Midnight Cowboy Archives - Author Tony Piazza

Some Random Thoughts About Michael Douglas by Tony Piazza

Michael Douglas and myself (1975)

MICHAEL DOUGLAS was terrific- a real pro. It was funny, but the first day he showed up in SF he was totally out of character. He had long hair and a beard. Not exactly the image of a police inspector (unless he planned to go undercover as a Narco agent). Of course, that all changed when production started.

Michael with beard

He was totally accessible- he didn’t run to his trailer between shots to avoid fans. He signed plenty of autographs. Of course, it goes without saying that he got a lot of attention from the ladies, although he was dating BRENDA VACCARO of “Midnight Cowboy” fame at the time. She spent a lot of hours around the set.

Brenda Vaccaro and Michael Douglas

Michael was just one of the guys- he spooned mashed potatoes for the crew- as did KARL MALDEN on occasion, joked around the set, and even joined several of us crew members as we cooled off in a river (like school boys skipping class)- on a very hot lunch hour at our location in Santa Rosa, Ca.

Michael Douglas on location in San francisco

I remember one incident in Santa Rosa: the (movie) squad car was parked under a maple tree and as a rule when “standing in” you leave a “mark” for an actor to stand on. I was standing in for Michael and looking around took a maple leaf and used it. When Michael’s turn came to take his place on the “mark”, he asked me “where it was?” I told him the maple leaf…trouble was, the whole front yard was littered with maple leaves. Whoops. We had a big laugh over it!

My Dad & Michael Douglas

Obviously, I got to talk with Michael a lot- and as I mentioned to a Turner Classic Movie fan on its fan site- he was very proud of his Father, Kirk. I remember telling him about a picture I saw in a movie book about his Dad. It was a picture of the both of them on the set of “Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea”. The location was an island in the South Pacific, and I believe he was about 10 when it was taken. He was really interested in it and wanted to know more about the book.

Kirk Douglas

He also loved and respected his Mother, DIANA DOUGLAS, who was also an actress and guest starred in one of our episodes. He spent a lot of time in-between scenes visiting with her. You can tell by his actions that he treated her with a lot of respect.

Diana Douglas

One time a fan decided to do a voice impression of his father from “Spartacus”, Michael played along even doing one of his father himself.

Kirk and Michael Douglas

A few Additional Memories

Entertainment Tonight came to the Quinn Martin Studio during the fourth season to interview Kirk and Michael. It was a thrill to see them both together.

I also remember Michael being on one of the popular talk shows that same year (MERV GRIFFIN or MIKE DOUGLAS). We (Karl,the crew, and I) watched him on television from The Streets of San Francisco studio. He did a bit with SCATMAN CROTHERS. It was pretty cool.

Scatman Crothers

Christmas time, both he and Karl never forgot the crew. They were both very generous. I still have a nice jacket from Karl and a silver plated beer stein with my initials – and “Thank you from Streets- M.D.” engraved on it.

Mug from Michael sitting on the jacket given to me by Karl

Those were great times- and both Karl and Michael were wonderful actors to work with.

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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 the Set with Brenda Vaccaro by Tony Piazza

I knew BRENDA VACCARO through MICHAEL DOUGLAS. During the years that we filmed “The Streets of San Francisco” they were an “item”. There was a five year difference between the two; Michael being born in 1944 and Brenda in 1939. When they met, Brenda’s career was already well established. One of her more memorable works being “Midnight Cowboy” (1969), however even before that she had numerous productions on Broadway and television to her credit that date from the earlier part of the 1960’s. Michael on the other hand had less than a handful of films behind him when he started “Streets” and his star was just beginning to rise. Brenda was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Italian American parents, and raised inTexas. She returned to New York to study acting, and debut in 1961 on Broadway in the comedy play “Everybody Loves Opal” for which she won the Theatre World Award.

She and Michael were very close during the years that I knew them. Often she would visit him on location. As most actors and actresses they try to remain incognito when out in the public, and Brenda was no exception. She would usually show up on the set with her hair tied up in a bun, no make-up, dark glasses, plain dress, and sandals. Once she almost got thrown off the set by security. Someone made a comment that a woman was bothering Michael, and luckily the officer recognized that it was Brenda before a fuss was made. Most times they would go off to the many wonderful restaurants in San Francisco for lunch, and return to share stories with the rest of us about their experiences. Brenda’s parents by the way were co-founders of a restaurant – “Mario’s” in Texas. Her mother particularly helped pioneer Italian cuisine in Dallas beginning in 1943. Brenda’s and Michael’s relationship hit the skids as Michael’s career started to take off on “Streets”, and particularly after an ‘Enquirer’ article came out reporting his womanizing activities while on location in SF.

Brenda guest starred on two episodes of “Streets”. On one she played a policewoman, who incidentally was driving my car in that episode. I had (I know I will hear from one of you on this!) a powder blue Ford Mustang (It wouldn’t have been the color I would have chosen…it was used…and I got it at a reasonable price!) and Transportation hired it as a picture car for her to drive in the show. It was fun seeing it again in re-runs.

Brenda’s career has continued successfully to date. In 2010 she worked on the TV movie “You Don’t Know Jack” and won the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress- Series, Miniseries or Television Film. She also was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

I can still hear her deep throated description of one restaurant they had visited, “It was Marvelous!” So are you Brenda!

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Just an aside, but I got to meet Brenda’s co-star on “Midnight Cowboy” Jon Voight, but I will save that story for another day.

———————————————–

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.