Category Archives: Recalling …

Recalling Rory Calhoun: car thief, jailbird, movie star

Posted on August 8, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Rory Calhoun was a colourful old-time film star whose real-life story was as action-packed as any movie. Born 100 years ago today, he stole cars, spent time in prison and worked as a logger, miner, … Continue reading →

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When two ‘hippy’ reporters crossed the U.S. border

Posted on August 4, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – With the death on August 2 of my former Windsor Star colleague Bill Twaddle, aged 74, I’m reminded of a memorable escapade we had fifty-odd years ago. Inspired by Woodstock, many venues in Canada and … Continue reading →

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Composer Lalo Schifrin on fads and favorites

Posted on June 21, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Argentinian composer Lalo Schifrin, who turns 90 today, is known for his concerts, recordings, film scores such as ‘Bullitt’, ‘Cool Hand Luke’ and ‘Dirty Harry’ and TV shows such as ‘Mission: Impossible’ and ‘Mannix’ but … Continue reading →

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When Gillian Anderson hit a home run onstage

Posted on June 14, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – At the Royal Court Theatre in April 2004, a  tiny, waif-like creature strolls silently onto a wide, spare stage with the audience still settling and chattering and then suddenly becoming quiet. There is a window … Continue reading →

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Why Raymond Burr was called a potato baby

Posted on May 20, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Nostalgia was very much in the air in 1986 when I met Raymond Burr, who was born 105 years ago today. He was in the thick of it. His two long-running series from the Fifties … Continue reading →

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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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