See link at Huffington Post..
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Christian Book Critic Salvador SeBasco Gives TWITCH Five Star Review
"Herbie J Pilato’s TWITCH UPON A STAR is as perfect a book as could be in honor of
a star’s legacy (Elizabeth Montgomery). Through this book, the recognition of
her influence on a culture and memories of her impact live on. Pilato gives
readers insight about just how really human Television’s
most popular fictional witch of all time was. TWITCH UPON A STAR shines
bright at a rating of 5 Stars (out of five).
Elizabeth Montgomery life, her trials of self-realization, and the chain of events that led her to entertain others is what first resonated after reading TWITCH UPON A STAR. I read it twice. Afterwards I watched re-runs of Bewitched− knowing what I learned from TWITCH UPON A STAR –and what stirred me most were the questions that came to mind which I feel TWITCH UPON A STAR answered. What does a person’s life mean to others? Does a meaningful life mean one’s influence on other’s after one has gone? Does it mean an undeniable mark on others? A lasting fondness? By Pilato reminding us of Elizabeth Montgomery life, he reminds us that to live is to have meaning to others. In the era Elizabeth Montgomery lived, the onset of woman’s lib placed her unsuspecting role as the role of Samantha Stephens on a (sweet little) television show called Bewitched.
It also showed viewers that an extraordinary extent of privacy is possible in one’s own home. After all, if a witch could be hidden from recognition and within the walls of a home was one’s own business, there was a great value to owning a home. The show also conveyed a woman knows best and that her dabbling in her husband’s business affairs brought unexpected gains. That was something unheard of in that era.
TWITCH UPON A STAR is as no other book. And while my being Christian sides me with the direction of thought that us being “perfect” is not attainable (because the only perfect is the Lord) TWITCH UPON A STAR is as perfect as perfect a book can get on this earth. Between the lines we are reminded that to realize (with television) we are watching a place in history made is not what we realize when we watch the best entertainers of our time. After we are affected by what we experience, we just know they took us to a place (in our own hearts) and to that a moment in time that relieved us from our own expectations on ourselves and others. We get to tune out all but what we are watching. In a world where anticipation is half the fun, the best entertainers (as was Elizabeth Montgomery) get us to anticipate and stay in a steady-state of anticipation that detracts us from those levels of expectations from everyday life. Some call it escapism−that being entertained provides−but it is more. Every now and far in between then a person (entertainer) comes along, as Elizabeth Montgomery had, that brings a sheer joy to watch; because we did not know what to expect next out of that person; a humbling experience in observance of what is genuine about a person.
When our values of past have been bruised by the present world we live in, and we’ve evolved away from certain mainstay values in entertainment, the preservation of television’s history and the efforts to preserve, brings us back to the foundational values of being entertained; to bring forth appeal, and all that is unexpected and not anticipated. TWITCH UPON A STAR more than takes us back to a time when. It moves readers forward with hope of what (in similar fashion and form or spiritedness) can be achieved in entertainment; and who better than Herbie J Pilato to bring that message forward to this and the next generation. He is the founder and Executive Director of The Classic TV Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization that seeks to close the gap between popular culture and education.
Thank you, Herbie J Pilato for giving it your all (in this book). TWITCH UPON A STAR is a blessing in disguise; a reminder of the passion, perseverance, devotion, and diligence partook by entertainers. In between the lines of TWITCH UPON A STAR readers are likely to gain a sense that Elizabeth Montgomery lived her legacy while she was alive, and that by her genuine nature, left a mark on society, influenced others beyond her widest imagination, and in what we see of her work in reruns and by Pilato’s artful mastery of the craft of writing, we (readers) get to relive the reasons we have the fondness for the way Elizabeth Montgomery entertained us.
Back to our earlier questions, questions that stirred in me as I read TWITCH UPON A STAR: What does a person’s life mean to others? What would be at stake had that person never existed? Pilato shows readers in more ways than one that one person can make a great difference in the world and that Elizabeth Montgomery did so by not setting out to do so; but by serving to the best of one’s ability. To be given the gift that TWITCH UPON A STAR is proves that a life well lived is not about what you take but what you give.
Bravo to Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. For me, a person who thinks he’s read the best of the best books, you put a twinkle in my eyes with Herbie J Pilato’s mastery of the craft of writing. To relive television’s greatest times is to travel into the depth of one’s own heart and TWITCH UPON A STAR did that for me. Thank you.”
Elizabeth Montgomery life, her trials of self-realization, and the chain of events that led her to entertain others is what first resonated after reading TWITCH UPON A STAR. I read it twice. Afterwards I watched re-runs of Bewitched− knowing what I learned from TWITCH UPON A STAR –and what stirred me most were the questions that came to mind which I feel TWITCH UPON A STAR answered. What does a person’s life mean to others? Does a meaningful life mean one’s influence on other’s after one has gone? Does it mean an undeniable mark on others? A lasting fondness? By Pilato reminding us of Elizabeth Montgomery life, he reminds us that to live is to have meaning to others. In the era Elizabeth Montgomery lived, the onset of woman’s lib placed her unsuspecting role as the role of Samantha Stephens on a (sweet little) television show called Bewitched.
It also showed viewers that an extraordinary extent of privacy is possible in one’s own home. After all, if a witch could be hidden from recognition and within the walls of a home was one’s own business, there was a great value to owning a home. The show also conveyed a woman knows best and that her dabbling in her husband’s business affairs brought unexpected gains. That was something unheard of in that era.
TWITCH UPON A STAR is as no other book. And while my being Christian sides me with the direction of thought that us being “perfect” is not attainable (because the only perfect is the Lord) TWITCH UPON A STAR is as perfect as perfect a book can get on this earth. Between the lines we are reminded that to realize (with television) we are watching a place in history made is not what we realize when we watch the best entertainers of our time. After we are affected by what we experience, we just know they took us to a place (in our own hearts) and to that a moment in time that relieved us from our own expectations on ourselves and others. We get to tune out all but what we are watching. In a world where anticipation is half the fun, the best entertainers (as was Elizabeth Montgomery) get us to anticipate and stay in a steady-state of anticipation that detracts us from those levels of expectations from everyday life. Some call it escapism−that being entertained provides−but it is more. Every now and far in between then a person (entertainer) comes along, as Elizabeth Montgomery had, that brings a sheer joy to watch; because we did not know what to expect next out of that person; a humbling experience in observance of what is genuine about a person.
When our values of past have been bruised by the present world we live in, and we’ve evolved away from certain mainstay values in entertainment, the preservation of television’s history and the efforts to preserve, brings us back to the foundational values of being entertained; to bring forth appeal, and all that is unexpected and not anticipated. TWITCH UPON A STAR more than takes us back to a time when. It moves readers forward with hope of what (in similar fashion and form or spiritedness) can be achieved in entertainment; and who better than Herbie J Pilato to bring that message forward to this and the next generation. He is the founder and Executive Director of The Classic TV Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization that seeks to close the gap between popular culture and education.
Thank you, Herbie J Pilato for giving it your all (in this book). TWITCH UPON A STAR is a blessing in disguise; a reminder of the passion, perseverance, devotion, and diligence partook by entertainers. In between the lines of TWITCH UPON A STAR readers are likely to gain a sense that Elizabeth Montgomery lived her legacy while she was alive, and that by her genuine nature, left a mark on society, influenced others beyond her widest imagination, and in what we see of her work in reruns and by Pilato’s artful mastery of the craft of writing, we (readers) get to relive the reasons we have the fondness for the way Elizabeth Montgomery entertained us.
Back to our earlier questions, questions that stirred in me as I read TWITCH UPON A STAR: What does a person’s life mean to others? What would be at stake had that person never existed? Pilato shows readers in more ways than one that one person can make a great difference in the world and that Elizabeth Montgomery did so by not setting out to do so; but by serving to the best of one’s ability. To be given the gift that TWITCH UPON A STAR is proves that a life well lived is not about what you take but what you give.
Bravo to Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. For me, a person who thinks he’s read the best of the best books, you put a twinkle in my eyes with Herbie J Pilato’s mastery of the craft of writing. To relive television’s greatest times is to travel into the depth of one’s own heart and TWITCH UPON A STAR did that for me. Thank you.”
Salvador SeBasco
Book Critic
Literary Director
Host of THE INSIDE VIEW SHOWTM
on staff with CNN affiliate station, KNLE
December 5, 2012
Book Critic
Literary Director
Host of THE INSIDE VIEW SHOWTM
on staff with CNN affiliate station, KNLE
December 5, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
A BEWITCHING CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF EQUALITY
On
October 25, 1963, Elizabeth
Montgomery made a TV-guest star appearance on an episode of 77 Sunset Strip, titled, “White Lie,” in which she portrayed the
conflicted half-white, half-black granddaughter of a character played by Juanita Moore. It was a monumental premise that Moore had
explored with her Oscar-winning performance in the 1959 ground-breaking feature
film Imitation
of Life. It was also an historic
theme that Montgomery would revisit in playing Samantha - the witch-with-a-twitch - Stephens on Bewitched, which began rehearsals on November 22, 1963 - the day President Kennedy was assassinated. The core message of both “White Lie” and Bewitched was prejudice, against which JFK (who was friends with Montgomery) had
fought in an era which became increasingly volatile with race rioting, the Vietnam War, and future assassinations
of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther
King, Jr., each also bold endorsers of human rights.
On
Bewitched, Montgomery’s other-worldly
Samantha loved her mortal husband Darrin (first played by Dick York then Dick Sargent) despite their “differences,”
which they ignored to concentrate on what made them the same: their humanity.
No
episode of the show more clearly brought this message home than the Christmas
segment “Sisters At Heart,” which
debuted on Christmas Eve, 1970, during the show’s seventh season.
Here,
Samantha and Darrin’s supernatural daughter Tabitha (played by twins
Erin and Diane Murphy) befriends Lisa, a young African-American girl
(played by Venetta Rogers). The two
children get along so well, they want to be sisters. But after a bully in the park tells them
that’s impossible because of their disparate physical appearances, Tabitha
employs “wishcraft” (whatever she wishes comes true), and seeks to make both
she and Lisa the same color. But the
magic goes awry: white polka dots appear on Lisa, and black polka dots appear
on Tabitha. Samantha of course is
confounded and calls witch-doctor Dr. Bombay (Bernard Fox) for a
remedy, though not before espousing to Tabitha and Lisa that, “All men are brothers, even if they’re
girls.”
It’s
a touching message that Montgomery believed represented the core message of Bewitched; and one to which she clung
off-screen and talked in-depth about with author Herbie J Pilato (Bewitched
Forever, The Kung Fu Book of Wisdom).
Pilato
shares those talks and more insight from Montgomery in his new book, TWITCH UPON A STAR: THE BEWITCHED LIFE
AND CAREER OF ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY, which is based on his exclusive
interviews with the actress (who died of cancer in 1995).
Other
topics covered: include Montgomery’s generous support of the Peace Movement and the disabled community; how she became one
of the first celebrities to help those suffering from AIDS; and her many other charitable efforts.
This
book also includes never-before-published commentary about Montgomery from
other TV icons like: Florence Henderson
(The Brady Bunch), June Lockhart (Lost in Space), Lydia
Cornell (Too Close For Comfort), Ed Asner (The Mary Tyler Moore Show), Eric
Scott (The Waltons), as well
Montgomery’s childhood best friend Sally Kemp, the Oscar-winning actor Cliff Robertson (in his final
interview!), actor Ronny Cox (her
co-star from A Case of Rape, one of
her historic, ground-breaking TV-movies), and many others.
With an expansive perspective on her free spirit, intelligence and
wit; her strong sense of politics, family, work ethic and general life
priorities, Herbie J Pilato’s TWITCH
UPON A STAR: THE BEWITCHED LIFE AND CAREER OF ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY offers
a compelling chronicle of a legendary, charitable and very complex actress. Or as Shannen Devereau Sanford, of New York’s
WTBQ Radio said it, “Wonderful book…terrific author . . .”
HERBIE J
PILATO is the
author of several pop-culture books, including “Life” Story –
The Book of “Life Goes On”: TV‘s First and Best Family of Challenge. Pilato
is also the founder of The Classic TV Preservation Society (a nonprofit that seeks to close the gap
between popular culture and education), and writes the Classic TV Corner blog for Jack Myers’ MediaBizBloggers.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Kalen Landow * Taylor Trade Publishing * klandow@rowman.com
Twitch Upon a Star : The Bewitched Life
and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery by Herbie J Pilato
November 2012 · ISBN
978-1-58979-749-9 · 456 pages · 6 x 9 · $24.95 · Hardcover · 40 B&W and
Color Photos ·
Biography/Entertainment
Taylor Trade Publishing | An
Imprint of the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
Distributed by National Book Network · 1-800-462-6420
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
TWITCH TOPICS
The Bewitched Life and Career of
Elizabeth Montgomery
(Taylor Trade Publishing, November
2012)
By Herbie J Pilato
The first major
biography on the legendary actress!
A top-tier seller
at Amazon.com!
----------------------------------
“…all about Bewitched, the magical 1960s-and-1970s
sitcom,
and other triumphs
enjoyed by the talented and beautiful Montgomery.”
-
The Village Voice
______________________________________________
How
did Elizabeth Montgomery twitch her nose as Samantha on Bewitched?
How
are JFK and Marilyn Monroe related to Bewitched?
Why
did Elizabeth view prejudice as the core message of Bewitched?
Why
was she such a recluse in real life?
Why
didn’t Elizabeth get along with her father Robert Montgomery?
Was
she really related to ax-murderess Lizzie Borden (who she played in the 1975
TV-movie)?
Did
she have romances with Gary Cooper, Dean Martin and Elvis Presley?
Just
exactly how abusive was her marriage to alcoholic actor Gig Young (her second
of four husbands)?
What does Ronald Reagan have to do with Elizabeth?
What does the Pan Am Incident over Lockerbie have to do with Bewitched?
What does the Iran/Contra Affair have to do with Bewitched?
What does Ronald Reagan have to do with Elizabeth?
What does the Pan Am Incident over Lockerbie have to do with Bewitched?
What does the Iran/Contra Affair have to do with Bewitched?
Did
Darrin really love Samantha behind the Bewitched scenes? Is THAT why there were two Darrins?
Did
Samantha and Endora battle behind the witch cameras?
Other
topics covered:
·
How she became one of the first celebrities to help those
suffering from AIDS!
REVIEWS
…
-
Midwest Book Review
-
Ventura County Star
from the beloved star."
-
Salvadore
SeBasco, The Inside View Show
-
Larry Brody, TV
writer and producer
-
Rick Lertzman,
media historian, and author, Codename:
Dr. Feelgood
“…all about Bewitched, the
magical 1960s-and-'70s sitcom, and other triumphs enjoyed by the talented and
beautiful Montgomery.”
-
The
Village Voice
"Life's journey is
never simple. Twitch Upon A Star...is a biography from Herbie J Pilato
as he tells the Bewitched star's life
story that spanned much of Hollywood, forming friendships, romances, enemies,
and everything in between. An advocate with her own problems, her story is one
of who tried to make a difference with her stardom. Twitch Upon A Star
is a strongly recommended addition to Hollywood and television history
biography collections...highly recommended."
“No matter how big your
twitch-itch, this book will scratch it!”
“Fans
of classic television or of well-written biographies should seek this out… Herbie J Pilato
presents a comprehensive and touching biography of Montgomery's life…the book
focuses on a beautiful, gracious woman who made people smile and understand it
was okay to be quirky….
…an insightful
read about an amazing woman!”
-
Journeys in
Classic Film
“…an engrossing look at
a strong-willed actress whose career spanned five decades. It will satisfy Elizabeth Montgomery fans, as
well as Bewitched buffs interested in learning more about that series’ leading
lady – and even how the famous twitch was invented.”
-
Classic Film and TV Café
"Elizabeth
Montgomery's life is beautifully portrayed by author Herbie Pilato
in this loving
new biography......a marvelous book filled with great stories and inside infofrom the beloved star."
-
Frontiers,
LA.com
“…blockbuster book!”
-
The
National Enquirer
“…a
fine biography of a fine lady”
-
Peter
Ackerman, son of Harry Ackerman, Bewitched executive producer
“…my (new)
favorite book…”
"Heavily
researched, expertly executed, and handled with reverence, Twitch Upon A
Star is a magical revelation about one of the most popular and endearing
performers of all time. It's clear that Herbie J Pilato not only knows what
he's talking about, but that he also cares very deeply about his subject, from
a personal, yet objective perspective...No two ways about it, this book is a
class act about a classic actress."
-
Danny Gold, film
and television producer
"I
encourage everyone to read Pilato's astounding, loving, riveting, eye-opening
book."
-
Lydia Cornell,
star of classic TV's Too Close For Comfort,
comedienne, and women and child's advocate
"The way
Herbie J Pilato tells it, Elizabeth Montgomery just didn't have guts, she had
balls. She was kind to those she felt deserved it but had no qualms about
setting others straight. Who'd'a thunk that sweet little Samantha had
such chutzpah?"
“Intricately
revealing, well written and hard to put down, Herbie J Pilato’s Twitch Upon a Star captures the essence
and life of Elizabeth Montgomery. He leads readers on an intriguing journey
into the loves, politics and performances of this multi-talented actor - a very
magical journey, yet based in the real emotion of love. I heartily recommend this well rounded read
for fans, friends and all who value the life of a gifted, complex and
bewitching woman.
-
Kathy Garver,
film, TV and stage star (Cissy on the
classic Family Affair TV series);
author, The Family
Affair Cookbook and Surviving Cissy;
speaker.
“Twitch Upon A Star is astounding. Herbie J Pilato does a wonderful job of
mixing
hard info with
his personal relationship with Elizabeth Montgomery. His approach makes
the book very
unique. This is one of the best biographies I've read in years. It is a real
classic…a brilliant work. In fact…a
masterpiece!”
“…wonderful
book…terrific author”
-
Shannon Devereau
Sanford, WTBQ Radio, New York
“Not only has Bewitched’s
Samantha Stephens influenced hundreds of female TV characters and the actresses
who portrayed them, but Elizabeth Montgomery’s lasting influence on Hollywood
and society has been far greater than the TV series that made her a legend.
Herbie J Pilato, one of the great students of classic TV, spins a compelling
narrative that brings to life a magical TV series and it’s even more magical
star. It’s a true Hollywood story, and
more than any book I’ve read Twitch Upon a Star goes behind-the-scenes
to capture a fascinating period in history when television was coming of age.”
-
Jack Myers,
media ecologist, author and producer
"Much more
than just a celebrity biography Twitch
Upon A Star relays a spiritual quest that can speak to anyone. Retelling the story and work of a life can
activate an awareness of the beauty and purpose in our own unfoldment. Pilato accomplishes this masterfully and
magically, uncovering such depth and absorbing reflection with authenticity and
vigorous charm to reveal Elizabeth Montgomery's journey as a true cultural
treasure. This book is
magnificent!"
-
Thomas Warfield,
performing artist, founder of PeaceArt International
CONTACT/MEDIA/ORDER INFORMATION
MEDIA CONTACT
For a review
copy or to schedule an interview with the author, contact Sandy Trupp at Media
Connect (202.974.5022/sandy.trupp@finnpartners.com),
or Kalen Landow at Taylor Trade Publishing (klandow@rowman.com).
AUTHOR REPRESENTATION
President
| Movable Type Management
www.MovableTM.com
| TW: @jasonashlock
PO
Box 1220 * New York, NY * 10185
Office:
(917) 289-1089
* Mobile: (646)
573-9866
Email:
JAshlock@movabletm.com
Twitch Upon a Star : The Bewitched Life
and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery by Herbie J Pilato
November 2012 · ISBN
978-1-58979-749-9 · 456 pages · 6 x 9 · $24.95 · Hardcover · 40 B&W and
Color Photos ·
Biography/Entertainment
Taylor Trade Publishing | An
Imprint of the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
Distributed by National Book Network · 1-800-462-6420
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