Interview with Tony Piazza about Bullitt Points
Tony Piazza has a new e-book out about Steve McQueen, Bullitt Points. Because I'm old enough to remember Steve McQueen when he was a super star and my father was a friend of Mr. McQueen, I was really interested in Tony's book.
Marilyn: Tony, let me in on some of the background of this book.
Tony: In 1968 I was on
location with the motion picture crime drama “Bullitt” starring Steve McQueen.
This was before I personally worked in the motion picture industry during the
early 1970s. My father was a police officer in San Francisco, and as early as 1960 was
assigned to a special detail that assisted television and motion picture
companies that came into the city. As a family, this provided a great
opportunity because it gave us direct access to celebrities. He had this assignment
for 17 years, and that meant meeting a number of stars and watching many films
like the Dirty Harry series and television productions such as “Ironside.”
Marilyn: Tell me more about your book and what you are planning to do with the profits from Bullitt Point.
Tony: One of the films
(as I mentioned above) was “Bullitt” and I witnessed many of the scenes being
shot (including that fantastic chase) and met the stars- including the legendary
Steve McQueen.
“Bullitt Points,” from SansTree, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the classic Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt” and the involvement of the Piazza family in the production.
I worked regularly as an extra and stand-in on multiple Hollywood movies and television shows shot in San Francisco during the 1970′s, including “Towering Inferno,” “High Anxiety,” “Magnum Force,” and “Streets of San Francisco.”
Forty-four years later I have written an e-book describing that
experience and decided to donate all the profits of its sale to “The Boys
Republic” in Chino Hills, California. It was the school that Steve
McQueen was placed in as a boy, and he credits for turning him around. In life,
he supported it with funds, and visits with the troubled boys placed there, and
today, his son Chad
has taken up the cause.
Marilyn: Did you ever visit The Boys Republic?
Tony: On the weekend of June 2nd 2012, I was at The Boys Republic (
Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show Event) to promote the book, and try to raise
money for the boys. Chad McQueen was there and we had a pleasant visit and even
took a photo. It was a great experience, and one I am not likely to forget.
Marilyn: Now I'd like to know more about you.
I'm a Central Coast mystery writer, film historian, presenter, and a veteran storyteller well-known for my passion about writing and movies.
Marilyn: And I know you've written two mystery novels, tell me about them.
Tony: My mysteries are Anything Short of Murder and The Curse of the Crimson Dragon, both published by Dog Ear Publishing and available through Amazon.
Marilyn: It would be fun to know about your Hollywood experiences and the stars you've encountered..
Tony: I now blogs regularly about my Hollywood experiences at authortonypiazza.com. My inventory of stories includes many of the famous actors of that era: Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Darren McGavin, Paul Newman, Karl Malden, Michael Douglas, Raymond Burr, Walter Matthau, Fred Astaire, Robert Vaughn and Leslie Nielsen.
Marilyn: I can hardly wait to go there and read about all my favorites. It's been great talking to you.
Tony Piazza is a member of the Central Coast Sisters in Crime and SLO Nightwriters.
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