Michael's Musings

May 14, 2011

So, I'm back after a two week absence.

As you know, I spent the May 4-6 weekend in Dallas, appearing at the Texas Frightmare Weekend horror convention.  Actually, I was never in Dallas itself, but at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, which is certainly the most confusing airport I've ever seen in my life.  Luckily, the only times Sandy and I ventured out, we were driven by others,

The weekend was very successful for me.  I sold over 40 books, more than I've ever sold at any other event of any sort.  I also sold many DVDs plus a bunch of pre-autographed Roger Corman photos.

Our table was next to Ari Lehman's, the first actor to play "Jason Voorhees" in a FRIDAY THE 13TH movie.  If you recall that first picture, Ari is on the screen for about 17 seconds at the end of the film when he leaps out of the water and pulls some kids into the lake.  Yet, he's built a career out of that moment, both as a horror star and a rock musician.  Indeed, his table was always busy, which was very good for us.   Ari is a nice guy.  He even bough a couple of my books.

Clint Howard was also at the convention.  He had appeared in my films, CHEYENNE WARRIOR and DILLINGER & CAPONE.  I sold a couple of CHEYENNE WARRIOR DVDs, which he co-signed.

I also chatted with Ernest Borgnine, Piper Laurie, Michael Rooker, Keith David, Michael Madsen and Anthony Michael Hall.  It was a very enjoyable, but also very tiring weekend. 

This past week, my screenplay THE SUMMER FOLK was published.  This is the most personal script I've ever written.  I hope you get a chance to read it.  Here is the book trailer, and if that doesn't work, just copy the following address into your browser and you'll be taken right there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD4mAF6ZVmU

There are also a couple new DVD reviews, BIRD OF PARADISE and CORIOLANUS (hopefully, today)  posted on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page, so please take a look.

Now, I'm back to writing my 2nd book of memoirs.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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April 30, 2012

Yesterday was Sandy and my 11th wedding anniversary.

And, they said it wouldn't last.

This past week, I finished the first draft of the first third of my 2nd book of memoirs.  I'll probably start working on the second (and longest) section within the next few days.  Except for putting stories into context, I'm going to do my best to avoid repeating anecdotes that I told in the first book, MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD...AND HOW I ESCAPED ALIVE.

I also finished and sent off the screenplay I was hired to write.

Additionally, this past week, I decided to publish one more of my unproduced screenplays, THE SUMMER FOLK, and I'm currently in the process of preparing it for the printer.

This is certainly the most personal script I've ever written and, at one point, Kirk Douglas was interested in doing it...but we could never get the financing.  It's the story of the summers my family spent in Soap Lake, WA, and the people we knew there.  You might say that it's my HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY or AVALON.

The book, which will also be on Kindle, should be available for purchase within the next month.  I will let you know.

Just a reminder:

I'm going to be at Texas Frightmare Weekend on May 4-6, signing copies of my books (BASIL RATHBONE, DRACULA MEETS JACK THE RIPPER, GHOUL CITY, BLACK WATCH/THE CAVERN, etc.) and my DVDs (THE DOORWAY, CHEYENNE WARRIOR), so come on down and say "Hello".

This convention caters to fans of horror movies, but I'll also have copies of MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD with me.  And, if you're wondering why I'm bringing copies of CHEYENNE WARRIOR to a horror convention: Clint Howard, who was in that movie, is going to be in attendance, so he can sign the DVD, too.

Additionally, Ernest Borgnine, Piper Laurie, Michael Madsen, Kim Darby and a lot of other celebrities are going to be there.

The event is being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.

Since probably won't have access to a computer while I'm in Dallas, except to possibly check e-mail, there will be no blog next week.

Have a creative two weeks, and look for me again on May 14th.

Michael

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April 23, 2012

Last week, I finished writing the screenplay I'd been hired to do.  Now, I "sit" on it for a few days, then I'll read it, polish it and send it off to the buyer.

In the meantime, I've been working on my 2nd book of memoirs, and the words have been pouring out.  It's amazing how one story can evoke memories of two or three others.  Some I will use, and some I won't.

Also this past week, I signed the deal to turn ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker into an audio book.  The fellow who is doing it did an audition that had me laughing out loud.

He's supposed to have the first fifteen minutes completed by the end of this coming week, so I'll let you know how it goes.

This past week, I also re-connected with actress Jane Merrow after over forty years.  You'll recall that she played Peter O'Toole's mistress in THE LION IN WINTER, the film for which Katharine Hepburn won her third Oscar.

She's a charming lady.  We had a nice phone conversation, and there is a possibility that we might do a project together sometime in the future.

That's about it for now.  You have a creative week.

Michael

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