PHOTO OF THE DAY : IT'S NOT ALL B/W IN JOAN'S WORLD!

This stylish shot by Bran Aris was taken for Joan's best selling book 'Joan's Way' ..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN'S A GOLDEN GIRL!

This stylish shot from the early 90's was taken for a magazine shoot.

PHOTO OF THE DAY : A LEGENDARY PAIR .. JOAN & DOLLY ..

This photo from the 80's features Joan with country legend Dolly Parton at an event in Hollywood..

PHOTO EXTRA : ELT N JOAN ARE IN THE 55 CLUB!

Joan had a lovely lunch earlier at Club 55 in St Tropez, where she caught up with old friends including Tracey Emin, Christopher Biggins, Ivan Massow and Sir Elton John.. Here is a lovely shot of Joan and Elton during their colourful lunch.. Thanks to Ivan for sharing this fab photo!

PHOTO OF THE DAY : THAT'S THE SPOT THERE DARLING!

This rare shot features Joan in makeup on set of one of her 50's films.. Not sure which one as no press release on reverse... If anyone out there knows, drop me a line!

DVD UPDATE : THE ROAD TO HONG KONG .. MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT .. REG 1 .. 2002 ..

This 2002 release from MGM Home Entertainment, features Joan's 1962 comedy caper 'Road To Hong Kong'.. The film is available on both Regio 1 and Region 2 with the same sleeve images... Featuring a pristine widescreen print in 1.66:1.. Special features include Original Theatrical Trailer .. English .. French .. Spanish Subtitles ...  92Mins ... Not Rated ....

EVENT UPDATE : 1ST SALON DE PRESTIGE D'ARTS ET D'ANTIQUES .. ST TROPEZ COCKTAIL PARTY .. AUGUST 25TH..

Joan and Percy shine at the Salon!

Joan with Massimo

Joan popped out over the weekend to attend her friend Massimo Gargia's cocktail party to celebrate the launch of the 1st Prestige Arts Antiques Fair takes up residence inside Salon Despas Jan, as previously the fair was an outside event set up in a tent in the parking lot of the port... Joan's other good friend Ivan Trump also made an appearance.. Joan was delighted to support the event as she is a lover of antiques and enjoys nothing more than browsing the many stalls and little shops all over the world for that certain something!

Joan's a fan of the Art life!



PHOTO OF THE DAY : THERE GOES THE OPPOSITE SEX JOAN!

This great shot features Joan with Dolores Gray in a promo shot for the 1956 MGM release 'The Opposite Sex'....

THEATRE FLASHBACK : LEGENDS ..THE SHUBERT THEATRE ,BOSTON ... MARCH 2007 ..

I was delighted to catch both a matinee and an evening performance of 'Legends' in March of 2007 ... Here is a signed program from the show featuring signatures from Joan, Linda Evans and Tonye Patano ...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : WANAMAKE A GOOD FILM JOAN?

This rare photo features Joan taking a break from filming the 1970 espionage thriller 'The Executioner', having a smoke break with director Sam Wanamaker ...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : THE CAPTAIN'S GOT A CRUSH ON JOAN!

This photo from 1983 features Joan as glamorous film star Janine Adams in an episode of the classic series 'The Love Boat', called 'The Captain's Crush' ....

60'S FOCUS : ROAD TO HONG KONG ...1962 ...

UNITED ARTISTS

Presents

ROAD TO HONG KONG
Starring

BING CROSBY as Harry Turner
BOB HOPE as Chester Babcock
JOAN COLLINS as Diane
DOROTHY LAMOUR as Herself
ROBERT MORLEY as The Leader WALTER GOTELL as DR Zorbb 
ROGER DELGARDO as Jhinnah
FELIX AYLMER as Grand Lama
PETER MADDEN as Lama
Cameo Appearances
PETER SELLARS
FRANK SINATRA
DEAN MARTIN
DAVID NIVEN
ZZA ZZA GABOR

Assistant Director - Bluey Hill  Director of Photography - Jack Hildyard B.S.C  Music by Robert Farnon
  Original Songs by Sammy Cain & Jimmy Van Heusen  Art Director - Sydney Cain & Bill Hutchinson
  Screenplay by Norman Panama & Melvin Frank  Edited by Victor Smith   Produced by Melvin Frank 
                                                             Directed by Norman Panama

A couple of con artists, Turner & Babcock become involved in the space race and a sinister group, known as The Third Echelon. While checking in for a flight to Hong Kong, they lift the wrong suitcase and instantly become involved with sultry agent Diane. She is assigned to pick up a top secret formula and mistakes Babcock for her contact! Mountaintop retreats! Underground headquarters! Space flights! plus a warble from Dorothy Lamour! It's a madcap adventure on The Road To Hong Kong!


(c) 1962  UA / MGM  91 MINS   B/W  REG1 & 2 DVD FROM MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT.


This was the seventh and final film in the very successful film series which starred Hope & Crosby and up to this film, Dorothy Lamour. But as it had been nine years since "Road to Bali", Dorothy Lamour was seen to be too old for the leading lady role and the producers decided to cast a younger actress. Dorothy was not even considered for the film and indeed only found out the film was to be made, after she read about it in a news article. She then contacted the producers to voice her dissapointment, but only after Bob campaigned for her to be cast in a smaller role, did they cast her. Although it also helped that many of Dorothy's fans had written to protest. But Dorothy was not too impressed with the script, as the role they gave her was so small, it was hardly worth the effort. But while Bob was rallying around Dot, Bing Crosby wanted a younger female lead and said at the time.
" I would like to see Bardot in the part. Mind you, I think she might be a little on the younger side for Hope! Filming is kind of difficult for someone at my time of life. I'm too old to get the girl and not old enough to be her granddad!"
Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren were also under consideration, but thankfully Joan won the role.

The film was shot at Shepperton Studios in London, which had to double for a variety of outlandish locations. Not only had the film makers to recreate Hong Kong, for which they hired 300 members of London's Chinese community as extras. They also had to recreate a Tibetan Lamasery, a distant planet and the underwater headquarters of the sinister Third Echelon. This set cost £30,000 alone to create. During the shoot, both Crosby, Hope and their families all lived at Cranbourne Court, a stately home near Shepperton. Joan was delighted with the oppurtunity to do another comedy role and as her Fox contract had run it's course, she was glad to be back in London. She was happy to be away from Hollywood as her relationship with Warren Beatty had become strained. Joan was also delighted to be back home at Harley House with her parents. Her mother had just had a serious operation and tragically would only have months to live. Joan however enjoyed making the film and really liked Bob Hope, she had worked with him on his TV show in 1959 and they got on well together. She was not, however too keen on Bing as she found him to be grumpy and rude! He was also a pipe smoker and he had terrible bad breath, which did not appeal to her as they both had kissing scenes together. The film also had many interesting cameo appearances. Peter Sellers played an Indian doctor and according to reviewers  was the hilight of the film! Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin appeared in the film's space outer space climax! As Joan was trying to forget about Beatty, she did find a discraction in another preformer.. One evening she accompanied her old Hollywood friend Robert Wagner to a performance of a hot musical "Stop The World, I want To Get Off" at the Queen's theatre in London. She became smitten with the show's star Anthony Newley and soon after they both became the Talk Of The Town! "The Road To Hong Kong" was a big hit at the box office and was one of the top ten hits of 1962. But as far as Joan's career, it would be a while before she made another film and had to contend with TV work. Still there is much fun to be had, with a bunch of veterans on The Road To Hong Kong!

Joan with Bob Hope.. Bing Crosby.. Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin

(c)  2010  Mark McMorrow..
  

PHOTO OF THE DAY : IT'S ALWAYS SUMMER WITH JOAN!

Joan attended the annual Cartier Summer Party a couple of months ago at Battersea Power Station, here she is with the Duke of Marlborough...

ON THE COVER : STORY .. JUNE 1983 ..

This cover is for a Dutch magazine featuring a lovely shot of Joan..

ON THE COVER : TV REGISTER ..NOVEMBER 1986 ..

This tv listings magazine features Joan with George Hamilton in the miniseries 'Monte Carlo'.....

PHOTO OF THE DAY : DARLING! YOU ARE NO OIL PAINTING YOURSELF!

As Dynasty season 9 will get a UK dvd release in November, here is a still featuring Joan and Stephanie Beacham from the season...

ON THE COVER : CARIBBEAN WORLD .. SUMMER 1994 ..

This cover from Carribean World mag features Joan when she was in Barbados to film her fitness and health video 'Secrets of Fitness & Beauty' ....

PHOTO OF THE DAY : LIFE'S NO FUN ON THE RUN WITH BEN AND JOAN!

This still from 1966 features Joan with Ben Gazzara in an episode of the popular series 'Run For Your Life'.. entitled 'The Borders of Barbarism'..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN'S THE TOAST OF THE ROAST!

As a tribute to the legendary Phyllis Diller who died earlier, here is a wonderful photo from 1985 featuring Joan with Phyllis, Anne Baxter, Angie Dickinson and Zza Zza Gabor at the Dean Mrtin Celebrity Roast for Joan....

ON THE COVER + .... MONACO - MATIN .. AUGUST 2012 ..

Joan appeared in last Wed issue of Monaco-Matin .. Here is the cover and article.. Sorry I don't have a translated version.. But there is a nice new photo of Joan..

VIDEO TRIBUTE : PHYLLIS DILLER 1917 -2012 ..

Sad to hear the comedy legend Phyllis Diller passed away earlier.. Here is a clip of Phyllis on Dean Martin's Celebrity Roast for Joan in 1985....

PROMO UPDATE : THE GREAT EXHIBITION TOP 100!

A few monthes ago I entered Joan in The Great Exhibition and she recently made the top 100 Great British.. Here is the poster just issued for her achievement.. Check out her page and vote at .. www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk/greats/joan-collins-obe/? search=1

PROMO UPDATE : HOLLYWOOD UNSEEN .. ROBERT DANCE . OCTOBER 2012 ..

I recently memtioned this new book out on October 24th 2012 compiled by Robert Dance, featuring photo's from the Kobal collection, with a foreward by Joan.. Here is an exerpt from it.
'This wonderful book brought back many memories of my endless hours in the studio stills gallery posing for countless photographers in a variety of 'turn em on' poses! Most people nowadays would be amazed that, when doing publicity for 'Land of the Pharaoh's' at the Warner Bros stills gallery shortly after I arrived in LA, I was imstructed to 'Bring your best clothes', in contrast to later years, actresses were not dressed, groomed and gowned by an endless entourage of stylists and it was quite normal for the star to either wear her own clothes, or the ones from her current film. Since I possessed few clothes, I brought my one full length strapless beaded gown, and a white one piece bathing suit. They were all photographed and often still appear in publications. Of course the studios sometimes did supply costumes for important dates in the public calender... For the fourth of July I had to wrap myself in the American flag and look patriotic. For Easter I posed beside a giant egg, white little fake chicks played around my feet and once I had to wear a much used Bunny suit.. For Christmas I sat wrapped in a Mink coat, in a sleigh pulled by several 'Reindeer', with a giant sack balanced on my shoulder from which gifts spilled out...

ONE OF THE IMAGES OF JOAN IN THE BOOK..

'Photographic stills were a vital part of an actor's life, most of the photographs in this book, some of which have never been seen before, were overseen by a protective studio system that by the early 1960's no longer existed..'
*** This is an extract from the foreward, a full version is in book**
(c) Joan Collins  June 2012..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN UP IN ARMS AS PHOTOGRAPHER SEE'S RED!

Joan looking stunning in her favourite red, in this 80's magazine shot..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN POPS OUT FOR A SPOT OF DINNER!

This lovely shot from the 70's features Joan on an evening out!

DVD UPDATE : ESTHER & THE KING .. RBC ENTERTAINMENT .. 2001 ..

'Esther & The King' is one of Joan's films that has never got an official release on dvd, since it was released on video in the 90's by Fox.. I must stress, this Australian dvd release, which is one of many, is also a poor one and the only reason  I am featuring it, is because it has a good cover! As I mentioned recently a German release is due in September, which promises a Widescreen print, so will see how good it is when it arrives! Watch this space! This release here from RBC features the usual washed out, full frame print.... So I wouldn't recommend buying, but for the cover only!

DVD UPDATE : SEVEN THIEVES .. FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT .. REGION 1 .. 2007 ..

Released as part of the Fox Home Entertainment box set 'The Joan Collins Collection' from 2007, this dvd features Joan's classic 1960 caper 'Seven Thieves' also starring Rod Steiger, Eli Wallach and Edward G Robinson... The disc like the other titles in the collection features a wonderful widescreen print, with a 4.0 Dolby Surround English soundtrack plus a Spanish mono tr release ..ack, with English, Spanish and French subtitles... The disc is also captioned.. It features the following extras.... Commentery by Aubrey Soloman .. Animated photo gallery .. Restoration comparison .. Original theatrical trailer .. Interactive pressbook .. Advertising gallery .. Vintage press ..  Region 1 release ..  NR .. 102 mins ..

60'S FOCUS: ESTHER & THE KING ... 1960 ...

20TH CENTURY FOX
Presents
A CINEMASCOPE PRODUCTION
FROM GALATEA FILMS

ESTHER & THE KING
Starring

JOAN COLLINS as Esther
RICHARD EGAN as King Ahasuerus
DENIS O'DEA as Mordecai
SERGIO FANTONI as Harman
RICK BATTAGLIA as Simon
RENATO BALDINI as Kiydrathes
GABRIELE TINTI as Samual
ROSALBA NERI as Keresh
ROBERT BUCHANAN as Hegai
DANIELLA ROCCA as Queen Vashti
FOLCO LULLI as Toblah

Assistant Director - Ottavio Oppo   Director of Photography - Mario Bava  Music by Francesco Lavagnino
 Art Director - G Giovannini  Screenplay by Raoul Walsh & Michael Elkins  Associate Producer - John Twist
               Edited by Jerry Webb  Costumes by A.M. FEA    Produced & Directed by Raoul Walsh

When the Kings immoral wife is murdered, he begins a search for a new Queen.. Esther, a sulty Judean peasant girl, happy and in love with a local boy, is chosen by the King to be his next Queen. But will Esther sacrifice her true love for her love for her people? Will the King enforce his power over her? Love & War! Murder & Betrayal... Surround Esther & The King!

(c)1960 20TH CENTURY FOX  109 MINS ..REGION 1 DVD FROM SYNERGY ENTERTAINMENT Region 2 from KSM/FOX

This biblical film, according to Joan had one of the worst scripts she had ever read and thought the film would be a bomb.. However she went to Rome to film this tale based on the bible stories which featured Esther, the Judean peasant girl. Although on viewing the film, she is one of the most glamorous peasants you will ever see! Joan's co-star Richard Egan, although American, learned to speak Italian during the shoot and could even hold conversations with the mostly Italian crew. Even though Joan hated the script, she could not afford to turn down another film and she needed the money. This was a truly international production, with the exception of Joan, Richard and Denis O'Dea, the rest of the cast either spoke their dialogue in Italian, French or Spanish. Joan was seeing Warren Beatty at this time, but he was thousands of miles away in New York doing a play. He began to bombard her with calls and telegrams and she did miss him.. Eventually she risked total suspension from the film and flew to New York, leaving the director with a headache. The news media got hold of the story and the headlines were not favourable, proclaiming...

" Joan Collins. Runaway .. Renegade Actress!"

Joan spent some time with Beatty and then quickly returned to Rome to complete the film.. Even though she loved the city, she was delighted to finally leave and return to Hollywood. Soon after her return, she got a call telling her to be ready to take over the role of "Cleopatra", as Elizabeth Taylor was ill and on the brink of death. Joan wanted so much to play the role of the Egyptian Queen, but she gave a sigh of relief when Elizabeth recovered.
Joan looks stunning in the film, but as she had predicted the film was a bomb and was savaged by the critics.

The New York Times .. Bosley Crowther ..

" The best to be said of this Chromo, is that it drives one more spike into the coffin of these synthetic biblical films."

The film today is noted for it's cinematography by famed horror director, Mario Bava, who is rumoured to have directed a good portion of the film, as legendary director Raoul Walsh was nearing retirement. Although not a classic, it is perfect afternoon matinee entertainment.

(c) 2010    Mark McMorrow..