Monthly Archives: December 2022

Don’t mistake Anthony Hopkins for roles he plays

Posted on December 31, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – No one expects Anthony Hopkins, who turns 85 today, to be anything like Hannibal Lecter but he told me people do often assume he’s like other roles he’s played.  ‘I get a lot of people … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Interviews | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Don’t mistake Anthony Hopkins for roles he plays

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

Ted Danson’s epiphany in the African desert

Posted on December 29, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Ted Danson, who turns 75 today, has had an astonishingly successful career on television but there was a time when he wanted something else. After his sitcom ’Cheers’ became a massive hit in the early … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Recalling ..., Television | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Ted Danson’s epiphany in the African desert

Mike Hodges: a brilliant filmmaker and great company

Posted on December 21, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Mike Hodges, who has died aged 90, was one of the greatest British filmmakers but producers often didn’t know what to do with him. He made only nine feature films but they include four splendid … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Memory Lane | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mike Hodges: a brilliant filmmaker and great company

When Julie Taymor met Paul and Yoko

Posted on December 15, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Julie Taymor, who turns 70 today, is known best for creating ‘The Lion King’ among a long list of theatrical productionsi but her films are just as fascinating such as ‘Titus’, ‘Frida’, ‘The Tempest’,’ The … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on When Julie Taymor met Paul and Yoko

Charlie Rich loved the blues more than country music

Posted on December 14, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Charlie Rich, who was born on this day ninety years ago, was one of the biggest names in country music. His recordings of ‘Behind Closed Doors’ and ‘Most Beautiful Girl’ made him an international smash on … Continue reading →

Posted in Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Charlie Rich loved the blues more than country music

Stuart Margolin and James Garner: ‘a perfect friendship’

Posted on December 12, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Stuart Margolin, who died today aged 82, was one of the great screen sidekicks working regularly with James Garner. Traditionally, in film and on TV, there have been two kinds of heroes – loners and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Music, News, Recalling ..., Television | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Stuart Margolin and James Garner: ‘a perfect friendship’

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

Posted on December 5, 2022 by admin

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.

Posted in Film, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Recalling Little Richard, rock’n’roll’s greatest