Archives for July 2012

Singing with Pernell Roberts by Tony Piazza

July 31, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

Singing with Pernell Roberts by Tony Piazza

Roberts as Adam Cartwright (Bonanza)

This reminiscence is due to a wonderful biographical article that I read recently on the Turner Classic Movie site. It reminded me of the time when PERNELL ROBERTS was a guest star on “The Streets of San Francisco” in 1977. The episode was entitled “Breakup,” and he played a character called Charley Finn. For me, he would always be the oldest Cartwright brother, Adam on the long running “Bonanza” (1959-1973) series. Others may also recall him from the show “Trapper John, M.D.” (spin-off from the popular T.V. Show, M.A.S.H. (1972-1983)) which he did later (1979-1986) for CBS. My “Streets” remembrance of him takes place on the steps of San Francisco City Hall- one of the locations used for that episode. He had been cast to play Prof. Harold Hill on stage for the “Music Man”… his next job after filming this episode. During a break in filming he started singing the “Trouble in River City” number from the musical… well; I couldn’t help it, but joined in with him to the amusement of the crew… so you might say I performed with Mr. Roberts! I always loved that musical… it was my favorite and I couldn’t resist joining in.

Roberts as Trapper John, M.D.

As an aside I have an autographed copy of “The Music Man” book signed by Robert Preston (see below).

Some afterthoughts: My dad worked with Mr. Preston on a television series that featured cities around the U.S. When the film company came to San Francisco my father was assigned to assist. He and Mr. Preston became instant friends. My father presented my book to be signed by him, and he flipped through it, particularly interested in the photographs from the 1962 film. Mr. Preston related a story on that occasion- On production of the Warner’s film he was constantly being complemented on how well he knew his lines. His reply, ” if you had played it in the number of performances that I had on broadway it would be difficult NOT to remember!”

Robert Preston

I found the television production (2003) starring Matthew Broderick a big disappointment. It was a good try, but Mr. Broderick was not convincing in the role…Robert Preston’s shoes are big ones to fill…He was Harold Hill! He defined the character.

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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.

Two Anecdotes from Peter Ustinov by Tony Piazza

July 30, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

Two Anecdotes from Peter Ustinov by Tony Piazza

Sir Peter Ustinov

Sir PETER USTINOV…actor, author, and man of too many other accomplishments to fully do him justice here. I took this photograph (below) just before a personal introduction we were given him during a reception in San Francisco back in the early 1990’s.

During that visit he told us anecdotes about some of the actors that he worked with. Two of them particularly stand out in my mind. One had to do with CHARLES LAUGHTON. He was a house guest of the Ustinov’s and came down to breakfast one morning with pink curlers in his hair. Promptly at his appearance, one of Peter’s children spoke out and asked (to Ustinov’s embarrassment), “Who the lady was?”

Charles Laughton in “Witness for the Prosecution”

As some of you mystery fans know, he played Poirot in both motion picture and television movies. This second story has to do with that. When he was going to do “Death on the Nile” he was introduced to Dame Agatha Christie’s daughter Rosalind as Poirot, in which she responded, “You are NOT Poirot!” To which he replied, “I am now, Madame!”

Sir Peter Ustinov as Poirot

As an aside: It was a thrill meeting Mr. Ustinov, and I walked away with a wonderful souvenir that I’ve cherished to this day- an autographed copy of his last novel.

Ustinov Poirot Filmography:

Death on the Nile (1978)

Evil Under the Sun (1982)

Thirteen at Dinner (1985)

Dead Man’s Folly (1986)

Murder in Three Acts (1986)

Appointment with Death (1988)

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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.

LOOK for the new Tom Logan novel. Tentative release date late 2015!

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.

The Streets of San Francisco: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Lunch by Tony Piazza

July 27, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

The Streets of San Francisco: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Lunch by Tony Piazza

During the fourth season of “The Streets of San Francisco” we did a two parter which was going to write MICHAEL DOUGLAS’S character, Steve Keller, out of the show and introduce RICHARD HATCH as detective Dan Robbins. This episode had a stellar cast which included, JOSEPH WISEMAN, BARRY SULLIVAN, PATTY DUKE, SUSAN DEY, DICK VAN PATTEN, DORIS ROBERTS, NORMAN FELL, and was directed by VIRGIL VOGEL. This two-part episode was clearly inspired by the Patty Hearst kidnapping, and the “family” of the story (comprised in part by Duke and Dey) was a fictionalized version of the S.L.A. In the screenplay a busload of jurors are kidnapped by these revolutionaries, who demand the release of their imprisoned cohorts. It is then up to Stone, Keller, and Robbins to foil their plot.

Tony Piazza and Patty Duke

My little contribution to this episode (aside from my stand-in duties for Douglas and Hatch) was to act as one of the members of a S.W.A.T. team that was called in to keep an eye on the “family.” They had a boat out on the bay, and we were set up at various locations along the dockside. I was a sharpshooter atop of one of the warehouses, rifle in hand waiting for a signal to act. I never got that signal, and that is the basis for this story. To explain…I sat up there looking vigilant, gun at the ready, and waited, and watched…and waited…and watched…for a very long time. Meanwhile back at the main unit, the first assistant suddenly looks around and asks, “Where is Tony?” In response, the trainee assistant director jumps up in obvious panic to exclaim, “I forgot to tell him that we have broken for lunch!”

Susan Dey and Tony Piazza

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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.

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!

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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.

On Location with Leslie Nielsen by Tony Piazza

July 25, 2012 By tonypiazza 8 Comments

On Location with Leslie Nielsen by Tony Piazza

Mr. Nielsen and my father, from “The Streets of San Francisco.”

In 1976 I worked on a Quinn Martin T.V. movie entitled “Brinks: The Great Robbery.” In it I was as a stand-in for STEPHEN COLLINS (“Star Trek-The Motion Picture”) . “Brinks” also starred LESLIE NIELSEN during his pre-“Airplane” days. I had worked with him before on “The Streets of San Francisco” (first season episode) and so knew that we were in for some fun… the prankster that he was… and he didn’t disappoint. I really liked Mr. Nielsen, both personally and professionally. He was a fun, friendly individual that always brought a smile to your face.

Forbidden Planet

He was quite different from the earlier characters that he played in such films as “Tammy and the Bachelor” (1957) and Forbidden Planet (1956)”- just an aside, but I worked with his co-star ANNE FRANCIS, a real lovely lady. Leslie was more like his “Airplane” (1980) character Dr. Rumack and “Naked Gun’s” (1988) Frank Drebin than his previous incarnations. To illustrate this point, he once told a story about being on a talk show. He had injured his wrist a week earlier and his doctor gave him a rubber ball to squeeze as part of his recovery. This ball made a rude sound when depressed, and seeing the comedic possibilities he brought it on the show hidden in his hand. Occasionally, when the host asked a question he squeezed it…the host became embarrassed and didn’t know what to make of it, except that Mr. Nielsen may have had cabbage for lunch!

The lovely Anne Francis and myself

The Naked Gun

The attached picture was taken in the Hall of Justice in San Francisco one Saturday during the summer of 1976. The story was set in 1950 and we had to dress accordingly. The lady in the middle was my mother. She had worked as an “extra” that day. The cinematographer on this show was a good friend of mine, MICHEL HUGO. We had not only worked together on this movie, but “The Streets of San Francisco”, “Bert D’Angelo, Superstar,” “The Avenger’s USA”, and the motion picture “Manitou.” Michel was the director of photography on the original “Mission Impossible” series (‘60s) and such feature films as “Bless the Beasts and Children” (1971) and “The April Fools” (1969).

Michel Hugo

Mr. Nielsen, Michel Hugo, and my mother are gone… and I’m sure to a much better place. They will be missed. Still, I wonder if Mr. Nielsen brought along his rubber ball?

R.I.P. Mr. Nielsen…it was a pleasure.

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Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)

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

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

NEW!

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

NEW!

The rollicking adventure novel set in paradise. The thrill-a-minute bestseller that two film producers are interested in…”The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” 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.

Natalie Wood and Bob Wagner by Tony Piazza

July 24, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

Natalie Wood and Bob Wagner by Tony Piazza

Whenever the media revisits the death of Natalie Wood in 1981 I cannot help but reflect back to a time when I worked with Bob Wagner and saw Natalie for the first time. Bob Wagner was in two TV crime series pilots filmed in San Francisco. The first was entitled “The Cable Car Murder” shot in 1971 starring Robert Hooks and Jeremy Slate. In this production Hooks and Slate portrayed characters similar to the Karl Malden– Michael Douglas detectives Quinn Martin featured later in “The Streets of San Francisco”. The Cable Car Murder never made it as a series, but eventually was shown on CBS as a two hour movie re-titled, “Cross Current.” Bob Wagner unlike the rest of the cast on that show was very private, and did not seem anxious to become involved with anything outside of filming. My parents were celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary, and as it happened that particular day my father had to work on the show. The production crew put on a surprise party for him and my mom during lunch in which the star Robert Hooks and cast made a presentation of a cake and gift (see photograph). Everyone, but Wagner was there to celebrate the occasion and express their good wills.

Actor Robert Hooks presenting my parents with a gift.

On the pilot for “The Streets of San Francisco” a year later, I talked with Bob on the steps of the Hall of Justice in San Francisco. He was interesting to talk to, but in my opinion I found him preoccupied and uncomfortable with the public. There were two actors that I had been around who’d seemed to shy away from their fans; Glenn Ford (who would disappear in his dressing room the minute the cameras stopped rolling) and Robert Vaughn (Bullitt & Towering Inferno). Tony Curtis had a fear of crowds, but he was still accessible to his fans. Returning to Bob, in one scene he is driving a “movie” car, which he raced into the police headquarters’ parking lot well above the speed limit. My father flagged him down during the scene and told him to “take it a little slower”. I could tell that Bob didn’t like it, but since my dad carried a gun (LOL) he was wise not to argue!

I got to see Natalie Wood on that same pilot. She was visiting her husband at one of our locations, the Sea Cliff neighborhood during a freezing S.F. evening. She was wearing a long gray coat and hood lined in fur. She was very beautiful indeed, with her long shiny brown hair, peaches and cream complexion, and arresting dark eyes. And I particularly remember her voice- it was lilting and full of life- musical, with a rhythm that was uniquely her own. It still touches me to this day. I was impressed by her and the interest and kindness she showed others. I mourn her loss.

There is certain sadness I feel when I view “Miracle on 34^th Street” and see her sweet innocent face.

I won’t offer my opinion regarding the drowning. In truth I have no special insights, or drawn any certain conclusions. But I will say that Hollywood and its appearance of glamour is really only “smoke and mirrors.” You realize that working on a regular basis with these celebrities. In reality they are (as people, physically and mentally) no different than you and I, except that they are thrust into a unique situation where their every move is under constant microscopic examination. And that combined with the extravagant lifestyles expected of them and the temptations brought on by too much money adds up to a recipe ripe for disaster like that suffered by the Wagner’s. It really makes you thank your lucky stars when your station in life is as just plain folk!

As an aside: Natalie Wood had a fear of water. A short feature on the Turner Classic Movie channel narrated by Robert Redford, a former co-star in two of her films relates this. They were working on the feature “Inside Daisy Clover” (1966), when during a scene near a swimming pool he decides to improvise and jump into the water dragging Natalie along with him. She was paralyzed with fear, and it was only then that he learned of her phobia. Nevertheless, the good sport that she was, she was okay with his actions and they remained friends throughout her life.

Now, I’m not one to believe in premonitions, but Natalie’s fear does seem to leave the phenomena open for question.

Trivia: Natalie also appeared in the Redford film, “The Candidate” (1972) as herself. My father could also be seen in that film as a police officer behind Redford in a crowded hall at the convention center (Cow Palace, Daly City, CA).

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

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

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