WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL PATTY DUKE NEWSLETTER #1!!!
"I've survived. I've beaten my own bad system and on some days, on most days, that feels like a miracle" ----Patty Duke,1987.
Patty Duke has touched our lives for over forty years. A brilliant child actress who became the youngest person ever to win an Oscar and to have a series bearing her own name. But knowone knew that behind the face of Amercica so loved, there was a lonely little girl named Anna, who was stripped of her whole life, and was taught to perform like a trained seal. On top of all of this she had an illness which was at the time unknown to her called manic-depression. But since successful diagnosis at the age of thirty-five in 1982, her life has dramatically changed. Now she is a happy wife, mother, actress and mental spokesperson. She resides in Idaho with her husband of nearly twelve years, Michael Pearce, and her eighth child, adopted son, Kevin.
She truly continues to inspire us all and recently I have been lucky enough to correspond with Anna and Mike. They are two of the nicest people I have ever known. So without futhur ado....the very fist edition of THE OFFICIAL PATTY DUKE NEWSLETTER!!!
What's New With Anna???
Anna has in the works a remake of the 1959 live television classic, "One Red Rose
For Christmas" which she starred in when she was twelve, opposite Helen Hayes. If Anna takes the part (she is under negotiation at the moment) she will take on the role of the stern nun, originally portrayed by Hayes.
Rumor got around that Anna would soon be starring in a road version of a current Broadway hit play. "Decided against doing the play." says Anna "Too long away from home."
Has "The Dissapearing Act" dissapeared?
The film Anna shot almost a year ago has still yet to air. It's based on the true story of a woman who kills her boyfriend, and the effort's by the victim's mother (Anna) to locate her son and bring his murderer to justice. Anna herself said it seemed to have lived up to it's title. If you would like to know what is going on, you can contacy Hamdon Entertainment, it's distributor, by writing to 12711 Ventura BLVD., Suite 300, Studio City, CA, 91604. You can also call them at 818-753-6363 or fax at 818-753-63888.
Exclusive From Jim Green, The Patty Duke Reunion Show Executive Producer...in his own words...
We had a very good meeting with CBS on Monday to discuss how we see the reunion show. I won't go into too much detail here because we have not finalized all the elements of the story. It was a very possitive meeting and CBS is extremely pleased. One of the elements that is not quite nailed down is how the reunion show will kick off a new Patty Duke Show. And that is probably the best news I have to share. CBS feels that if the show gets a big response they want to make sure we have built a "component" that assures CBS and the audience that it spins into a new series.
We are meeting today (2/12) with Eddie Applegate to make a decision about what he's been doing since high school. Did he finally get his "girlfriend" Patty to marry and have children? Maybe. Stay tuned. We do know that Jean Byron and Bill Shallert retired and went to Florida. Patty stayed in the Brooklyn Heights home and took a job as the drama teacher of the old high school which is soon to be torn down and replaced with a high-rise --Patty is not pleased and must come up with a plan to thwart the developers. Mom and dad keep a room in the house that Patty has restored over the years and visit as often as they can. We also know that Cathy went back to Scotland and married a very wealthy man. She is now a widow. Early in their wonderful marriage she had a son and now a grandaughter who is 13 years old. Since it is their 50th birthday coming up, Cathy plans to bring her grandaughter to meet her identical cousin and throw a surprise birthday party for her. Patty's brother Paul O'keefe is a very successful musician who works in the orchestra pit playing in Broadway shows (which is what he does in real life when he is not flying his own airplane. We haven't caught up with his personal life yet, but will do so next week.)
As soon as we have caught up with the rest of Patty's life since the show ended (remember, stayed tuned to find out about Eddie Applegate) we will let you know.
By the way, our writer/director is Neal Israel who wrote and directed a Mirimax feature a few years ago (among many others) called Breaking the Rules which is a wonderful movie to rent. You might want to check this out. We are all thrilled that he is working on this. When we asked him to do the reunion show he started singing the theme song and didn't miss a beat or a single word. He got the job immediately! He remembered most every episode and really understands the show. We're in good hands. We also ran into John Ritter at a big Hollywood fund raiser dinner a few nights ago (Anna and Mike flew in from the farm in Idaho) honoring the President of CBS Leslie Moonves (the man who will decide if the show goes to series) and when John saw Patty and found out she is doing a reunion, he demanded to be a guest star. We said yes.
That's all we know at the moment. More later as things unfold. The show will be on the air in the fall of '98.
- Jim Green:Green/Epstein Productions.
Jim has also informed me that he would like your input....What do you think will have happened? Did they get married and have children? Did they stay married? If you have any questions or ideas for Jim Green please email me and title the email "For Jim Green" and I will foward your questions to him and he said he will be happy to answer them! Remember the show is still progress so what you say may count!
Jim is also a member of the steering Committee of the Producer, Writer and Directors Caucus which is a lobbying group to protect the creative rights from the networks and big business and government regulators. Some of you might want to take a look at our web site at www.caucus.org for inside information about our worthwhile activities. He'd love to hear from you.
Jim has also been in charge of two previous highly-rated Anna movies, "No Child of Mine" from 1993 and "A Killer Among Friends" which aired in 1992 and can now be seen in syndication. One of his most recent efforts was "Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story " starring Mario Lopez, a critically acclaimed USA cable network movie about the gay athlete.
Current Anna Merchandise For Sale
Call Me Anna:The Autobiography of Patty Duke. Usually ships in 24 hours
Patty Duke / Paperback / Published 1990
Our Price: $5.59 ~ You Save: $1.40 (20%)
Synopsis:
Call Me Anna is an American success story that grew out of a bizarre and
desperate struggle for survival. A harrowing, ultimately triumphant
story told by Patty Duke herself--wife, mother, political activist,
President of The Screen Actors Guild, and at last, a happy, fulfilled
woman whose miracle is her own life. Bantam.
A Brilliant Madness : Living With Manic-Depressive Illness ~ Ships in
2-3 days
Patty Duke / Paperback / Published 1993
Our Price: $5.59 ~ You Save: $1.40 (20%)
Synopsis:
The New York Times bestseller--Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke's
remarkable chronicle of her struggle with manic depression along with
medical reporter Gloria Hochman's illuminating information on the
disease itself. Since her first bestselling book, Call Me Anna, Duke has
emerged as an important spokesperson for mental health. Bantam.
Just Patty/Best of Patty Duke
Patty Duke / Audio CD / Published 1996
Our Price: $12.98 (Special Order)
Synopsis:
All of Patty Duke's greatest hits which were recorded during her show in the 1960's. Also included are previously un-released tunes, three versions of "The Patty Duke Show" theme song and even a recording session of her in the studio!
Valley of the Dolls : A Novel ~ Usually ships in 24 hours
Jacqueline Susann / Paperback / Published 1997
Our Price: $9.60 ~ You Save: $2.40 (20%)
Synopsis:
Sex and drugs and shlock and more--Jacqueline Susann's addictively
entertaining trash classic about three showbiz girls clawing their way
to the top and hitting bottom in New York City has it all. Though it's
inspired by Susann's experience as a mid-century Broadway starlet who
came heartbreakingly close to making it, but did not, and despite its
reputation as THE roman á clef of the go-go 1960s, the novel turned out
to be weirdly predictive of 1990s post-punk, post-feminist, post "riot
grrrl" culture. Jackie Susann may not be a writer for the ages,
but--alas!--she's still a writer for our times. Note: Anna, Sharon Tate and Barbara Parkins (whom all starred in the film version) are all featured on the cover of this reprinted version of the 1966 novel.
All of these titles plus several of Anna's movies are available at Amazon.com! Earth's Biggest Bookstore
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/home/home.html/3972-4857000-129278
Also Available:
30th Anniversary Edition video of Valley of the Dolls (1967). See your local Suncoast Store. Suggested Retail:$14.95
The Hallmark Gold Crown Edition of Harvest of Fire (1996) The Highest-rated movie of 1996 is now available on a special video also featuring Harvest of Fire: An Amish Story which has interviews with cast and crew. Look for that right after the movie and look for the video at participation Hallmark Gold Crown Stores. For information as to where your local Hallmark stores are check out the Hallmark website at http://www.hallmark.com/ or AOL members go to Welcome To Hallmark .
Patty Duke Internet Links:
PATTY DUKE WEBPAGE http://members.aol.com/Duke80/index1.html
My own site dedicated to the versatile actress.
The Official Patty Duke Home Page http://pattyduke.media3.net/
Official website homage to Patty Duke.
My Patty Duke / Lyndel Sue Page http://users.hsonline.net/timcox/index.htm
Great page by good friend, Tim Cox which includes his Patty Duke and vast record collection.
Patty Duke Fan Page http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/1368/
Site that even has a "Patty Duke Want List"!
The Patty Duke Show Got something to say about our favorite TV star? Than mouth off here! (AOL MEMBERS ONLY)
COMING SOON:
STACEY O'BRIAN (NETTIE701@IOP.COM) AND I ARE WORKIING ON AN ANNA/SEAN & MACKENZIE ASTIN PAGE. WILL BE OUT SOON.
Patty Duke Trivia!
Each issue I will ask one trivia question. The first person to get five questions right will win a FREE copy of 1966's Patty Duke's Greatest Hits Record LP for their knowledge.
Question # 1: Who was the future TV star trying to persuade "Carol Matthews" (Anna) and husband in Before and After (1979) into the hottub, while Carol replies "If i go in there the whole level will sink"
Hint: She is now "stylish".
DOWNLOAD PHOTO:
I THOUGHT THIS PHOTO OF ANNA AND MIKE PEARCE FROM 1993'S GERALDO EPISODE WOULD BE APROPRIATE SINCE TOMORROW IS VALENTINES DAY. MAY THEIR LOVE LAST FOREVER!
Any Questions or comments should be sent to Duke80@aol.com. Thank You!