Category Archives: Recalling …

Why British comic Eric Sykes didn’t become a movie star

Posted on May 4, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Eric Sykes, who was born on May 4 one hundred years ago, was one of Britain’s most treasured comedians on radio and television but he might have become a leading actor in movies too as … Continue reading →

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That time Michelle Pfeiffer thought she’d sworn on live TV

Posted on April 29, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Michelle Pfeiffer was worried that she’d dropped an f-bomb on live television. The actress, who turns 65 today, came to meet me right after she appeared on CNN to talk about the John Landis black … Continue reading →

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Composer Patrick Doyle on his triumph over cancer

Posted on April 6, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Anyone who has spent time with film composer Patrick Doyle (above with wife Lesley and me) knows that he is one of the funniest men alive. Not so many know that his sense of humour … Continue reading →

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When Dar Robinson leapt from Toronto’s CN Tower

Posted on March 26, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The perfect word to describe legendary movie stuntman Dar Robinson, who was born on this day in 1947: unfuckwithable. It allowed him to create thrilling stunts in films such as ‘Stick’, ‘Sharkey’s Machine” (below)), ‘Papillon’ … Continue reading →

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Seven Michael Caine guilty favourites …

Posted on March 19, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Michael Caine, who is still making films in his 90s with ‘The Great Escaper’ due out this year, has made so many movies that some tend to get lost. Here are seven I’ve always found … Continue reading →

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Why Michael Caine faced every film with dread

Posted on March 14, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Almost forty years ago, I created a weekly movie supplement in Canadian TV Guide called Bigscreen. I wanted a big name for the first edition and Hollywood publicist Jerry Pam facilitated a Q&A with his … Continue reading →

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When watching the Oscars used to be fun

Posted on March 12, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Maverick banshees all at once, Elvis sadness, women on water, Fabelmans on the western front. Tár but no thanks. There was a time when I really cared about movies and found the competition for Academy Awards … Continue reading →

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Kay Lenz on macho stars, nudity and her marriage

Posted on March 4, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – American actress Kay Lenz, who turns 70 today, was one of my favourite people when I began visiting Hollywood in the late Seventies.  I first met her at midnight in a bowling alley on Ventura … Continue reading →

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That time when Stanley Baker needed a cigarette

Posted on February 28, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Stanley Baker needed a cigarette. The Welsh actor, who was born on this day 95 years ago, was at an after-party following a screening in 1967 of his action picture ‘Robbery’.  Pictured above left with … Continue reading →

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John Williams said he never takes Spielberg for granted

Posted on January 24, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – ‘My hope is that I can work with Steven for many years to come,’ composer John Williams told me. That was in 2000 by which time he had written the scores for sixteen Spielberg-directed movies … Continue reading →

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