tonypiazza, Author at Author Tony Piazza

In Old Chicago (1937): Hollywood History Vs. Fact

May 31, 2013 By tonypiazza 3 Comments

My wife’s great, great grandmother was Mrs. O’Leary of the Chicago fire fame. This is no “coming over on the Mayflower” legend of the family, but a documented fact. One of the O’Leary daughters married a Cooke…the same Cooke family that spawned the silent movie actor and actress I mentioned in an earlier blog- see:

http://www.authortonypiazza.com/surprise-celebrities-in-the-family-by-tony-piazza/

TCM recently aired “In Old Chicago” (1937) starring Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Don Ameche, and familiar with her family’s history, my wife was curious how historically accurate the film would be.

Tyrone Power, Don Ameche and Alice Faye

The Film story: Mrs. O’Leary’s two sons – Jack (Don Ameche) was an ethical lawyer and his brother Dion (Tyrone Power), a dishonest politician. Both become powerful men, and subsequently bitter rivals in old Chicago on the night of the Great Fire.

Tyrone Power (Dion) and Alice Brady (Mrs. (Molly?) O’Leary)

Here’s her findings regarding Hollywood vs. fact:

First the errors:

1) Mrs. O’Leary was not a widow. Her husband did not die on the wagon train heading for Chicago.

2) Her husband fought in the civil war and returned safely home.

3) There were eight children, not just three brothers as portrayed in the film.

4) She did not run a French Laundry, it was a small dairy.

5) Their house wasn’t so grand. They were poor.

6) As far as we know, none of the O’Leary boys were involved in politics or the law.

7) Her name was Catherine O’Leary not Molly (Hence, the “?” in the earlier caption).

Phyllis Brooks (Ann Colby) and Tyrone Power

Now the fact:

1) Her cow knocked over a lantern and started the Chicago fire on Oct. 8, 1871.

The real villain of the story

Seems screenwriters: Lamar Trotti and Sonya Levien ( from a story by Niven Busch) had their work cut out for them!

——————————————

Family Research Fact:

When approached by officials after the fire, Mrs O’Leary was in tears…because she’d lost her cow in the barn fire. The family moved from Chicago because of the incident.

Conclusion: In Old Chicago is an extremely entertaining film classic. Director Henry King created a wonderful set piece, showcasing some great actors, but if you’re looking for facts, you’d better switch to the History Channel, or e-mail my wife.

———————————-

Trivia: In Chicago was one of the most expensive films of its time: 1.8 million. The special effects are extremely good, even by today’s standards.

Alice Faye was not the first choice for the lead role of Belle Fawcett. It was supposed to be Jean Harlow, but she died before production. The irony of this, is that early in Faye’s career, Darryl Zannuck saw her on the studio lot and told her she should change her image, that she looked too much like another of their stars- Jean Harlow!

“Rondo” Hatton ( the Creeper. Sherlock Holmes and The Pearl of Death (1945)) can be seen as a thug in the film. His strange features was due to a condition called acromegaly. This came about after being gassed in World War 1.

Clark Gable was slated to play the role of Dion O’Leary. Gable lost it to Power because there was a problem with him being lent out to another studio.

Alice Faye was married to bandleader/ comedian Phil Harris. They had a popular radio comedy that ran on NBC from 1946-1948. In some ways it was an extension of The Jack Benny Program.

Andy Devine (Pickle Bixby) had a supporting role in the film. He would be seen in many westerns over the years, usually in comedic/ sidekick roles. As an aside, I saw him live at Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA., in a solo performance during the 1960s. The audience loved him.

Brian Donlevy (Gil Warren) was the perfect villain- dishonest banker, politician, ranch owner, etc.- in westerns or crime noir features and television productions throughout his career.

Alice Brady won an Oscar at the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress in this film, and the man who received it for her, stole it.

——————————–

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.

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

Due out mid-2013!

BULLITT 45th ANNIVERSARY EVENT

May 21, 2013 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

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

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

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

At http://www.bullittpoints.com/ or at Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.

Marion Davies by Tony Piazza

May 8, 2013 By tonypiazza 3 Comments

Actress/comedienne MARION DAVIES (Jan. 3, 1897- Sept. 22, 1961). Davies was mistress to newspaper tycoon, WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST. She was hostess at many of Hearst’s parties, including those at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Guests at these affairs usually included such notable actors as CHARLIE CHAPLIN, DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, and MARY PICKFORD. Hearst micro-managed Davies early career, and in doing so, making such erroneous misjudgments as casting her in lavish historical dramas instead of comedies where she demonstrated her real talent. And regarding those parties: One particular one ended in scandal. It involved the death of early film pioneer, Thomas Ince aboard Hearst’s yacht, and was the subject of a 2001, Peter Bogdanovich film, The Cat’s Meow. There were rumors that he was mistakenly shot by Hearst, and the accident covered up. Incidentally, my first job in the industry, was with What’s Up, Doc? – another film by Bogdanovich.

William Randolph Hearst

Thomas Ince

Charlie Chaplin

——————————————-

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

Due out Fall-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.

Author Tony Piazza Speaks at AAUW Author’s Forum

May 7, 2013 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

(L. to R.) Rober L. Piccioni, Melinda Palacio, Louise Laemmlen, & Tony Piazza

Surprise Celebrities in the Family by Tony Piazza

April 24, 2013 By tonypiazza 6 Comments

Myrtle Gonzales (my wife’s second cousin)

You’ll never know what you’ll dig up when you start exploring the roots of your ancestral tree. This tree isn’t mine however, but the paternal side of my wife’s family. Incidentally, I’m afraid to trace my roots. My father’s side originated in Sicily, and I may find out that I’m related to Don Corleone. But, returning to the subject: my wife’s sister, Kathleen has been intrigued by their family history- as well she should be- she’s traced it back seven generations in Los Angeles history. Kathleen has spent three years researching their family background and dug up some interesting facts. Their ancestors were of the first families who settled in what was then called Pueblo de Los Angeles. The Avila’s and Pelanconi’s are all ancestors of their family, and adobes bearing those names can be found on Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles. Another branch, which I’ll be talking about are the Cooke’s. My wife’s father’s mother’s family name was Cooke, and they were a multi-talented family of ten children who became musicians, singers, and actors (both in theater and eventually film).

My wife, Susan in front of the Pelanconi Warehouse building on Olvera Street

Sign outside the Pelanconi House

Avila Adobe on Olvera Street

In Kathleen’s searches, she discovered that they were related to two silent screen actors, Myrtle Gonzales and John J. Cook(e).

Mytrle Gonzales “The Virgin White Lily of the Screen” was born September 28, 1891 to Manuel George Gonzalez and Lillian L. Cook(e) in Los Angeles, California. Her father was a native Hispanic Californio of Spain and her mother’s family was of Ireland, County Cork. He was a grocer, and she a former opera star. Myrtle obviously inherited the “talent gene” from the Cooke side, because from early childhood she acted and sang in many local events. The Merced Theatre near the plaza on Arcadia Street is a site where she had performed.

As an adult she transitioned into silent pictures working for both Vitagraph and Universal Studios. In five of her films (1913-1914) she worked with William Desmond Taylor, one of which was called “The Kiss” and interestingly enough, clips of this film can be seen in the opening sequence of the film “The Spiral Staircase” starring Dorothy McGuire from 1946.

Link to YouTube video of “The Kiss”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNepyCE9w2U

She was married briefly to James Park Jones, and had one child, and then to Universal director/actor Allen Watt until her death.

Myrtle is regarded as Hollywood’s first Latin and Hispanic movie star actress. She made a total of 80 films- all silent. Most were considered shorts, such as “The Thief of the Desert” and “The Gambler”, but others like “The Greater Law”, “The Girl of Lost Lake”, and “The Secret of the Swamp” were full features.

Myrtle’s life was all too short however. She died October 22, 1918 at the age of 27 from the Spanish flu- a worldwide pandemic which struck that year.

Trivia:

William Desmond Taylor

Her co-star of five films, William Desmond Taylor was murdered in 1922- shot to death in his bungalow. In 1964 Taylor’s co-star Margaret Gibson shortly before her death confessed to having murdered him, but this has never been proven to be true.

Margaret Gibson

NEXT TIME I’LL BE LOOKING at my wife’s other famous relative, John J. Cook(e). I hope you’ll stop by.

————————————–

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

Look for my Tom Logan mystery thrillers on Amazon!

Book three due out end of 2015!

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.

amongstangelsfront cover 3

Karl Malden's Joke by Tony Piazza

April 15, 2013 By tonypiazza 6 Comments

This is a short memory, but a fond one. We (the crew of “The Streets of San Francisco”) were shooting a scene for an episode near Ghirardelli Square. As with most location shooting, we were attracting a crowd. And with this being a Friday night and a popular tourist spot, even more so than normal. People were everywhere. Areas were roped off on a grassy knoll in an effort to separate the onlookers from the shooting location. It was a chaotic night. Some friends stopped by to surprise me- old buddies from school. They said that they just wanted to come by and say hello, but I suspect it was more likely to impress their dates. They kept telling me how lucky I was to be able to work on a television show. Sure. Six days a week, and a minimum of twelve hours a day- in other words, no social life at all. In truth I envied them, with a pretty girl on their arm and a free evening to enjoy courtship- of course I didn’t tell them so. However, on the flip side, I’d made friends on “Streets” with such wonderful people as KARL MALDEN, and MICHAEL DOUGLAS; and Director of Photography, MICHEL HUGO, and Director VIRGIL VOGEL. So on second thought; it had its advantages. I was part of a unique family, and what social life I did have, revolved around co-workers and those moments in-between shooting. That was the reality of working on a film or television project. Karl Malden, more than anyone realized this, and tried to keep the atmosphere around the set always warm, fun, and friendly. For example, I’ll return to that Friday night. As I’d just mentioned, there was a large crowd of fans rubber-necking to see the action, and especially the stars. Karl was not in any of the scenes that evening, and had it off. His wife, Mona was visiting, and so they decided to use the time for sightseeing and shopping. Whether it was on purpose, or not, I’m not certain, but somehow they crossed paths with the production company. Karl and Mona were now standing behind the ropes among the fans looking in on our activity. Karl was not in his trademark dark suit, maroon vest, and gray hat. In fact, he was out of make-up and dressed in a tan leather jacket, comfortable slacks, and shirt opened at the collar. Fans hadn’t realized he was standing among them. They were too busy looking for him and other stars on the opposite side of the ropes. I spotted him however, and watched with amusement as he asked some of the gawkers with a gleam in his eye, “What’s going on here? Are the filming something?” Eventually a few caught on, and when they did, he and his wife disappeared. Karl was a great deal of fun, and I miss him, and those glorious days tremendously.

—————————————–

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

Due out mid-2013!