Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here –

   I’m really happy to quickly here from basilnelson, the author of the two YouTube tributes I posted recently on this site. Here is what she wrote:

   Thank you Manny for your message and you are welcome to link my videos to your website. I would consider it a privilege.

   For these past two years, I have endeavored to raise awareness of many of the forgotten Hollywood stars in my ‘Movie Legends’ series. My Channel is visited by both movie fans and film historians and is now receiving over 4,000 hits per day. I have been contacted by family members of Jean Harlow and Lillian Gish, and received special permission from Peter Riva, the grandson of Marlene Dietrich, to produce a series of tributes.

   I must congratulate you on your book launch and wish you every success. I will definitely acquire a copy as soon as it reaches the UK. Thank you for your interest in my work.

   Regards BAZ

   My thanks to you for your good wishes and your special permission.  The followers of this site are the winners for it.

Until next time>                               “never forget” 

Manny P. here…

 Claude Rains in “Notorious” (1946)

   Wednesdays have been fun on Turner Classic Movies. Claude Rains has been the featured actor on the cable channel in the month of September (8pm EST / 5pm PST).

    The August release of my book, Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, is special, since the first chapter happens to be about Mr. Claude Rains. It’s not often that TCM spotlights the wonderful character actors with a month-long tribute, but the cable channel is savvy enough to have chosen a fine supporting player that carved a four-decade career in cinema. If you’ve missed spending Wednesday’s with TCM, why not treat yourself over the next several weeks watching Claude Rains, an unforgettable co-star. And, a personal favorite.

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    Brand new books have been written about this gifted co-star of the big screen. I’d like to think that Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History offers a unique perspective on Rains’ movie choices.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

William S Paley / The Museum of Broadcast Communications

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I’m happy to announce that The Paley Center For Media is now selling autographed copies of “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.”  An agreement was made today with this wonderful establishment.

   The Paley Center For Media is located at 465 N. Beverly Drive, just off Santa Monica Blvd. in the heart of Beverly Hills. The museum is a must for those fans of early Television and Radio. I’m proud to say that my book is step towards their expansion into film history.

   Check out their website at paleycenter.org.

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Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Ivan Smith of Nova Scotia, Canada received my book today. And, he emailed me. It was such a positive note, I wanted to share it with you. He writes:

   This message was intended to be a brief note to acknowledge receipt of the copy of your book “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” that you mailed to me.  It arrived today in perfect condition.  Thank you.    

   That was the intent — a brief three or four sentences.  Then I opened the book, and I was hooked immediately.

    You wrote a marvelous history of many of the movie actors that I grew up with.  It takes me back to the long ago Saturday afternoon matinees of the 1940s.

   The very first movie star named in the book is Basil Rathbone.  For me, he was, and sixty years later still is, Sherlock Holmes.  

   I had not known that Ward Bond appeared in more Best-Picture-nominated movies than any other actor. Walter Brennan.  Randolph Scott.  So many others…

   And all those great images.  Your generous use of images — I’ve seen only one page, 15, that is solid text with no image.  I’m a big fan of images (photographs, maps, scans of historic documents…) in association with any history, but many historians neglect them.

   The Arthur Kennedy tombstone photo I took on page 28 looks great.  It reproduced very well, sharp and fully legible, better than I had hoped. Thank you for the mentions on pages xvi and 115.

Best regards,
—
Ivan Smith
Nova Scotia

   It was MY pleasure Ivan. You are a kind and generous man. Thank you for your use of the photo and your memories.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny here…

   My background is from entertainment. The Nixon family is from politics and history. Talk about life imitating art. This is an Unforgettable moment for me !!

MANNY PACHECO   ED NIXON

“`Need I say more!

Until next time>                                       “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Well the book made it to the Portland Airport Holiday Inn for The Great Northwest Booksellers Association fall meeting. This is a wholesaler’s convention dedicated to marketing the book to nationwide distributers.  I can tell you this trade show is fun!!

   I arrived at 10a. I spoke with others in my entourage from The Book Publishers Network, and they were all kind enough to show me the ropes. I met with wholesale distributors, talked with librarians and book store representatives, and at 11:30a did a book signing from our booth.

   The highlight of the book signing was the enthusiasm shown to me by Barnes & Noble and Costco representatives. They were very specific that they wanted to sell the books in their stores!!

   At 2p, Ed Nixon arrived. I showed him the photo of his brother, President Richard Nixon with John Wayne and Henry Kissinger, I have in Forgotten Hollywood in the Ward Bond chapter, and he opened up with some great stories about his days when his brother was in the White House. I will post a picture of Ed Nixon and I once we return home.

   Laurie (my wife) showed up soon after her tour of the city, and she seemed to make friends whichever booth she visited. Ed was really cordial with her, engaging in a conversation about the past and other matters of interest.

   Now, it is off to dinner with our entourage to discuss the day’s conquests with the other authors.  I hope to actually visit the city once we finish eating!

   One last note… I received my first comment from VIGI… go check it out. Forgotten Hollywood will be on sale at a Bird Expo at the Granada Pavilion in Granada Hills, California this Sunday.  I believe the bird fair is offering a special deal to those who mention this blog, and buy my autographed copy of the book. They are also giving away a free feather for use as a bookmark  with every purchase.

Until next time>                               “never forget”                                                     

Manny P. here…

   Without any promotion or distribution in place, and with my website under construction. I can proudly announce the sale of a 100 “Forgotten Hollywood” books in the first 20 days of life in print!!  WOW!!

   I realize that most of these purchases were by my family and friends. But, that speaks volumes on the loyalty of both. And, I have even more folks that I know that are asking to buy the paperback… So, the possibilities are promising over the next week or so.

   I need to take a moment to thank Gary Lycan, radio columnist for The Orange County Register for his moving Forward in the book.  The reaction to his writing has been heartfelt and positive.

   I also want to thank those individuals that purchased my book at KaraokeFest 2009  at The L.A. County Fair (on September 5th), some of whom I barely know. Their interest in the subject matter confirms my belief that I wrote something of great interest to old and young.

   Now the really exciting news to report…

   Don Barrett of L.A.radio.com wrote a wonderful story on his blog about my book that appeared yesterday (complete with a photo of me and a giant-size version of the cover of my book). I immediately received an email from Bob Moore, the President and General Manager of KLOS and KABC in Los Angeles, congratulating me on my endeavor, and offering his help in promoting the book through his radio stations!!

   No sooner than this piece of good news…then the unthinkable! On a tip from Gary Lycan, I had a promising phone conversation with The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills (formerly called The Museum Of Television and Radio), which led to a meeting scheduled for next week to discuss the possibility of selling “Forgotten Hollywood” in their gift shop…OMG!

   And then, I had a conversation with an official librarian of  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences that amounted to a verbal  agreement by the representative to read my text for the consideration of the placement of my book in their vaunted library. “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History” would gain the status of social and cultural significance if the decision is positive. I will keep you posted on the results of this important decision.

   Finally, I’m off to Portland today (with my wife, Laurie) to The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association fall meeting. The Book Publishers Network has an entourage of  writers, including the youngest brother of a former President, Ed Nixon (who is selling his hardcover copy of his book on the life of the Nixon family).

   So, this weekend promises to be busy as I meet with folks such as Amazon, and videotape a message to you that will appear soon on this site talking about “Forgotten Hollywood.”  Yes, you will soon see what I look like!!

   My next update should chronicle my Portland experience. And, I promise to deliver the motivation and creative reasoning behind “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.”

Until then>                                      “never forget” 

Introduction… (or my first blog)

   Greetings! I’m Manny Pacheco, a Los Angeles radio personality and a 27-year member of the Screen Actor’s Guild. I have just written Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, which captures America’s story through the eyes of the great character actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

   Much has been written about the history of the United States. And most bookstores have many biographies of film icons including John Wayne, Bette Davis, James Stewart and Cary Grant. I decided to take a different path

   Each chapter reads like a movie, and stars the hard working (but seldom talked about) supporting players of motion pictures studio era; talented individuals such as Walter Brennan, Lionel Barrymore, Hattie McDaniel, Basil Rathbone, John Carradine, and Claude Rains.

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History covers moments in time that highlight America’s fight for Independence, the Old West,  selected American Presidents, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, profiles of award-winning Authors, the Great Depression, World War’s I & II, Disability Issues, the Cold War & Communism, Civil Rights, and the advent of Radio and Television.

   I’m also proud to donate one dollar for the sale of every book to the MooseHeart Child City and School, a Chicago-based facility, which offers training and education for youths whose families are unable to care for. MooseHeart is a 1,000 acre campus that is funded through Moose International Charities Inc.

   I hope that when you consider purchasing a unique present for the holidays, or a gift for a special family member or friend, you will consider my book, “Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.” You can buy this entertaining paperback at a bookstore (soon) near you, or a personally autographed copy here online.

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is from The Book Publisher’s Network.

   Up next…

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History takes on a life of its own!

   And later…

   What led to the writing of this book:  The prequel

Until then >                                      “never forget”