Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Google’s latest Google Doodle is celebrating what would be actress, director, and producer Mary Pickford’s 125th birthday. The search engine’s homepage features art depicting Pickford, known as Queen of the Movies, operating a camera with a kitty perched on her shoulder, and the word Google written in the style of text from a silent film.

“`Mary Pickford was born in Toronto, Canada on April 8th, 1892, and she died in Santa Monica on May 29th, 1979 at the age of 87, after a prolific career in the motion picture industry. Early in her cinematic career, she was known as the girl with the curls; a beloved star who appeared in as many as 50 films a year in the silent film era.

“`Mary was able to use her stardom to negotiate  wages equaling half of her films profits, and demanded full creative and financial control of her films along with Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and D.W. Griffith. Pickford also helped revolutionize the movie industry by developing the Motion Picture Relief Fund, which helped provide independent filmmakers an avenue to distribute their films outside of the studios system.

“`She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1929 film Coquette, and was recognized for contributions to the film industry with an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1976.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Don Rickles, whose verbal assaults endeared him to audiences and peers, and made him the acknowledged master of insult comedy. He was a mainstay on late-night television, and he was quite memorable in a few films.  Above all, Don was a madcap pioneer of political incorrectness.

“`Rickles perfected this confrontational schtick, stand-up performers still emulate. He managed to shock audiences, without social commentary. He operated under a code as old as the Borscht Belt: Go far – ethnic jokes, sex jokes; however, make sure everyone knows it’s just for fun.  He emerged in the late 1950s, a time when comics such as Lenny Bruce and Mort Sahl were taking greater political risks. Ironically, one of his best pals was the milquetoast Bob Newhart.

“`For over a half a century, Rickles (above)  headlined casinos and nightclubs from Las Vegas to Atlantic City, and he livened up late-night talk shows. No one was exempt from his barrage of insults, including fellow celebs as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Johnny Carson.  In spite of jokes that might have inspired boycotts, Rickles was one of the most beloved folks in show business;  idolized by peers, such as Joan Rivers, Louis CK, Chris Rock, and Sarah Silverman. Rickles appeared everywhere from strip clubs to the 1985 inaugural gala for President Ronald Reagan, and remained popular well after his ethnic and racial humor had become outdated.

“`Don set out to be a serious actor, enrolling in New York’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where one of his classmates was Jason Robards. Originally having no luck finding acting jobs, he initially supported himself by selling automobiles, life insurance, and even, cosmetics. Rickles’ movies ranged from comedies to dramas, and included  Run Silent Run Deep, which starred Clark Gable; The Rat Race with Tony Curtis; Kelly’s Heroes starring Clint Eastwood; and Martin Scorsese’s Casino with Robert De Niro. Rickles also appeared in four Beach Party flicks in the 1960s, and Don provided the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the animated Toy Story films. The latter character was additionally featured in a potato chip television ad.

“`He was never able to transfer his success to a televised weekly situation comedy. The Don Rickles Show lasted just one season.  C.P.O. Sharkey, in which he played an acid-tongued Navy chief petty officer, fared slightly better, airing from 1976 to 1978. The tireless comedian left behind a 10-episode series, Dinner with Don, which De Niro, Billy Crystal, Amy Poehler, Jimmy Kimmel, and others joined him to eat and chat. Distribution and a release date for the AARP Studios production have yet to be announced.

“`Rickles became an unofficial court jester of Sinatra’s Rat Pack, ridiculing his singing, his love life, and alleged ties to organized crime. He won the Emmy for Best Individual Performance in a Variety Show for the John Landis film Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project. He received the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence, a fitting tribute for a comic whose big break came on The Tonight Show. Carson was a favorite target; and maybe, his biggest fan.

“`God rest the hockey puck… Don Rickles was 90.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Rona Barrett’s fine effort to build the Golden Inn & Village housing project for low-income seniors in Santa Ynez has inspired California Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson to introduced a bill that would encourage the construction of similar affordable senior housing projects, statewide. The Golden Inn & Village opened its doors last year.

                                                                   RONA BARRETT

“`Senate Bill 62,  Affordable Senior Housing Act of 2017, would create an Affordable Senior Housing Program within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. The program would guide housing projects from conception to completion; it would provide assistance in obtaining permits;  it would help find private and public funding sources;  and would search for suitable locations. It works with local, state, and federal agencies to move projects forward.

“`SB 62 would also require annual reports to the Legislature on the number and location of senior housing units developed through the program, as well as, challenges encountered. A hearing for the bill has not yet been scheduled.

“`Spearheaded by Barrett, an entrepreneur and former gossip columnist, the Golden Inn & Village was built with a combination of public and private funds, and provides housing units for low-income seniors, along with services that meet their needs as they age.  They include affordable staff housing, community center and gardens, and will eventually include assisted living, memory care, adult day care, and hospice care.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Downton Abbey may not be producing any new episodes;  but, the British series is offering all fans with a really neat activity that could meet with the Dowager Countess’ discerning approval: An official coloring book! Produced by Sizzle Press, the item  gives fans;  who miss the Crawleys, and their high society drama, a chance to return to the program,  as they color in different scenes.

“`In particular, viewers of the series will recognize key characters of Downton, including Mr. Carson, Lady Edith, Branson, and Mrs. Patmore. This entry is the latest in a line of television program-themed coloring books fans of popular series can purchase.

“`The official Downton Abbey Coloring Book will soon be available for purchase on May 2nd.

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                       ARNOLD PALMER      ROBERT OSBORNE

“` This weekend, we will remember two legends:  Arnold Palmer, during the ceremonial First Tee Shot at The Masters; and Robert Osborne, all weekend long at the TCM Film Festival. For four days, they are linked together in death.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`The recent motion picture, Loving,  has a noted ancestor. Five decades ago, a big-screen smooch by cinematic lovers, Katharine Houghton and Sidney Poitier,  created a commotion in our nation, and also for Columbia Pictures,  the distributors and producers of Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner.

“`Once, studio execs discovered the subject matter of the film’s plot, they were convinced audiences would stay away, and they might lose millions of dollars on the flick. The studio was wrong. It made more money for Columbia Pictures than any previous production;  earned 10 Oscar nominations — winning two; and was chosen by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 greatest movies. But, number’s of theaters in the South refused to screen it.

“`By today’s standards, the screenplay appears rather quaint, and even, antiquated. Modern, critics say it was ultimately a cautious movie without much bite. Looking back, it didn’t go far enough to confront racism. However, explained in a scene, the bi-racial couple met in Hawaii, where the lovers would eventually live,  and bring up a bi-racial family. Plus, it’s inferred one of their kids might grow up to be president; prophetic, considering Barack Obama’s story.

“`However, the social backdrop was far different in 1967.  While the film was being shot, more than a dozen states had laws against miscegenation.  The same year it came out, Secretary of State Dean Rusk offered to resign after his daughter married a black man. Interracial romance was such an explosive topic that Beah Richards, who played Poitier’s mom in the film, couldn’t see it in her hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

“`Columbia Pictures wanted to shut down the production, arguing it couldn’t get insurance for Spencer Tracy, who was gravely ill (he died just days after shooting wrapped).  Katharine Hepburn and director Stanley Kramer  agreed to put their salaries in escrow if Tracy couldn’t finish, and another actor needed to be hired. Truth be told, the movie studio might have had other motives in mind.

“`Recent commercials for Cheerios and Chase Bank celebrate interracial couples. Madison Avenue-made productions indicate a growing acceptance. The U.S. Census Bureau reports interracial opposite-sex married couple households increased by 28% over the decade; from 7% in 2000, to 10% in 2010.

“`Still, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner could have forced liberal audiences to confront their prejudices. I contend the motion picture remains a revolutionary pioneer in celluloid. And, this week, it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`To Doris Day’s many admirers, the iconic actress and singer is ageless. But, Day (whose real name is Doris Mary Kappelhoff) turns 95 on Monday — a surprise to even the star herself, who has long stated that her age is related to a 1924 birthdate that would make her 93.

“`A copy of Day’s birth certificate,  obtained by the Associated Press from Ohio’s Office of Vital Statistics, settles the issue:  She was born in Cincinnati on April 3rd, 1922, making her 95.  This confusion stems from a 1976 interview in New York, over a remark she made to a reporter. The interview was in connection to the release of her autobiography – Doris Day: Her Own Story.

“`She’s celebrating her now-milestone birthday the way she always does; asking for support for her favorite cause… animal welfare.

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“`A newly restored classic is being screened at the Hollywood Heritage Museum. Here are the details:

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“Dandelion yellow is gone.  Crayola announced on National Crayon Day it will replace the color in its 24-pack with a crayon in the blue family. The company says it will leave it to fans to come up with a name for the replacement color.

“`It is the third time in  Crayola’s long history it has retired crayons,  and just the first instance it swapped out a color in its box of twenty-four. Other colors that previously got the boot includes Lemon Yellow, Raw Umber, Maize, Blue Gray, Orange Yellow, Green Blue, and Violet Blue; they were all retired in 1990.

“`Crayola crayons were first produced by Binney & Smith Co. in 1903. Crayola is based in Easton, Pennsylvania; and is a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards Inc., headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

“`Wait… They got rid of raw umber?

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Muhammad Ali will receive the Ken Burns treatment. The PBS documentary filmmaker has  just announced that his production company will create a two-part, four-hour film about the former heavyweight champion, who died last June. Burns, his daughter Sarah, and David McMahon collaborated for a PBS documentary on Jackie Robinson that debuted last year.

“`The outpouring of good will make it easy to forget how divisive it was, when the former Cassius Clay took on the Muhammad Ali  moniker;  his conversion to Islam;  and his firm refusal to accept his military draft assignment during the Vietnam War. Ken Burns’ parent organization, Florentine Films, plans on examining what influenced Ali’s decisions, despite public condemnation.

“`The tentative plan is to air the Ali documentary in 2021.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`The actor best remembered for his biblical epics is the subject of a new literary biography.  Charlton Heston:  Hollywood’s Last Icon chronicles the life of Academy Award-winning star of Ben-Hur. His friendship with director Cecil B. DeMille led to significant roles in The Greatest Show on Earth and The Ten Commandments.  Heston, who died in 2008, is best known for playing Moses. Actually, the part was offered,  after Marlon Brando and Rock Hudson turned down the assignment.

“`These films  secured Heston as a motion picture star for the ages. Then followed Planet of the Apes; sci-fi thrillers The Omega Man and Soylent Green; and disaster movies such as Earthquake and Airport ’75.

“`After he went off to serve as a radio gunner on  B-25 combat missions during World War II, he made a strong impression in live television dramas; and by 1950, Chuck had attracted the attention of movie moguls.

“`In 1961, Heston was among those protesting Oklahoma City’s segregated restaurants.  Two years later, studio execs and colleagues failed to talk him out of joining the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington. Heston was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild six times, and opposed the cutting of federal funding for the arts. After the assassinations of King and Robert F. Kennedy, Charlton publicly backed the Gun Control Act of 1968.

“`Much like Ronald Reagan, Heston drifted from liberalism towards the conservative viewpoint. His late-in-life presidency of the National Rifle Association was a questionable performance given the toll of gun-related deaths.  But, Heston viewed the right to own firearms in terms of liberty.

“`On a personal note, I sat in an audience to watch and enjoy Chuck Heston in a production of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. He was riveting; a terrific performance.

“`I expect the life of Charlton Heston will fly off the pages of his new biography.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`It’s been 80 years since Bela Lugosi resided in his stately Tudor in Beachwood Canyon; yet, his reputation still haunts it. Whether it’s called Westshire Manor, Castle La Paloma, or simply the Bela Lugosi House,  the remodeled mansion is currently on the market for $3 million. The hillside Los Angeles neighborhood where it’s perched, stands under the iconic Hollywood Sign.

“`Best known for playing Count Dracula, Lugosi moved to this particular home between 1934 and 1937. Apparently, Bela, his fourth wife Lillian, and their dogs enjoyed hiking to what was the Hollywoodland sign at the time.

“`In 1999, Bates sold it for $850 thousand to Jon Cryer, best known for his performance in Pretty in Pink;  and on television in Two and a Half Men. He sold the estate in 2004 for $1.3 million.  A major remodel and restoration happened after Jon moved, helping to boost the price to its present amount.

“`Built by Frank W. Green in 1932, the home retains many vintage features, including a ballroom-size living room with a stone fireplace,  a formal dining room that includes iron-paned windows, and a library. Many of the fountains on the grounds date to Lugosi’s time there.

“`In his private life, Bela Lugosi (right) was quite a charming Hungarian. His home suggest this well-known fact in Hollywood circles of the time.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`George Lucas has donated another $10 million to the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts to fund the student’s diversity program that he helped establish. The gift was announced by USC, Lucas’ alma mater.                                   GEORGE LUCAS —>

“`Last fall, USC created a foundation in Lucas’ name to contribute to students from underrepresented communities,  who might qualify for financial support. This was funded with an initial $10 million gift from the George Lucas Family Foundation.  In 2006, Lucasfilm Foundation donated $175 million to expand and renovate structures at the school.

“`Michael Renov, Vice Dean of Academy Affairs, noted the gift will help USC recruit minority storytellers that lack a platform in cinematic media, and whose collective voice could benefit audiences all over the world.

“`The donation is available to graduate and undergraduate students.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`John Wayne, arguably the most famous resident of Newport Beach, could be honored with a city park bearing his name.  Newport Beach Mayor Kevin Muldoon,  who spearheaded a push last year to declare the actor’s birthday as John Wayne Day,  wants to rename an existing park after the legendary actor.  The Duke is currently immortalized with a bronze statue outside the Santa Ana airport that bears his name.

“`Muldoon hopes to rename  Ensign View Park, and have a May 26th ribbon-cutting ceremony, which marks the 110-year anniversary of Wayne’s birth. The city previously proposed installing a sculpture at the park to honor Wayne in 1979, months after his death. The plan didn’t pass.

“`The Parks and Recreation Commission will review the mayor’s latest proposal if submitted, and make a recommendation to thelr local council, according to guidelines for the naming of parks and facilities.

“`Wayne’s son, Ethan, who heads the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, has not commented about the possible honor.

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“`Turner Classic Movies will continue memorializing Robert Osborne at the  TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles next month. Festival organizers have announced that the eighth annual cinematic fest will be dedicated to the cable channel’s longtime host, who died on March 6th.

                                    ROBERT OSBORNE

“`Osborne’s TCM colleagues and friends will share stories about him during a panel discussion on the festival’s Opening Day on April 6th.  All festival screenings that day will be preceded by an Osborne tribute video.  Other special screenings are planned,  including a 20th Anniversary Tribute honoring the longtime host that premiered in 2015.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Chuck Barris created a game show empire that included The Dating Game  (with a familiar theme song), The Newlywed Game  (and its theme), and notably, The Gong Show. At one point, Barris was supplying television networks with 27 hours of entertainment, mostly in five-days-a-week daytime game shows.

“`After being dropped from a low-level job at NBC, he went to ABC, working backstage at the television music program, American Bandstand  (then filmed in Philadelphia), originally as a standards-and-practices person. Barris persuaded his bosses to allow him to open a Hollywood office, from which he launched his game-show empire. He also found success in the pop music world. He wrote the 1962 hit record Palisades Park, which was recorded by Freddy Cannon.

“`Chuck Barris hit the ground running in 1966, with The Dating Game, hosted by Jim Lange. Future celebrities who appeared as contestants included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Selleck, Michael Jackson, Steve Martin, and a pre-Charlie’s Angels — Farrah Fawcett.  On a personal note, I appeared on The Dating Game on three separate instances. I wasn’t chosen. Boo!

“`After The Newlywed Game joined The Dating Game as successful programming on nighttime television,  he struck gold with a creation of The Gong Show. Patterned after the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, a radio hit of the 1930s,  each program featured performers with peculiar talents, or often, no talent at all. Barris or celebrities  (such as regulars Jamie Farr, Jaye P. Morgan, Rex Reed and Arte Johnson) would bang an oversize gong, the show’s equivalent of vaudeville’s hook. Their victims would then be berated by the manic host.  Performers enjoying modest fame include The Unknown Comic and Gene Gene The Dancing Machine. This ran for 5 years, finally getting gonged in 1980. CHUCK BARRIS ->

“`After his brand of game show-programming had run its course,  Barris went into semi-retirement, and wrote his autobiography,  Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. In it, he claimed to have been a former CIA assassin. George Clooney produced a motion picture based on the writings of Barris in 2002. Chuck joined George to promote the film, boldly claiming that his shows were a forerunner to today’s reality television programming.

“`The irreverent Chuck Barris was 87.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The Celebration of Life for Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher  will finally taking place on Saturday, 1p at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills at the Hall of Liberty in the Freedom Theater.  They are already interred. DEBBIE REYNOLDS / CARRIE FISHER ->

“`One of the afternoon highlights is the unveiling an original song,  composed by James Blunt. The composer will not be perform.  A track will debut over a photo montage. Also on the program: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles;  a tribute from members  of the Debbie Reynolds Dance School; and costumes, memorabilia,  and even, Debbie’s honorary Oscar on display.

“`Fisher’s daughter, Billie, will be present.  But, refuses to make a speech, since she is still distraught over the loss of her mom and grandmother.  Other family members and friends, including composer John Williams,  Dan Aykroyd, Morgan Brittany, Ruta Lee, Renee Russo, Beverly D’Angelo, Susan Olson, and R2D2 are expected to attend the ceremony. Watch the ceremony at Debbie’s site at:

www.debbiereynolds.com

“`There are a limited number of seats available for the public,  and it will be on a first-come, first-seated basis. There are no tickets. There will be room for overflow in the huge lobby, as well as the outside, with screens to watch and hear the service.

“`Visitors are welcome to visit the grave sites after the ceremony.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`An opera about  Negro Leagues’ baseball great, Josh Gibson, whose home run stroke rivaled Babe Ruth, will have its world premiere in Pittsburgh next month. The Summer King,  presented by the Pittsburgh Opera, premieres April 29th. Gibson’s life story also figured in Fences, the film starring Denzel Washington that was originally a play by Pittsburgh native, August Wilson.

“`Gibson was one of the first three  Negro Leagues players to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which lists his career batting average as .350. He was twice named Negro National League batting champ, and led the league in home runs, three times. Gibson played for two Pittsburgh teams; the Homestead Grays and the Crawfords. Gibson passed at 35 from a brain aneurysm, a few months before Jackie Robinson integrated baseball in 1947.

“`The Pittsburgh Opera partnered on The Summer King with the Josh Gibson Foundation, which is run by Gibson’s great-grandson, Sean. While Fences brought attention to his great-grandfather, the opera will tell a more complete story. A ballpark named for Gibson is located in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, not far from August Wilson House, the late playwright’s childhood home.  The museum will host a block party on April 29th, starting at noon, a few hours prior to the opera premiere, to mark Wilson’s birthday.

“`Nearly, all 14 principal roles in The Summer King are played by African-Americans, a rarity in operas (Porgy and Bess notwithstanding). Renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves plays Gibson’s lover, and bass-baritone Alfred Walker, will play Josh Gibson (above).

“`The Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit plans to stage The Summer King in March, 2018.

Until next time>                               “never forget”