Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here… 

“`John Gavin was a strikingly handsome actor who appeared in Psycho,   Spartacus, and other hit films of the 1960s; before forsaking acting to become President Ronald Reagan’s Mexico Ambassador. John was also a past president of the  Screen Actors Guild, a position that Reagan had previously held.

“`After attending Stanford University, and serving in the Navy, the future actor was unsure what career path to take until a family friend, producer Bryan Foy, suggested John try acting. Although, he had studied drama at Stanford, and made a few appearances on television and in theater, he played it down during a screen test with Universal Pictures.

“`Other movies included Imitation of Life,  Thoroughly Modern Millie, and History of the World Part 1. On television, he guest-starred in The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Virginian,  Mannix, Medical Center, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Hart to Hart.         JOHN GAVIN —>

“`While in the Navy in the 1950s, Gavin served in Panama as Pan-American affairs officer to a Navy commandant; and, during a lull in his acting career, he was appointed a special adviser to the Secretary-General of Organization of American States. Gavin’s assignment was to help promote President John Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress to help Latin American nations improve their economies.

“`When Reagan appointed John, the president cited the political turbulence in Latin America. Gavin arrived in Mexico in 1981, well equipped for the job. His father invested in the nation’s mines, and ancestors of his Mexican-born mother were among California’s first settlers. John often visited Mexico in his youth and he was fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. The nationals were initially dubious about having a former movie star as the United States ambassador. He soon won over the people. He and his statuesque blonde wife, Constance Towers (an actress and singer in Broadway musicals and Hollywood cinema), made a striking couple. Both were admired by the locals. He remained on the job until 1986.

“`After his ambassadorship ended, Gavin invested in various enterprises in Mexico, and served on boards of corporations and charities. Gavin was approached in 1991 by officials in President George H.W. Bush’s administration about running for a senate seat being vacated by Democrat Alan Cranston of California. He declined, citing business and family matters.

“`John Gavin was 86.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Don’t you just love when Americana intermingles with Hollywood history; much like the intersected streets of Hollywood and Vine. It happened today. We can thank Elon Musk at SpaceX for the reference. Here is the backstory:

“`SpaceX Falcon Heavy launched unique test cargo into space, today; sending a motor vehicle driven by a mannequin  for an unprecedented adventure. The much-anticipated launch demonstrated that SpaceX’s beefed-up rocket can lift heavier craft into space for future missions to Mars and the moon. The so-called driver is behind the wheel of Musk’s cherry red Tesla Roadster. He is named STARMAN, and his car radio is blasting Space Oddity by David Bowie. A Hot Wheels was also on its dash with a tiny spaceman on board.

“`This vehicle serves an actual purpose. When new rockets are tested, they often carry a demonstration cargo load, like blocks of concrete or steel, to simulate the weight the rocket must lift into space. The Roadster and Starman shall be floating through the solar system for a billion (or so) years.

“`Starman is a 1984 science fiction romance film, directed by John Carpenter. It shares the story of a humanoid alien played by Jeff Bridges, who flies to Earth after responding to an invite found on a gold phonograph record installed on the Voyager 2  space probe. Launched in 1977, this rocket carried a message of peace. Bridges received an Oscar nod for his performance.

“`Musk is brilliant enough to comprehend subtle similarities of his latest launch, and its relative relationship to this cinematic production.

“`CONGRATS to Elon Musk and his team for collective genius!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`John Mahoney played a retired Seattle police officer and prickly blue collar father, Martin Crane, on Frasier. The Cheers spinoff aired from 1993 to 2004. He earned two Emmy nominations for his performance as Crane. Mahoney was also a noted stage and big screen performer.

“`The actor was born in 1940 during World War II in Blackpool, England. John visited Chicago as a college student, and he eventually made it his home. A cast ensemble member with Steppenwolf Theatre Company since 1979, they canceled Monday’s scheduled performance in honor of John Mahoney (right).

“`He worked steadily in movies appearing in The American President, In the Line of Fire, Eight Men Out, Tin Men, Frantic, Suspect, Barton Fink, Moonstruck, Primal Fear, The Hudsucker Proxy, Reality Bites, and Say Anything. On television, he guest-starred in ER, Becker,  3rd Rock From the Sun, Cheers, Burn Notice,  Foyle’s War, Hot in Cleveland, and The Simpsons.

“`Mahoney worked as a voice actor, and performed on Broadway and in Chicago theaters. He won a Tony Award for his starring turn in The House of Blue Leaves. Mahoney also had a prominent role in the Broadway revival of Prelude to a Kiss. He narrated Midwest Airlines commercials for a time.

“`His friends from the stage included John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. Along with David Hyde Pierce, Mahoney was godfather to Frasier and Hot in Cleveland co-star Jane Leeves’ son.

“`John Mahoney was 77.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Comic book icon Stan Lee was rushed to the hospital after experiencing shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat.  The 95-year-old is at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, and in stable condition. A spokesperson for Stan Lee commented on his condition, saying that he is staying there for a few days for some check ups as a safety precaution.

“`In recent years, Stan has called off several appearances due to this health. After canceling two appearances in Ohio in 2012, Lee revealed he had a pacemaker implanted. Lee was also rushed to hospital in 2015; though, was able to attend the red-carpet premiere of Ant-Man, which happened the next day. In 2017, Lee cancelled appearances at Big Apple Con and Salt Lake City Comic Con’s FanX.

“`Lee has been slowing his schedule in recent years, having already made his final convention appearances in Canada and Europe. However, Lee still keeps an incredibly active schedule. Back in 2016, he shot four cameos in one day; and he just threw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game.

“`Lee joined Timely Comics, which later became Marvel Comics, in 1939. Along with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Lee helped create many of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes, including Thor, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Silver Surfer, and many more.

“`Best wishes to Stan Lee (above).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, one of the historic sports venues in the nation, sold naming rights to  United Airlines in a lucrative deal that was announced by USC during its recent ground-breaking ceremony.  The agreement, which spans 16 years and is reportedly worth $69 million, will re-name the iconic stadium to the United Airlines Memorial Coliseum, beginning in 2019, and shall help fund the $270 million renovation that is already underway.

“`The Coliseum has been home to the USC Trojans football team since 1923, and will house the Los Angeles Rams for two more seasons, until their new stadium in Inglewood is ready in 2020. The Coliseum will also host its third Olympics in 2028.

“`Leading up to the name change, the Coliseum undergoes a major overhaul that will create luxury suites, and shrink overall capacity to 78,000.  This renovation will include extra aisles and handrails, installation of wider seating with more leg-room, updated stadium  Wi-Fi, and upgraded concession areas.

“`USC runs the Coliseum under a 98-year lease agreement with the city, county, and state.

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“`Actor Robert Wagner has officially been labeled a person of interest in the tragic drowning death of Natalie Wood nearly four decades ago. The actress was married to Wagner from 1972, until her untimely passing in 1981.                                ROBERT WAGNER / NATALIE WOOD –>

“`The 43-year-old drowned off the coast of Catalina Island,  after she went missing from her family yacht. Captain Dennis Davern and actor Christopher Walken were also aboard on the fateful evening. Natalie’s death was ruled an accident. In 2011, this case was re-opened, and a death certificate was updated:  Drowning and undetermined factors.

“`A CBS special, called Natalie Wood:  Death in Dark Water, will air Saturday at 10p. It  features additional witnesses, evidence, and theories as to what happened the final night of her life. Los Angeles investigators are now calling it a suspicious accident.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the career of Al Pacino is to be celebrated by the first extensive retrospective to be held in New York. The series, titled Pacino’s Way, will take place at The Quad Cinema on March 14th – 29th.

“`This retrospective features over 25 movies, most screening on 35mm prints, and will honor Pacino’s work. The schedule of films includes The Godfather, Serpico, Sea of Love, Heat, The Panic in Needle Park,  Dog Day Afternoon; and his initial directorial effort, the documentary  Looking for Richard. The actor plans on attending several screenings during the Pacino’s Way retrospective.                        AL PACINO –>

“`The retrospective leads up to the theatrical premiere on March 30th of his documentary  Wilde Salomé, and companion production Salomé, starring Jessica Chastain and Pacino,  who directed both works. Wilde Salomé explore complexities of Oscar Wilde’s acclaimed play. Salomé highlight themes of greed and revenge. Wilde Salomé and Salomé will be presented theatrically in New York and Los Angeles after the retrospective.

“`The full lineup and schedule will be announced in February.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Civil rights anthem,  We Shall Overcome, which was quoted by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. the day prior to his assassination, and was made popular by folk singer Pete Seeger, has been declared a part of Public Domain. Ludlow Music, the song’s publisher, agreed in a Manhattan Federal Court last week to back down on claims of copyright after losing a summary judgment in the case. The lawsuit was filed by the  We Shall Overcome Foundation, a group that wanted to make a documentary about the iconic composition; and Butler Films, which produced The Butler in 2013.

“`The origins of the lyrics were unknown. But, precursors outlined in this lawsuit include hymns and African-American spirituals. In the 1940s, We Will Overcome was used by striking tobacco workers in South Carolina. The song was then taught at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee, an educational center that trained labor organizers, as well as civil-rights leaders, including King, Rosa Parks, and John Lewis.

“`Ludlow filed for copyright of a version of the song in 1960, and in 1963, to place Seeger’s name as a co-writer (Pete asked to be removed from the copyright). Proceeds from royalties are awarded at Highlander Research and Education Center in Tennessee for scholarships in art and cultural projects for African-American communities.

“`In September, a federal judge ruled the melody and lyrics of the copyrighted version are not sufficiently original to qualify as a derivative work entitled to copyright. This paved the way for this most recent decision.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Tom Hanks is set to appear as Mister Rogers in the upcoming biopic, You Are My Friend.  TriStar Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to the film, to be directed by The Diary of a Teenage Girl filmmaker Marielle Heller.

“`The film focuses on a kinship between the host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (it ran from 1968 – 2001) and journalist Tom Junod. He reluctantly agreed to profile Fred Rogers.

“`Prior to his iconic program, Fred appeared on Your Hit Parade and The Kate Smith Hour. Rogers was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, almost forty honorary degrees, and the Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and was ranked #35 in TV Guide’s Fifty Greatest Television Stars of All Time.

“`Production will begin in September, with a 2019 release expected. I hope Hanks looks good in a cardigan sweater. Fred Rogers died in 2003 at age seventy-four.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Comic strip artist, Mort Walker, was a World War II veteran who satirized the military, tickling millions of newspaper readers with the antics of the lazy private Beetle Bailey. The character made his debut in Mort’s cartoons (as Spider) in the Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. Beetle Bailey appeared in as many as 1,800 newspapers.

“`Walker (right) began publishing cartoons at age 11, and was involved  with over a half-dozen comic strips during his career, including  Hi and Lois,  Boner’s Ark, and Sam and Silo. But, he found his greatest success developing slacker Beetle, his hot-tempered sergeant and the rest of the soldiers at fictional Camp Swampy for nearly 70 years.

“`At first, the strip failed to attract readers. King Features Syndicate considered dropping it after six months. The syndicate suggested Beetle join the Army at the start of the Korean War, and it took off.  Walker attributed the success of the strip to Beetle’s indolence, and reluctance to follow authority.

“`Tokyo editions of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes dropped Beetle Bailey in 1954 for fear it might encourage disrespect of its officers. But, media coverage spurred over 100 newspapers to add the strip.  In 2000, Walker was invited by The Pentagon to be given the Army’s Distinguished Civilian Service  Award for his printed work, armed service, and contributions to a new military memorial.

“`Beetle Bailey also featured one of the first African-American characters to be added in an established comic strip; Peanuts had added the character of Franklin in 1968. Lt. Jack Flap debuted in the comic strip’s panels in 1970.

“`In 1974, he founded the Museum of Cartoon Art in Connecticut to preserve and honor the art of comics. Mort changed the name to the  National Cartoon Museum, and he announced in 2005, plans to relocate it to the Empire State Building. However, the following year, the deal fell through.

“`The genial Mort Walker was 94.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning composer John Morris was a steady collaborator with Mel Brooks. His themes defined an era of comedy not to be replicated. He is best remembered for writing the theme to Blazing Saddles, and the score of Young Frankenstein.

“`He studied at the Juilliard School of Music and New School for Social Research. John went on to work on Broadway, doing dance arrangements for noted musicals, including Bells are Ringing, Bye Bye Birdie, and Mack and Mabel. He also had his hand in Shakespeare, creating music for productions of King Lear and Hamlet.  Morris preferred to perform as an accompanist, playing piano for many singers; most notably, with Judy Garland.

“`Morris first worked with Brooks on 1967’s The Producers. He arranged the popular tune, Springtime for Hitler, and composed the score for the movie. Morris also penned a dramatic score for The Elephant Man, which earned him a Grammy nomination. The two worked together for 24 years on ten films, including The Twelve Chairs, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, Spaceballs, History of the World, Part I, and Mel’s reworking of To Be or Not To Be.

“`Outside of the Brooks cinematic universe, John wrote scores for benchmark films during the 1980s, such as Johnny Dangerously, Clue, Dirty Dancing, and Ironweed. Morris provided the music for Gene Wilder’s motion pictures, including The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother and The Woman in Red. 

“`On television, Morris wrote the title track for Julia Child’s  The French Chef; and the lively theme for Coach. He composed the scores for a few mini-teleplays, and received a Daytime Emmy in 1978 for the after-school special, The Tap Dance Kid.

“`John Morris (above) was 91.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Col. Harland Sanders, who died 36 years ago,  first started selling fried chicken from a single restaurant in 1930.  KFC, now owned by Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum Brands Inc., resurrected the Colonel for its ads in 2015 after a nearly 20 year absence, hiring Rob Lowe, Ray Liotta, Darrell Hammond, and other famous men for the role.

“`Their next Colonel Sanders is giving the character a bit of country music flair. KFC has just selected singer Reba McEntire to portray the founder of the fried chicken chain.  KFC has picked McEntire because of her Southern roots, and to help promote their new Smoky Mountain BBQ. McEntire says she has eaten at KFC all her life, since her days growing up in Oklahoma.

“`In commercials starting next week, McEntire dons the Colonel’s famous white suit and black tie, but with a twist:  McEntire’s outfit has fringe on the back. McEntire croons on stage as the Colonel, with a white wig and white facial hair.

“`A rotating cast of famous names have portrayed the Colonel. However, McEntire is the first famous female, and the initial musician. She may also be the first woman in KFC’s nearly 90 year history to depict the Colonel.  The company says the best historical minds at KFC could not remember a woman having stepped into the role.

“`In light of today’s atmosphere of female empowerment, and the necessary backlash against harassment, the company may want to drop their slogan, Finger Lickin Good.

“`Just sayin’…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Thanks to eBook sales; plus, general wholesale deliveries, I have reached two milestones. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has reached 3500 in sales.  Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is also at 1600 in purchases.

“`Rarely, both paperbacks have reached specified goals at the same time. What a great way to start 2018. They are both available on Amazon.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Actress Dorothy Malone was best  familiar to 1960s television viewers as Constance Mackenzie, the long-suffering mother of Mia Farrow, in the night-time soap  Peyton Place. She also won an Oscar for her work in  Written on the Wind.  After 11 years of roles playing sweethearts and wives, the brunette actress decided she needed to gamble on her career. She fired her agent, hired a publicist, dyed her hair blonde and sought a sultry image, which led to her award-winning performance.

“`In 1942, an RKO talent scout saw her on stage at Southern Methodist University, and recommended her for a film contract. Moving to Warner Brothers in 1945 gave her a great opportunity. In her first film at the studio, The Big Sleep, she was cast as a bookshop clerk opposite Humphrey Bogart.

“`She took on roles in Night and Day, Colorado Territory, Artists and Models, and Battle Cry. During the 1950s, she thrived in biopics, Man of a Thousand Faces and Too Much Too Soon, the scripted tales of Lon Chaney and John Barrymore  (working with James Cagney and Errol Flynn).

“`Malone thrived on television guest-starring in Route 66, Dr. Kildare, The Untouchables, Ellery Queen, Ironside, and Vega$. She also had a prominent role in the mini-series, Rich Man Poor Man. Her final big screen part was in Basic Instinct.  Dorothy got the latter part, after impressing Michael Douglas on an episode of  The Streets of San Francisco, a decade before. They remained friends after her appearance.

“`Malone’s enduring connection to Peyton Place led to co-starring in two made-for-television movies:  Murder in Peyton Place and Peyton Place – The Next Generation.

“`A lingering memory to Hollywood’s Golden Age, Dorothy Malone (above) was 93.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Bradford Dillman was an actor and author in familiar movies throughout his career. He appeared in film, television, and stage. BRADFORD DILLMAN –>

“`After serving in Korea, Bradford studied at the Actor’s Studios. He spent several seasons as an apprentice with the Sharon Connecticut Playhouse before making his professional acting debut in The Scarecrow in 1953.

“`Dillman began on Broadway career in the Eugene O’Neill play Long Day’s Journey Into Night in 1956, as the author’s alter ego, Edmund Tyrone, and won a Theatre World Award. The production also featured Fredric March, Florence Eldridge, and Jason Robards Jr., and it ran for 390 performances. In 1957, Katharine Cornell cast him in a Broadway production of Robert E. Sherwood’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, There Shall Be No Night.  It was later adapted for television in a Hallmark Hall of Fame production.

“`On screen, Dillman appeared in  Compulsion, Sergeant Ryker, The Bridge of Remagen, Jigsaw, The Mephisto Waltz,  Escape from the Planet of the Apes, The Way We Were, The Swarm, Love and Bullets, and Sudden Impact. Bradford was cast in the melodrama A Certain Smile, for which he earned a Golden Globe Award.

“`On television, he guest-starred in Kraft Television Theatre, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Wagon Train,  The Name of the Game, Wild Wild West, Columbo, The Big Valley, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,  Barnaby Jones, The F.B.I., Marcus Welby M.D., Fantasy Island,  Mission:  Impossible,  The Streets of San Francisco, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and   Ironside. In eight different episodes, he had a part in Murder She Wrote.

“`Dillman wrote a sports fan book  Inside the New York Giants; and an autobiography Are You Anybody:  An Actor’s Life. He lived for many years in Montecito, California, and helped raise money for medical research. His second wife was actress Suzy Parker.

“`Bradford Dillman was 86.

Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Val Zavala, the anchor, producer, and an award-winning journalist of KCET  SoCal Connected, is retiring after thirty years of covering Los Angeles. She is known for her collaboration with Ralph Story’s  Things That Aren’t Here Anymore series of documentaries.                                 VAL ZAVALA —>

“`Zavala began her career at KCET in 1987, and has reported on critical topics such as the election of Los Angeles’ first Mexican American mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa;  the tragedy of 9/11; the Democratic National Convention in 2000; and much more.  The winner of 18 Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards and eight Golden Mikes, Val earned a Walter Cronkite Award  for Ballot Brief, an informative digital program on California’s ballot measures in the 2016 election.

“`Although viewers know Zavala from her work as an anchor for the last 10 years, her legacy at the station goes beyond her on-screen talents. From 2014 to 2017, she became executive producer on KCET’s award-winning news magazine show, SoCal Connected; and served as the station’s Vice President of News and Public Affairs.

“`From 2004 to 2008, Zavala was a reporter, producer, and anchor for KCET’s weekday news program Life and Times, in addition to several other news specials and series such as Town Hall Los Angeles and Bracing for a Quake:  A Survival Guide, among others.

“`Zavala’s career will be honored in an episode of SoCal Connected called 30 Years with Val Zavala;  which will air on Tuesday evening, February 13th at 8p on KCET; and will encore on Wednesday, February 14th at 7:30p.

“`Val is an active community leader. She was honored by Hispanic Americans for Fairness in Media, and named one of the 100 most influential Latinos by Hispanic Business magazine. Val also serves on the board of Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles, and one of the regents for Mount Saint Mary’s University.

“`Val plans on spending more time with her family.

Until next time>                               “never forget”