Bullitt Points Archives - Page 4 of 10

My Neighbor, Jane Russell by Tony Piazza

August 31, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

MY NEIGHBOR, JANE RUSSELL by Tony Piazza

When I was growing up I heard a number of stories about JANE RUSSELL. I would see her with BOB HOPE and BING CROSBY on Christmas Shows, or in films, but little did I know that many years later I would be living in the same neighborhood, just a couple of blocks down from her home. She was very much a part of our community in the Central Coast. She held neighborhood bible classes, encouraged young talent by sponsoring a variety show at our local venues, took part in our neighborhood block parties, and various other activities that really seem mundane for a woman of her notoriety and stature. We would run into her often at “Bed, Bath, and Beyond” or “Albertsons”. I saw her in her in a plain house coat numerous times collecting her mail when I was walking the dog…just an average good neighbor who took out her garbage like everyone else, yet truly a woman with a remarkable background and career.

My grandfather saw a billboard with this picture and nearly drove off the highway.

When we first moved up to the area, we heard about the talent shows and made a point of attending. It was small and intimate. A meeting room in the Radisson Hotel with a small stage, piano, and tablecloth covered round tables and chairs set out for the guests. She would act as M.C. and talk in-between acts about HOWARD HUGHES, Hollywood, entertaining the troops, Bing, Bob, and many other fascinating topics. She also sang, as did other talented young people…real songs (30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s), with melodies and lyrics that make sense! We saw her shortly before she died at our block party. I can tell that she was failing. She had lost a great deal of weight, but she was still a trooper and got up and sang a tune or two. They don’t make stars like they used to, which makes it all the more sadder when we lose another of them. And in our case we also lost a good neighbor and valuable member to our community as well.

Howard Hughes

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Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was next released early 2012, and in July of this year, his latest Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels” was published and is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden. His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites, or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels is now available!

Find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available for $2.99 on Kindle.

Karl Malden: The Hazards of Being in the Spotlight by Tony Piazza

August 29, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

Karl Malden: The Hazards of Being in the Spotlight by Tony Piazza

Did you know that KARL MALDEN actually got death threats because of that American Express commercial he did years ago? Some disgruntle user of American Express sent the company letters with inflammatory language and quite blatantly announced that they would like to kill the actor who said, “Don’t leave home without it!” We had gotten word on the set of “The Streets of San Francisco” and security was immediately beefed up. I could see the difference when I reported on location that morning…enough that it caused me to ask questions. I learned however that quite frankly from the start they were not taking it too seriously. Karl was alerted and didn’t seem too worried. Nevertheless they had to go through the motions. It seems this has happened before. In fact threats like these happened more often then one would think. It is pretty much understood by all concerned that if a celebrity becomes identified with a product, and that product doesn’t for some reason come up to the standards of the consumer, that celebrity would become the focus of their anger. And regarding the threat; it is usually the person who doesn’t advertise his or her intentions that are far more dangerous than those who do. Nine times out of ten the others are just blowing off steam. That was fortunately the situation in this case, and after a few days everyone relaxed on the set.

Unfortunately, not all situations such as this have happy endings. Crazed fans have cost the lives of a number of celebrities. John Lennon instantly comes to mind, as does Selena and the actress Rebecca Schaffer. Marla Hanson, model was attacked and her face sliced in 1986 by two men hired by her landlord because she shunned his sexual advances. In recent years we’ve also read of stalkers who hound the stars with strange fan mail, or invade their privacy by trespassing on their property or following them running errands- Letterman being an example. And then there is the paparazzi, chasing after them for those valuable photographs. They were responsible for the Lady Diana tragedy. It makes you wonder whether fame is really worth it. If being in the spotlight is all that it’s cracked up to be.

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Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His next novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was released early 2012 and is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden. His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it where fine books are sold, or at the link posted below. All profits go to the BoysRepubliccharity: www.bullittpoints.com.

ROCK HUDSON, A Quiet Man by Tony Piazza

August 24, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

ROCK HUDSON, A Quiet Man by Tony Piazza

I met ROCK HUDSON one sunny summer day in downtown San Francisco. He was there filming his television series McMillan and Wife (1971-1977) with Susan Saint James. The show was a crime drama in the tradition of the “The Thin Man” series of the 1930s and 40s. McMillan (Hudson) was a police commissioner with an attractive, engaging wife named Sally (Saint James) who enjoyed meddling in on his crime cases. John Schuck and Nancy Walker also starred in the series (the later as their maid) and usually provided humor for the episodes. It aired originally on NBC, but returned later on CBS.

Mister Hudson took a few minutes away from filming to shake hands and poise for this picture. He was a very quiet man, serious except twice when he cracked a smile for the camera, and again at my thanks for the picture. He didn’t have much to say at this meeting however except a few polite complements about my father.

I knew a local talk show host on bay area radio who was acquainted with one of Hudson’s former film co-stars. His name was LEE RODGERS and his friend was DORIS DAY. On one special occassion Lee called her up when on the air to wish her a happy birthday. By her voice, in answering the phone it seemed as if he’d awaken her- his show was on very early in the morning- but, Ms. Day always the gracious lady conducted herself afterwards in her usual bright and charming way. As an aside, Ms. Day supports wonderful charities for the well-being of animals, especially dogs and cats. She also owns The Cypress Inn, in Carmel, CA which welcomes pets of all kinds. We’ve stayed there with our dog and I’ll tell you, every amenity is taken care of for the comfort and enjoyment of both you and your pets. Bravo Ms. Day!

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Witnessing an Incident Involving Darren McGavin by Tony Piazza

August 21, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

WITNESSING AN INCIDENT INVOLVING DARREN MCGAVIN by Tony Piazza

DARREN McGAVIN. Veteran of television shows dating back to 1949. He appeared in programs such as; “Alfred Hitchcock presents”, “Mike Hammer”, “Riverboat”, “Rawhide”, “Route 66”, “Mission Impossible”, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and “Mannix.” His most notable roles were as Karl Kolchak in the television show and two movies, “Night Stalker”…a forerunner to the “X-Files” series, and as the old man- father of Ralphie in “A Christmas Story.” Here he is posing with me back in 1976 on the set of a Quinn Martin television movie about the 1950s Brink’s truck robbery- hence the dated clothes. I was standing in for STEPHEN COLLINS on that show and also acting as a bit player/ extra.

A bit of trivia; my good friend MICHEL HUGO was the director of photography on the first “Night Stalker” movie filmed in Las Vegas.

McGavin as Karl Kolchak.

In person Darren McGavin is much the character you’ve seen up on the screen. He rarely smiled, was extremely serious, and only spoke about work and delivered his lines. He was a loner. If you were to use a word to describe McGavin I would select “gruff.” Strangely enough because that was usually the characters he played, his real life persona didn’t disappoint me. It was as if I almost expected it of him.

McGavin as Mike Hammer.

One incident which involved him during the shooting comes to mind. It occurred in a run down hotel in the Tenderloin District of downtown San Francisco. Two young attractive blondes had appeared among the on-lookers in the lobby. McGavin was standing by the hotel desk, smoking a cigarette, and waiting for the camera crew to set up a shot, when suddenly and without warning these girls jump on either side of him and pose while a third person in their party snapped a shot. It happened in a fraction of a second, and McGavin let out a shout. An assistant director was instantly on top of it, catching the man and his camera, and deftly removing the film despite the man’s protestations. McGavin didn’t mind people taking pictures of, or with him, but the manner this was done put in question the picture taker’s intentions. Was this going to turn into some scandal sheet exclusive? You can imagine what they could have come up with for a headline. Lesson learned; personalities always have to be on guard.

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NewAuthorPhoto2 4-12-13

Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)

Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was published next in early 2012, and in November of 2013 his second Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels was released.” In July of 2015 his latest Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. All are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden. His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites, or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

Tony Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLO NightWriters.

NEW!

The novels that started it all. The first and second novel in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

NEW!

The NEW Tom Logan mystery, “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” is available in print, e-book, AND NOW audio book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. For audio- Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

Also:

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” and “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” on Amazon’s Kindle at a new, low price of $2.99. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.

Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels .

Find them all on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available for $2.99 on Kindle.

The Thrill of Meeting Ann Margret by Tony Piazza

August 15, 2012 By tonypiazza 6 Comments

The Thrill of Meeting Ann Margret by Tony Piazza

This blog takes me back a few years- quite a few actually- to 1964-65. I was just a kid-attending grammar school, doing homework, playing ball with the neighborhood kids, and watching cartoons.

That same year, a young star was starting to make a name for herself- even as a cartoon character in a Hanna Barbera series- her name was ANN MARGRET. I remember watching her with my cousin on the “Flintstones”, and hearing all the hype from her film appearance in “Bye, Bye Birdie.” I never dreamed then, that not long after I would meet her in person. Even though pint-sized, I had a big crush on her and when I had heard that she would be the co-star of a film my Father was going to be assigned to- I cracked open the Aqua Velva (even though I didn’t shave yet!) in preparation for our meeting.

Ann Margrock

It was during the summer (most production crews preferred shooting in SF during the summer months- better weather (sometimes), and the location was a wooden pier south of the Ferry Building. All the principal actors were scheduled to shoot there- ALAIN DELON, VAN HEFLIN, and of course Ann Margret. The film was “Once a Thief” and the director was Ralph Nelson.

Alain Delon

We had arrived during the lunch hour- and while my mother was trying to search out my father; I was trying to search out Ann Margret. I did catch sight of her eventually- in a scarf and dark glasses- walking back from lunch with (darn) a handsome escort. My father called them over and introduced Ms. Margret to my mother and myself. She took my hand and exclaimed at the same time, “how safe she had felt having my father around for security!” She then introduced her fiancee (another blow) Roger Smith (the same ROGER SMITH of “77 Sunset Strip” fame), and he shook hands with us as well. After a few more moments of small talk they excused themselves, for she was soon needed on the set.

Roger Smith

I also met Alain Delon and Van Heflin that day too, but that was anti-climatic after meeting with Ann Margret!

Van Heflin

We stayed around to watch filming that day. I was invited into the sound van (a converted VW bus- never seen anything like it since) and they gave me earphones to listen in on the scene. The actor had been shot (in the film) and the scene was the drama around the event. When it was over the sound man gave me a spool of recording tape as a souvenir- I always wondered if anything was recorded on it, since I didn’t have a player that worked with such a wide tape.

It was a great day- and one that still lives on in my memory today

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Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)

Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was published next in early 2012, and in November of 2013 his second Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels was released.” In July of 2015 his latest Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. All are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden. His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites, or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

Tony Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLO NightWriters.

NEW!

All my novels in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

NEW!

The rollicking adventure novel set in paradise. The thrill-a-minute bestseller that two film producers are interested in…”The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” is NOW an audio book, read by the talented Broadway actor, James Romick!

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” and “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” on Amazon’s Kindle at new, low prices. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.

Find them all on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available at an affordable price on Kindle.

My Kiss from a Famous Actress by Tony Piazza

August 2, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

My Kiss from a Famous Actress by Tony Piazza

During my time on the Turner Classic Movie Fan site as a blogger I posted a tease regarding a kiss from a famous actress. I called it “Kiss and Tell.” I ran it for several weeks dropping occasional clues and allowing them to post guesses. Needless to say I got some interesting answers, but none that were correct. Finally we reached a point where I felt I’d milked it for all it was worth, and then dropped a hint that I knew someone would catch onto. Below is what I posted in response to the correct answer:

(Fan’s name) wins the bragging rights. He sniffed out the truth. We should all give him a round of applause for barking up the right tree!

The kiss.

From the photograph you can see that it was LASSIE. This was taken in 1969 and the kiss was not voluntary by the lady in question- the trainer (RUDD WEATHERWAX) said, “Kiss, Lassie!” just before the shot was taken. My other prizes from that visit was an autographed (paw print) picture of Lassie, production golf hat, and pin with Lassie’s image on it. The television movie was released four years later- why the delay? I never did find out. Lassie filmed twice in the bay area. The first was this 1969 feature when I visited the location at Golden Gate Park’s Arboretum, and then again in 1978, a film which had JIMMY STEWART in the starring role (aside from Lassie that is).

Lassie and Me (1969).

Having been a fan of the television show in the 60s, it was exciting to meet the dog (or at least the next generation of Lassie). As a bit of trivia, she also had her own stunt dog which I also saw that day… actually a “Laddie”… (An incident by a tree gave that away).

The make artist, DONALD SCHOENFELD who I’d worked with on “The Streets of San Francisco” also had been assigned to the TV Lassie (1954-1973) series from 1958 until 1963. The stars on that show were JUNE LOCKHART (Ruth Martin) and JON PROVOST (Timmy Martin). Sorry to say, but disregard all the rumors, Timmy never needed rescuing from falling down a well!

Jon Provost and Lassie

June Lockhart as Ruth Martin, Timmy’s mother.

Just an aside, a Lassie Dog Food commercial (perhaps this should be counted as a third appearance by Lassie in the bay area) did film in San Francisco after the completion of this film. My father worked on that production, but also evidently provided a distraction as well. In the shot, a pack of dogs led by Lassie come running down one of San Francisco’s famous streets, however one little dachshund at the back of the pact kept ruining the shot. He would peel off from the group and run over to my dad, who was standing on the sidelines and lick his boots!

Jimmy Stewart

Now the next big question: Have I ever got a kiss from a human actress… Well, here I can definitely say that I would never Kiss and Tell!

My rescue puppy, Toby, doing a shameless commercial for my first book!

Hope this isn’t regarded cruelty to animals!

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Tony Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLONightWriters.

NEW!

The novels that started it all. The first and second novel in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

NEW!

The NEW Tom Logan mystery, “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” is available in print, e-book, AND SOON, audio book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.

Also:

Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels .

Find them all on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available for $2.99 on Kindle.