Tony Piazza Archives - Page 14 of 15

Original Hawaii Five-O Revisited by Tony Piazza

June 21, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

Original Hawaii Five-O Revisited by Tony Piazza

Hawaii Five-O was a police drama that premiered in the late 1960s produced by CBS television and Leonard Freeman. The show centered on a fictional state police unit Five-O run by Detective Steve McGarrett, portrayed by actor Jack Lord.

IoLani Palace. On TV, headquarters of Hawaii-Five-O (Piazza-photo)

I was so tempted when I took this photograph to run up those stairs, but with my receding hairline I don’t think I would have been mistaken for Detective Steve McGarrett. The original Hawaii Five-O ran twelve seasons from 1968 to 1980 and starred JACK LORD. When I was recently on Oahu doing research for my latest book, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” I took a “Hollywood in Hawaii Tour” of the island. Everyone aboard the excursion bus and the young guide as well, all agreed that the original show was the best. And everyone admitted hands down that it was because of the cast; Jack Lord, James McArthur, Kam Fong, Zulu, and Richard Denning.

The original cast of Hawaii Five-O

I worked with, and was good friends with the first makeup man on the original Hawaii Five-O, Donald Shoenfeld. His wife Trudy and I were stand-ins on “The Streets of San Francisco.” Don indicated that Lord was a difficult actor, and very much the perfectionist. Many of the cast members would agree, but indicated that he was that way for a purpose. Many of the members of the show were Hawaiians, and this production gave them the advantage of stepping out into the spotlight as actors and being noticed by the public; an opportunity that wasn’t available to them up to that point. He felt responsible for them, and took the role as mentor on the show seriously. Many didn’t realize it then, but in retrospect are very grateful now for his tough tutelage. When he died in January of 1998, Lord’s estate donated $40 million to the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Trivia: Hawaii Five-O’s Danny, James McArthur was married to F-Troop’s Wranger Jane (Melody Patterson). She retired from full time television work to live with him on the island while they were filming the series. She did however get a quest shot on the show.

The Statue of King Kamehameha that stands in front of Aliʻiolani Hale used in opening credits montage (Piazza-photo)

The memorial at the punch bowl- another piece of the montage (Piazza-photo)

“Book ’em, Danno, murder-one!”

ALOHA!

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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 2013, his latest Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels” was published and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. A new Tom Logan novel has been completed and is scheduled to be released in 2015. 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 three prestigious writer’s organizations: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the SLO NightWriters.

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.

Encounter with Ricardo Montalban by Tony Piazza

June 20, 2012 By tonypiazza 1 Comment

Encounter with Ricardo Montalban- A Class Act by Tony Piazza

We shared the same birthdate, but not the same year. He worked on radio, televsion, theatre, and film. So did I. His career spanned six decades, mine only one. He was a star, and I…a fan. His name, was RICARDO MONTALBAN and he was every inch a movie actor in the classic sense. Granted there were other actors that could project the charm, wit, and sophistication that he did, but somehow his performances always seemed to do it better. Perhaps it was because it was no act, but film capturing the real man.

Montalban with Herve Villechaize (Fantasy Island).

RICARDO MONTALBAN… to most, he needs no introduction. From early MGM musicals with Esther Williams (whom I also met) to Star Trek, Fantasy Island, The Naked Gun, and Escape to Conquest of the Planet of the Apes…he has been a prolific actor that has brought us much enjoyment through many generations. This photograph (below) was taken in 1971 on location in SF for a televsion mystery movie called “The Face of Fear’, co-starring Elizabeth Ashley.

Montalban- a class act!

They were filming at San Francisco’s Aquatic Park, close to the boat club, a very dramatic scene that included both Ashley and Montalban. On screen it was a private conversation, but in life they were surrounded by lights, camera, reflectors, sound recording equipment, booms, and a couple of dozen people which included director and film crew. That is the reality of the movie industry; creating an illusion that will convince an audience to accept what is projected on the screen as life. I have to admit that working in film does rob you of some of that magic, but it also instills in you an admiration for a film when it is really done right. That is where the actors come in, and the concentration and intensity delivered by both Montalban and Ashley in this scene really sold it for me.

Co-star Elizabeth Ashley.

“The Face of Fear” production company shot for forty-five minutes at that location. I was there the entire time, watching with the crew- others, a much larger crowd of onlookers were roped off at a distance, but because my father worked with the company I was given a front row view. After the scene was completed , Mr. Montalban was whisked away to his car. My father took my mother’s hand and led her towards the parked limo, I in close tow. When we reached it, I saw him sitting in the front passenger side, exhaustion etched on his face. My father called his name and tapped lightly on the car door. Always the latin gentleman…when he saw us with my father…he got out of the car…and then took my mother’s hand, a smile stretched broadly across his face…kissed her hand, and said, “you are a very lovely lady” and then asked “who is this gentleman?” (me), and shook my hand. There was class, and a fine example of what a gracious man he really was in life. If only the stars of today could conduct themselves with such panache, perhaps then we would have a few actors that years later we could call a class act.

Great memories. Thank you for letting me share them with you.

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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.

Tony Piazza is member of three prestigious writer’s groups: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writer’s of America, and SLO NightWriters.

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.

Walter Matthau- A Man Who Never Cracks a Smile by Tony Piazza

June 19, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

Walter Matthau- A Man Who Never Cracks a Smile by Tony Piazza

In 1973 actor WALTER MATTHAU was in San Francisco filming the police procedual drama “The Laughing Policeman.” The movie’s screenplay was by Thomas Rickman, and adapted loosely from a novel (of the same name) written by Sjowall and Wahloo. Walter Matthau starred as Sargent Jake Martin (Martin Beck in the novel) and BRUCE DERN as Inspector Leo Larsen, Jake’s police partner. Both are assigned to investigate multiple murders on a public bus. One of the victims turns out to be an off-duty detective which raises the question whether his presence had anything to do with the bus massacre. In the book the setting was Stockholm, Sweden, but for the film the location was changed to San Francisco.

Bruce Dern & Walter Matthau in Laughing Policeman.

I was assigned as a stand-in for Bruce Dern on this picture, and had a “walk on” about mid-way through the film. It was an interesting shoot. At one point during production we spent time in the actual Homicide Bureau at San Francisco’s Hall of Justice, with real detectives who were eager to share stories of some of the real dramas that took place on the city’s streets. Believe me, it would make the hairs on the nape of your neck rise to hear and see the photographic evidence of man’s inhumanity to man. It was an eye opener.

My “walk on” stepping from an elevator at Hall of Justice.

Bruce Dern and Walter Matthau complemented each other. They were both extremely easy going, and blessed with a subtle sense of humor. A conversation that I can remember with Matthau took place in a courtroom at City Hall. It started with me complementing him on his performance in “Kotch”- a film directed by his friend, Jack Lemmon. He seemed truly humbled by my words. We next discussed the “Odd Couple” and I told him that I had been in a stage production of it at my college. Seeing that I was interested in the profession he very generously offered his advice on acting; something that you could tell was dear to his heart.

My mother visiting the set. Notice my dad’s helmet which Matthau snatched to wear for the shot!

We had many locations around the city, and a fair portion of them night shots. The bus sequence took up the majority of the after dark work. Starting at the bus terminal, through the detailed massacre, culminating in a dawn sequence at Portsmouth Square near Chinatown (as we see the bus towed away from the crash site). These scenes accounted for a large portion of the night shooting, although there were also some night shots of Matthau returning home to his dysfunctional family. A residence that was in reality owned by the parents of a former school mate. The house was located up on a hill that overlooked the Pacific Ocean and served as a perfect location for what the production crew had invisioned from the script. Some neighbors were not as thrilled as others by the sudden invasion of a film crew, but Matthau assisted with public relations by entertaining the local kids- sitting on a curb at their level and answering questions and telling amusing tales.

Ever the clown, Matthau exchanges a helmet for two briefcases.

“The Laughing Policeman” wasn’t a big hit. Not that it was bad film, but I believe the moody, somber atmosphere didn’t play well with moviegoers at the time. I can say that neither Matthau, nor Dern in real life were that depressing or mournful. And although the title character Sgt. Jake Martin never cracked a smile in the film, Matthau off camera presented plenty of laughs, and made for a pleasant working atmosphere that I remember fondly to this day.

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Tony Piazza is a member of three prestigious writer’s organizations: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the SLO NightWriters.

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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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!

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” will soon be available as an audio book, read by the talented Broadway actor, James Romick. Watch for it. In stores soon!

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.

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 at an affordable price on Kindle.

Karl Malden, My Friend by Tony Piazza

June 12, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

Mladen George Sekulovich by Tony Piazza

If you haven’t guessed it already, that is KARL MALDEN’s real name. He was born March 22, 1912 and died July 1, 2009 at the age of 97. He told me once that longevity runs in his Serbian family, and I guess this is proof that those genes did ultimately carry over to Karl. He was born in Chicago and raised in Gary Indiana, the eldest of three boys. He was brought up in a working class family (he himself worked in steel mills), and those experiences made him really empathize with those that had to toil for a living. Examples to illustrate this on our show is; that he was never above jumping in and helping- whether it was pulling cables, or spooning mashed potatoes on the crew’s plates at lunch, and when one of our local crew (not a major employee) became sick and died on location in Santa Rosa, he attended the funeral with the rest of us a few days later. Karl was a major actor, who won an Oscar for “A Streetcar Named Desire,” was nominated for another Oscar for “On the Waterfront,” received an Emmy for the television movie, “Fatal Vision,” and received many other prestigious awards as well. It wasn’t expected of him, but he was there for this working man and his grieving family. He also never forgot his Serbian roots. An old Serbian couple from San Francisco befriended him when we were doing the series. He spoke the Serbian language with them and they brought him plates of special Serbian treats. His eyes would light up every time they came on the set, and they in turn loved him. He found ways of working his family name as a tribute into his productions. In one way or another there was a “Sekulovich” mentioned in his films. On “The Streets of San Francisco” there was a Sgt. Sekulovich, which interestingly was played by his life long friend and stand-in, Art Passarella. I remember Karl as a father figure…and a good one at that…I met his daughter Carla, and enjoyed visiting with her. She was bright, well grounded, and unspoiled. Celebrity’s children can be problematic, but not in Karl’s case. I think that speak volumes to his and his wife Mona’s parenting abilities. Karl was a good friend to me. I was “junior” to him. I want to leave this memory today with a special one I have of him. During a break in shooting I wandered off to sit on a log that was situated on a cliff overlooking the San Francisco Bay. We were in the Sea Cliff district, filming at a mansion. As I was enjoying my quiet moment I felt a towering presence behind me, and when I turned I saw Karl. He sat down next to me and we started talking. I had just watched him on television that evening in a re-run of “Pollyanna.” I told him that I’d watched the show and he seemed honestly surprised how much I had enjoyed his performance as the preacher…and then unexpectedly and with great zeal he suddenly launched into his character and the sermon dialogue from that film! How cool is that…to get my own private performance from KARL MALDEN! I felt a supreme sadness at Karl’s death. I lost a good friend and a second dad wrapped into one.

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Tony Piazza is a member of three prestigious writer’s organizations: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the SLO NightWriters.

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 McQueen's Needs Your Help! by Tony Piazza

June 11, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

The McQueen’s Needs Your Help!

NEILE ADAMS McQUEEN- Steve McQueen’s first wife spoke at the dinner the night before the “Steve McQueen Car Show.” She spoke of Steve with tears in his eyes, how he’d left the Boys Republic in 1944 with only the shirt on his back, a pair of jeans, and a tattered suitcase. After they were married and he became successful she caught him dressing up for a visit to his former school. She asked him why he was wearing his nicest clothes and he responded, “I want to show the boys what they could become.”
The Boys Republic has helped countless kids escape from the streets and become useful participants in our society. They have been doing this since 1907; their motto “Nothing Without Labor.”
I know there are countless charities out there hounding you to donate…and times are tough for us all. But, this e-book is only 99 cents, and if you saw the progress that I’d seen being accomplished I know that you would want to be a part of it. All we can take out of this world is our good works. Think about it! This is not a bad investment. 100% of your dollar goes to the boys. I don’t get a cent. You get a good book, and we both get the satisfaction of saving a boy’s life.

Below is a sample of the response on my FACEBOOK page:

Ninette Bavaro-Latronica: The book is worth reading…the cause is worth donating to….
Tony Piazza: Ninette, thank you. Chad McQueen approved it. Ron Harris, the organizer of “The Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show” told me he enjoyed it, and many others were anxious to purchase it. It has my own photographs, personal stories not only from me, but others, one who knew McQueen when he was just starting out and learning racing. This is a one-of-a-kind e-book. But aside from that, it is not about the book, but the boys. The book is a bonus.

PLEASE consider helping the boys!

Available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites.

Also:

www.bullittpoints.com

And read about the Boys Republic on their website: