Archives for 2012

Christmas on "The Streets of San Francisco" by Tony Piazza

December 13, 2012 By tonypiazza 14 Comments

Here we are on the brink of 2018, and as I do every year during the weeks leading up to Christmas, I reflect back. I don’t know about you, but with the passing years, it seems that my mind turns even more readily to those innocent years of childhood. Frankly, adulthood isn’t what it is cracked up to be…loaded with its’ inevitable responsibilities, emotional roller-coaster moments, and inescapable tragedies. It certainly makes you long for the old days, where being naughty or nice was the only worry on your mind. Still, there are lots to give thanks for, and many blessings have come my way through the year, not the least of which is all your friendships. I appreciate you coming back, reading, and commenting on my stories. Here’s wishing all of you a Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy 2018!

My First Christmas Party with “The Streets of San Francisco” by Tony Piazza

San Francisco skyline at Christmas

The Christmas season is a great time to reflect on the past. Family gatherings, friends stopping by for good cheer, sumptuous treats and colorful gifts are all part of the memories we conjure up on the days leading up to the twenty-fifth.

Today mine turns to a very special occasion that occurred forty-one years ago in December of 1972. It was the Christmas Party put on by Quinn Martin for the cast and crew of “The Streets of San Francisco.” KARL MALDEN and his wife Mona was there, so was MICHAEL DOUGLAS. Producer QUINN MARTIN came up from Southern California to join us, as did Executive Producer HOWARD ALSTON. Many from Management were a part of the festivities; DICK GALLEGLY and ARTHUR FELLOWS also coming to mind.

This is a crew Christmas photograph from 1973. Look for guest star Ida Lupino among Karl, Michael, and the rest.

I was a guest that night along with my parents. It was held in the ballroom at the Del Webb Towne House on Market Street. This hotel was used as the production office during that first season- later (for the second season) a warehouse on Kearny would be converted to offices and a soundstage.

Kas Garas, Anneke Wills, and Anthony Quayle- Strange Report

Aside from my parents, I shared a table with two of the guest stars on the episode they happened to be filming during the week of the party- actors KAZ GARAS and ED NELSON. Kaz was one of the stars (actor ANTHONY QUAYLE being the other) of my favorite British television production- “Strange Report”. He was seated next to me and we were having a conversation like old friends! Boy, did that seem strange– no pun intended! Actor Ed Nelson had played Dr. Rossi (in the 1960s) on my mother’s favorite night-time soap…“Peyton Place” (which also starred: Ryan O’Neal, Barbara Parkins, Mia Farrow, and Christopher Connelly). Nelson was a heart-throb on that show, so I’m sure she didn’t have any complaints having him at our table. We were having a great time.

Ed Nelson as Dr. Rossi (Peyton Place)

The food was terrific that night, as was the outtakes and blooper reels shown by EDDIE MARKS, the wardrobe guy on the show- some of the films were taken with his own 8mm sound camera.

My father and Michael Douglas

I remember everything was brightly decorated- both in the ballroom and outside the hotel. Colorful holiday lights of red, green, yellow, and blue reflected off the wet pavement that chilly San Francisco night- it had rained. But once inside there was great warmth in the Towne House with friends sharing laughter and good cheer. Karl- ever the father of the production company also played Father Christmas passing out gifts that he (whose generous nature was remarkable) had purchased for the great and small alike of his “Streets” family.

Karl Malden- Father Christmas!

There was caroling, and music to dance to- nothing was overlooked. It was a memory to be cherished- as I have done these many years. Most of the crew is gone now- Karl has passed on to his reward, and so have my parents who are no doubt presently sharing some laughs with him. It is so grand that I can look back and remember these special occasions which grow every so much more meaningful as time passes on.

Merry Christmas to all! Thank you for following my blogs and hope to see you next year!

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Author Tony Piazza

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 Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. October 2017 his latest, “Murder Will Out” was released and has been climbing the charts. 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. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity.

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

NEW!

The novels that started it all. All the earlier Tom Logan mystery series have become audiobooks- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

The NEW Tom Logan mystery, “Murder Will Out” is available in print, e-book, AND SOON audiobook on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. For audio- Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

Also:

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon,” “Anything Short of Murder,” “A Murder Amongst Angels,” “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge,” and NOW “Murder Will Out” are 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, Murder Will Out .

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

Locations of Film, Television, and Soon, My Novel- Part 5. By Tony Piazza

November 7, 2012 By tonypiazza 6 Comments

PART FIVE

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 Los Angeles City Hall.

Poster from “The War of the Worlds” courtesy Paramount Pictures

The Los Angeles City Hall building although not featured as a focal point in my new novel, is nevertheless mentioned, and therefore worthy of inclusion in this series of articles. Completed in 1928, it is the center of government for the city of Los Angeles, California. The mayor’s office and city council chambers and offices are located here. Its official address is 200 North Spring Street in the Civic Center of downtown Los Angeles. Once a dominating structure, it is now dwarfed by taller, newer skyscrapers.

L.A. City Hall (Photo by Piazza)

City Hall was designed by the architects, John Parkinson, Albert Martin, and John Austin. Its construction was started in 1926 and was dedicated two years later in April of 1928. Its’ tower stands 454 feet high and contains 32 floors. In design, the tower’s shape is based on the Mausoleum of Mausolus located in present day Turkey.

Another view of L.A. City Hall (Photo by Piazza)

On March 24, 1976 it was designated a Los Angeles Cultural Monument.

From George Pal’s “The War of the Worlds” (1953) courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Model of City Hall before destruction (Courtesy of Paramount)

Model of City Hall destroyed by (martian heat ray) special effects (Courtesy of Paramount)

To me, having grown up in the 1950s, it will always be the Daily Planet building of the Adventures of Superman– the early TV series which starred George Reeves as the Man of Steel.

Adventures of Superman (George Reeves)

Of course this building has also been seen in other film and television productions.

For example:

Dragnet-feature (1987)

Feature Films:

War of the Worlds (1953) starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson
The Bad News Bears (1976) starring Walter Matthau and Tatum O’Neal
Dragnet (1987) starring Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks
Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 (2011) starring Taylor Schilling and Grant Bowler

Jack Webb as Joe Friday- Dragnet (TV)

Television:

Dragnet (1951-1970) starring Jack Webb.
Perry Mason (1957-1995) starring Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale
Adam-12 (1968-1975) starring Martin Milner and Kent McCord

These are just a sampling of films and television shows in which it appeared. It is indeed a landmark of Los Angeles, almost identifiable to the city as the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco. I couldn’t write of 1930s downtown Los Angeles without a mention of this cultural monument.

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Look for the sequel to Anything Short of Murder 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.

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

October 31, 2012 By tonypiazza 16 Comments

PART FOUR

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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Locations of Film, Television, and Soon, My Novel- Part 3. By Tony Piazza

October 25, 2012 By tonypiazza 3 Comments

A star is Born (1937)

PART THREE

The Millennium Biltmore Hotel

The Biltmore is a luxury hotel located at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles. It will play a role in my upcoming sequel to Anything Short of Murder – a novel which is due to be released mid- 2013. The hotel had its grand opening in 1923, and was then the largest hotel west of Chicago. Designed by the architectural firm of Schultze and Weaver, it incorporates Spanish- Italian, Mediterranean Revival, and Beaux Arts styles.

Side entrance at Biltmore for those special guests

The interior has frescoed mural ceilings hand painted in 1922 by Italian artist, Giovanni Smeraldi. I was taken by these, as I was by the marble fountains, oak paneled walls, tapestries, and exquisite crystal chandeliers.

A Closer look at the frescoe ceiling

What was the main lobby is now used for afternoon tea, and the current lobby can be found by entering in at Grand Avenue. This new lobby has travertine walls, oak paneling, and if you were to wander off to a sitting room across from the desk you’d discover a beautiful mural influenced by either Roman or Greek design.

Rendezvous Court (original lobby)

Returning to the original lobby, known today as the Rendezvous Court, you will find a beautifully carved fountain, Italian chandeliers, a ceiling painted with 24 carat gold accents, and a staircase that can be recognized from numerous television, feature film, and T.V. ad productions.

A Look at the detailed ceiling

Owned by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, the Biltmore was designated in 2009, a Historic- Cultural Monument by the City of Los Angeles.

A Hall at the Biltmore

The Los Angeles Biltmore was the location of the Academy Award Ceremonies in 1937, held as a luncheon banquet in its Crystal Ballroom March of that year. A hallway displays photographs from that and other similar events where you can pick out such noted individuals as Walt Disney, Gracie Allen, and Louis B. Mayer. Bob Hope hosted the banquet for the Academy’s 50^th Anniversary here as well.

The 1937 Academy Award luncheon

Other events of note:

At the Biltmore, John F. Kennedy gave his presidential acceptance speech in 1960, and the Beatles occupied the President’s Suite during their tour in 1964.

The Beatles

To mention just a few feature films shot here:

Jennifer Garner as Elektra in 2003’s Daredevil

The original A Star is Born(1937) with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March; Daredevil(2003)* with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, Bugsy(1991) with Warren Beatty and Annette Bening; and Chinatown(1974) with Jack Nicholson.

Poster from Chinatown (1974)

* Another Marvel Comic Book character, Spider-man (2002 ) also filmed here.

To mention some television shows:

The original Charlie’s Angels (1976)

There was Columbo (1968-2003) with Peter Falk; Charlie’s Angels (1976-1981) with Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, and Kate Jackson; and 24 (2001-2010) with Kiefer Sutherland.

My friend, Peter Falk as Columbo

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Walking through this magnificent hotel was like visiting the Vatican. Filled with awe inspiring murals, beautifully carved marble fountains, and detailed bronze work; how could an author walk away without being moved enough to include it in his manuscript?

Author Tony Piazza and wife Susan in original lobby

My detective, Tom Logan will definitely pay it a visit in his newest adventure. Hope you’ll read it and see the Biltmore through his own eyes when the novel is released next year!

Look for the new Tom Logan mystery coming in 2013

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Locations of Film, Television, and Soon, My Novel- Part 2. By Tony Piazza

October 18, 2012 By tonypiazza 4 Comments

PART TWO

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.

Hill Street Station

What is Angel’s Flight? The title of a church hymn? A love poem by Byron? Or a roller coaster ride at Six Flags. Of the three, the latter perhaps comes the closest. It is a mode of transportation that Angelinos have taken since the early part of the last century- 1901 to be precise. I guess you could best compare it to the cable cars of San Francisco, except instead of climbing many hills it climbs only one- Bunker Hill.

Angel’s Flight at original location

This funicular now connects Hill Street with California Plaza, it has since 1996, but prior to that it was located nearby to the north running from Hill Street to Olive. This was the location when my detective Tom Logan rode it regularly to reach his apartment atop Bunker Hill in Anything Short of Murder (2010).

Another view from Hill Street

Completed in 1901 with funding by Colonel J.W. Eddy, the Los Angeles Incline Railway consisted of two cars the Sinai and Olivet, which were transported by cables driven by a powerful engine situated at the upper station. There were two terminus the one above on Olive Street and the lower at the west corner of Hill Street at Third. As one car ascended, the other using gravity descended. It continued this service to passengers at the original location for 68 years.

California Plaza station

It had a fairly good safety record, although a fatal accident did occur at its original location in 1943. A sailor trying to walk up the track was run over by one of the cars. Then later (2001) in its new location, an 83 year old man was killed and several others injured as the car Sinai suddenly reversed directions and accelerated downhill hitting the second car. After an investigation by the National Safety Transportation Board, the problem was identified and re-engineered, and the newly restored funicular re-opened approximately nine years later in 2010.

Angel’s Flight from Hill Street (original location)

Angel’s Flight appeared in films; The Turning Point (1952) crime drama starring William Holden and Edmond O’Brien, the remake of M (1951) starring David Wayne, and Robert Aldrich’s, unusual take on the Mickey Spillane Mike Hammer potboiler, Kiss Me, Deadly (1955) with Ralph Meeker. With these crime noir films, and many others not listed, no wonder this historical railway found its way onto the pages of my novel Anything Short of Murder and its soon to be released sequel!

The Turning Point (1952)

Kiss Me, Deadly (1955)

Television crime dramas also featured this L.A.attraction. Perry Mason (1966) with Raymond Burr, Dragnet with Jack Webb, and The City of Angels (1976) just to name a few.

Perry Mason (1966)

I enjoyed visiting and riding on this historical landmark (as designated in 1962 and October of 2000) and knowing its association to film and television crime dramas, noir, and a mention in two Raymond Chandler novels- of which his detective Philip Marlowe is figuratively, Logan’s godfather- it shouldn’t be a surprise to my readers why I’d included it in my books.

BONUS: Click on LINK below for my video ride on Angel’s Flight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDoytSahkck&feature=youtu.be VIDEO trip on Angel’s Flight

Look for the new Tom Logan mystery coming in 2013

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Locations of Film, Television, and My Novel. By Tony Piazza

October 11, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

A SF Classic filmed at Bradbury Building

As a writer, I try to go the extra mile for my readers. I do so by ensuring accuracy in details. In my latest novel the protagonist from Anything Short Of Murder, Tom Logan, returns. He’s got himself one humdinger of a case which finds him visiting many sites around the City of Angels. It has always been my aim to make my stories feel real, and in effect, give my readers a true sense of being there. To do this convincingly I realized that I had to make them feel real to myself first. I discovered that the best way I could accomplish this was to travel and experience them firsthand. I did it successfully with Hawaii in The Curse of the Crimson Dragon, so naturally I was up to applying it again. Therefore, earlier this month I made a special trip to several locations (being written into my latest novel) in or around the downtown Los Angeles area- landmarks that have stood since the book’s setting, circa 1930. I thought I would cover these over a series of short articles, the first examining the BRADBURY BUILDING.

This building could be overlooked by the uninformed

First off, the building is not named after author Ray Bradbury. Having gotten that misconception out of the way I can say that it was commissioned by L.A.mining millionaire Lewis L. Bradbury, designed by George Wyman, and completed in 1893. From the outside, the property at 304 South Broadway doesn’t seem remarkable (brown brick, sandstone with terra cotta panels), but pass through the front door and you’re in for a surprise.

Magic happens when you cross this portal

If you feel a certain amount of déjà vu when you observe its unique interior, you’re not alone. It has been the location for numerous television and feature films, most notably: Blade Runner (1982) with Harrison Ford, I, The Jury (1953) with Preston Foster, D.O.A. (1950) with Edmond O’Brien, Marlowe (1969) with James Garner, and Chinatown (1974) with Jack Nicolson. These are just a sampling of features. For television- to name a few: The Outer Limits, Mission Impossible, Banyon, and The Night Strangler.

A view from the ground floor

The architect, Wyman had been influenced by the 1887 science fiction novel Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy, hence its unusual design, and perhaps why it was utilized for Blade Runner.

One of the caged elevators

My FACEBOOK friend, Catherine Ryan Hyde’s film adaptation of her novel, Pay it Forward, was also shot here. And it has been the location for numerous novels, comics, and even a setting for music videos.

A view from the first floor landing

With its film noir connections, I think you can see why I chose the Bradbury Building as a setting for my next novel. As a writer, film lover, and former member of the entertainment industry, I design my books like the classic movies I love. I relish playing director, or location scout searching out properties that will add something visually to my storytelling. It is one of the perks of being a writer, and quite frankly I am enjoying every minute of it!

Author Tony Piazza at Bradbury Building

An additional note: The most recent film to utilize The Bradbury Building was The Artist (2011).

UPDATE: The novel mentioned above was published in 2013, its’ title, A Murder Amongst Angels, and was well reviewed and an Amazon as a bestseller.

Look for the new Tom Logan mystery coming in 2015

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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.

NEW! COMING SOON!

The novel that started it all. The first in the Tom Logan mystery series- read by actor James Romick,will be available on 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” 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 is discounted for e-book.

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