KIDS ARE 1ST

Sitting in Marion Davies living room planning an event.

It was awesome sitting in Marion Davies living room at her guest house on the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. Images of her legendary parties flashed through my mind with famous house guests such as William Randolf Hearst, Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Gloria Swanson, and Cary Grant.

Please reserve this date, July 12, as Kids Are 1st will have a safety event at the Annenberg Beach House including the Marion Davies guest house. The house will be open for tours.

Gloria Swanson, Charlie Chaplan, Marion Davies

Construction on the Beach House began in 1926, with both media mogul William Randolph Hearst and film star Marion Davies actively involved in its creation. Contributions from architect Julia Morgan created a cohesive grace to the rambling Beach House estate, which featured an ornate swimming pool, several houses, gardens, and a 110-room mansion. Davies, an under-appreciated actor, a generous philanthropist, a keen business person, and a loyal companion to Hearst for over thirty years, owned the estate. She was in forty-eight movies during Hollywood’s Golden Age, fourteen of which she produced. The Beach House was the backdrop against which Davies and Hearst threw lavish theme parties, solidifying their reputation as the power couple of Hollywood. These parties guaranteed Davies’ renown as unequaled in generosity, but also contributed to a party-girl reputation. The Beach House served as Davies’ primary residence from 1929 to 1942.

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MY RUN at the Newport Beach Film Festival

Marilyn & Arnie Weinger of Kids Are 1st with Terry Hitchcock at MY RUN west coast premiere screening at Newport Beach, CA film festival 4-26-10 - MY RUN the award winning and inspiring Terry Hitchcock story narrated by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton was an official selection at Newport Beach film festival. Terry's message is about empowering single parent families and children to keep them safe and Kids are 1st carries the same message.

MY RUN MOVIE

MY RUN ON FACEBOOK

MY RUN ON TWITTER

MY RUN ON YOUTUBE

 

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SHOOTING MICKEY ROONEY & OTHER MGM GREATS

Yesterday I had the great pleasure to photograph the legendary Mickey Rooney at the Thomas H Ince award ceremony in Culver City, CA. the home of Sony Pictures. The ceremony was presented at the Backlot Film Festival. 

Mickey Rooney started his acting career at 15 months old and has worked with every great actor and actress in Hollywood from the 1920's to the present. He recently celebrated his 89th birthday. Mickey is one the the rare triple threats as he can sing, dance, and act. We all know he is a great comic as well as a fascinating storyteller. I could have gone on listening to his old stories all night. 

MGM great Ann Rutherford with Mickey. Ann was a presenter at the award ceremony.

Ann starred in the classic Gone With The Wind as well as Polly Benedict, Andy Hardy's girlfriend, in the popular Andy Hardy series starring Mickey Rooney as Andy.

  Anne Jeffreys was on the Honorary Committee for the Ince Award.

Anne was an MGM great and is known for her 1953 role as Marian Kirby in the TV series Topper starring her husband Robert Sterling and Leo G. Carroll. Has the distinction of being the last woman to have danced with Fred Astaire on screen.

 

France Nuyen, also on the Honorary Committee for the Ince Award.

A French born actess who dated Marlon Brando, was married to Robert Culp and starred in one of the early Star Trek episodes with William Shatner. Also starred in the "World of Suzie Wong" opposite Shatner on Broadway.

Received the 1989 "Woman of the Year" award in Los Angeles for her work as a consulting psychologist in treating abused children and convicted women.

Terry Moore on the Honorary Committee for the Ince Award.

Terry Moore was once married to Howard Hughes and starred in the 1949 classic movie. "Mighty Joe Young".

Elizabeth Taylor was not able to attend but a letter she wrote to Mickey Rooney was read to the audience much to the delight of Mickey.

Marilyn Weinger & Mayor Andrew Weisman

Marilyn Weinger is president and founder of Kids Are 1st, a non profit charity that promotes child safety.Mayor Andrew Weisman is the current mayor of Culver City, CA and presented Mickey a key to the city and a special commendation from the city.

Mickey showing off his key to the city and commendation.

Mickey Rooney & Jan Rooney w. Anne Jeffreys & France Nuyen

Mickey Rooney & Ann Rutherford

KIDS ARE 1ST AT BACKLOT FILM FESTIVAL IN LA

MICKEY ROONEY TO BE HONORED At the Gala celebration on Oct. 10

At the Backlot Film Festival

KIDS ARE 1ST will conduct a FREE child ID and child car seat safety check at the Backlot Film Festival in Culver City California on Oct. 10, 2009 starting at 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM.

Thanks to our generous sponsor UNITED INDEPENDENT TAXI for making it possible to keep our kids safe through

child ID and car seat safety checks.

Call United Taxi at 310-838-2121 or 800-600-0005, or 800-822-TAXI for all your taxi needs in Culver City, & the LA area. Or order online at

http://www.unitedtaxi.com/

Cartoons will be shown at the festival on Saturday morning and a special showing of National Velvet will show at 12:30 PM. Mayseo will perform his magic act, direct from the Magic Castle.

Elizabeth Taylor, considered to be one of the most famous actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age and beyond, will serve as Chair of the Honorary Committee for the Backlot Film Festival Gala Awards honoring the legendary Mickey Rooney on Saturday, October 10, 2009, at the historic Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City.

The beloved children’s classic, National Velvet, skyrocketed the 12 year old British-born newcomer Taylor to stardom and co-starred Rooney and Angela Lansbury. The 1944 film was also an overwhelming success at the box office.

Backlot film Festival starts on Wed. Oct. 7 through Sat. Oct. 10. Tickets and information available at http://www.backlotfilmfestival.com/home.htm

Veterans Memorial
Building Auditorium,
4117 Overland Avenue,
Culver City
(Phone 310 253-6625)