the development of a premiere website for your business or service. Matthew Vandewouwer is now offering you the creation of a site with full setup and service….start to finish. In addition, he will provide a six month service contract. All for just $500.

   I can attest his work is terrific. You will receive great results. I hope you will give Matthew’s expertise a try. He can be reached at mvandew@gmail.com.

   Now back to our regularly scheduled programming…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   With Thanksgiving around the corner, I wanted to wish my friends to this blog and family a safe and wonderful “Happy Holiday.”

   I allude to this fine tradition in my book Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. It was the Pilgrims that landed at Plymouth Rock who celebrated their success in establishing a community in the New World with the Natives indigenous to the area. It was and is considered a harvest festival.

   Abraham Lincoln officially made Thanksgiving a US holiday during his first term as President.

   Remember that football and food make for a great way to spend the holiday, but that family is still the main reason we give thanks and praise for the lives we live the rest of the year.

   So, thank you to my wife Laurie; my dad Manny; my mom Gloria; my sister Virginia; my brothers-in-law Roland, Mark, Maxime, and Eric; my sister-in-law Heather; my nephew Matthew; and the rest of my extended family for being there for me. I am there for you.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here>

   The History Channel is presenting WW II in HD. It’s a ten part series with seldom seen or recently found footage in color that chronicles history the way it was actually viewed from those who lived it during 1941-1945.

   Black and white footage shot overseas was inexpensive, which was the way it was shown back in the states through newspaper photos and newsreels. For those of us who were born after, we also learned about the war in black and white from school books and at local libraries. This is all we knew…

   This documentary in color is stark, grim,  inspiring, and extraordinarily realistic from the point of view of the soldier, the correspondent, and our enemies during the two campaigns on both oceans and over four continents. I actually feel like I am in battle with our soldiers by the poignant stories recalled. I understand why war itself is never noble, but at times a necessary evil that must be fought. I salute our troops (past and present) for defending our country and experiencing “Hell on Earth.”

   I’ve been riveted to my television all week. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History presents seldom told stories of the Allied fight throughout the book; my tribute to our men in uniform. Freedom must be protected…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P here…

   I’m happy to report that the quaint gift shop at The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills is reporting healthy sales of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Gary Browning, Visitor Services Manager, is reporting that the store has sold 25% of their inventory in just two months there! Autographed copies are just the ticket as the Holidays approach.

   The Paley Center For Media is located 465 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. My book is one of their first forays into Hollywood history for the center. Their television and radio library is quite extensive. And they have great special events.  Check out the Paley Center link in the Business Friends section of my navigation bar for more information.

   I’m really thrilled about this wonderful news!

Until next time>                               “never forget”