Category Archives: Recalling …

Memories of Gregory Peck, born 100 years ago today

By Ray Bennett LONDON – “It all goes by so quickly,” Gregory Peck told me. “It’s like a flash. Suddenly, one is in the home stretch and where did it all go? How did it flash by so fast?” That … Continue reading

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Why Frank Sinatra was called The Voice

By Ray Bennett There were several reasons why Frank Sinatra, who was born 100 years ago today, was known as The Voice. In 1992, Daily Variety gave me the chance to research just how he earned the sobriquet.

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Going back to ‘Back To The Future’ with Michael J. Fox

By Ray Bennett LONDON – As “Back to the Future” marks its 30th anniversary, here’s a version of a story I wrote in 1985 for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. In 1984, Canadian actor Michael J. Fox (pictured with Christopher … Continue reading

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When Sean Connery offered me a Scotch …

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Sean Connery nudged my arm as a waiter hovered with a tray of champagne, and said, “They have Scotch, you know.” We were on the terrace on Elton John’s house on the cornish that overlooks Nice … Continue reading

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How James Horner came to write the ‘Titanic’ song

By Ray Bennett LONDON – American composer James Horner, who has died in a plane crash aged 61, won an Academy Award along with lyricist Will Jennings for “My Heart Will Go On” sung by Celine Dion in “Titanic”, and … Continue reading

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Ready with a zippo for Elizabeth Hurley

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Happy birthday to Elizabeth Hurley, who turns 50 today. I met her at a party during the Festival de Cannes several years ago. I turned on the terrace and there she was in a white dress … Continue reading

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When Peggy Lee wondered ‘is that all there is?’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Miss Peggy Lee, who was born 95 years ago today and died on Jan. 21 2002 aged 81, had come close to death in 1985 and she laughed when she told me, “Don’t you know … Continue reading

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A nod from Orson Welles was good enough

By Ray Bennett LONDON – I never spoke to Orson Welles – who was born 100 years ago today and will be the subject of a two-month season at the BFI Southbank – but he did respond with a nod … Continue reading

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Recalling … Ernie Harwell, voice of the Detroit Tigers

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The first baseball game I ever saw was at Tiger Stadium in Detroit in 1970 and a bonus of living across the river in Windsor, Ontario, was that I was able to hear the club’s … Continue reading

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Why Carolyn Jones did not want to kiss Elvis Presley

By Ray Bennett LONDON – When I interviewed Carolyn Jones, who would have turned 85 today, she told me she had been sick but she did not tell me she was dying. Famous as Morticia in the 1960s TV series … Continue reading

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