PHOTO OF THE DAY: JOAN SHINES IN A JEWEL OF A ROLE!

Joan looking sultry as the glamorous Cartier Rand in the 1984 comedy caper 'The Cartier Affair'....

EVENT UPDATE : LESLIE BRICUSSE BIRTHDAY PARTY .. HOLLYWOOD..JANUARY 29TH 2013

Joan attended her good friend Leslie Bricusse's birthday party last night in Hollywood, here is a lovely shot of Joan with friend Carole Bayer Sayer and friend Margie..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : STEPHEN LOSES HIS SHIRT TO JOAN OUT WEST!

Joan relaxes by playing cards on set of 'The Bravados' with Stephen Boyd and other members of cast and crew....

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN BACKS JACK ON A GREAT ADVENTURE!

Joan co-stars with Jack Palance in this still from the 1975 family film 'The Great Adventure'....

PHOTO OF THE DAY : IT'S A WRAP FOR JOAN & HARRY!

To celebrate taping the final episode of the current season of 'Happily Divorced', Joan attended the wrap party.. Here she is with British actor Harry Van Gorkum, who plays Fran & Peters grumpy neighbour on the show...

PHOTO EXTRA : STARRY JOAN SHAPES UP WITH NIKKI!

Joan currently in Hollywood threw a cocktail party for friends at her LA apartment.. Here is a lovely shot of Joan with good friend, 'StarShape' creator Nikki Haskell...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : MAX HAS A HOLD ON JOAN!

Joan looks sultry in this promo photo for the 1953 boxing drama 'The Square Ring', with then husband Maxwell Reed...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN GOT A HEAD FOR HIGH GLAMOUR!

Joan looks stunning in this 80's promo photo....

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN IS BACK WITH FRAN & PETER!

Joan has just finished filming her last appearance this season on TVLand's hit sitcom 'Happily Divorced'.. Here is a lovely shot of Joan on set with Fran Drescher and producer Peter Marc Jacobson..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN IS HAPPILY REUNITED WITH RENE!

Joan is  currently in Hollywood preparing to shoot her final appearance this season on the hit TVLand show 'Happily Divorced' starring Fran Drescher. Here is a lovely shot of Joan with her stylist and friend Rene Horsch as they prepare for the episode..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : AN ARTFUL POSE FOR JOAN!

This stunning shot from 2005 was taken for a magazine shoot and I can't recall if it was ever used. It was taken at Joan's NY apartment.. Here Joan poses by a portrait of Percy painted by Joan's talented artist son Sacha Newley..

TV UPDATE : THE TALK ..JANUARY 23RD 2013 CBS..

Joan looks sensational in red as she makes an appearance on CBS's top rated chat show 'The Talk' where she discussed her appearance on the hit TVLand sitcom 'Happily Divorced'.. Joan also discussed her Hollywood career and her encounters with legends such as Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman and Bette Davis.. Here are a couple of shots of Joan on the show...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : LIFE'S A BEACH FOR STYLISH JOAN!

Joan looks beach chic in this shot taken during a magazine shoot a few years ago, not sure of exact date...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : MICHAEL'S ON TO A WINNER WITH JOAN!

As a tribute to Michael Winner who died yesterday, I have reposted my article on his remake of 'The Big Sleep' in which Joan starred in along with Hollywood legends Robert Mitchum and James Stewart.. Here is a great shot of Joan on set with Michael..

70'S FOCUS : THE BIG SLEEP ... 1977

ITC ENTERTAINMENT
Presents
A UNITED ARTISTS RELEASE
From TRANS AMERICA CORPORATION
THE BIG SLEEP
Starring
ROBERT MITCHUM as Philip Marlowe
SARAH MILES as Charlotte Greenwood
JOAN COLLINS as Agnes Lozelle
RICHARD BOONE as Lash Canino
CANDY CLARK as Camilla Sternwood
EDWARD FOX as Joe Brody
JOHN MILLS as Inspector Carson
JAMES STEWART as General Sternwood
OLIVER REED as Eddie Mars
HARRY ANDREWS as Norris
COLIN BLAKELY as Harry Jones
RICHARD TODD as Commander Barker
DIANA QUICK as Mona Grant
MARTIN POTTER as Owen Taylor
DUDLEY SUTTON as Lanny
DON HENDERSON as Lou

Director of Photography - Robert Paynter  
      Art Director - John Graysmark
          Music by Jerry Fielding
               Screenplay by Michael Winner 
                    From the Novel by Raymond Chandler
                          Edited by Freddie Wilson
                              Executive Producer - Lew Grade
                      Produced by Elliott Kastner & Michael Winner
                                    Directed by Michael Winner
                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Private eye, Philip Marlowe faces his deadliest and most dangerous case when he is hired to find a missing person by a wealthy general. Murder and blackmail abound! Where no one can be trusted! But his toughest challenge is trying to keep his eyes open.. to avoid The Big Sleep!!
 (c) 1977 .. ITC.. 99 MINS .. Color .. Reg 1 DVD - LionsGate.
               Region 2 release - ITV Home Entertainment..

This 1977 remake of the Bogart and Bacall classic, is the second appearance as Philip Marlowe by Robert Mitchum. He also played the character in the 1975 remake of 'Farewell My Lovely'. This version of 'The Big Sleep', directed by Michael Winner, most famous for his series of 'Death Wish' films, is more faithful to the original novel than the Hollywood classic. The only considerable change is the setting of London, rather than Los Angeles.
Michael Winner recalled....
" Little known London locations have been used to create a sort of magical city.. that could be anywhere.. a timeless setting for Marlowe to crusade against evil and corruption.."
Joan however found the plot rather confusing and difficult to follow!
" The plot was so convoluted, none of us could understand what we were doing! Candy Clark and I used to sit down and try to work out who is doing what to whom! I ended up having three boyfriends in the film. Edward Fox, Colin Blakely and somebody  else!. I saw Colin at a party recently and he said to me...'Hello Darling! We were lovers in 'The Big Sleep', but we never had a scene together!'.. Michael has done a good job of reworking the original.. He also has a better cast, with the exception of Bogie and Bacall! But Mitchun is great as Marlowe, he is very laconic, has this brilliant wit.. A brilliant wit!"

The film was shot on location in London at various spots, including Avery Hill Park and Winter Gardens, Knebworth House and Kensington. A varied cast of screen veterans were assembled for the production, although many have only small roles. Hollywood legend James Stewart has a cameo role as the General and was not in good health. He was also hard of hearing and suffered memory loss at this stage, finding it difficult to remember his lines. 
Robert Mitchum quipped...
"This film is all about corpses. But Jimmy looks deader than any of them!"

Sarah Miles had a significant role in the film as Stewart's wacky daughter, Michael was only too aware of her reputation as a difficult star and was not surprised when she made a few demands of her own.
"Sarah played the General's daughter and we were shooting at Knebworth House, which acted as the Generals mansion. When Sarah saw the room that was to be her character's in the film she went ballistic!
' The room has to be white! It is white in the original film!'
I was amazed.. "Sarah! This isn't the original film. You don't get white rooms in a kind of English castle!" But she was adamant and we had to change the entire decor!"

Joan enjoyed making the film, even though she had only a few key scenes in it. She does however provide some of the more memorable moments in the film. Michael had asked her if she would abandon her wig and wear her own hair for the shoot. She agreed and throughout filming she assured him that she was not wearing a wig, even resorting to letting him tug at it! At the end of the shooting schedule, as she was about to leave the set for the last time, she stood at the side, shouted to him.
"Michael Darling!.... Whilst pulling off her wig, which had been expertly pinned down during filming. She laughed as she threw the wig at him!

Not well received on it's release, the film is an entertaining view and it is great to see a collection of genuine stars in one film, many of whom sadly are gone now. Well worth staying awake for!!

      (c) 2011  .... Mark McMorrow...

VIDEO PREVIEW: PIONEER'S OF TELEVISION.. TUESDAY 22ND JANUARY 2013..

           ****   Primetime Soaps Preview | Video | Pioneers of Television | PBS ****

Just a reminder that you can catch Joan on this weeks episode of 'Pioneer's of Television' which takes a look at 'Primetime Soaps'.. Also appearing are Larry Hagman, Diahann Carroll and Donna Mills.. Click link on top of post to see a preview of the show!

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN'S NOT STONES AT TERRY'S BASH!

While Joan was in Miami recently for Michael Caine's 40th wedding anniversary dinner, she also attended a birthday party for actor and producer Terry Stone who is producing her upcoming animated film 'Saving Santa' which is due for release in November this year.. Here is a shot of Joan with Terry at the party.. Thanks to Terry for sharing.. 

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN'S A HOSTS, BEST GUEST!

Joan made a guest appearance on Andy Cohen's popular late night chat show 'Watch What Happens Live' recently.. Here is a shot of Joan with Andy and guest Martyn Bullard.. Joan will be back on US tv next week, when she guests on top daytime talk show 'The Talk' on CBS this coming Wed, the 23rd!

TV ALERT : THE TALK .. 23RD JANUARY 2013 CBS ..

Joan is one of the special guest's on next Wedenesday's edition of The Talk on CBS at 2pm Met / 1pm CT/PT..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : ONE NIGHT.. AFTER WITH JOAN!

Joan enjoys a glass of wine after her show at Amsterdam's DeLa Mar Theatre in 2012, with friend Ivan Massow..

PHOTO OF THE DAY: HIGHT PROFILE JOAN ALWAYS A TOP GUEST!

This great shot features Joan at a party in the late 60's.. 

PHOTO OF THE DAY: JOAN'S A DAB HAND AT GLAMOUR!

Joan meets up with her least favourite cousin Sable Colby (off  in screen) in this scene from 'Dynasty' also featured is Michael Nader as Dex..

PHOTO OF THE DAY : FEARLESS JOAN LOOKS FURRINLY FAB!

Joan looks fabulous in this still from the 1978 crime thriller 'Fearless Fuzz' or 'Die Zuhalterin' as shown here. Joan plays Brigitte, a stripper with a sordid secret! 

EVENT UPDATE : ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN 2013.. BOOKING LINK..

As we are into the new year, just a reminder that tickets for all Joan's tour dates are now on sale and can be accessed from the following link on Joan's official website.. 
http://joancollins.net/OneNightWithJohn.html
Before anyone points it out, the link reads 'WithJohn'.. This is the way it was put on site!

PHOTO OF THE DAY : THE TRICK FOR JOAN WAS PLAYING SOBER!

This dramatic still features Joan in an episode of 'Police Woman' entitled 'The Trick Book'.. Joan played Lorelei who ran a prostitution ring and was a dangerous lush. This was Joan's 2nd guest appearance on the hit show which starred her good friend Angie Dickinson...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : YOU GOT IT HAND IT TO JOAN!

Joan looks sensational at a party a while ago with god daughter Cara Delevinge and Raquel Welch! 

PHOTO OF THE DAY: IT'S ALWAYS A VINTAGE TIME WITH JOAN!

This great shot features Joan visiting a winery in St Tropez for a magazine shoot.. This shot was not used..

PHOTO OF THE DAY: JOAN'S SO STYLISH WITH HER STYLISTS!

Joan is taking in the heat of Miami at the moment as she was in town to help good friends Michael & Shakira Caine celebrate their 40th wedding Anniversary with a special dinner at Prime 112.. Joan who staying at The Ritz Carlton also popped into the hotels Femme Coiffre Hair Spa for a consultation.. Here is a super photo of Joan in the salon with her stylists.

EVENT REMINDER : ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN.. LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE LONDON .. APRIL 2013!

Just a reminder that Joan will be returning to London's Leicester Square Theatre for 6 nights throughout April 2013.. All dates can be booked from the following link ...
https://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873486849/events

PHOTO OF THE DAY : A DOSE OF GLAMOUR THIS MORNING!

This shot from 2009 features Joan promoting her ITV special 'Joan Does Glamour' on 'This Morning'.. With Joan's UK tour of 'One Night With Joan' and her new autobiography 'A Passion For Life' coming up this year, it wont be long before she will be back on the daytime show...

PHOTO OF THE DAY : HANDS UP FOR A SHOOTING STAR!

Joan spent an afternoon earlier in the week at Fadil Berisha Studios to shoot some new promo shots.. Here she is with Fadil and his team celebrating the end of the shoot..

DVD ALERT : PIONEERS OF TELEVISION SEASON 3 .. MARCH 12TH 2013..

For those who wont get the chance to catch the new season of PBS's 'Pioneers Of Television' which returns on January 15th, will be able to buy the complete series of 4 episodes on March 12th.. Joan appears in the 2nd episode looking at 'Primetime Soaps' which features 'Dynasty', 'Dallas' and 'Knots Landing'.. Pre-order your copy here ..  http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=18096636&cp=&sr=1&KW=pioneers&origkw=pioneers&parentpage=search