Category Archives: Memory Lane

One morning in New York with Jack Nicholson

Posted on April 22, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – When he was a major star, Robin Williams told me where he thought Jack Nicholson stood in the Hollywood hierarchy. ‘There’s the rest of us,’ he said, ‘and then there’s Jack.’ One of the finest … Continue reading →

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Why Elmer Bernstein smiled about Richard Strauss

Posted on April 4, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – American composer Elmer Bernstein, who would have turned 100 today, wrote wonderful film music and he was terrific company with a fine wit. He was an early favourite of mine with scores for pictures such … Continue reading →

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When Warren Beatty changed Hollywood forever

Posted on March 30, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – One afternoon early in September 1967, the film writers and critics of London gathered in a West End cinema for a screening of a gangster movie starring a pretty-boy Hollywood actor. The cinema was packed … Continue reading →

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Recalling Carl Reiner and his favourite film

Posted on March 17, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The late American comic and film director Carl Reiner, who was born 100 years ago today and died in 2020, made some classic comedies but he told me ‘Dead Men Don’s Wear Plaid’ (above) was … Continue reading →

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Recalling Tommy Hunter, a star who knew his limits

Posted on March 17, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Country music singer Tommy Hunter, who turns 85 today, was one of the most popular entertainers in Canada for decades but he was never tempted to become a star in America.

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When Ry Cooder discovered the blues

Posted on March 15, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Ry Cooder, who turns 75 today, told me that he knew  that he would be a musician when he discovered the blues as a kid. When I first heard his slide guitar, I imagined he … Continue reading →

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Shannon Tweed on being naked in films and magazines

Posted on March 10, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Many women I interviewed in Hollywood expressed disappointment or regret over appearing nude in movies or photo spreads. Shannon Tweed, who turns 65 today, was not one of them. ‘I can’t honestly say I wouldn’t … Continue reading →

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Why ‘Nashville’ star Cristina Raines hated to sing

Posted on February 28, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Like many a young man who saw Robert Altman’s classic ‘Nashville’ in 1975, I was a little bit in love with Cristina Raines, who turns 70 today, She played a singer in a folk trio … Continue reading →

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Me and the Bengals and a man named Benny

Posted on February 13, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Two years after arriving in Canada in the late Sixties, I joined The Windsor Star newspaper just across the river from Detroit and discovered American football. In the office, aside from the sportswriters, the most … Continue reading →

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‘Windmills’ and ‘Fields’ in ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’

Posted on January 8, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Lyricists Marilyn Bergman, who died today aged 93, and her husband Alan Bergman won the best-song Oscar in 1969 with Michel Legrand for ‘Windmills of Your Mind’ from ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ but they owed … Continue reading →

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