Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here… 

“`Tab Hunter was the actor and singer who became a heartthrob for millions of teenagers in the 1950s with such films as Battle Cry and Damn Yankees!. And, decades later, Tab received newfound attention when revealing he was gay. The actor’s savvy timing of his announcement provided positive movement towards acceptance of the lifestyle by society.

“`Born Arthur Andrew Kelm, his on-screen moniker was fabricated by Henry Willson, a talent agent who imaged the personas of Rock Hudson and Rory Calhoun.  While visiting New York,  he saw Broadway plays and became interested in acting.  With no dramatic training, Hunter was hired for a small part in the drama, The Lawless. Soon, his handsome face and muscular build appeared on magazine covers. Warner Brothers, quite savvy to the increasingly important youth market, signed him to a contract.

“`He started appearing with top stars, including Van Heflin, Rita Hayworth, Gary Cooper, Fred Astaire, Natalie Wood, Clint Eastwood, and Debbie Reynolds, Tab’s big break was a lead in the 1958 musical, Damn Yankees!, an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical with Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston in their Tony-winning roles, and the original director, George Abbott, sharing direction with Stanley Donen.

“`His career involved stints on television, European flicks, and youth-oriented fare.  Ride the Wild Surf capitalized on the beach-party series of films. He garnered small parts in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean and Grease 2. In the 1980s, he won new fans by appearing in cult movies with Divine, a 300-pound transvestite, most notably in John Waters’ Polyester and Paul Bartel’s Lust in the Dust, which was co-produced by Hunter.

“`The enigmatic Tab Hunter was 86.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Legendary comic book creator Steve Ditko co-created Spider-Man and Doctor Strange with Stan Lee. Plus, Ditko penned such enduring foes as Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, and Vulture, all of whom have appeared in numerous Spider-Man movies, which have earned lifetime totals of $5 billion, worldwide.

“`Ditko studied under Batman artist Jerry Robinson at Cartoonist and Illustrators School in New York City. Steve began his professional career in 1953, working in the studio of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.

“`After Lee and Ditko teamed on Amazing Fantasy #15 (Spider-Man’s initial appearance), the newly-launched Marvel Comics spun off the character into his own comic book, The Amazing Spider-Man, which has published over 800 issues since its first printing in 1963. Ditko worked on Amazing Spider-Man until issue #38,  a tenure that saw the creation of related characters, such as J. Jonah Jameson.

“`Lee and Ditko famously split up for reasons never entirely identified. In 2017, Lee recounted how the pair clashed over Lee’s decision to reveal the identity of Spider-Man’s arch enemy, the Green Goblin, as the dad of Peter Parker’s  (Spider-Man’s alter ego) best pal. For a time, Ditko worked at DC Comics.

“`Ditko maintained a writing studio in Manhattan until his passing. He had no known surviving family members, and he was incredibly private, turning down nearly all offers to do interviews, meet fans, or appear at movie premieres. He was inducted into the  Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1990.

“`The reclusive Steve Ditko was 90.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`A European family attempt to immigrate to the United States (and also later to Cuba), but their efforts were thwarted by America’s restrictive immigration policies and the outbreak of World War II. Efforts to get the family out of the Netherlands likely started as early as 1938, the turbulent year, which Germany had annexed Austria and part of Czechoslovakia into the Third Reich. On November 9th, Nazis terrorized Jews throughout the country in their violent Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass.

“`On May 14th, 1940, with this family still on the waiting list for possible visas,  the American consulate was devastated in a German bombardment,  and necessary papers were destroyed. Even without the loss of their visa application, it would have been difficult to immigrate to the United States. With hundreds of thousands of people seeking refuge in the United States each year by the time war broke out in 1939, Washington issued fewer than 30,000 annual visas.

“`The processing of a visa application also lasted several years, and included a huge amount of paper work, such as affidavits from relatives or friends in the United States. Even with the demands fulfilled, applicants could still be turned down. And the war further complicated any immigration efforts. The renewed attempt in 1941 to get the family across the Atlantic failed because American consulates in Germany-occupied Europe,  including the Netherlands, were closed by the Nazis.

“`Eventually,  Anne Frank and her family went into hiding in Amsterdam on July 6th, 1942; exactly 76 years ago to the day. The family hid for over two years during the war, and it was then that Anne wrote her famous diary. On August 4th, 1944,  the Frank’s were discovered and deported to Auschwitz. Only her father, Otto, survived the war.  Tragically, Anne and her sister died in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.                        FRANK FAMILY –>

“`Now, the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum feel a timely reminder is necessary in light of a climate of political provincialism sweeping a number of nations across the globe… Restrictive immigration policies are a morally bankrupt ideal.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Archie comic strips are part of American folklore.  A life-size bronze statue of the red-haired, freckled Archie will soon greet visitors at a New Hampshire town in honor of the local man who drew the comic book character and his group of wholesome teenage friends.

“`The Greater Meredith Program, a community development nonprofit, raised $57,000 for the project in six months, mostly from residents. Architect Chris Williams originally suggested the idea to honor the former Meredith resident with a bronze statue. The figure will sit on a bench and look toward Bob Montana’s workshop, now vacant,  where he spent his afternoons quietly drawing comic strips. The Belarusian artist commissioned to do the sculpture, Valery Mahuchy wants to bring people together and offer unity with the statue.

“`Bob Montana illustrated Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead from 1942 until his demise in 1975 at age 54. He lived in Meredith, New Hampshire, for 35 years until he died from a heart attack while cross-country skiing. Montana brought the Archie Andrews character to life when he drew the first Archie comic strip while renting a cottage on Lake Waukewan. He was joined by other illustrators over the years, including Tom Moore, who also chronicled the character’s  escapades from 1953 until he retired in the 1980s.

“`Montana’s impact in Meredith was immense. The comic strip was distributed in newspapers nationwide, a few years later. Its popularity led the company that published the comic books, MLJ Comics, to change their name to Archie Comic Publications in 1946. Over the years, the cartoon sold billions of copies worldwide, and inspired several television shows, including Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Riverdale. Montana also had a vision of turning Meredith into an art colony. He introduced several artists to the small town and created a local theater group.

“`The one-of-a-kind statue will be commemorated August 9th in Meredith’s Community Park to coincide with the town’s 250th anniversary.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`An updated off-Broadway production of  Fiddler on the Roof,  directed by Oscar and Tony winner Joel Grey, will be performed in Yiddish for the first time in the United States. A preview starts this evening for the show, and using the language its characters would have spoken.

“`Based on short stories by Sholom Aleichem originally penned in Yiddish, Fiddler is set in 1905 in a Jewish village in czarist Russia. A Yiddish version of the production translated by actor and writer Shraga Friedman as  Fidler afn Dakh was performed in Israel in 1966, but was never staged in the United States until now.

“`Yiddish, which is based on German and dialects used in Hebrew and other languages and is written with the Hebrew alphabet, was once spoken by millions of Eastern European Jews but fell victim both to the Holocaust and a desire for assimilation. The new production exemplifies how decades of work to preserve Yiddish by organizations, including the Folksbiene — Yiddish for World Stage — have paid off.

“`Immigrants to the United States built a thriving Yiddish theater scene and it launched the career of famed acting teacher Stella Adler, and thespians such as Edward G. Robinson. The Folksbiene was founded in 1915 and was once one of a dozen Yiddish theater companies on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. They presents examples from the Yiddish theater canon, new productions, and adaptations of Yiddish literary works such as Yentl.

“`Joel Grey’s papa was Mickey Katz, a musician and actor who performed Yiddish comedy and songs. Grey actually doesn’t speak much Yiddish, but has been learning while rehearsing. The 86-year-old is best remembered for his award-winning role as the host in Cabaret, a musical that improbably turned the rise of Hitler into popular entertainment.

“`Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964, and it starred Zero Mostel as Tevye and ran for eight years. It has been a favorite of schools and community theater groups ever since and has been revived on Broadway four times. Its songs, including If I Were a Rich Man and Sunrise Sunset, are familiar even to people who have never seen the show.

“`This updated culturally accurate version should have critics shouting…  L’Chaim!

Until next time.                                “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Choreographer Gillian Lynne for years collaborated with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on a number of his most iconic plays. Her credits include the phenomenally successful Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. She won a Tony Award for each production.

“`Lynne began her career as a lead solo dancer with Sadler’s Wells Ballet in 1944, and moved into directing and choreography. She was a choreographer for Northern Ballet and the Bolshoi. Lynne directed many productions in London’s West End and on Broadway. She also worked on television specials, collaborating with performers from a variety of music genres, including Ray Charles, Perry Como, and Petula Clark.

“`Just last month, Lloyd Webber re-named his New London Theatre as The Gillian Lynne Theatre, making it the first in London’s theater district named for a woman. Though she had a prolific career as a choreographer on stage, her work also involved film. Gillian appeared in The Master of Ballantrae with Errol Flynn, and became the dance supervisor for Man of La Mancha and Yentl.

“`She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1997 Birthday Honours, and as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire  (DBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours:  for service to musical theatre and dance. Lights around London’s theater district will dim for a minute over the next few days before each show as a fitting tribute to Lynne.

“`Gillian Lynne (right) transformed and updated modern musical theatre through dance. She was 92.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`A Hello Kitty-themed shinkansen bullet train has debuted in Japan. Adorned with the icon inside and out, it’s a dream ride for fans of the internationally popular character.

“`The stylish, eight-car train is painted pink and white, showcasing images and trademark ribbons from flooring to seat covers and windows. In one car, the life-size Hello Kitty doll donning a train crew uniform and a hat — decorated with a pink bow, of course — greeted passengers and offered a chance for selfies.

“`The special shinkansen had its inaugural round trip this weekend, between Osaka and Fukuoka, connecting Japan’s west and south. Hours later in Osaka, the train’s final stop, hundreds of fans waited for the arrival of the first Hello Kitty shinkansen, cheering and snapping photos during the sixteen-minute stopover before it traveled back to Fukuoka, according to Japanese media reports.

“`Hello Kitty, created in 1974 by the Japanese Sanrio Co., is a global icon with fans of all ages. With over forty years in the market, the round-faced feline with no mouth is still seen everywhere, on stationery and towels to jewelry and even furniture.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`A new eleven-acre land inspired by the animated movie Toy Story opens to the public this weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just outside Orlando. Tim Allen, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, made a surprise guest appearance at an event celebrating Saturday’s opening.

“`For children of the mid-1990s, Disney’s new Toy Story Land offers an opportunity to visit the imaginary world they grew up in. For their parents, it brings back memories of a magical time of toys and make-believe. The new theme park land offers a whimsical experience from the moment a 20-foot statue of Sheriff Woody welcomes guests as if they are toys in Andy’s backyard.

“`You will find favorite characters — Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Slinky Dog, Mr. Potato Head and the Green Army Patrol — in the brightly colored land, along with two new attractions: Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers. The park provides larger-than-life versions of classic toys and games like Rubik’s Cube, colorful Cootie bugs, Scrabble letters, building blocks, and Tinkertoys.  There are also benches built from Lincoln Logs. Also, dine at Woody’s Lunchbox.

“`The anticipated opening of Toy Story Land is one of the most anticipated events at theme parks this year. And, this continues Disney’s tradition of bringing movies to life.  Last year, Pandora-World of Avatar opened at the Florida theme park. Next year, lands based on Star Wars open at Disney parks in Florida and in California.

“`Toy Story Land is the result of a collaboration between the Disney Imagineers and their storytelling partners at Pixar Animation Studios. To infinity… and beyond !!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Much has been documented about the celebrated final movies of James Dean (Giant), Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe (The Misfits), and Peter Finch (Network). Each unexpected death left the public stunned. Here are five supporting players that may be unfamiliar, however, they offer fitting memorable finales in iconic motion pictures:

~ Robert Newton – As the intrepid Inspector Fix in Around the World in Eighty Days, it was the culmination of a fine career that began in England. Other memorable movie roles include Oliver Twist, Treasure Island, Les Miserables, and The High and The Mighty. Yet, as Fix, he embodied the Scotland Yard ethos of bulldog tenacity. Before the opening of Jules Verne’s classic, Newton was dead from a heart attack related to chronic alcoholism. He was just fifty. Eighteen months later, producer Mike Todd was killed in a plane crash. Elizabeth Taylor became his widow.

~ James Millican – He was 44 when he died, however, this actor appeared in over 200 films. He co-starred in many Westerns. His notable parts includes My Favorite Blonde, The Lost Weekend, High Noon and Winchester ’73. He was an honest sheriff in his final performance in The Man From Laramie. Millican was gone three months later.

~ Zazu Pitts – It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World featured a number of comedians in cameos. To date, the only two still with us: Carl Reiner and Barrie Chase. The first performer to succumb was Zazu Pitts. Her career dates back to 1917, and was cast in fine films, such as Ruggles of Red Gap, Life with Father, The Thrill of it All and Francis (a talking mule) series of movies. Her role as a police switchboard operator was priceless in her last screen appearance. The epic comedy was released six months after she passed.

~ Norma Crane – At 42, Crane was given the role of a lifetime as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. This would be her last. Throughout the production, she suffered from breast cancer. Feeling she would beat the affliction, Norma searched for other work. However, she died two years later in 1973.

~ Conrad Veidt – The celebrated German actor has a chapter in my upcoming literary work, Road to Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Best known for playing vile Nazi characters, Veidt was most iconic as Major Heinrich Strasser in Casablanca. As the highest paid actor in the cast, all his earnings were earmarked for the Allied fight against the Axis.  He would not live long enough to see the defeat of Hitler after suffering a fatal heart attack on a golf course a mere five months after the celebrated release of Casablanca. Veidt was fifty.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Harlan Ellison was a prolific writer and his principal genre was speculative fiction. His published works include over 1,700 short stories, essays, novellas, screenplays, teleplays, scripts adapted from comic books, and critical analysis that reviewed literature, film, television, and print media.           HARLAN ELLISON –>

“`Ellison moved to California in 1962, and subsequently, began to sell his work to Hollywood. He wrote the screenplay for The Oscar and this led to lots of assignments for television. His credits include  Route 66, The Loretta Young Show, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,  The Flying Nun, The Outer Limits, Burke’s Law, Star Trek, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. A couple of his literary works were adapted for the screen, A Boy and His Dog and I Robot. Ellison served as creative consultant to the 1980s version of The Twilight Zone and Babylon 5.

“`Over the course of his long career, Ellison was showered with accolades, including several  Hugo Awards. Stephen King has freely admitted that he was influenced by the writings of this influential scribe.

“`The volatile Harlan Ellison was 84.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Looks like the legendary Aston Martin driven by James Bond in Goldfinger has been found, more than twenty years after it was stolen from a Florida airport. Its owner, who purchased it in 1986 for $250,000, had it in an airport hangar in Boca Raton.

SEAN CONNERY

“`The 1964 DB5 was equipped with machine guns and tire-bursting blades for Sean Connery’s 007. Art Recovery International, which was contacted by an insurance company to find the DB5, could be on the verge of retrieving the car.

“`Investigators are hoping the vehicle is in tact; shaken not stirred, so to speak.

======================================

“`Richard Benjamin Harrison, who was also known as  The Old Man, was the patriarch of the Pawn Stars clan. The cable program is the History Channel’s most popular reality show.

“`The Navy vet opened the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas with his son, Rick. Pawn Stars premiered in 2009, and it features the Harrison family interacting with customers who are attempting to sell or pawn artifacts that have historic value.

“`Richard Benjamin Harrison (right) was 77.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`A child is traumatically separated from his family, and winds up in a foster-family system. Eventually, he is adopted. Two decades later, he embarks on a heartfelt journey to find his actual family. The search is problematic, but it brings a tear to your eye when the reunion occurs. A tale ripped from today’s headlines? Actually, it is the narrative from one of the finest movies from the last decade.

“`Lion is the 2016 production that features fine performances from Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Rooney Mara,  and the remarkable Sunny Pawar (who portrays the boy… Saroo). The movie was appropriately nominated for six Academy Awards.

“`The motion picture was made on location in Khandwa and Calcutta in India,  and Tasmania and Melbourne in Australia. The plight of this lost youngster who resembles Oliver Twist, and sparse narrative, creates a visually stunning presentation that tugs at your heartstrings, and rings incredibly true, considering recent immigration policies.

“`I have personally watched the film a number of times. This cinematic experience is expert Hollywood (or Bollywood) craftsmanship.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Koko the gorilla had a remarkable sign-language ability and maternal attachment to pet cats, and helped change the view about animal intelligence and their capacity for empathy. She became a celebrity who played with Robin Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Betty White, William Shatner, Sting, and Mr. Rogers.  At her home preserve, Koko (right) was treated like a queen.

“`Koko was taught sign language from an early age, part of a scientific test subject and eventually learned more than 1,000 words, a vocabulary similar to a human toddler. Koko was not the first gorilla to learn sign language, but through books and media appearances, she became famous.

“`Koko appeared in countless documentaries, including a 2015 PBS production, and twice on National Geographic. The simian’s 1978 National Geographic cover featured a photo that the animal had taken of herself in a mirror. Koko watched movies and television, her favorite movies included the Eddie Murphy version of Doctor Doolittle and Free Willy, and favorite television show was Wild Kingdom.

“`Koko was particularly close to Robin Williams. The two held hands and tickled each other in a widely shared video. The gorilla publicly mourned his passing.

“`The tranquil and sensitive Koko was 46.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Star Trek: The Cruise III is a unique Star Trek enterprise. This six-day voyage on the spectacular Norwegian Jade offers you an unprecedented engagement with your favorite stars, as well as being able to enjoy special Star Trek-themed shows, events, parties, and programs. More than a passenger, you will become a member of the crew, and part of the magic and majesty that is Star Trek.

“`Star Trek: The Cruise III provides a week-long voyage full of exciting moments, including performances, comedy shows, and concerts by Star Trek actors.  You will not want to miss the intimate speaking engagements with leading scientists and experts. Cast members include Wil Wheaton, Jonathan Frakes, and Brent Spiner. There is so much to do and see, such as themed parties, nightclubs, casinos, private islands, interactive games, screenings, and much more.

“`Star Trek: The Cruise III  will be setting sail on the beautiful Norwegian Jade, the NCL Jewel Class cruise ship outfitted exclusively for charter programs. You are cordially invited to experience the wonders of sailing on Norwegian Jade. With more than fifteen extraordinary dining options, eleven bars and lounges, an award winning casino, tranquil spa, and spacious garden villas, this ship is special.

“`Star Trek: The Cruise III  boldly goes to the Caribbean. The cruise ship leaves from the port of Miami in January of 2019.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Due out this Fall, the anticipated release of my next paperback in the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series. The title of this latest entry is in part a homage to the iconic Road films that starred Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour  (right). My new work is entitled Road to Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History.

“`Call it kismet. This weekend, there is a film festival that highlights the performances of Hope, Crosby and Lamour. Old Town Music Hall is a treasured cultural landmark located in El Segundo, right by Los Angeles International Airport.

“`The screen team starred in a series of seven Road Pictures from 1940-1962 for Paramount Pictures. These movies were comedic, adventurous, and romantic. Much of the dialogue was ad-libbed by Crosby and Hope. You can tell they had a blast making these flicks, and decades later, we are still laughing and enjoying the fun.

“`The screenings include Road to Singapore, Road to Morocco, Road to Utopia (personal favorite), and Road to Rio. Every show begins with music played on their historic pipe organ, an audience sing along, and a comedy short. There will be a 15-minute intermission, followed by the feature film.

“`The Old Town Music Hall is located at 140 Richmond Street, El Segundo, CA.

Until next time>                               “never forget”