Category Archives: Interviews

When John Williams asked for me …

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In 2000, John Williams, who turns 90 today, was named ‘Maestro of the Year’ at ShoWest in Las Vegas. He agreed to an interview with The Hollywood Reporter tied to that with one proviso. He wanted … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Interviews, Music | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on When John Williams asked for me …

‘Windmills’ and ‘Fields’ in ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Lyricists Marilyn Bergman, who died today aged 93, and her husband Alan Bergman won the best-song Oscar in 1969 with Michel Legrand for ‘Windmills of Your Mind’ from ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ but they owed … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Windmills’ and ‘Fields’ in ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’

Betty White on her TV shows, love of animals and a good pun

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Betty White loves a good pun. At least, she did when I had lunch with her when she was on ‘The Golden Girls’ in the mid-Eighties. This was her favourite at the time: Why are protestors always … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Memory Lane, Recalling ..., Television | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Betty White on her TV shows, love of animals and a good pun

Recalling John Gardner, a master of the spy novel

By Ray Bennett LONDON – John Gardner, who would have been 95 today, should rank with Eric Ambler, John le Carré, Len Deighton and Philip Kerr as a virtuoso of the serious British spy novel. He is known best now … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Recalling John Gardner, a master of the spy novel

When Adrian Lyne fled from a screening of ‘9½ Weeks’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – British director Adrian Lyne, who turns 80 today, is known for his provocative films about sexuality but a preview audience for ‘9½ Weeks’ made him run for his life.

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on When Adrian Lyne fled from a screening of ‘9½ Weeks’

Nick Nolte on learning to work sober

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Nick Nolte, who turns 80 today, warned me of the dangers that lurked in Los Angeles. The Iowa-born actor had an explosive impact playing rebellious fighter Tom Jordache in the hit 1976 TV miniseries ‘Rich … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Television | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Nick Nolte on learning to work sober

Why Robert MacNeill stopped getting angry about poor English

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Canadian newsman Robert MacNeill, who turns 90 today, shared my fascination with how English was used on radio and television. In 1986, the urbane and articulate co-anchor of the news programme ‘The MacNeill-Lehrer Report’  on … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Interviews, Memory Lane, Recalling ..., Television | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Why Robert MacNeill stopped getting angry about poor English

Mel Gibson, great filmmaker, shame about the demons

By Ray Bennett LONDON – I’ve spent time with Mel Gibson, who turns 65 today, and always found him to be genial, open and likeable even though he gave me a clue about his demons in an interview in 1984. … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Memory Lane | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Mel Gibson, great filmmaker, shame about the demons

Jack Elam on westerns, auditing, acting … and that fly

By Ray Bennett LONDON – With his blind left eye, American character actor Jack Elam, who was born 100 years ago today, made a perfect villain in hundreds of TV shows and feature films but he told me he was a better … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Memory Lane | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Jack Elam on westerns, auditing, acting … and that fly

Recalling Peter Cook and his effortless comedy

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Peter Cook, who died 25 years ago today aged 57, was the funniest person I ever saw and ever met. He was naturally, effortlessly funny but he was never ‘on’ in the way some comedians … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Recalling ..., Television | Comments Off on Recalling Peter Cook and his effortless comedy