20 David Niven movies you should see

Posted on March 1, 2015 by admin

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By Ray Bennett

David Niven, who was born 105 years ago today and died aged 73 in 1983, gave Ron Base and me the best quote of all time.

The Oscar-winning British actor was on a book tour to promote his first memoir, the brilliant “The Moon’s a Balloon”, in 1972. Ron and I, who worked at The Windsor Star across the river, went to a Detroit hotel ballroom for a lunch – a hospital fundraiser – at which Niven was to speak. We were told we could interview him afterwards. Continue reading →

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When Mr. Spock invited me on a day out

Posted on February 27, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett

It was the familiar voice of Mr. Spock on the phone although Leonard Nimoy, who died today aged 83, at the time was soon to publish his defiant memoire, “I Am Not Spock”. Continue reading →

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Why vet and author James Herriot never got rich

Posted on February 24, 2015 by admin

James Herriot w: Don and Hector

By Ray Bennett

The stories of veterinarean James Herriot, who wrote “All Creatures Great and Small” and died 20 years ago today aged 79, remain immensely popular and they attract many tourists to Yorkshire but they did not make him a fortune. Continue reading →

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Director Robert Altman on building sandcastles

Posted on February 20, 2015 by admin

Robert Altman x650

By Ray Bennett

I love the movies of Robert Altman, who was born 90 years ago today and died on Nov. 20, 2006, because some are masterpieces and the ones that are not invariably have moments of wonderment and magic that occupy the mind. Continue reading →

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The time Jack Palance winked at me

Posted on February 18, 2015 by admin

The Professionals Claudia, Palace x650By Ray Bennett

Jack Palance, who was born on this day in 1919 and died on Nov. 10 2006, had one of the scariest physiognomies in movies but my favourite memory of him is of a wink. Continue reading →

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Why Jon Stewart should listen to Johnny Carson

Posted on February 13, 2015 by admin

Carson and Stewart

By Ray Bennett

Count me among those who will hate to see Jon Stewart walk away from “The Daily Show” and I wish he could have heard what Johnny Carson told me about his own temptations to quit “The Tonight Show”. Continue reading →

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My interview with rock star Gene Vincent did not go well

Posted on February 11, 2015 by admin

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By Ray Bennett

Rockabilly star Gene Vincent, who was born on this day 80 years ago and died on Oct. 12, 1971, had a huge influence on my musical tastes with ’50s tracks such as “Be-Bob-a-Lula” and “Right Here on Earth”.

I interviewed him in the early 1960s backstage at a music venue in Gravesend, Kent, called the Co-op Hall just a few years after the car crash in which Eddie Cochran (pictured below) died and Vincent and songwriter Sharon Sheeley were both seriously injured. Continue reading →

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The time I asked Robert Wagner about mortality

Posted on February 10, 2015 by admin

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By Ray Bennett

“What the hell kind of question is that?” It’s 1985 and I’m sitting with Robert Wagner, who turns 85 today, in his luxury trailer on the Warner Bros. lot where he was making the shortlived TV series “Lime Street”. Continue reading →

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Warrior Andy McNab loves a good story like ‘Mamma Mia’

Posted on February 2, 2015 by admin

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By Ray Bennett

Things you might know about Andy McNab: He was a highly decorated SAS soldier; he wrote the bestselling “Bravo Two Zero” about his time in combat in the Gulf War; and he writes action thrillers, the latest of which is titled “The New Enemy”. Continue reading →

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20 Gene Hackman films you must see

Posted on January 30, 2015 by admin

French Connection x650

By Ray Bennett

With most movie stars it’s not very difficult to sort out a Top 10 of your favourite films but Gene Hackman’s exceptional 40-year career has included so many terrific performances in such a wide range of films that it’s impossible. As the retired actor turns 85 today, here’s an extended list of Hackman films from his 99 acting credits that are even more watchable than most. Continue reading →

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