Author Archives: admin

When David Puttnam got tired of making movies

Posted on February 25, 2021 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Aside from being English, David Puttnam and I have two things in common. We are both devoted to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and we each obtained three O-level GCEs at school. He, of course, had … Continue reading →

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Nick Nolte on learning to work sober

Posted on February 8, 2021 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Nick Nolte, who turns 80 today, warned me of the dangers that lurked in Los Angeles. The Iowa-born actor had an explosive impact playing rebellious fighter Tom Jordache in the hit 1976 TV miniseries ‘Rich … Continue reading →

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Why Robert MacNeill stopped getting angry about poor English

Posted on January 19, 2021 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Canadian newsman Robert MacNeill, who turns 90 today, shared my fascination with how English was used on radio and television. In 1986, the urbane and articulate co-anchor of the news programme ‘The MacNeill-Lehrer Report’  on … Continue reading →

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Mel Gibson, great filmmaker, shame about the demons

Posted on January 3, 2021 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – I’ve spent time with Mel Gibson, who turns 65 today, and always found him to be genial, open and likeable even though he gave me a clue about his demons in an interview in 1984. … Continue reading →

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Jack Elam on westerns, auditing, acting … and that fly

Posted on November 13, 2020 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – With his blind left eye, American character actor Jack Elam, who was born 100 years ago today, made a perfect villain in hundreds of TV shows and feature films but he told me he was a better … Continue reading →

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My chaotic encounter with composer Ennio Morricone

Posted on July 10, 2020 by admin

By Ray Bennett  LONDON – The late Ennio Morricone was a giant in film music but the Italian composer could be a difficult man as I found out when I went to interview him in London. He was in town … Continue reading →

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Recalling Dan Tana’s barkeep Mike Gotovac, an L.A. legend …

Posted on May 16, 2020 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Legendary Dan Tana’s barkeep Mike Gotovac died aged 76 on May 15 following complications caused by Covid-19. He was among the many rich characters I encountered in my time in Los Angeles and I recall … Continue reading →

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When Kenny Rogers welcomed me to Los Angeles

Posted on March 20, 2020 by admin

By Ray Bennett We flew into LAX from Toronto, checked into the Sportsmen’s Lodge in the Valley, went directly to the then open-air Universal Amphitheater and were led to seats in the front row just as the biggest entertainer in … Continue reading →

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My wish list for the 2020 Oscars: ‘Little Women’

Posted on February 9, 2020 by admin

Best Picture My favourite film of the year is Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ with its splendid filmmaking, intelligent update of the story and wonderful performances. The film I admire most is Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ with its biting satire, great comedy, … Continue reading →

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It’s the ‘Royal Toy Story’ for Harry and Meghan

Posted on January 16, 2020 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In ‘Toy Story 4’, the beloved cowboy action figure contemplates leaving the old gang to go off with a beautiful outsider. In the United Kingdom’s version, the monarchy, a much-loved prince wants to do the … Continue reading →

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