Category Archives: Interviews

When Hans Zimmer worried about a gladiator’s kiss

Posted on September 27, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett Hans Zimmer will relax tonight at the Krakow Film Music Festival where a live orchestra will play his and Lisa Gerrard’s score at a screening of “Gladiator” but I recall a winter’s day in London almost 15 … Continue reading →

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TIFF 2014: A tale of three Equalizers

Posted on September 7, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett File under “it’s a small world”: I’m at my old pal Ron Base’s place in Milton for a Sunday brunch chatting with another guest, Hans Gerhardt, who ran the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto when it was … Continue reading →

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Here’s the original ‘Equalizer’, Edward Woodward

Posted on September 7, 2014 by admin

As Denzel Washington steps into the shoes of Robert McCall in “The Equalizer”, here’s what the original TV Equalizer told me about it in 1986. Edward Woodward died in 2009 aged 79. Hey, instigator! Hypnotizer! Extricator! No matter what you call him, … Continue reading →

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So long, Gentleman Jim Garner …

Posted on July 20, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett Three times I interviewed James Garner, who has died aged 86, once in a long phone call and twice on set in Hollywood, and each time it was because he agreed to talk about someone else.

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When Knowlton Nash became Superman at CBC News

Posted on May 26, 2014 by admin

Very sad to see that Knowlton Nash, who had a long career with the CBC and was the face of CBC News for more than a decade, died on May 24. He was 86. As the TV writer for the … Continue reading →

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Royal Opera House is ready for its close-up

Posted on February 7, 2013 by admin

By Ray Bennett When the BBC’s new Director General, Tony Hall, takes up the job in April, the broadcaster will get not only a former BBC News Chief Executive but also the man who has brought financial stability to one … Continue reading →

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Gregory Peck on finally landing his dream role: Abraham Lincoln

Posted on January 27, 2013 by admin

By Ray Bennett In 1982, Gregory Peck achieved a lifetime ambition to portray his idol Abraham Lincoln onscreen. It was a cameo appearance in the CBS miniseries “The Blue and the Gray”, which became the subject of a special issue … Continue reading →

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Learning about American English from Alistair Cooke

Posted on November 17, 2012 by admin

By Ray Bennett The BBC has made more than 900 of Alistair Cooke’s radio reports, Letter From America, available online and I am reminded of the one time I got to talk to him. Cooke was one of my heroes … Continue reading →

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John Williams on Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Hitchcock

Posted on August 30, 2012 by admin

By Ray Bennett John Williams celebrates his 80th birthday this year with concerts at The Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and the Royal Albert Hall on Oct. 19. He is celebrated rightly for his extraordinary work with Steven Spielberg … Continue reading →

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Recalling … Jimmy Edwards and Eric Sykes in Detroit

Posted on July 8, 2012 by admin

By Ray Bennett British comedian Jimmy Edwards sauntered into the lobby of the Pontchartain Hotel in Detroit an inch or two behind a magnificent white moustache, cane in hand and a Moss. Bros. light brown bowler atop his portly frame. January … Continue reading →

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