Yes. It has been a while since my last post here. This fiftieth Anniversary since the November 15th premier of Manos The Hands of Fate at The El Paso Capri Theater seems a good time to start again but there are other deeply compelling reason to write again as you will see in the next few sentences.
My dad Tom Neyman who played The Master in that film, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday night, November 12, just three days before this anniversary and eleven days before his 82nd birthday. I was away in Chicago for a screening of the restoration of Manos at the Music Box Theater on Friday night and a book signing event at BucketOBlood Books and Records scheduled for Sunday. I got a call Saturday night from the charge nurse at Salem Hospital in Oregon that dad's heart had stopped and they needed instruction on how to proceed with heroic measures. My answer or anyone else's became a moot point anyway as nothing else could have been done. The hospital was following procedure. She said she wished she could give me a big hug before we hung up.
It was a rough night and I had to decide how to proceed in my own life and particularly in regards to the next day's book signing event. I immediately knew that dad would never have wanted me to cancel because of him. He was a gentle loving and humble man who was in constant awe that anyone even cared about him at all. I knew I had to find the strength to show up authentically to celebrate and honor him. In spite of the heartbreak I was determined to avoid a maudlin affair.
Some of the people who came to talk to me and Laura Mazzuca Toops, co-author of my book Growing Up With Manos The Hands Of Fate, had not yet heard the news of dad's passing and some had. It was a challenging and odd balance of smiling for photos and receiving hugs of condolence. I had to step outside of any vanity concerning my pale face and puffy eyes. Everyone seems satisfied with the evening.
After the signing and visiting with people who came, Laura and I stepped into the back room with Ian Simmons for a prescheduled podcast interview. Our interview became a tribute to dad on the spot and I feel is one of the most beautiful and appropriate things I could have done for him.
I do hope you listen to the end and learn something of what made my dad so very special and maybe is some of why you love Manos for all it's flawed glory.
I like to think now that The Master has ascended and has become Manos himself.
Manos is Permanent!
As many of you know, the world also lost Leonard Cohen on November 7th, and the ending song that Ian chose for his podcast is a perfect way to say goodbye to both these men.
Love each other. It is The Will of Manos
My dad Tom Neyman who played The Master in that film, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday night, November 12, just three days before this anniversary and eleven days before his 82nd birthday. I was away in Chicago for a screening of the restoration of Manos at the Music Box Theater on Friday night and a book signing event at BucketOBlood Books and Records scheduled for Sunday. I got a call Saturday night from the charge nurse at Salem Hospital in Oregon that dad's heart had stopped and they needed instruction on how to proceed with heroic measures. My answer or anyone else's became a moot point anyway as nothing else could have been done. The hospital was following procedure. She said she wished she could give me a big hug before we hung up.
It was a rough night and I had to decide how to proceed in my own life and particularly in regards to the next day's book signing event. I immediately knew that dad would never have wanted me to cancel because of him. He was a gentle loving and humble man who was in constant awe that anyone even cared about him at all. I knew I had to find the strength to show up authentically to celebrate and honor him. In spite of the heartbreak I was determined to avoid a maudlin affair.
Some of the people who came to talk to me and Laura Mazzuca Toops, co-author of my book Growing Up With Manos The Hands Of Fate, had not yet heard the news of dad's passing and some had. It was a challenging and odd balance of smiling for photos and receiving hugs of condolence. I had to step outside of any vanity concerning my pale face and puffy eyes. Everyone seems satisfied with the evening.
After the signing and visiting with people who came, Laura and I stepped into the back room with Ian Simmons for a prescheduled podcast interview. Our interview became a tribute to dad on the spot and I feel is one of the most beautiful and appropriate things I could have done for him.
Kicking The Seat Podcast
I do hope you listen to the end and learn something of what made my dad so very special and maybe is some of why you love Manos for all it's flawed glory.
Podcast Audio
Manos is Permanent!
As many of you know, the world also lost Leonard Cohen on November 7th, and the ending song that Ian chose for his podcast is a perfect way to say goodbye to both these men.
Love each other. It is The Will of Manos
