Category Archives: Comment

Bob Dowling gave me the best job in the world

Posted on December 31, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – I shall always be grateful to Robert J.Dowling, the former publisher and editor-in-chief of The Hollywood Reporter who has died aged 83, because it was thanks to him that for several years I had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Film, Media, Music | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Bob Dowling gave me the best job in the world

Jerry Lee Lewis was no rock’n’roll hero to me

Posted on November 5, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Now that he has been laid to rest, it’s time to offer some balance to the hysterical reaction to the death of Jerry Lee Lewis. Given that today an artist can be cancelled on the basis … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ..., Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

There’s always a Ray in the movies

Posted on October 24, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – From ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ to ‘Ghostbusters’ to ‘Field of Dreams’ and now ‘Raymond & Ray’, there’s always a Ray in the movies and television.

Posted in Comment, Film, Television | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on There’s always a Ray in the movies

How ‘Oz’ made Judy Garland a legend

Posted on June 10, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Judy Garland was born 100 years ago today and died more than half a century ago but her legend lives on. Mostly, that is thanks  to the enduring popularity of  ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Film, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How ‘Oz’ made Judy Garland a legend

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 →

Posted in Comment, Film, Memory Lane, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on When Warren Beatty changed Hollywood forever

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 →

Posted in Comment, Memory Lane | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Me and the Bengals and a man named Benny

Memory Lane: The time before everything was streamed

Posted on October 19, 2021 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Living, as I do, in turn-of-the-century London, it’s easy to become nostalgic for the long-ago 1900s. I know we’re just a few weeks into 2000 but it seems like forever. I recall the first single … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Film, Memory Lane, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Memory Lane: The time before everything was streamed

MEMORY LANE: On being British

Posted on September 19, 2021 by admin

By Ray Bennett (November 1999) LONDON: We British cherish our loonies and it it’s no surprise that the House of Lords has lasted so long. Only last week, a bill was passed in the House of Lords than deprives hereditary … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Memory Lane | Tagged , | Comments Off on MEMORY LANE: On being British

BFI celebrates the films of Robert Altman in major season

Posted on May 3, 2021 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Robert Altman movies spanning five decades are to be screened in a major season at the British Film Institute. Running from May 17 to July 31, the programme will present 34 films in chronological order … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Film, News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on BFI celebrates the films of Robert Altman in major season

My wish list for the 2020 Oscars: ‘Little Women’

Posted on February 9, 2020 by admin

Best Picture My favourite film of the year is Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ with its splendid filmmaking, intelligent update of the story and wonderful performances. The film I admire most is Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ with its biting satire, great comedy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on My wish list for the 2020 Oscars: ‘Little Women’