Category Archives: Memory Lane

How movie queen Merle Oberon hid her dark past

Posted on October 8, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Michael Korda, publisher, novelist and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Simon & Schuster who turns 90 today, had a most colourful childhood with his uncle, film producer Alexander Korda who with a string of epic productions was … Continue reading →

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Why, oh, so serious Charlton Heston never ran for office

Posted on October 4, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Charlton Heston, who was born on this day in 1923, was as stiff in person as he invariably was onscreen. He had not yet become a shill for the National Rifle Association when we spoke … Continue reading →

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Trevor Howard on hellraising with Flynn and Mitchum

Posted on September 29, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – ‘Nonsense,’ said English actor Trevor Howard. I had asked him if all the tales of him being a hellraiser were true. ‘Well, of course, one used to make noise when one was much younger but … Continue reading →

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How Jerry Bruckheimer landed Tom Cruise for ‘Top Gun’

Posted on September 21, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Several actors claimed to have been first choice to play hot-shot pilot ‘Maverick’ Mitchell in ‘Top Gun’ but producer Jerry Bruckheimer told me Tom Cruise always had the part.

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Why Anthony Quayle was upset about the movie ‘Sleuth!’

Posted on September 7, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – British actor Anthony Quayle, who was born on this day in 1913, was instrumental in the enormous success of the stage thriller ‘Sleuth!’, and he was angry about being ignored for the hit first film … Continue reading →

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Laughing with Betsy Russell about screen nudity

Posted on September 6, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – A card arrived in the mail with the inscription ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’ Inside, in strong cursive were the words, ‘Dear Ray, Thank you so much for that wonderful interview. I’m … Continue reading →

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Going to Bat for Cricket in Los Angeles in 1993

Posted on August 27, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Thirty years ago today, the Los Angeles Times published a freelance story of mine about the popularity of cricket in parts of Los Angeles. Here’s that story: A cricket ball is 5 1/2 ounces of … Continue reading →

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Frederick Forsyth did more than write great thrillers

Posted on August 25, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – English writer Frederick Forsyth, who turns 85 today, has not only written clever and exciting thrillers such as ‘Day of the Jackal’ (starring Edward Fox, above)  and ‘The Odessa file’, he’s also prescient about world … Continue reading →

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‘Titanic’ Oscar-winner James Horner saw music in colour

Posted on August 14, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – ‘Composing is so much like painting,’ the late James Horner told me. ‘I patch colour into certain things until I hear the sounds and then I know how much of the magenta or how much of … Continue reading →

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Lyricist Sammy Cahn had a song for all occasions

Posted on June 18, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – American lyricist Sammy Cahn, who was born on this day in 1913, wrote scores of songs that everyone remembers but he told me that what kept him busy was penning lyrics for special occasions. 

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