Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Associated Press is reporting stunning news in the world of Hollywood cinema:

“`In an unprecedented move, Kevin Spacey is being cut from Ridley Scott’s latest finished production, All the Money in the World, and replaced by Christopher Plummer, just one month before it hits theaters. Plummer will assume the role of J. Paul Getty. The re-shoot includes the expected participation of its co-stars, Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams.

          KEVIN SPACEY                      CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER

“`The film was set to have a world premiere at AFI Fest in Los Angeles on November 16th, but was dropped earlier this week amid sexual harassment allegations involving Spacey. He was recently fired from House of Cards; and dropped by his talent agency and publicist.

“`All the Money in the World was primed for an awards season-release from distributor Sony Pictures Entertainment and its advertising campaign, which prominently features Spacey. Scott, known as an efficient director, plans on keeping a Christmas release date.

“`Back in 1937, Jean Harlow unexpectedly died before completing her scenes on the motion picture, Saratoga.  MGM movie mogul Louis B. Mayer utilized a double to conclude filming. The actor was shot from behind, with her face not shown. In 1944, Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne convinced Mayer to halt production of A Guy Named Joe for six months so that Van Johnson could recover from an auto accident.  Five years later, Louis Calhern replaced Frank Morgan, weeks into the shooting of Annie Get Your Gun, after he had a fatal heart attack.

“`My historical perspective:  Once principal photography is completed, actors simply aren’t fired and replaced. Allegations swirling around Kevin Spacey upsets the very foundation of Hollywood, and its reference as a dream factory, for the foreseeable future.

“`Scott’s plan caught Sony by surprise; but, the studio is supporting the switch. Bulletins as they break…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Cinemaps:  An Atlas of 35 Great Movies is from Quirk Books. This beautifully rendered atlas is an essential reference for anybody who loves modern art and great motion pictures.

“`Esteemed artisan  Andrew DeGraff crafted hand-painted maps of seminal movies, such as King Kong, North by Northwest, Jaws, Ghostbusters,  The Princess Bride, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Fargo, Pulp Fiction, The Shining, and The Breakfast Club. Each of the routes of major characters are charted in meticulous cartographic detail.

“`Andrew DeGraff is a freelance illustrator and artist living and working in Maine. Andrew was born in Albany, New York. In 2001, he graduated from Pratt Institute’s Communications Design program. His clients include  Visa,  Sports Illustrated, Kellogg’s, New York Times, and GAP Kids. His gallery work has been shown in New York, Chicago, Calgary, Honolulu, Philadelphia, Albany, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Quezon City in the Philippines. DeGraff (right) sketches unique points-of-view. 

“`Each map is presented in an 11-by-14-inch format, with key details enlarged for closer inspection; and is accompanied by illuminating essays by movie critic A.D. Jameson, who provides written commentary about the unique geographies from each flick.

NORTH BY NORTHWEST

“`My personal favorite is the trek made in the Alfred Hitchcock 1959 classic motion picture.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P… 

“`A simple-minded rube, who gleans what he knows of the world from television, becomes a lightening rod within political circles with access to the White House. NO, I am not referring to current administrations. I am writing about the next-to-last production made by Peter Sellers… Being There. This 1979 movie is worth a visit, because of a poignant relevance to today’s sovereign climate.

“`Directed by Hal Ashby, he displays similar acuity as in his previous work, Harold and Maude.  Being There is political satire; hilarious and subtle. The supporting cast is formidable, including Jack Warden, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, and Richard Dysart. This script is smart; based on the novel by Polish-born scribe, Jerzy Kosinski.

“`During filming, to remain in character, Sellers refused most interviews, and kept his distance from the other actors. His performance was universally lauded by critics, and it’s considered to be the crowning triumph of Sellers’s remarkable career.  Though, he lost an Academy Award to Dustin Hoffman, Peter did receive a New York Film Critics Circle Award, Golden Globe, and a BAFTA. Douglas earned a second Oscar in his distinguished career for his performance (the first was in 1963 for his role in HUD).

“`The premise of the production is on target:  A naive gardener unwittingly becomes a much sought-after political pundit; and a commentator on the vagaries of our modern free society. Television, as a medium that deals almost exclusively in image and surface, remains an easy avenue, through which, an individual could advance so meteorically to celebrity. An audience that embraces his fame actually believe this character can literally walk on water. Ultimately, his followers surmise the small screen has inaugurated artificial displays of divinity; a Gospel celebrating faux-patriotism. Additionally, Russians contribute to this whirlwind of government ascension.

“`Per chance… Does any of this sound familiar?

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Dick Cavett is donating over 2,000 episodes of his television talk show to the Library of Congress. The donation announced by the Library includes episodes of  The Dick Cavett Show from his 35 years as host during the 1960s to 1980s.

“`The shows feature more than 5,000 guests. Cavett had a unique reputation as sophisticated counter-programming to more mainstream late night fare and for attracting an eclectic mix of guests. Among the interviews featured: Orson Welles, Janis Joplin, Groucho Marx, Muhammad Ali and Jimi Hendrix. Other episodes include the televised confrontation between writers, Gore Vidal and Norman Mailer;  and a 1971 episode with John Lennon and Yoko Ono in their candid conversation about the ongoing relationship they had with The Beatles (that was deteriorating at the time).

“`Cavett might have a place in television history anyway given that his resume also included writing for late night icons – Jack Parr and Johnny Carson. His own shows appeared on ABC, CBS, USA, CNBC, HBO, and PBS.  Some of Cavett’s more interesting interviews were aired recently on Turner Classic Movies.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`The BBC is producing a television update of director Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. The classic thriller is being re-imagined for the small screen, in a weekly series from  Harry Potter producer David Heyman’s Heyday Television. It’s a new contemporary drama for next year.

“`Tippi Hedren won’t be reportedly involved  with this latest incarnation. In fact, the series will apparently bear a closer resemblance to the 1952 Daphne du Maurier novel. So, instead of 1960s California, it will be post-World War II-era Cornwall.  By the end of this story, it becomes clear all of Great Britain is under aerial assault. This scary tale is thought to be a metaphor for air attacks on London by the Nazis; in particular, The Blitz.

“`While it is still early in the process, the script is being written by Irish playwright Conor McPherson, who previously adapted the story in 2009 for the stage. The Birds television adaptation has no announced release date. However, expect the series to take flight next season.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Originally designed for MGM’s outer space epic Forbidden Planet, Robby the Robot ranks among the single most iconic props in science fiction history, and arguably, cinema’s most famous robot. Bonhams Auction House is presenting Robby for the very first time.

“`Robby was built at MGM for $100,000 – a gigantic sum for a science fiction prop in those days.  Robby ran on five 12 volt DC motors, which were originally World War II military surplus. Actor / stuntman Frankie Carpenter, and former kid star Frankie Darro, wore the Robby costume in the film. The bulk suit weighs 120 pounds that Carpenter and Darro had to wear using a flying harness just like the one worn by the Flying Monkeys in The Wizard of Oz.

“`Since Robby is, in many ways, the movie’s star, he was present at the Los Angeles premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. During the film’s original release, the robot was sent around the country on a promotional tour.

“`Robby also co-starred in The Invisible Boy; and appeared in many television programs, including Lost in Space, The Addams Family, and The Twilight Zone. After restoration, Robby occasionally was in flicks such as Gremlins; and it made appearances at screenings, conventions, and other events, including the 2016 Turner Classic Movies Film Festival.

“`Robby was also recently honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in its special retrospective of Forbidden Planet. He remained on display at the Academy for two months.

“`Now, Robbie can be yours. Make your bid on November 21st.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Prior to their move to Los Angeles, the Dodgers were the daffy team that played at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.  They were active in the Major Leagues from 1884 until 1957, winning only one World Series in 1955. The signing of Jackie Robinson in 1947 to play in Brooklyn secured the team’s influential legacy.

“`After the so-called wilderness decades of the 1920s and 1930s, the Dodgers were rebuilt into a contending club; first by general manager Larry MacPhail, and then, by the legendary Branch Rickey.  They finally won NL pennants in 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, and 1953, only to lose to the New York Yankees in all five of the subsequent World Series. The Spring ritual that provided hope, followed by immense disappointment, became an annual theme to their long-suffering fans. Wait ’til next year was the unofficial Dodgers slogan.

“`To add insult to injury… In 1951, Brooklyn led the National League by a prodigious 13½ games in mid-August over their arch rivals, the Giants.  However, they caught the Boys of Summer,  which forced a three-game playoff. It came down to the final contest. Brooklyn seemed poised to secure the pennant, holding a 4–2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Bobby Thomson would crush a stunning three-run walk-off homer from the Dodgers Ralph Branca to secure the NL Championship for New York. To this day, Thomson’s home run is known as the Shot Heard ‘Round the World.

“`One final indignity… The year after Dem Bums clinched it all, Yankees pitcher Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history, and the only post-season no-hitter for the next 54 years. The Dodgers lost in seven games in 1956.

“`The Dodgers remained in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn for just one more season, before they ventured to the West Coast. Ebbets Field was one of several historic Major League ballparks demolished in the 1960s. Today, apartment housing replaces the famed ballbark.

“`After moving to California, the Dodgers have played in 19 World Series; nine in Brooklyn, and ten in Los Angeles. Currently, the Dodgers are searching for their seventh World Series championship. They are tied 2-2 against the Houston Astros, a team that has never won a World Series; competing in only their second Fall Classic.

“`Like historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, I root for the Dodgers. I’ve waited almost thirty years for their next World Series victory.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Fats Domino was the piano-playing prodigy, whose lightning-fast fingers crafted a fractious sound, blending rock with rhythm-and-blues. He gained fame with his 1955 hit Ain’t That a Shame, and his rock-n-roll version of Blueberry Hill. Fats record sales were only surpassed by Elvis Presley. He had 37 Top 40 hits; however, not one topped the charts. Chubby Checker’s name is a tribute to Antoine Domino’s stage moniker.  FATS DOMINO –>

“`According to his biography, New Orleans bandleader Billy Diamond evaluated Domino and nicknamed him Fats,  because he reminded him of renowned pianist, Fats Waller. Domino, a Louisiana native, learned to play piano from his brother-in-law. A primary collaborator as he rose to fame was Dave Bartholomew, who co-wrote and produced many of his songs.

“`He found much success with a string of tunes in the late 1950s and early 1960s, such as  Blue Monday, I’m Walkin, I’m In Love Again, and Walking to New Orleans. With his recognizable voice and cherubic face, Domino was a familiar sight on the silver screen. Fats was a frequent guest on American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show; and he made appearances in films, including  Shake Rattle and Rock!  and The Girl Can’t Help It. He made a cameo appearance in the movie Any Which Way You Can in 1979.

“`Fats was one of the initial artists inducted into Rock n Roll’s Hall of Fame in 1986. After  Hurricane Katrina damaged his house,  President George W. Bush made a special visit to his home. Many of his personal artifacts that he received from the music industry were replaced by Capitol Records, which owns the Imperial Records’ catalogue.

“`An undisputed pioneer of popular music, Antoine Fats Domino Jr. was 89.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Robert Guillaume was a star in stage musicals and a winner of Emmy Awards for his portrayal of the sharp-tongued butler in the television sitcoms,  Soap and Benson. Among his achievements was portraying  Nathan Detroit in the first all-black cast of  Guys and Dolls, earning a Tony Awards nomination in 1977. He became the first African-American to sing the title role of  The Phantom of the Opera in a Los Angeles-based production, and was the voice of Rafiki in the film version of The Lion King.

“`After serving as an apprentice at theaters in Aspen and Cleveland, he toured with Broadway shows Finian’s Rainbow, Golden Boy, Porgy and Bess;  and began appearing on sitcoms, such as The Jeffersons and Sanford and Son. He guest-starred in Marcus Welby M.D., A Different World, All in the Family, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; and he co-starred in the television mini-series, North and South.

“`Robert Guillaume (above) was among the first celebrities to appear at HIV fundraisers. His son Jacques died of complications from AIDS in 1990.  In 1999, Bob suffered a minor stroke. Guillaume would resume his career and became a new spokesman for the American Stroke Association. He also made appearance for the American Heart Association.

“`Guillaume won a Grammy in 1995 when a read-aloud version of The Lion King, which he narrated, was cited for Best Spoken Word. He as also earned four NAACP Image Awards.

“`Robert Guillaume was 89.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Vivien Leigh is getting the bio treatment. Michael Zam and Jaffe Cohen, the writers behind  Feud, will bring the tumultuous star’s story to the big screen.

“`The screenplay will be based on Hugo Vickers’ chronicle of her career, Vivien Leigh:  A Biography; plus, it will focus on her relationship with Laurence Olivier. While they were married for 20 years, the relationship couldn’t withstand cheating on both sides and Leigh’s lingering problem with mental illness.

“`Over the trajectory of her career, she received two Oscars, for her roles in Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire. She also won a Tony for her role in Tovarich. Leigh passed away at the age of 53 from tuberculosis.

“`Casting information and production timeline has yet to be released for the upcoming movie.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The history of Horror genre has roots prior to the Studio Era of Hollywood. Silent movies are filled with cinematic classics (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, come to mind); and made genuine stars out of actors, such as Lon Chaney and Conrad Veidt.

“`Universal Studios provided vivid films of the genre, including Frankenstein, Dracula, The Invisible Man, The Mummy, The Wolfman, among others. King Kong became an instant classic in 1933. Paramount Pictures produced the definitive version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

“`October is the perfect month to examine the psyche of nefarious behavior. I humbly offer three iconic examples of scripted characters so vile, and absent of any redeeming qualities. They are the best visualization during Hollywood’s Golden Age of hideous human beings that explode on the screen.

“`Let us consider Lonesome Rhodes from  A Face in the Crowd, or Jack Ripper from Dr. Strangelove. But, crime-for-crime sake is not part of their internal makeup. Cody Jarrett from White Heat is a worthy honorable mention in my written examination. A conclusion culminating in the ignition of a massively fatal detonation, content to kill law enforcement officers chasing him, is quite over-the-top. However, Jarrett reacts in murderous ways; he won’t initiate the instinct. In my estimation, it’s James Cagney’s defining performance.

“`Here are my TOP 3 candidates of humanity in gruesome turmoil during Hollywood Golden Age:

               TOMMY UDO    REVEREND HARRY POWELL       NORMAN BATES

~ TOMMY UDO / KISS OF DEATH – Richard Widmark’s screen debut earned him an Oscar nod. Like Cody Jarrett, he is a malignant gangster.  Unlike Jarrett, Udo will attack character’s that get in his way for the sheer joy of the process.  The prescient scene earning Udo a place on the list:  Shackling of a squealer’s wheel-chair bound mom, and then, pushing her down a staircase to her death. Hard to watch; yet, this horrific incident compels viewing each time it appears on celluloid.

~ REVEREND HARRY POWELL / THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER  –  Bob Mitchum’s signature role; it led to him to be cast in such movies as Cape Fear.  Directed by Charles Laughton, the film is ahead of its time in presenting horror in human form; Powell is a male black widow who uses gullibility and revivalism to conduct murder just for the chance to obtain money. This flick influenced later work, including  Elmer Gantry (for its cynicism);  To Kill a Mockingbird (for its atmosphere); and Psycho (for sheer horror). Shelly Winters is the visual victim played in a backdrop of triangulation based on the production sets of  The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Lilian Gish is the heroine that puts religion on its purest path.  Audiences stayed away in 1955; they find this a unabashed classic in 2017.

~ NORMAN BATES / PSYCHO –  Alfred Hitchcock spent a lifetime searching for the perfect human monster. Anthony Perkins personifies Hitch’s screen villainy. He would be typecast for the rest of his career. Psychologists debate reasons why Norman would act so efficiently as a killing machine; mental instability at the core of any discussion. The modern horror was born in 1960 with the shower scene. In fact, actual serial killers bare striking resemblances to the apparent normalcy of  Norman Bates. Hitchcock struck a chilling chord that resonates to this day. Even a new documentary analyzes the entire shower scene; need I say more?

“`Sleep well, tonight… and, set your moral compass!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`My favorite movie of all time on the big screen in November! This is a nationwide screening.  Round up the usual suspects and let’s go see this timeless classic.

“`Why is it rated PG?

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Another actor of Hollywood’s Golden Age has reached a rare milestone. Marsha Hunt is turning 100 on Tuesday. She joins Olivia de Havilland and Kirk Douglas with their recent celebrations.

“`Her career was spent at Paramount Pictures and MGM. She had noted performances in  Pride and Prejudice, Blossoms in the Dust, Panama Hattie,  The Human Comedy, and  Smash-Up the Story of a Woman. Marsha did a screen test to portray  Melanie in Gone with the Wind, and almost got the part before de Havilland was chosen.   MARSHA HUNT –>

“`Hunt had joined a number of filmmakers,  including John Huston, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Danny Kaye to protest the actions of the House Un-American Activities Committee. She was blacklisted by Hollywood film studio executives in the 1950s during the McCarthy Era. She was named a potential Communist sympathizer (along with 151 other actors, writers, and directors) in the anti-Communist publication — Red Channels. During this time, Hunt worked on stage.

“`In her later years, Hunt became active in progressive causes, such as ending global poverty, supporting same-sex marriage, raising the awareness of climate change, and promoting peace in Third World countries. As mayor of Sherman Oaks, she raised funds for the creation of Rose Cottage, a day care shelter for homeless children; and served for years on the Advisory Board of Directors for the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center,  a large non-profit that advocates for adults and children affected by homelessness and mental illness.

“`On a personal note, I am pleased to have met Ms. Hunt on several occasions. I found her to be delightful, and very down-to-earth, considering her screen-legend status.

“`Happy birthday to the unwavering Marsha Hunt.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`The California city of Folsom has completed a second section of its  Johnny Cash Trail that pays tribute to the country music icon, and his 1968 album, At Folsom Prison. Cash’s daughter Cindy Cash gave an emotional speech as she cut the ribbon at this weekend’s event,  which included a festival, fun runs, and community bike ride.                               JOHNNY CASH –>

“`The initial section of  2.5-mile trail opened three years ago. The second phase completes a bike section of the trail,  which traverses prison property, and links to other trails in the area. The Sacramento Bee reports that Folsom still plans to install large pieces of art that will tell Johnny Cash’s story. His career was recently chronicled in the 2005 movie, Walk the Line. It starred Joaquin Phoenix as the Man in Black.

“`Cindy Cash choked up as she spoke of her father’s humble nature, and how honored he would have been by the event.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The home of  Peanuts creator Charles Schulz burned to the ground in this week’s deadly Northern California wildfires. Thankfully, his widow escaped the blaze. Schulz built the West Coast split-level home in the 1970s, and the cartoonist lived there until his death in 2000.

                    CHARLES M. SCHULZ     SNOOPY

“`Schulz usually worked at an outside studio,  and most original artwork and memorabilia are at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, which escaped the flames.  Jean Schulz is the current president of the board of directors, created two years after the cartoonist’s passing.

“`Schulz had long ties to Santa Rosa and Sonoma County. The Santa Rosa airport is officially named the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, and features bronze sculptures of the Peanuts characters. Its logo is Snoopy flying on top of his doghouse; the Sopwith Camel.

“`Fires in the Northern California wine country have killed at least 40 people, since they began on Sunday, and wiped out thousands of homes and structures, including wineries, resorts, and whole neighborhoods. Prayers to the victims and the first-responders affected by the blaze.

Until next time>                               “never forget”