The Curse of the Crimson Dragon Archives - Page 10 of 11

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.

Open Channel D…On Assignment with U.N.C.L.E.

June 7, 2012 By tonypiazza 10 Comments

OPEN CHANNEL D…ON ASSIGNMENT WITH U.N.C.L.E. by agent Tony Piazza

OPEN CHANNEL D…ON ASSIGNMENT WITH THE MEN FROM U.N.C.L.E* by agent Tony Piazza As most kids in the ’60s I got caught up in the spy craze, and one of my television favorites was “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” This sudden surge back then in the popularity of espionage sagas was feeding off the JAMES BOND frenzy; a phenomenon that was triggered when it was discovered that J.F.K. had Ian Fleming’s novel, “From Russia with Love” on a White House bookshelf. The U.N.C.L.E. show was actually created by Fleming, at least the concept and some of the character names…like Solo, and April Dancer. During the early ’60s he met with one of the show’s future producers and co-creator, Norman Felton in New York and handed him a cocktail napkin with all the details! So…Fleming! I was fortunate enough to see my U.N.C.L.E. agent favorites in the flesh. ROBERT VAUGHN (Napoleon Solo) worked on “Bullitt”. I spent a great deal of time on that set, but unlike STEVE McQUEEN who was very approachable, Vaughn was very private. He came out, did his lines, and retired back to his dressing room. When he did stay on the set he was always surrounded by production types. I did observe him at a distance, but I’ll admit it was disappointing. Mr. Vaughn was very private, and spent only as much time as necessary on the set and then he was gone. However my visits with SteveMcQueen and our friendly, down to earth conversations made up more than enough for it! DAVID McCALLUM, on the other hand, was a different story. He was the second half of the U.N.C.L.E. team. A Russian named Illya Kuryakin. He was also in real life the heart throb of many young female fans, the same who fainted at the antics of “The Beatles.” He had a “Beatle cut”, so I suspect it may have been calculated. I got to work with him in 1976 on the Quinn Martin detective show, “Bert D’Angelo, Superstar.” I found him to be serious, and extremely professional; a consummate actor, who enjoyed his profession. I also found him to be human and compassionate for reasons I will mention in a moment. In addition to my duties as stand-in to the main star, BOB PINE in this case, I was also assigned to McCallum as well. We usually crossed over…especially when scenes did not include our designated primary actor. I remember one Saturday afternoon in front of the University of San Francisco campus (our location). We were both sitting in a picture car…a van…during one of the set ups and I got to talk to him personally for some time. He mainly discussed acting, and even gave me some tips! It was a great experience. He seemed really intent in giving advice and being helpful to a fellow actor…kudos for that! And if you were to judge by his successes…he would be the man to listen to. Now, earlier I mentioned his compassion. An “extra” told me a story that she was listening to another “extra” speaking of a family member that was ill. It was at a restaurant location where McCallum’s character was sitting at an adjacent table. When she happened to glance over towards him during the course of this woman’s story, it was evident to her that he had overheard the conversation… she could read the compassion on his face! Just as a side note; during the ’60s era I was also on location with the “I Spy” television show, starring BILL COSBY and ROBERT CULP. But, I’ll leave that as another story for another day. I now close my fountain pen communicator with the immortal words… CHANNEL D….OUT!

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Author’s final note: A couple years before getting caught up in the Bond craze I was introduced to the slick ’60s world of espionage through “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” As most kids you picked the agent you most wanted to be on the show and mine was Napoleon Solo…little did I know that I would fulfill my fantasy by getting an assignment with Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum)! Proof that dreams really can come true. I also had the fortune to meet and work with that “Girl from U.N.C.L.E.”, STEPHANIE POWERS, and three other U.N.C.L.E. alumni, NORMAN FELL (Moonglow Affair), FRITZ WEAVER (Vulcan Affair), and had lunch with PATRICIA CROWLEY (Vulcan Affair).

Patricia Crowley

There has been talk that a “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” film is in the works. And even though the original show at times got a bit campy, I hope the screenwriter(s) will take a more serious approach with the movie (but, keep in some of the fun!)…and please set it in the ’60s. * United Network Command for Law and Enforcement.

In response to my fondness of the spy genre- although, “fondness” is too gentle a word, perhaps “fanatic” would better describe my state back in the 1960s, I decided to make my stand-alone novel a spy adventure. My book, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” introduces Matt Ryan, a new hero fighting for America’s freedom in war torn Hawaii, 1944. Not a spy, in the Bond or Solo sense, but a former Army Air Corp pilot turned adventurer, who through a series of events discovers a Nazi plot which could change the course of World War Two. I’ve included all the intrigue, exotic locales, excitement, tongue-in-cheek fun, and lovely ladies found that one would expect to find in the Bond, or U.N.C.L.E. stories, but do so with a fresh, and original approach. If you want to relive the sensational, action-packed escape you were thrilled with in reading those spy novels in the 60s, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” is for you. Why not get that Adrenaline flowing! It is available on Amazon, and Barnes and Noble websites- or wherever fine books are sold.

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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 SOON, audio book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.

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.