Paul Newman Archives - Author Tony Piazza

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 McQueen and Piazza

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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.

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

Locations of Film, Television, and Soon, My Novel- Part 4. By Tony Piazza

October 31, 2012 By tonypiazza 16 Comments

PART FOUR

A continuation of my visit to film and television locations in the Los Angeles area as a means to “walk the walk” of my novel’s characters and bring realism to my storytelling. This week, The Union Station.

Union Station with William Holden (1950)

Union Station isn’t in my next book for a very good reason- it wasn’t opened until 1939. The sequel to Anything Short of Murder ( let’s call it Tom Logan’s adventure #2) is set in 1931, one year after my reader’s first introduction to this hardboiled Hollywood detective. Union Station’s predecessor however, La Grande Station will play a major role in the conclusion of the novel. La Grande was the main passenger terminal in Los Angeles for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe until the opening of Union Station. The final years of La Grande Station was spent in a dismal state after the Long Beach earthquake of 1933. The station occupied an area located at 2^nd Street and Santa Fe Ave., and after the completion of the new station was demolished.

Exterior of Union Station

In 1926 a measure was put on the ballot in Los Angeles which offered an option to consolidate the different railroad terminals or construct a network of elevated railways. The former won, and Union Station was born.

Sign outside of Union Station

The location chosen for Union Station was in the heart of the original Chinatown, and a narrow vote of 51 to 48 percent permitted the demolishing of a large part of this section to build the station. Its official address today is 800 North Alameda Street, across from what was the original center of Los Angeles, the pueblo, referred today as Olvera Street.

Looking west towards entrance

The architects John and Donald Parkinson who’d also designed Los Angeles City Hall were partially responsible for Union Station’s design. They were assisted by Jan van der Linden and other supporting architects that combined Dutch Colonial Revival, Streamline Moderne, and Mission Revival to give the station its’ unique look.

Closer look at detailing on ceiling of waiting area

The interior walls are divided into two parts; the upper originally early acoustic tile is now being replaced with cork, and the lower travertine marble. The floor is terra cotta with a strip of marble that runs down the center.

Waiting area looking east. Restaurant is in foreground.

There are two gardens of either side of the waiting room, and attached to the main building on the south side is a restaurant (now closed) that was the last of the Fred Harvey Restaurant chain and designed by famed southwestern architect Mary Colter.

Fountain in garden north of waiting area.

In 1980 Union Station was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Harvey Restaurant, Union Station postcard (courtesy Harvey House Fan site)

Wing off from the waiting area used in Scarecrow courtroom scene in the film, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Although smaller than the other Union Stations, this Los Angeles cousin stands tall amongst the tall palms of Southern California having been seen by countless millions on film and television over the years. Here are just a few:

Them! with James Whitmore & James Arness

FEATURES

Union Station (1950) with William Holden and Nancy Olson.

Southside 1-1000 (1950) with Don Defore and Andrea King.

Them! (1954) with James Whitmore and Joan Weldon.

The Hustler (1961) with Paul Newman and Piper Laurie

Silver Streak (1976) with Gene Wilder and Jill Clayburg

Blade Runner (1982) with Harrison Ford and Sean Young

Star Trek: First Contact (1996) with Patrick Stewart and Alice Krige

Pearl Harbor (2001) with Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) with Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

TELEVISION

Quantum Leap (1989) with Scott Bakula

24 (2001) with Kiefer Sutherland

Alias (2006) with Jennifer Garner

NCIS: Los Angeles (2009) with Chris O’Donnell

Castle (2009) with Nathan Fillion

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Every corner you turn in Los Angeles gives you this feeling of déjà vu, and no more so than this historic station which was a pleasure to visit and share with you today.

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Look for the new Tom Logan mystery coming in 2013

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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 Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

A Writer's Journey: From Stargazer to Chronicler and Back . By Tony Piazza

September 18, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

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

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 being 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 I 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.

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 Margaret 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.

For many years, I’d shared these stories to 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 three books later- and working on a fourth, 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 sixty-three posts of my film and television experiences. This year I also published a memoir in e-book length, “Bullitt Points,” the story of my meeting Steve McQueen and a personal account on 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 McQueen and Piazza

—————————-

Reflecting back over the last couple of 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.

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

About the author:

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

He is the author of three mystery novels, “Anything Short of Murder”, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon,” and “A Murder Amongst Angels” 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 is a member of Sisters in Crime and SLO Nightwriters.

Working with a Legend by Tony Piazza

July 26, 2012 By tonypiazza 9 Comments

WORKING WITH A LEGEND by Tony Piazza

I was watching a young Fred Astaire in “Top Hat” on DVD last night and thought back to the summer I worked with him during the “autumn” of his life in 1973. It was during the shoot of Irwin Allen’s “Towering Inferno” at San Francisco’s Hyatt Regency Hotel that I first met and worked with this real Hollywood legend. Of course you would not have thought so to see him. He wasn’t surrounded by a large entourage of staff or masses of fawning autograph seeking fans… just a small, but fit, elderly man, extremely modest in personality and pretty much of a reserved character. While crowds were recognizing Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, Mr. Astaire could pretty much blend into the crowd without attracting too much attention. It was kind of sad, but again, I had a feeling that he preferred it that way. He had more than his share of attention during Hollywood’s golden era and now he seemed extremely satisfied just being a private person, doing his job, and moving on with life.

Jennifer Jones and Fred Astaire (from Towering Inferno)

I watched him at a polite distance, as he waited for his cue to step onto the escalator that would carry him up into the massive hotel lobby which doubled as the atrium of the film’s tower. As he waited, he was just perceptibly tapping his feet, keeping time to the music coming over the hotel’s Muzak system. I can’t recall the tune, but it was a classic that could have easily been introduced in one of his musicals. He seemed content, moving his feet, mentally creating some dance routine that would have been the rave of earlier movie audiences, but alas was replaced by exploding buildings and machine gun fire.

I was working on two films at that time- it was a busy San Francisco when it came to movie productions that year. I spent the morning to late afternoon on “The Streets of San Francisco” television show and then went over to the “Towering Inferno” location from evening to the next morning. I literally worked around the clock. My family was also heavily involved. My Mother was one of the couple that comes up ahead of Mr. Astaire in the escalator scene. If you view it, look for the woman with the blue pant suit and her hair worn up, standing next to a male “extra” that is supposed to be her companion. It is always great to see her young and smiling again each time I view the film- she passed on about ten years ago.

My Mother was from Mr.Astaire’s era, perhaps just a little later, and was very impressed by his approachability and humbleness. This was demonstrated when my father visited the set. My Dad was assigned to “The Streets of San Francisco” as location liaison, but came to visit her on the “Towering Inferno” after he had completed his days’ work. Mr. Astaire was standing close by when my father came up to greet her, and without a thought my mother introduced the two. She said, “Mr. Astaire this is my husband” whereupon he very graciously shook hands and they exchange some polite conversation. I have known some smaller actors (who are legends in their own minds) whereas that could never happen- but Mr.Astaire, always the gentleman, responded politely even though he had not really known them from Adam. That scores some big points, coming from a fan’s perspective!

Mr. Astaire certainly lived up to all he portrayed on the silver screen- as evidenced by this experience, and made him all the more enjoyable while watching him last night glide across the dance floor with Ginger in his arms. That certainly was a class act, performed by a truly classy individual!

————————————————-

Just as an aside: The lovely actress, Jennifer Jones was also in the film. I stood next to her during production. Here was a performer that had put her mark on Hollywood during its bygone era of lavish Selznick productions. “The Song of Bernadette” (1943), “Duel in the Sun” (1946), and “Portrait of Jenny” (1948) are just a sample of the productions this talented actress starred in. She achieved many accomplishments in her life, but her greatest was winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1943 ( “The Song of Bernadette”) which cemented her career. She was married to actor Robert Walker, and then later to David O. Selznick. She had one son, Robert Walker Jr., who I also happened to work with on “The Streets of San Francisco”. She too is legendary, and unfortunately also overlooked as Mr. Astaire was during the filming. She wandered bright-eyed, caught up by the excitement of working again in a big 2oth Century Fox film, not noticing that not one eye was cast in her direction as she passed unnoticed through the midst of the crowd. I was watching however, and was still awed by her beauty and apparent charm.

Another aside: A website dedicated to all things “Towering Inferno” captured my mother and myself in a photo from the production. Here are the links where they can be found:

Tony Piazza, as a cop:

http://www.iann.net/movies/towering_inferno/cast/tony_piazza.htm

Virginia Piazza, on the escalator:

http://www.iann.net/movies/towering_inferno/cast/virginia_piazza.htm

A bit blurry because they captured it from the film, but recognizable.

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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!

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.

Hi, Ho Silver! The Lone Ranger Connection by Tony Piazza

July 2, 2012 By tonypiazza 4 Comments

Hi, Ho Silver! The Lone Ranger Connection by Tony Piazza

One of 2013’s most anticipated films is the Lone Ranger. A classic western adventure directed by Gore Verbinski and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The film stars Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp as Tonto. The announcement of this feature reminded me of a article I wrote some time back that mentions an early incarnation of that masked man of the plains. I present it below unedited.

I have been reading a great book, “Flights of Fantasy” by Michael J. Hayde the last few weeks. It tells the unofficial but true history of “Superman” on radio and early television. As I read through the pages I came across names that were familiar to me… not names that you would necessarily recognize, but people who I knew personally during my years in the film industry. Coming across these names, I suddenly found it exciting that I had had the opportunity to work with these people who had a role in the production of my early television favorites. Programs that helped fire my childhood imagination by bringing my favorite comic book heroes to life on the screen. As an example, in one photograph in the book there is a picture of George (Superman) Reeves during his first assignment behind the camera directing an episode of “The Adventures of Superman”. Sitting behind him by the camera was Joseph Biroc (Director of Photography). I was Mr. Biroc’s stand-in for the second unit work on Irwin Allen’s ( “Lost in Space”, “Time Tunnel”, “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”, etc.) “Towering Inferno”. From the cast lists printed in the book I learned that one of Superman’s foes in an episode was portrayed by Lawrence Dobkin- he was a star of many radio and film productions, but also acted as Director for the pilot show of “The Streets of San Francisco.” Incidentally, Dick Donner, another director on “Streets” is a name associated with a more recent Superman!

That then got me thinking about some of the other people that had an association with my early television favorites… and I remembered that our Unit Production Manager on “Streets”, Bob Beche, worked on the “Lone Ranger” television production starring Clayton Moore. He also went on to do the disastrous re-make, “The Legend of the Lone Ranger” in the 1980s with “Streets” Production Manager, Dick Gallegly. One of our QM drivers, and a good friend, Gil, was James (Matt Dillon) Arness double for “Gunsmoke”. These are not big names by fan’s standards, but people responsible none-the-less for giving me so much enjoyment in my youth…. And it also goes to prove that even in film land one can say that it is a small world!

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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.

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” 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.

Paul Newman: An Anecdote

June 13, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

Paul Newman: An Anecdote by Tony Piazza

I thought I would get away from “The Streets of San Francisco” and re-print a story I once told Turner Classic Movie fans in answer to a question about Paul Newman:

Regarding PAUL NEWMAN– he was just one of the guys, and I have a story that’ll demonstrate that.

We had been working on “The Towering Inferno” through the night at the Corporate Headquarters of the Bank of America building in San Francisco. The exterior, with a matte added on by the sfx people at FOX was the Tower you saw in the film. A model was also constructed at the studio for additional shots and the two melded together for the final film. Anyhow, we had been working for about 10 hours at the front entrance of the building (I was cast as a SFPD officer) and had gone into the lobby just before we wrapped that morning at 5 am (we had started the shoot at 7pm the previous evening). All the extras were exhausted. I looked up and Paul Newman was opening up a portable bar he had and was preparing some drinks for some of his fellow actor friends. He looked up and saw me watching- and without a second thought, asked if “you want to join us?” I declined- didn’t think my agent would approve, but was always impressed that he would want to have included me in his circle.

For this blog, however I would also like to add that Paul Newman was a great humanitarian; both he and his wife have donated so much to so many different charities- he is missed, both as a fine actor and a great human being.

Site where you can get a glimpse of me as that SFPD officer in “Towering Inferno.”

http://www.iann.net/movies/towering_inferno/cast/tony_piazza.htm

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Regarding “Towering Inferno” I have a number of other stories to tell. I was fortunate enough to also get some stand-in work with the second unit under the direction of IRWIN ALLEN. I’d always enjoyed the imaginative features and television shows that he’d been associated with, and so it was a thrill to actually work with the man. But more about that in a future post.

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Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)

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

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