Tony's Blog - Author Tony Piazza

First Novel Goes Audio Book!

May 26, 2015 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: “Anything Short of Murder” is being produced in NY as an audio book. James Romick will narrate the first book in the Tom Logan mystery series. Mr. Romick has been a professional stage actor for over thirty-five years- twenty-two and a half on Broadway, and is in my estimation the perfect voice for P.I., Tom Logan. Among his many impressive accomplishments, Mr. Romick also has the distinction of performing in the original Broadway production of “The Phantom of the Opera.” Hope you’ll check the audio book out when it’s released on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes in the near future.

James Romick

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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 is discounted for e-book .

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

Steve McQueen's First Screen Role

May 7, 2015 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

It’s interesting what you might discover when surfing the net. I was looking up the work and film adaptions of Roy Huggins- the creator of “77 Sunset Strip” and his detective Stu Bailey when I happened upon this clip. This film wasn’t one of Huggins creations- and I’m sure he would’ve counted himself lucky that it wasn’t- but in the process of looking up, I Love Trouble (1948) which was his, Girl On The Run crossed my path.

Cast of 77 Sunset Strip

Creator Roy Huggins

Girl On The Run (1953) is an extremely low budget independent noir film that uses all the gimmicks of a typical crime melodrama but sets it in a carnival environment.

Girl On The Run for the most part is forgettable, except for one notable cast member- Steve McQueen. He can be seen in the background during two scenes in the film. He was what in my day was called a film “extra,” but now are referred to as a “background” artist.

Steve McQueen as a “background artist”

Here’s the link to the clip on YouTube. It runs a little under two minutes. Enjoy.

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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 in Chino, California. The McQueen family’s favorite 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.

A True and Humorous Story by Tony Piazza

April 21, 2015 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

A TRUE AND HUMOROUS STORY by Tony Piazza
The story behind this magazine cover photo is amusing. In fact, back in the sixties, S.F. Gossip columnist, Jack Rosenbaum wrote of the incident. It went like this:

My father (who is the police officer on the cover- it was his occupation- and he was also assigned by the city of SF to assist the visiting film companies) was working on the film “Good Neighbor, Sam” with JACK LEMMON. Some tourists that were watching the filming spotted my father on the set and called him over. They asked if he was the same person on the cover of HOLIDAY magazine. He said that he was, and they asked to take a picture with him. He told them sure, although he did mention that he was no big deal. The tourists were thrilled anyway, and quickly searched out someone to take the shot. A gentleman standing by was asked…and after he did the duty and was returning the camera, added, “Oh, by the way, tell your friends that Georgie Jessel took the photo!”

NOTE: For all you young’ums…George Jessel (1898-1981) was a famous comedian, actor, songwriter, and Academy Award winning producer. He was known as “The Toastmaster “general of the United States- hence the humor of the situation. But, perhaps not to Georgie!

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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.

Celebrity Encounters by Tony Piazza

December 19, 2014 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS. Not all the celebrities I met over the years were involved in productions that I was visiting or working on. In 1990 I ran into TONY BENNETT in SF at Borders Books off of Union Square. I was standing in line with him on the second floor (Music section). He was buying some music. He was dressed in a long, heavy gray overcoat- NY winter style. A few minutes later I was standing in line at the coffee section, and happened to glance at the person standing next to me. Yes, it was Tony once again, and we stared at each other for a second or two…and sensing he wanted his privacy…neatly looked away. He sat a table, moodily reading a newspaper, sipping a coffee and everyone pretty much left him alone. I guess he really did leave his heart in San Francisco!

My other encounter was in the 1980s. I was on my way to Lake Tahoe, and stopped off at the Black Oak restaurant in Vacaville, CA. I’m sitting at a table, and noticing a lot of waitresses flocking about a table across from me. It was JOE DiMAGGO. Extremely friendly, and very personable, taking time from his meal to sign autographs. Back then he was known as the spokesperson for Mr. Coffee, more so than a ball player, or one-time husband of Marilyn Monroe.

Another celebrity I happened across outside my own involvement in the television and motion picture industry was actor, RODDY McDOWALL, who I ran into during the production of the disappointing motion picture, “Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen” starring Peter Ustinov. (Peter, I met at another function, and have a full story about him here: http://www.authortonypiazza.com/two-anecdotes-from-peter-ustinov-by-tony-piazza/) Regarding Roddy, who is a classic film legend- having been a part of that galaxy of stars coming out of M.G.M.- this film was a sad note to his career.

When I saw Mr. McDowall, he was doing a scene in a motorized wheelchair (as I recall- this was back in 1981), and exiting and re-exiting, take after take from a building off of San Francisco’s Market Street. Not too taxing on the actor- maybe on the wheelchair, or the actor’s nerves.

Roddy McDowall as Cornelius- The original “Planet of the Apes” (1968)

Roddy played the chimp scientist, Cornelius in the ground breaking 1968 science fiction film, “Planet of the Apes”. Another actor in that now classic film was the actor, MAURICE EVANS. He played the orangutan, Dr. Zaius.

Maurice Evans in make-up for “The Planet of the Apes”

I had lunch with Maurice on location, when we were filming an episode for “The Streets of San Francisco” in which he’d guest starred. Very cultured man, with a wicked sense of humor. During lunch he’d announced to all of us at the table that he didn’t like brussels sprouts- they made him (you fill in the rest)!

Dapper, Maurice Evans

You may also remember Maurice as television’s Samantha Stevens warlock father on “Bewitched.” I also worked with another cast member from that show- Darren’s boss, Larry Tate- DAVID WHITE.

Back to “Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen”:

During the production much was made in the press about a Caucasian once again playing the role of the Asian, Chan- this time around in the person of Ustinov- and how there was an outcry in the Asian Community about this. After the fact, I would say they were lucky not having an actor from their community associated with this film…the box office was disappointing.

Peter Ustinov (Chan) and son (Hatch)

As a side note: actor, RICHARD HATCH played Chan’s son. I knew Richard, and was his stand-in during the final season of “The Streets of San Francisco” when he replaced MICHAEL DOUGLAS. He’s a nice guy, and am really sorry that he landed this role in the Chan film.

Myself and Richard Hatch in the 1970s

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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!

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.

http://www.amazon.com/Tony-Piazza/e/B004K2YN0M/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1450801070&sr=1-2-ent

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.

DOUBLE EVENT!

November 14, 2014 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

DOUBLE EVENT! Tomorrow, December 15th, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” will be the featured e-book on BookDaily. Watch for it!

Sunday, December 16th, I’ll be reading my short story “My Most Precious Gift” at an anthology event at Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main Street in Morro Bay. Time 1-3. There will be food, drink, readings, and signings. Hope to see you there!

Bestselling Mystery at Bargain Price- $1.99

November 10, 2014 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

ON SALE- LIMITED TIME. The bestselling novel that started it all is now available on Amazon for Kindle at the incredible price of just $1.99 !

HERE’S A TASTE from Chapter 1.
“I was getting a quick bite at one of those high profile delis on
Hollywood boulevard; you know, one of those places
reputed to cater to the stars. Of course, the only star I ever saw
go into this joint was usually attached to the uniform of a beat
cop. Anyhow, I was biting into my pastrami, sitting in my usual
spot at the counter, when a rather slinky blonde cozies up to my
side and whispers something rather encouraging in my ear. It
isn’t what you think, but something equally tempting; she
offered me fifty dollars in cash. A commodity I have recently
been short of. I responded, “Lady, if it’s anything short of murder,
I might be interested.”

REVIEW:
Anything Short of Murder is a great book! It reminds me of the great hard-boiled detective novels of the first half of the twentieth century… and reads like it too! Tom Logan is a private investigator who finds himself in the middle of Hollywood (during its illustrious 1930s Golden Age). On the surface level, everything is glamorous and cinematic, until Logan gets deeper and deeper into the corruption and disillusionment of its gritty realism. Anything Short of Murder is a book for any classic film lover, any classic mystery “Whodunit” lover, and any lover of pure fun entertainment! I highly recommend if you want to get thoroughly sucked completely into a book.

Please consider adding it to your Kindle library.

http://www.amazon.com/Anything-Short-Murder-L…/…/ref=sr_1_6…

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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 .

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

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