New Book on S. Sylvan Simon in 2020

It's official. My ninth book for McFarland & Co., coming in 2020, covers the life and films of producer/director S. Sylvan Simon (1910-1951). If you love Lucille Ball, Abbott and Costello, or Red Skelton, this is for you. 

Lucy (pictured with Simon) credited him with recognizing and honing her slapstick skills (prior to I Love Lucy), when he directed Her Husband’s Affairs (1947) and produced The Fuller Brush Girl (1950). Skelton called Simon his favorite director. From 1949 to 1951, Simon was Vice-President in charge of production at Columbia, second-in-command to the famously demanding Harry Cohn. In that capacity, he produced Born Yesterday (1950), which won its star Judy Holliday an Oscar. Just before Simon's untimely death, he was assigned to produce From Here to Eternity (1953), and had author James Jones as a house guest while they conferred.

Research for the book is enhanced by access to Mr. Simon’s own bound copies of his film scripts, annotated by hand, as well as rare photographs showing him and his stars at work. It is being written with the support and assistance of Simon’s children. Actresses Margaret O'Brien and Jane Powell are among the interviewees who share their memories of this talented man.

A page from Simon's script for I Love Trouble (1948).

Earlier this year, film historian and blogger David Cairns remarked, "The auteurists have been quiet too long about S. Sylvan Simon." Next year, let's see if we can make a little noise on Simon's behalf.

A Very Special Review

After a whole lotta work (and quite a bit of fun), my eighth book was released a few days ago by McFarland.

It's too soon to know how readers and reviewers will respond to the book. But here's the reaction it received from Bill Pine's granddaughter:

 "As the third generation in the film business, I'm grateful this book truly captures the spirit and philosophy of my grandfather, his partner Bill, and the movies they made. 'The Dollar Bills' would be pleased."

So am I. Pleased and grateful.

Perry Mason's Boss

Born June 20, 1911, Gail Patrick Jackson had two notable careers in Hollywood. In front of the cameras, she was a successful actress whose credits included such classic films as Stage Door and My Favorite Wife.

Her second act found her serving as Executive Producer of TV's Perry Mason, a post she held for that popular show's entire nine-year run. It was highly unusual in 1957 for a woman to take on such a job, but she enjoyed the full trust of Mason's creator Erle Stanley Gardner. It was she who supposedly saw the potential of Raymond Burr to be the star, when others on the production staff were dubious. As partners in Paisano Productions, Ms. Jackson and her then-husband Cornwell (who had been Gardner's literary agent) profited handsomely from the show's success.

Gail Patrick Jackson died in 1980, but left behind a record of accomplishment that will long be remembered.

The Defamation of Joan Davis

Backus and Davis, the not-so-happy couple?

It's a lonely job, but someone has to do it. I'm talking about the ongoing battle to speak in defense of Joan Davis (1912-1961), one of my favorite comediennes. Almost without exception, when her name comes up in Facebook groups or other social media outlets, someone can't wait to tell us what a horrible person she was. These are, of course, people who never met her.

This news flash is usually attributed to her sitcom husband, the late Jim Backus. It's true that the chapter on I Married Joan in his memoir (co-authored with wife Henny) does not paint a flattering picture of Joan. But I think Backus himself, who wasn't above a bit of embellishment to make a good story better, might regret what he wrote, if he could see how it's been used to bludgeon a talented performer who's no longer around to defend herself.

I can only hope that those who truly want to learn more about Miss Davis' life and career will take a look at Joan Davis: America's Queen of Film, Radio and Television Comedy. The book, which is based on a substantial amount of research, doesn't try to make Joan a saint -- or crucify her. I believe it's a balanced presentation that treats her with the respect her accomplishments deserve. I'm sorry that's in danger of becoming a minority viewpoint.

Birthday Gale

The one and only Gale Storm was born on this date in 1922. Winning a radio talent contest in 1939, when she was 17 years old, took her from Texas to Hollywood. From there, she built a highly successful career as an actress and singer.

Get to know her in my book, Gale Storm: A Biography and Career Record, named by Classic Images magazine as one of its best books of 2018.

Cover Up!

Here's an advance look at the cover for my forthcoming book on Pine-Thomas Productions. That's Mr. Thomas on the left, and Mr. Pine on the right, by the way.

I hope you'll give it a look when it's published by McFarland & Co. later this year.

The Case of the Consummate Actor

Happy birthday to the fine actor H.M. Wynant, who turns 92 today. During the 1960-61 season of TV's Perry Mason, when the career of co-star William Talman (Hamilton Burger) was in jeopardy due to an off-screen scandal, Wynant made three appearances as a substitute prosecutor, Deputy D.A. Sampson. Though I'm glad Talman ultimately returned as a series regular, I thought Wynant was the best of the temporary replacements. He could have been a fine addition to the regular cast. As it was, the producers liked him well enough to use him in ten episodes over the show's nine-year run, casting him at various times as prosecutor, victim, and murderer.

Among his dozens of other classic TV credits are a memorable episode of The Twilight Zone ("The Howling Man"). as well as appearances on Mission: Impossible, Batman, The Defenders ... I could go on and on. He was married for many years to a highly respected CBS casting director, the late Ethel Winant; today, Wynant and his second wife Paula have a teenage daughter.

Best wishes to Mr. Wynant and his family as they recognize him for a long and accomplished life and career.