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Movie making in the 1960s
Movie making in the 1960’s was the topic at the Pattaya
City Expats Club meeting on Sunday, December 25. There were over 80 members
and guests present on Christmas Day to hear Pattaya resident Alfred Avallone
talk about his career as a Hollywood actor.
Pattaya resident Alfred
Avallone shares with PCEC members and guests his career as a Hollywood actor
during Hollywood’s ‘Golden Years’. On the screen is a scene from the ‘Film
Noir’ movie, ‘Experiment in Terror’ starring Glenn Ford and Lee Remick. Lee
played a woman, Kelly Sherwood, who is terrorized by a man with an asthmatic
voice and plans to use her to steal $100,000 from the bank where she works.
In a case of mistaken identity, Lee thought that Al was the blackmailer.
Al’s mistake was to fall for Lee’s stunning looks as Kelly, being neither
the first nor last male to do so.
After he was introduced by Master of Ceremonies Richard
Silverberg, Al began by describing his early acting on the stage in New York
in the 1950’s and his time at attending the American Academy of Dramatic
Arts in New York. He said he only attended one year of the two year program
because he found work. In those days, he studied with many of today’s well
known stars, who like him, were aspiring actors learning their chosen craft,
such as Grace Kelly and Anne Bancroft.
He also noted that he changed his name to Al Avalon for
many of his acting roles - something that didn’t set too well with his
father, who was quite proud of their Italian heritage. He described some of
his early stints in stage acting and being an announcer on live TV; one
being at the early beginning of the Tonight Show with Steve Allen. Al said
that he moved to Hollywood because he had become overexposed as a TV
announcer; selling appliances and other items. He realized this when he was
auditioning for a part in a play and a director did not let him read because
the director said he didn’t need anyone who the audience thought was going
to sell them a washing machine when he stepped out on the stage.
Al said that he dragged his wife, Marilyn Harvey who was
doing well as an actress, along with him. In Hollywood he founded the
Actor’s Alley Theater where they staged several plays. He also found work in
various television series including Perry Mason, Richard Diamond, and
others. He also found some roles in movies. He eventually achieved becoming
a “face” that directors and producers could put with a name, which improved
his chances of getting work.
Early in his career in Hollywood, he met well know
director/producer Blake Edwards. Blake offered him a role in a movie
starring Glenn Ford and Lee Remick. The name of the film was, “Experiment in
Terror” and it was filmed in San Francisco. The scene he was in was filmed
in a night club, the Roaring Twenties, in the wee hours of the morning after
the regular club closed.
Roger shares his experiences
with one of Pattaya’s better value restaurants, where PCEC members can get a
15% discount.
At this point, Al started a video clip from the movie. He
explained that Lee Remick played a woman who is terrorized by a man with an
asthmatic voice and plans to use her to steal $100,000 from the bank where
she works. This set the stage for his role and he fast forwarded to the
scene where Lee Remick is supposed to meet with man threatening her; all
under the watchful eye of Glenn Ford’s FBI team. Al played the part of a man
in the Club who she mistakenly thinks is her adversary. However, the man
thinks she is romantically inclined toward him. This leads to some
interesting dialogue and expressions as each begin to learn that their
conceptions were wrong. Al displayed his acting talents by being very
convincing as a surprised and confused man who is suddenly surrounded by FBI
agents with guns drawn.
Al concluded by answering many questions from the
audience including giving his view on the difference between older actors
and today’s stars that are into method acting. During the question and
answer session, Al also mentioned that as young student at the American
Academy of Dramatic Arts, he and others often speculated on who would make
it big; he mentioned that James Garner was one that they expected to do well
as he was tall and the leading man type - another that they thought would
not make it was a fellow named Jack Nicholson.
Member Roy Albiston conducts
the Pattaya City Expats open forum, where the mysteries of living in the
exotic East are sometimes solved.
Al opined that when you are young, you really have no
idea who will have it. Much can be attributed to getting the right “role”
that moves you into the limelight.
Richard Silverberg then called on Roy Albiston to conduct
the Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about expat living in
Thailand. The Pattaya City Expats Club meets at the Amari’s Tavern by the
Sea Restaurant every Sunday morning; visit their website at
www.pattayacityexpats club.com.
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Pattaya celebrates King Taksin Day
The King Taksin the Great monument
dominates the front of Pattaya City Hall.
Vittaya Yoondorn
Pattaya officials and business leaders marked the 242nd
anniversary of the coronation of King Taksin the Great, who was adopted by
Pattaya as our founding father.
The five-hour ceremony at the King Taksin the Great Monument
in front of Pattaya City Hall Dec. 28 was led by Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and
attended by businesspeople and club members.
The ceremony started around 7 a.m. with the lighting of
candles and incense to worship the Three Gems. Buddhist monks then performed a
religious ceremony, which was followed by a worship ceremony. This was followed
by Thai dance and Muay Thai boxing demonstrations.
Banglamung police superintendent
Col. Somnuk Chanket (left) and Pattaya police superintendent Pol. Lt. Col.
Nanthawut Suwanla-Ong (front right) salute Pattaya’s Founding Father.
After the show, all local officials, along with state and
private representatives presented flower trays in front of the King Taksin
Monument.
Somdet Phrachao Taksin Maharaj was born April 17, 1734 and
became the only king of the Thonburi Kingdom, taking the throne Dec. 28, 1768
and reigning until his death - and the start of the current Chakri Dynasty in
1782. He is greatly revered by Thais for his leadership in liberating Siam from
the Burmese after the second fall of capital Ayutthaya in 1767, and the
subsequent unification of Siam after it fell under various warlords.
He established the city of Thonburi, across the Chao Phraya
River from the current Bangkok, as the new capital, as Ayutthaya had been almost
completely destroyed by invaders. His reign was characterized by numerous wars
fought to repel new Burmese invasions and to subjugate the northern Thai kingdom
of Lanna, the Laotian principalities and Cambodia.
Upon coronation at age 34, he assumed the official name of
Boromraja IV, but is known in Thai history as King Taksin, a combination of his
popular name, Phya Tak, and his first name, Sin, or the King of Thonburi.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
(center), along with his deputy mayors and city hall staff honor King Taksin the
Great.
Taksin’s father was at least partly Chinese and his mother
Siamese. He was said to believe that even the forces of nature were under his
control and this faith led him to attempt tasks which others called impossible.
He never had time, however, to build Thonburi into a great city, as he was fully
occupied with suppression of internal and external enemies, as well as
territorial expansion throughout his reign.
Taksin’s ties to the Pattaya area stem from 1767, when he
somehow battled his way out of a besieged Ayutthaya and fled to Chonburi and
Rayong to raise an army of 500 to return to free the capital.
Young Thai boxers give a rousing
performance.
In 1981 the Thai Cabinet passed a resolution to bestow on
King Taksin the honorary title of “the Great.” The date of his coronation, Dec.
28, is the official day of homage to the king, although it is not designated as
a public holiday.
Chonburi marked King Taksin Day with public officials and
residents joining Gov. Senee Jittakasem in laying flowers at the King Taksin the
Great Monument there.
Thai dancers perform for the
ceremony.
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School No. 5 honors teachers
Students from Thai-Itoh Technology
College show off their micro-robot simulator.
Manoon Makpol
Pattaya School No. 5 honored the nation’s teachers with music
and educational demonstrations to mark the 84th birthday of Thailand’s top
teacher, HM the King.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and Councilman Farooq Wongborisuthi
- himself a teacher - emceed the Dec. 23 “Thailand Honors Teachers” event, which
demonstrated the benevolence of educators, showed off the works of teachers and
students and encouraged kids to think, express themselves and search for
knowledge.
Councilman Farooq Wongborisuthi
says he found solace in the images of HM the King and uses his royal principles
in teaching children.
It also was an occasion to honor the “teacher of the
Kingdom,” with information on projects sponsored by HM the King to allow Thai
citizens to live together and set an example for Thais to accomplish work while
holding onto principles of love and unity.
Students from School No. 5 put on a stage show while the
marching band played a medley of royal compositions. The Khrong-ngan Market,
Outstanding Health Promotion School and To Be Number One Foundation organized
the works of teachers and students for display. Exhibits covered local history,
agricultural products from different schools in Pattaya and a micro-robot
simulator from Thai-Itoh Technology College.
Farooq said that, as a teacher, he sometimes became
discouraged but found solace in the images of HM the King and used his royal
principles in teaching children to know how to be a Thai, grow produce according
to his sufficiency philosophy and carry out royal intentions for teachers.
The councilman said teachers lead the way in society, but
must also continue to improve themselves and excel in the subjects they teach if
they hope to help their students progress.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presides
over the “Thailand Honors Teachers” event.
Greased pole Thai boxing is part
of the fun at the event.
Exhibits cover local history and
agricultural products from different schools in Pattaya.
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Happy New Year
Vittaya Yoondorn
Saran Tantijumnaj, regional department stores director for
Central Pattaya Co. - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.
Here’s wishing for everlasting happiness and good health for all.
Chanyuth Hengtrakul, secretary to the transportation minister
- As a former MP, I ask for the divine grace of Lord Buddha and
religious deities to bless the members of Pattaya Mail with success,
prosperity and have all wishes fulfilled and most importantly, good health.
Poramet Ngampichet, MP Chonburi Region 7 - Best
wishes on the auspicious occasion of the New Year 2012 and I ask the for the
divine grace from all sacred lords of the universe to bless the readers of the
Pattaya Mail with happiness, fulfillment, and for all of their wishes to
be fulfilled. Mistakes in the past should be analyzed and improved, focus on
success and finally, wish for good health and happiness, strong mind to deal
with unexpected happenings such as the recent flood crisis. However, all Thais
citizens, particularly citizens in Pattaya City, should let bygones be bygones.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh - I ask the religious
deities of the universe to bless brothers and sisters of Pattaya City and nearby
counties to achieve prosperity leading to richness and for the children and
grandchildren to be loved ones within the boundaries of the parents, to become
good citizens of the country and wish for security for all within Pattaya City.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay - I wish for all to read
Pattaya Mail for good quality news; for all to have happiness and as 2012
will be an auspicious year, all to do good dedicated to HM the King; I wish for
all to have success, cooperate with each other and unite to continue developing
Pattaya City.
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Santa starts the new year off at Haven
Ban Jing Jai children cheer for
Santa on New Year’s Day.
Following the very successful Santa Scramble held earlier in
December last year, which was held to raise money to purchase presents for the
75 to 80 orphaned and abandoned children that are cared for by the Baan Jing Jai
Foundation here in Pattaya, when a sum over 200,000 baht was raised, New Year’s
day was the first possible occasion that the children could be presented with
their presents, as over the Christmas period they were very busy touring the
city giving carol concerts at many establishments.
Some 80,000 baht of the amount raised was utilised to
purchase the presents, with all of the children having requested their heart’s
desire they already knew what Santa had in his sack for them. The balance was
put towards the fund that has been set up to build a new home for 100 plus
children to be built on the outskirts of Pattaya.
The event was held at The Haven Hotel, now becoming a regular
haunt for the children, where a very jolly Santa gave them all a special bag
followed by a special take-away meal box as they set off to enjoy the rest of
the day on a coach trip to Bangkok.
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