Category Archives: Film

Recalling Little Richard, rock’n’roll’s greatest

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The first recording I ever bought was a 78rpm double-A side single of ‘Long Tall Sally’ and ‘Tutti Frutti’ by Little Richard, who was born 90 years ago today.

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When ‘Dynasty’ star Linda Evans had my number …

By Ray Bennett LONDON – On a sunny California day in the early Eighties, I had a long, leisurely lunch with Linda Evans, who turns 80 today, at La Scala on Little Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. I was … Continue reading

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Stefanie Powers loved to travel more than act

By Ray Bennett LONDON – I spoke to Stefanie Powers, who turns 80 today, a few times on the set of her hit TV series ‘Hart to Hart’ with Robert Wagner (above) but my favourite encounter with her was an … Continue reading

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There’s always a Ray in the movies

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.

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Why Roger Moore did not become a bank robber

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Roger Moore, who was born on this day in 1927, told me that really he was a frustrated bank robber. ‘It’s only fear that’s stopped me from robbing banks,’ he said. ‘I’d get caught. That’s why … Continue reading

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Recalling … Jackie Collins, ‘me too’ before ‘me too’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Novelist Jackie Collins, who was born 85 years ago today, wrote about the problems women faced in Hollywood long before the ‘me too’ movement came along. Younger sister of Joan Collins, she was known for … Continue reading

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Sacheen Littlefeather: Apache with a great sense of humour

By Ray Bennett LONDON  – Sacheen Littlefeather, who has died of cancer aged 75, was known as a very serious social activist on behalf of  Native Americans but she had a great sense of humour, especially regarding her upbringing and … Continue reading

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Recalling Rory Calhoun: car thief, jailbird, movie star

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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Composer Lalo Schifrin on fads and favorites

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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How ‘Oz’ made Judy Garland a legend

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

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