Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Kenny Rogers was a singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur. He was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and became one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

“`His voice was initially heard while fronting The New Christy Minstrels. Rogers would form The First Edition and scored huge hits with Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) and Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town. Kenny later embarked on a long and successful solo career and several successful collaborations, including duets with Kim Carnes, Dolly Parton, Dottie West, Sheena Easton, and written compositions with Lionel Richie and Barry Gibb.

“`Rogers’ discography included The Gambler, Coward of the County, She Believes in Me, Lucille, The Greatest, You Decorated My Life, Don’t Fall In Love with a Dreamer, Love the World Away, We Got Tonight, Lady, Islands in the Stream, and  Buy Me a Rose. He also made a series of television films based on the success of The Gambler. Kenny also guest-starred on Dr Quinn Medicine Woman, Touched By an Angel, and How I Met Your Mother.

“`Rogers owned a successful restaurant chain that served up roasted chicken. The chain was memorably featured in an episode of Seinfeld. He knew how to hold ’em… Knew how to fold ’em… and Kenny knew how to roast ’em.

“`The family is planning a private service out of concern for the national COVID-19 crises. A gentleman to the end.

“`Kenny Rogers was eighty-one.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`With stay-at-home orders becoming the national norm, I offer a respite from boredom. It is the gift of literacy.

“`Indie authors want to support the many readers who face anxiety, economic hardship and social isolation as the world community works to end the spread of the Covid-19 virus. More than ever, ebooks offer readers many hours of low-cost entertainment, distraction, comfort, and knowledge during these trying times.

“`Now until April 20th, pick up an ebook copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History at sixty per cent off! You can enjoy my first book for just four dollars, a real bargain.

“`The official website offering the deal is Smashwords. Just click on the widget above. Use the code AGB60 to receive the reduced price.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Playboy is eliminating its print magazine. The periodical was launched in 1953 by famed founder Hugh Hefner. The economic disruptions from COVID – 19 ended up too much for its already strained print operations to absorb.

“`They went to a quarterly printing schedule after making changes to its editorial output,  including reducing its nudity and moving its content away from targeting male readers. The mag would also no longer select a Playmate of the Year. They also revamped its digital presence and social media channels, which would appeal to diverse audiences.

“`The Playboy business is currently strong, generating three billion dollars in global consumer spending each year. Video subscriptions are up thirty percent, social media engagement is up fifty percent in the last six months, and Playboy has acquired a direct-to-consumer commerce operation. Modern branding techniques have been employed, as well.

“`One added bonus, the magazine will save on the use belly-button staples.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`As we collectively prepare to hunker down for an undetermined period of time (despite assurances suggesting otherwise),  I am reminded of a post-war movie that addressed a similar situation that involved a rapid-moving virus. It was called Isle of the Dead.

“`The 1945 production starred Boris Karloff, and it was produced by Val Lewton. The action takes place on a fictional island in Greece during the 1912 Balkan Wars. The island is quarantined because of the Septicemic Plague.  Visitors start to drop dead after contracting the deadly disease. The eventual eradication of the plague comes when the hot, dry Sirocco winds arrive.

“`Lewton did three Gothic period movies with Karloff for RKO Radio Pictures. The legacy of Val Lewton: He bridged the horror genre between the Universal Pictures era that included Frankenstein, Dracula, The Invisible Man, and The Wolfman, and the Hammer monster flicks that starred Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing and the William Castle productions featuring Vincent Price.  Val’s most famous work was Cat People in 1942. His persona was fictionally characterized by Kirk Douglas in The Bad and the Beautiful.

“`Karloff solidified his ghoulish persona when he collaborated with Lewton. Leonard Maltin and Martin Scorsese have expressed the influence this film had on their careers.

“`A quick reminder to stay healthy during these trying times.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Stuart Whitman was a character actor who appeared in hundreds of motion pictures and television productions, and received an Oscar nomination in the 1961 drama The Mark. He was popular in many Westerns and war films. He placed himself in the tradition of actors who relied less on versatility than on an established persona.

“`Whitman was a San Francisco native who wanted to act since childhood. He started out as a Hollywood extra, appearing without credit in  The Day the Earth Stood Still, When Worlds Collide and Brigadoon. Featured roles included Darby’s Rangers, The Comancheros, The Longest Day,  Murder Inc., Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines, and Ten North Frederick.

“`His passion for acting made him a natural fit on television. Stuart guest-starred in Highway Patrol, Death Valley Days, Have Gun Will Travel, Cimarron Strip, Fantasy Island, The Streets of San Francisco, Knight Rider, Night Gallery, and Murder She Wrote.

“`Stuart Whitman (above) was ninety-one.

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“`Lyle Waggoner used his fine looks to comedic effect on The Carol Burnett Show, partnered with a superhero on Wonder Woman and he was the first centerfold for Playgirl Magazine.  In 1976, Waggoner was appointed as the mayor of Encino. Other holders of the title have included Steve Allen, Ronnie Schell, Mike Connors, Fred Travalena, and Cesare Danova. Lyle Waggoner ->

“`Prolific on television, Lyle appeared in Gunsmoke, Marcus Welby M. D., Lost in Space, Happy Days, Maude, Charlie’s Angels, Mork and Mindy,  The Golden Girls, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island. He was also a finalist to play the lead on Batman, the role that eventually went to Adam West.

“`Lyle Waggoner was eighty-four.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`In response to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to shut down gatherings of two hundred and fifty or more people across the entire state, Turner Classic Movies has chosen to cancel this year’s TCM Film Festival in April. Fans from all over the country will not be able to rub elbows with cinematic stars, such as Bruce Dern, Mel Brooks and Lily Tomlin. This is all due to the CoronaVirus pandemic.

“`Ben Mankiewicz offers an explanation:

“`TCM joins NCAA’s March Madness, Disney Theme Parks, and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention in delaying or canceling their event.

“`Stay Healthy…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Max von Sydow was an actor known to art house audiences through his work with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, and later, to moviegoers everywhere when he played the priest in the horror classic The Exorcist. He starred in just about two hundred film and television productions, and remained active well into his eighties.

“`He chose to become an actor and formed a theater group after seeing William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Sydow studied at the Royal Dramatic Theater in Stockholm and acted in small municipal theaters in Sweden for nine years; an experience he described as crucial for his work. After the war, he changed his actual name from Adolf  to Max Von Sydow (right) for obvious reasons.

“`Swedish cinema came calling in 1949. His most famous import was The Seventh Seal. He made his Hollywood debut as Jesus in the 1965 production  The Greatest Story Ever Told. Other parts included Three Days of the Condor, Flash Gordon, Never Say Never Again, Needful Things, Hannah and Her Sisters, Awakenings, Shutter Island and Star Wars The Force Awakens. Sydow earned Oscar nods for Pelle the Conqueror and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. He also received an Emmy nomination for his performance as the Three-Eyed Raven in HBO’s Game of Thrones.

“`Max Von Sydow was ninety.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Screen legend Maureen O’Hara,  whose family roots were in Kells in Ireland, will be featured on a postage stamp series issued by An Post to honor International Women’s Day. Five Pioneering Irish Women are the focus of a new stamp series. The honorees achieved international recognition in film, fashion, aviation, athletics, and art.

“`As the co-star of The Quiet Man and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, O’Hara blazed a trail as Ireland’s initial bona fide Hollywood star. She took on studio bosses, United States legal system, tabloid media, and American presidents during various stages of her life. It was a stellar cinematic career that spanned seven decades, and this led to an honorary lifetime Academy Award in 2014 when she was ninety-four.

“`Designed by Oonagh Young at Irish firm Design HQ, the stamps are available at the GPO, Dublin, selected post offices nationwide, and online at anpost.com/shop, with free delivery.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The Yiddish production of Fiddler on the Roof was scheduled to tour China this Spring, but has apparently fallen victim to Coronavirus fears. Other stage productions of the classic musical will continue Down Under later in the Fall.

“`Cast members were informed of the three-city tour that would have taken place from April 13th to May 10th. But according to Zalmen Mlotek, artistic director of the National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene, four days later the tour was cancelled. Mlotek called the cancellation of the China tour a major disappointment for everyone involved.

“`The Australian production of Fiddler in Yiddish is set to debut in early September. It starts with a two-month run at the 1,400-seat Joan Sutherland Theatre, which is part of the iconic Sydney Opera House.  A five-week stay at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne will follow. Joel Grey is directing the Australian company. If the Aussie production is successful, it could spark interest in an Asian and European tour by the American cast.

“`Jumpstart Entertainment, the Manhattan theatrical management firm who was involved in the coordination of the China tour, has not responded to press requests for comment.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The Golden Girls may have been off the air since 1992, but the women are as popular as ever. It seems that every day there are new Golden Girls products. The latest is a windshield sun shade sold on Amazon and Target’s website. This is perfect for summer since it is right around the corner!

“`Many younger generations are becoming obsessed with the classic show. Others have been fans since the show’s inception in 1985.

“`The Golden Girls windshield sun shade is made from vinyl. It blocks harmful UV rays from the sun and keeps your car cool while you are out and about. It features the ladies sitting in their car.

“`The standard size fits most cars and trucks. The measurement is 57″ x 28″, and it costs around $30. If you’re interested, purchase it on Amazon! You can also find it on Target’s website.

“`Happy to throw you some shade.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Snoopy’s Doghouse, taken from the cartoon Peanuts where the beagle would pretend to sit on the top and fly it like a plane, is now a drone that actually flies. Perfect for any quadcopter aficionado or someone who’s just really into the cartoon Peanuts, the flying Snoopy doghouse is sure to be an eye catcher and conversation piece to folks who see it soaring through the air.

“`Sold by FlyGuyPromotions, the Snoopy Dog House Drone actually doesn’t come with the dog house. You can build your own dog house to install over the quadcopter. If you’d like full instructions and cut-out kits, you can check out forums such as rcgroups.com and hoosiercutoutservice.com.

“`Look out bloody Red Baron!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`James Lipton was a theater academic who created the insightful Bravo show, Inside the Actors Studio. It was a master class for the students of Actors Studio Drama School, a joint venture of Actors Studio and The New School. Paul Newman was his first guest, and each one-hour program featured top performers in an intimate and in-depth one-on-one interview. At one time, he was married to actress Nina Foch.

“`Lipton worked while in his teens as a copy boy for  The Detroit Times and as an actor for the Catholic Theater of Detroit. After graduating high school, he landed the role of Dan Reid, nephew of The Lone Ranger, on WXYZ’s popular radio program that aired for decades.

“`In 1951, Lipton began landing parts on such television anthology shows as  Pulitzer Prize Playhouse, Armstrong Circle Theatre and CBS Television Workshop. In the same year, he appeared in the original production of Lillian Hellman’s The Autumn Garden. It would be his only appearance on a Broadway stage.  Other small screen performances throughout the 1950s included The Guiding Light, Inner Sanctum, and The Goldbergs.

“`Lipton found more success as a writer. While appearing on The Guiding Light, he worked his way up to head writer. Over the next two decades, he served as head writer for Another World and Return to Peyton Place. He additionally wrote for The Edge of Night and The United States Steel Hour.  Starting with Jimmy Carter’s Inauguration Gala in 1977, Lipton began producing television specials; five of them involved Bob Hope.

“`The recipient of three honorary Ph.D.s, Lipton was given the French Republic’s Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres.  In 2016, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmys and a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Reality Show Host.

“`James Lipton was ninety-three.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Since his demise in August, 1969,  celebrity hair stylist Jay Sebring is remembered as one of the other four people murdered by the Manson Family alongside Sharon Tate at her Cielo Drive home.  Jay Sebring… Cutting to the Truth is a new documentary about Sebring’s rapid rise to fame in 1960s Los Angeles and his tragic demise in a horrific true crime story.

JAY SEBRING

“`Raised in Michigan as Thomas John Kummer, Sebring served in the Navy during the Korean War before coming to Los Angeles. He attended beauty school, and was soon cutting hair for Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Warren Beatty and Paul Newman at his posh salon on Fairfax. Sebring and Tate dated briefly before she wed Roman Polanski. Jay never got over his desire for the actress.

“`Using techniques unheard of at the time — washing a man’s hair before cutting, employing handheld blow driers, and using hairspray instead of Brylcreem — Sebring could charge $50, when the average men’s cut went for $1.50.

“`The documentary features interviews recorded over a dozen year period with Vic Damone, Dennis Hopper, Nancy Sinatra, Quincy Jones,  Manson prosecutor Stephen Kay, and director Quentin Tarantino, who cast Emile Hirsch as Sebring in  Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The production, directed by Sebring’s nephew Anthony DiMaria, has just been picked up for North American distribution by Shout! Studios, with screenings at festivals this Spring and commercial release later this year.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Hundreds of pages of orchestral arrangements created for and used by Judy Garland will be auctioned by Nate D Sanders Auctions February 27th. The collection includes arrangements of such Garland classics as  Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Judy at the Palace, I’m Always Chasing Rainbows, Over the Rainbow, and more.

“`According to notes and stamps on the music sheets, a bulk of the arrangements were used for the 1963-1964 television series The Judy Garland Show, as well as other performances, including her 1967 concert engagement at Broadway’s Palace Theatre.

“`The arrangements were discovered in a trunk left by the star at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 1967 following the Palace concerts. The trunk and its contents were ultimately given to Costas Omero, director and producer of a revue that premiered at the Plaza in 1971. This lot includes a letter of authenticity from Omero’s daughter.

“`Bidding for the arrangements is set to begin at $3,000.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Diana Sera Cary was a child star known as Baby Peggy –> in films. She was the last living actor of the Silent Era. As an adult, she became a writer and a movie historian.

“`Peggy was one of three major kid stars of early Hollywood, along with Jackie Coogan and Baby Marie. Between 1921 and 1923, she made over one hundred and fifty two reelers. Due of her earnings, Peggy was dubbed the million dollar baby.

“`She had her own line of endorsed items, such as jewelry, dolls, sheet music, and even milk. As a child, Judy Garland had a Baby Peggy doll. Her likeness appeared on magazine covers and was used in advertisements for businesses and charitable campaigns. She was named an official mascot of the 1924 Democratic Convention in New York. She waved a United States flag next to Franklin Roosevelt.

`

“`Baby Peggy’s film career was abruptly put on hiatus in 1925 when her dad had a falling out with producer Sol Lesser. She was a successful vaudeville performer over the next four years. The Stock Market Crash wiped out almost all of her family’s income; so, Peggy began working as an extra. She finally retired from acting in 1938.

“`Like the family of Jackie Coogan, Peggy’s parents also mismanaged her funds. Jackie sued his folks, and his efforts led to a governmental implementation of the Coogan Act to protect future children actor’s earnings.

“`As an adult, Cary has worked on numerous books about the early movie industry, celluloid cowboys, and harsh working conditions for child stars in Hollywood. At the end of her own autobiography, she recounts the fates of numerous child stars, including Judy Garland and Shirley Temple. She also advocated for reforms in child performer protection laws.

“`Diana Sera Cary (aka Baby Peggy) as 101.

Until next time>                               “never forget”