I have known this man since I was 7 years old.
I met him & his wife for the first time at his LA home and I remember being pretty excited about this. Naturally I was a big fan of his characters! His nearest neighbour was Madonna and I remember being pretty excited about that too.
Little did I know but I would eventually get to hang out with Madonna on the set of Snatch, a film I worked on during my London days.
This is my imdb profile.
My father & Stan were friends because they served alongside each other in the Philippines during WW2.
After the war they went their separate ways but always remained close. He famously once said of my father "Yep, any time my ego needs deflating I remember how I was too smart to leave comic books and go into business with ol' Harry."
Dad offered him a business partnership in the Philippines but Stan felt sure his comic book characters had a future.
It turned out they both went on to be very successful in their chosen fields but unlike Stan, my father was betrayed by his country and after a 30 year court case he died penniless. You can learn more about what happened here: https://steemit.com/conspiracy/@samstonehill/my-amazing-father-was-born-100-years-ago-today-a-story-of-us-corruption-and-betrayal
If you are in any doubt about the truth of my words, I have included a small section of an article written for Forbes by a tax expert who was investigating my father's case.
At my father's funeral 15 years ago Stan's words were unquestionably the most helpful for me in coming to terms with his death and we have been in communication since then.
Looking through our emails today I laughed at some of the exchanges we have had.
In 2009 I asked him for a job in Hollywood and this was his response:
Hi, Sam,
Nice hearing from you.
To answer your question, things are going okay for me. I'm busier than I've ever been, and that's the way I like it. (I'm even writing this note between meetings because it's the only chance I'll have).
Regarding your desire to work in the U.S., I don't know what to tell you. My company Pow! Entertainment isn’t really a production company. I myself don't need an assistant because all I do is write ideas for movies, TV, etc. and then try to sell them. I have a partner who has been in the business for years and who advises me about contracts etc. So all that I really need is the time to keep writing.
I’m not personally familiar with such things, but perhaps on the Internet there may be sites devoted to job opportunities for people in the movie industry. In fact, I’d be surprised if such sites don’t exist. You might try looking for one.
Uh oh, my other meeting is scheduled to start. Gotta go now. All I can advise is keep plugging. Opportunities always pop up when you least expect them—just be ready to grab one.
All the best,
Stan
In 2012 I sent him a long and excited email about my spiritual awakening which was going on at the time.
This was his response:
Good luck to you, Sam, but I haven't time for such messages.
All best,
Stan
Oh dear! Probably shouldn't have sent him that one! Hoping he has forgotten all about it by now...
Last week I sent him a request for help in the making of the film which will tell the story of his old friend's life:
Dear Stan
I hope this email finds you well. It has been a while since our last communication.
Since 2013 I have been travelling the world and I now have a family of my own.
We are currently based in Bali where in September we celebrated dad's 100th birthday and I was reminded of my desire to make a film about the story of his life.
Since then I have teamed up with a producer and together we are planning to first publish his life story through a website called Steemit to build awareness before producing a film.
I am wondering Stan if you would like to be involved in this production in some way?
Your words at his funeral will never leave me and I know you have an insight to a part of his life which none of us were there for.
Perhaps you might be interested in taking an advisory role? Your experience, your connections and the power of your name will help us no end in achieving our goal.
I recently published an overview of his life in a place where it can never be removed. I did this because many of the online articles referring to his case are mysteriously disappearing, leaving a very unbalanced perspective of the man you and I knew him to be.
You can see my article here: https://steemit.com/conspiracy/@samstonehill/my-amazing-father-was-born-100-years-ago-today-a-story-of-us-corruption-and-betrayal
I think you will be most interested in the last section of the article which was written by Harry himself. It is the preface to his unpublished autobiography.
These words are particularly poignant and serve as a great reminder to us that an injustice has been done and it is up to those of us who knew him to set the record straight.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Sam
I am yet to hear back from him, but I will be sure to tell you when I do.
Fingers crossed he is willing to attach his name to this project which will make it a whole bunch easier raising the money we need to produce the film.
Signed items for sale!
I have a Hulk comic book & small poster (an A4 version of the image at the top) which he signed for me a long time ago and they are now just collecting dust in my mother's attic.
Would any of you be interested in buying these items??? I will be going back to the UK next year and would be happy to dig them out for someone willing to give them the love they deserve.
source
Who is @samstonehill?
Currently based in Bali he travels with his partner & two children. With no bank account he has been living on STEEM & crypto for over six months.
All content created for this account is 100% original (unless otherwise stated), produced by @samstonehill who invites you to use & share freely as you wish.
@samstonehill is the creator of:
@steemshop account where you can buy or sell anything you like using your steemit wallet SEE MORE
@steemmasters which provides FREE TUTORIALS, personal training & resteeming services. Website HERE
Contact me directly on steemit.chat if you want to know more about this
@steemholidays which encourages resort owners to offer holiday packages in Steem or SBD
@steemtv which aims to provide the best in decentralised films, exclusive to Steemit & DTube
The dailyquotes tag initiative designed to encourage steemians to share their most life changing quotes with the community on a daily basis.
The Aspiring Steemit Whales & Dolphins group on Facebook which seeks to help newcomers make the transition from Facebook to Steemit, providing them with detailed notes and personal assistance with their posts... resteeming them when he can.
I receive the equivalent of $3 a day using Genesis Mining
This was after investing around $500 (from STEEM payouts) into 2 year contracts, mining Dash, Ether & Litecoin
Use my referral code to get a 3% discount: wzrAS4
Some say it is a scam but I have found no reason to believe this.
@teamsteem @timcliff @jesta @good-karma @someguy123 @blocktrades @pfunk @klye @krnel @blueorgy @ausbitbank @thecryptodrive @ura-soul @pharesim
Without them our beloved Steemship would not fly.
Learn what this means HERE and place your vote HERE
Please check out the @charitysteemit account where those of us in Bali are currently raising money to buy solar power & water filters for the huge number of evacuees waiting for a volcano to blow LEARN MORE HERE
Just read the story about your father. Wow.
Here’s hoping Stan gets back to you in a big way.
Steem on, bro.
~KafkA
Thanks for checking that out. It feels like a story which needs to be made more public to me, though it's hard to say for sure if it will be a success. We will need some brave investors! Stan sold Marvel to Disney for 6 Billion, so am hoping he might have a little spare for his old buddy ;)
Dang, it'd be pretty incredible if he gets involved in it... Stan seems incredibly busy considering his age though. I hope to be trucking along half as well by the time I get there.
Will stay tuned for an update.
Like my father he is addicted to his work and would most likely not be alive now if he had stopped working. He really is an amazing guy. And the last of my dad's close circle of friends. It would indeed be incredible if he said yes. Even just letting me attach his name to the project would be enough!
Let's see what happens...
Hi Sam..it's @immarojas
Let's see if i can afford that comic book..i know someone who will look after it.
You know i'll be waiting for this new development.
Cheers!
Ah hi there! I love your new avatar... it's like a sunshine upvote!
Thanks for all your support. I will make this happen one way or another, but it would be great to have Stan with me on the journey :)
wow very feautifull
thanks!
Wow, this would be amazing! I caught that post you did about your dad and was very captured by it, my mom is from the Philippines so it was all the more interesting to me. I have been meaning to ask for her thoughts on the matter, she's visiting later so I will make sure I do :)
All the best on this venture! I would love to watch this film and I hope Stan Lee feels the same and supports you on this!
It sure would be amazing hey! Thanks for following the ongoing story... fingers crossed he will be up for helping out.
Let me know if your mother remembers dad's time in the Philippines.
Nice one bro, like it 👍🏼
Good luck luck & keep us post 😘
Upvoted & resteemed...
Thank you bro. Will organise that trip south soon.... Miss u!
Great post Sammy! Loved it! Resteemed and UPvoted with pleasure!
Thanks bro x this horse looks strange!
Hope he responds—and agrees to be involved!
Me too my friend.
Amazing story. I'm following you now to find out what happens next.
Thanks. Whatever happens... I will find a way ;)
Wow. That's a pretty cool connection and story. You don't need him though to see your dream through.
Thanks Russ. Yeah, I know I don't really need him, but wouldn't it be great!
The signed comic book will be lovely but I'm not the kind of guy who will take care of things. Hope you find the guy/gal.
All the best with the film project on papa.
Thank you my friend. Let's see what happens...
I will find a way with or without him :)
You're welcome
The film project about your Dad seems amazing. Best Wishes, i hope Stan gives a positive response. It would be great to watch the biography of a War Veteran turned Businessmen. Do let us know when the project would be finished?
Thank you my friend. You can be sure I will be posting on steemit every step of the way!
I wonder what made you choose Bali to settle in? The climate? Everybody I know from The UK says its cold and rainy there and that's why they want to move somewhere sunny.
In fact I never made the choice to come to Bali. I was led here by the Universe. Someone invited me for work two years ago and we've been finding it hard to leave for various reasons. Though I am sure my old days in the UK influenced my desire to live somewhere like here. Interestingly, now that we have been experiencing a constant Summer for over two years we are feeling like we might enjoy the freshness of a European winter!
haha. The grass is always greener...
...but of course, one should always strive to be content wherever they are!
Interesting story. Too bad about your dad.
He was 84 when he died. And frankly, given the kind of life he lived it's pretty amazing he lasted this long. So, nothing bad happened. But I do appreciate your thoughts :)
That would be awesome if he says yes!
I really want to see this movie made!
Wouldn't it just be awesome! Thank you for being such a great supporter of this project. I really want to see this movie made too... one way or another ;)
Incredible story about your father and so much energy! It brings tears to my eyes when people can connect in such a beautiful way. Thanks for opening up and sharing with us.
Thanks for reading it. Yes, there sure is a lot of energy attached to this project. Especially for those of us who watched his growing sadness as he came to the end of his life. He wanted to be remembered as 'the good guy' but history doesn't always tell the truth.
good luck with Stan the man. He has definately been a success. I didn’t know he served in WWII. You are an interesting cat Mr Samstone
Funny. People call me Sam the man ;)
Yeah, not many people know about his early days, before he was famous. I understand many of his characters were dreamed up while in the Philippines.
Stan Lee one of the creators of the famous comic books that we all read when we were kids Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men and many more thank you for the nice memories keep it up Sam you're doing great..
Thanks again Manny ;)
💪 Powerful, it's so cool that you know Stan Lee personally. I really enjoyed this post and I plan to check out your dad's story as well. Peace 🍃
Hope you find the time to check it out. It is a very powerful story...
It's allllways been my dream to "hang out with Madonna". Im still working on it! ;)
viewed, voted, commented, and re-steemed ...
anyone follows me i'll follow back within a few days
You dont need help from anyone Bro.
A Warrior does what he loves.
Thanks!