Author Tony Piazza

Mystery Author and Movie Historian

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Steve McQueen- Always Check Your Sources

July 5, 2018 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

 

McQueen and Yates (Bullitt)

Always check your sources – something I learned this past couple of weeks. It all started when I was contacted by Jake Ehrlich, editor of Roles Magazine. He was excited that I stated in my e-book, “Bullitt Points: Memories of Steve McQueen and the Making of Bullitt” that stunt double, Loren Janes drove the Mustang in Bullitt. His other source said otherwise, and he was searching for the truth. The long and short of this is, we traced back my original source and it was the Wall Street Journal (which other sources could be traced back to as well), and they got their information wrong. As it turned out, Janes doubled Steve at the Airport, jumping from the jet, but the driving sequences were performed by McQueen, Ekins, and Loftin. Ehrlich, an extremely responsible journalist has now corrected the record, and in his next installment will summarize this fascinating story… which includes the mystery of Steve McQueen’s Rolex watch gift to Janes. Gripping reading.

Thanks to Jake and Rolex Magazine, I will be correcting this in the future. Here’s a link to the website. Read the story thus far!

http://www.rolexmagazine.com/

Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged With: #Bullitt50thAnniversary, #JakeEhrlich, #RolexMagazine, #SteveMcQueen, Bullitt

Big 50th Anniversary Event for “Bullitt.”

April 10, 2018 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

The Santa Maria Library will be hosting the 50th Anniversary of the motion picture “Bullitt” on May 5th, 2018. The event will be held in the Shepard Hall, Santa Maria Library, 421 S McClelland St., from 1 – 4:30 PM. The cost: free.

Tony Piazza will be giving a talk, “Bullitt from Script to Screen,” share some personal stories, movies, and photos of his family’s involvement in the film. And as a finale, the film,”Bullitt” will be screened.

 

Below is the official flyer courtesy of the Santa Maria Library

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: #Bullitt50thAnniversary, #SteveMcQueen, Bullitt

Author Tony Piazza's Personal Appearances

March 6, 2014 By tonypiazza 1 Comment

NewAuthorPhoto2 4-12-13

 

The next few months of 2014 are going to be busy ones for me. Here is how it will break down:

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MARCH:

Saturday, 15th of March

I will be at the St. Patrick’s Day Car Show  from 10:30 until 3:30.  My books will be available, and I will be signing. Also Bullitt home movies DVD will be available for the first time! Limited quantities, so come early.

PLACE: St. Louis de Montfort Church parking lot, 5075 Harp Road, Orcutt CA.

Coalesce Front Door Thumnail

APRIL

Sunday, 6th of April

I will be on a Sisters in Crime panel with seven of my fellow mystery authors at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay. Starting at 1:30 in the Chapel.

PLACE:  845 Main St, Morro Bay, CA 93442
(805) 772-2880

 

2014LAT-FOB-logo2

Saturday, 12th of April

I will be at the LA Times Book Fair from noon to 2. Selling and signing books at the Los Angeles Sisters in Crime booth.

PLACE: USC Campus.

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Saturday 19th of April

I will be joining a panel of five Sisters in Crime authors. The topic: Plotting a Mystery. This will be held at the Santa Maria Library in Santa Maria, CA from 10 until noon. This is to celebrate National Library Week.

PLACE: Santa Maria Public Library (Main Library) 421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria, California 93454. (805) 925-0994.

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MAY

Sunday, 18th of May

I will be doing a presentation for the Sisters in Crime Los Angeles Chapter. Pasadena, CA starting at 2 PM.

PLACE:  South Pasadena Public Library, Community Room, 1115 El Centro St, South Pasadena CA 91030.

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JUNE

Tuesday, 17th of June

I will be doing a radio interview at 3PM. Air time will be posted later.

PLACE: A computer near you.

I hope you can make some of these appearances. Specific details will be posted as we near each of the events. Please stop by and say hello!

 —————————————

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.

 

amongstangelsfront cover 3

Filed Under: Media Appearances Tagged With: Bullitt, Car Show, Central Coast Sisters in Crime, Coalesce Bookstore, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Columbus Council 11137, LA Times Book Fair, Los Angeles Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2014, Santa Maria California, Santa Maria Library, Sisters in Crime, St Louis DeMontfort

A Writer’s Journey: From Stargazer to Chronicler and Back. Updated.

December 9, 2013 By tonypiazza 4 Comments

A Writer’s Journey: From Stargazer to Chronicler and Back. Updated.

 

By Tony Piazza

The San Francisco bay area has played host to a number of motion picture and television production companies over the years. Why? A cinematographer once told me that San Francisco with its’ numerous hills and magnificent views of the bay made it the second most photographed city in the world, with Rome being awarded the first. I would like to add is a former citizen, both born and raised there, that San Francisco, with its Barbary Coast history, dark foreboding alleys, and fog-shrouded streets was chosen by production companies because it provided the perfect backdrop for their films dealing in crime, detection, and mystery. A few motion pictures that come to mind is D.O.A, Dark Passage, The Lady from Shanghai, The House on Telegraph Hill, and most notably The Maltese Falcon. Author Dashiell Hammett had his roots in the city, and even though Nick Charles’s first case for The Thin Man was in New York, its movie sequel landed the detective, wife Nora, and dog Asta with relatives in the bay area. Television also viewed San Francisco as a prime candidate for their crime series; San Francisco Beat a.k.a., The Lineup and Sam Benedict being two early examples.

 

 

I was extremely fortunate as a youth and young adult to share in this history. My father was a San Francisco police officer who was assigned back in 1959 to act as liaison to visiting film companies. He provided security, crowd and traffic control, technical advice- in essence, anything that involved the logistics of assisting with their film production. He worked closely with directors searching out locations and with stunt coordinators orchestrating car chases.  This assignment gave my mother and me under the rope access to these productions and the unique opportunity to meet stars, directors, and technicians. He did this for seventeen years, and in the process made a name for himself. I eventually became directly involved in the 1970s, working as an extra, stand-in, and bit actor. Signed with the largest of the modeling/casting agents- the Brebner Agency, I was given opportunities to work on such shows as Magnum Force, The Streets of San Francisco, and The Enforcer, and becoming friends with the likes of Clint Eastwood, Karl Malden, and Michael Douglas. It was quite a surreal experience for a man in his early twenties. When I sat in theaters or watched television I saw myself up on the screen opposite these great ones. Even today, when I sit down and pop a DVD of Streets into my player I’m not just watching a show, but reliving memories. It’s like viewing home movies.

Working on “Magnum Force”

My first recollection of being on a film location was in the late fifties. I was taken by my mother to Candlestick Park to visit my dad on the set of Experiment in Terror. The film starred Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, and Ross Martin. Somehow during our visit, we ended up being an extra in the audience at the ballpark under the direction of Blake Edwards. What a thrill, but I didn’t really understand that then. As an inquisitive four-year-old, I was just confused why we were cheering for a ball team that wasn’t there.

As time passed, however, I did become more cognizant of events around me, and totally appreciative of the opportunities that my dad’s associations brought me. I got to meet my heartthrob Ann Margret filming Once a Thief, visit with the very cool Steve McQueen at San Francisco General Hospital on location for Bullitt, joke around with Raymond Burr and the cast of Ironside, and nearly bought the car that Dirty Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) drove in the film of that same name. And although I was too young when the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock filmed Vertigo, I did see him later on the set of his last film, Family Plot.  Marching down the center aisle of Grace Cathedral on his way to his director chair, Hitch red-faced, and huffing and puffing reminded me of an Archbishop on his way to conduct mass. Later, when I became part of the crew of The Streets of San Francisco (initially as a stand-in for Michael Douglas and then Richard Hatch) I was able to live out my childhood fantasies, by playing cops and robbers right up there on the screen. Not too many young men can say that. I also had the privilege to visit with Steve McQueen again on Towering Inferno and be invited for a drink “with the guys” by Paul Newman.

 

 

For many years, I’d shared these stories with a select few- family, friends, and co-workers, and dusted off my photograph album occasionally for those who might be interested. But, as time went by and gray hairs started sprouting on my head I started thinking about leaving a legacy. With no children to relate my stories, I was afraid that there wouldn’t be anyone left to pass on the unique history that my family was a part of. It was at that moment in my life and in this mindset that I discovered the Turner Classic Movie site, and was introduced to blogging. Presented here was a new venue to tell my stories to interested individuals- and fascinated they were. Quite frankly I was surprised by their response and amazed at the audience which I quickly developed. I had to shake my head, and tell myself that I really had fans, and not just of local friends, but members that stretched around the globe!

 

 

 

 

We’ve all heard the phrase, “be careful what you wish for,” that certainly applied here, for now, I was expected by my audience to supply regular postings. To fill in-between the stories of my experiences- for ones’ memory can be limited at times, I decided to see how my audience would accept my attempts at writing fiction. My first book, “Anything Short of Murder”- a hardboiled detective thriller set in the Hollywood(land) of the 1930s was the result and became an instant hit amongst the TCM audience. It was their e-mails and messages that convinced me to publish the story from its serialized form into a complete novel. Now some four books later- and working on a fifth, all this has become history. In addition, as a writer, I’ve branched off to form my own author’s site where at last count I share some one hundred plus posts of my film and television experiences. I also published a memoir in e-book length, “Bullitt Points,” the story of my meeting Steve McQueen and a personal account of the making of Bullitt. This experience brought me full circle, for all the proceeds from the purchase of the book goes to McQueen’s charity, The Boys Republic, and that allowed me to once again enter the celebrity circle and meet Steve’s son, Chad McQueen.

 Tony Piazza and Chad McQueen

A year later we met again when I was invited to speak about Bullitt at its’ 45th Anniversary event in San Francisco.  Chad was the guest of honor- there to accept a proclamation from the city to honor his dad. In every aspect, the celebration was a real thrill!

Chad-Piazza

Chad McQueen and Piazza

—————————-

Reflecting back over the last few years I find it amazing how much I’ve accomplished in my writing career. I don’t take credit for it. For what success I’ve had, had more to do with the blessed opportunities given me, and the blood, sweat, and long, tiring devotion that my dad had put into his work. I’m just a storyteller relating his own special tale. My only regret is that my dad couldn’t have been here to share in the joy that the telling and sharing of them has brought me.

Every writer has his or her story to tell. It’s a journey that doesn’t start with fingers on a keyboard, but with the first breath taken in life. Experiences to me as a writer are what bricks are to a mason. I use them to build stories that I hope will leave a lasting impression on my reader’s minds.

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For more celebrity posts by Tony Piazza go to:

www.authortonypiazza.com

 

 

To help the boys at The Boy’s Republic, and read more about my experiences meeting Steve McQueen:

www.bullittpoints.com . Also available on Amazon & B&N websites.

 

 

About the author:

Tony Piazza is a Central Coast mystery writer, film historian, presenter, and a veteran storyteller well-known for his passion for writing and movies.

He is the author of five mystery novels, “Anything Short of Murder”, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon,” “A Murder Amongst Angels,” “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge,” and “Murder Will Out” available in print and e-book format through Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. Piazza’s non-fiction e-book, “Bullitt Points,” published through SansTree, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the classic Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt” and the involvement of the Piazza family in the production.

Piazza worked regularly as an extra and stand-in on multiple Hollywood movies and television shows shot in San Francisco during the 1970′s, including “Towering Inferno,” “High Anxiety,” “Magnum Force,” and “Streets of San Francisco.”

His inventory of stories reads like a Who’s Who of Hollywood from that era: Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Darren McGavin, Paul Newman, Karl Malden, Michael Douglas, Raymond Burr, Walter Matthau, Fred Astaire, Robert Vaughn and Leslie Nielsen.

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

 

COMING SOON, the audiobook of “Murder Will Out,” read by Broadway actor, James Romick. Watch for it.

 

#SteveMcQueen, #Bullitt, #Bullitt50thAnniversary, #Alfred Hitchcock, #ClintEastwood, #MelBrooks, #FredAstaire, #DirtyHarry, #MagnumForce, #ToweringInferno, #PaulNewman, #RaymondBurr, #MichaelDouglas, #RobertVaughn. #LeslieNielsen, #GlenFord, #JamesStewart

Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged With: A Murder Amongst Angels, Alfred Hitchcock, Ann Margret, Anything Short of Murder, Asta, Author Tony Piazza, Blake Edwards, Bullitt, Bullitt Points, Chad McQueen, Clint Eastwood, D.O.A., Dark Passage, Dashiell Hammett, Dirty Harry, Experiment in Terror, Family Plot, Fred Astaire, Glenn Ford, High Anxiety, Ironside, James Stewart, Karl Malden, Lee Remick, Leslie Nielsen, Magnum Force, Mel Brooks, Michael Douglas, Nick and Nora Charles, Once a Thief, Paul Newman, Raymond Burr, Robert Vaughn, Sam Benedict, San Francisco Beat, San Francisco movie locations, Sisters in Crime, SLO Nightwriters, Steve McQueen, The Curse of the Crimson Dragon, The Enforcer, The House on Telegraph Hill, The Lady from Shanghai, The Lineup, The Maltese Falcon, The Streets of San Francisco, The Thin Man, The Towering Inferno, Towering Inferno, Vertigo

The 45th Anniversary of Bullitt: A Report. By Tony Piazza

June 25, 2013 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

 Merchandizing

Bullitt products designed for the 45th anniversary event

 

Brisbane, California is a sleepy little town that resides on the side of a mountain just outside the boundaries of San Francisco and Daly City. One cloudy Saturday in April, forty-five years ago this idyllic hamlet wasn’t so quiet. In fact the air on Guadalupe Parkway was filled with racing motors, skidding tires, gunshots, and explosions. No it wasn’t terrorism, but the final day of shooting on the motion picture Bullitt. I was there, as was my parents, and our trusty  8mm movie camera. My dad was a police officer assigned to the company, which gave us under-the-rope access to the location.

 

Bullitt Brisbane, CA., April 1968. Behind the scenes 8mm film of Bullitt chase.

  Now, let us fast forward forty-five years to June 21, 2013. It’s the anniversary of this same film, and Hoondog Events, under the able steerage of Greg Autry, is celebrating this bench mark in style. A car show in Blackhawk; a proclamation from the City of San Francisco honoring the late actor STEVE McQUEEN, accepted by his son, Chad; and a night of movie memories offered by those who had been present during the filming of the motion picture back in 1968. Both Frank Panacci, senor (my dad’s police partner during the movie years) and his son, Frank Jr., a Deputy Chief, North County Fire Authority, and Anthony Bologna spoke of Bullitt, and the surviving mustang movie car-  and I was extremely honored to be able to share my Bullitt memories as featured keynote speaker.

Greg Autry-organizer

 Event organizer, Greg Autry and myself

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Steve McQueen on location in Brisbane, CA in 1968- Piazza Archives.

My Presentation

I began my presentation with a statement honoring my dad. I told the audience that I’d wished he could have been standing there, instead of me … for it was his hard work, and dedication that contributed so greatly to the production of  Bullitt, and deserved the attention, not I; for I only served as a lucky spectator. I  then gave a brief explanation of who I was, and how I was associated with the production, and then followed with a brief PowerPoint presentation on the background of the film- interspersed with some inside tidbits- all drawn from the interviews and research information I utilized for the writing of my e-book, Bullitt Points: Memories of Steve McQueen and Bullitt. Lastly, I told some personal stories, and then ran a DVD video presentation of a Bay Area NBC interview I did on Bullitt Points last July, and the complete 8mm family movie filmed behind the scenes on the last day of shooting on the film. Steve McQueen could be seen in it, as was, then Mayor Alioto, the cars, the explosions, and everything else that made that day so memorable.

Chad-Piazza

Chad McQueen and myself at the 45th Anniversary of Bullitt

 

Chad McQueen

Author visiting with Chad McQueen

  CHAD McQUEEN stopped by, which gave me another chance to talk with him, and get another picture, or two. He is a very gracious man, a chip off the old block- a carbon copy of his dad, which is saying plenty. His, and the McQueen family’s generosity to The Boys Republic in Chino, California is legendary- and by-the-way- this 45th was also designed to benefit the charity.

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My wife, Susan and I in front of my Bullitt Points display

  The sold out event took place at the Mission Blue Center in Brisbane. A marvelous Lions Club BBQ steak dinner, a screening of the Bullitt documentary, Commitment to Reality, and a live dance band rounded out the festivities.

Group Shot

  Left to right:  Mitch Bull, president Brisbane Chamber of  Commerce;  Cliff Lentz,  Brisbane council member; Chad McQueen;  Tony Piazza, author & film Historian; Dan Carter, Brisbane Lion; Bob Wilson, Lions Clubs International District 4 Governor;  Deputy Chief Frank Panacci; and Frank Panacci, Sr.  

 

So June 21st we went full circle: Brisbane, the sleepy little town nestled in the California hills was once again, for this one special day, bustling with the excitement of a McQueen, cool mustangs, and a generous sprinkling of movie folklore. I was so fortunate to be able to represent my dad on this glorious occasion, and am grateful to Greg Autry, and Hoondog Events for making it possible.

 ——————————–

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 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: Watch for the new Tom Logan mystery thriller published soon by Amazon!

Due out mid-2013!

 1332524968_Hollywoodland

 

 

 

Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged With: Anthony Bologna, Author Tony Piazza, Brisbane California, Bullitt, Bullitt Points, Chad McQueen, Frank Panacci, Greg Autry, Hoondog, Mayor Joe Alioto, Steve McQueen, Tony Piazza

BULLITT 45th ANNIVERSARY EVENT

May 21, 2013 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

Bullitt Poster

As film historian, I will be sharing my movie memories about being on the set of “Bullitt” and meeting and eventually working with STEVE MCQUEEN. The occasion is the  45th Anniversary of the film “Bullitt” which will be taking place in the bay area June 20- 23. Chad McQueen will be present, a car show is planned, and many more other surprises in store-   all through Hoondog Events. Read about it on the link below. McQueen, Mustang, and Bullitt fans alike, take notice, and consider joining the events! See link below:

http://bullittevents.com/2013/05/18/movie-memories-event-announced/

Allso, please consider buying Bullitt Points, my e-book, whose purchase benefits The Boys Republic charity.

Bullit Point imageAt http://www.bullittpoints.com/ or at Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.

 

Filed Under: Media Appearances Tagged With: Bullitt, Bullitt 45th Anniversary, Bullitt Points, Car Show, Chad McQueen, Mustang, Steve McQueen, Tony Piazza

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