50's Focus : Decameron Nights
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
FILM FLASHBACK : DECAMERON NIGHTS .. 1953 RKO ..
50's Focus : Decameron Nights
FILM FLASHBACK : I BELIEVE IN YOU .. 1952 ..
50'S Focus - I BELIEVE IN YOU
Monday, May 29, 2017
PRESS UPDATE : GET SURREY .. MAY 29TH 2017 ..
Simon Cowell helps children from Surrey hospices 'feel like celebrities' at star-studded event
Youngsters and their families supported by Shooting Star Chase were invited to meet celebrities at The Dorchester in London.
- 17:23, 28 MAY 2017
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| Joan with Macauley at The Dorchester |
Sick youngsters from Surrey were treated to a star-studded day out on Friday (May 26) by music mogul Simon Cowell .
As well as being a judge on television shows The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent , Mr Cowell is also vice-president of charity Shooting Star Chase.
He invited 12 children and their families supported by the charity , at its hospices in Guildford andHampton , to visit The Dorchester Hotel in London for afternoon tea.
During their visit, the children enjoyed afternoon tea in the hotel’s exclusive Gold Room and helped themselves to goodies from a pick and mix sweet cart.
They were also treated to a performance by Britain’s Got Talent star Connie Talbot, who sang an acoustic version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Mr Cowell has supported Shooting Star Chase since 2003. He became vice-president of the charity in 2015 at the same time his partner, Lauren Silverman, became a patron.
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| Joan with Karen Sugarman |
“It’s a tribute to the children and their families, as well as Shooting Star Chase, that this is such an uplifting and unique event for everyone lucky enough to attend,” he said.
Karen Sugarman, director of fundraising for Shooting Star Chase, said: “It was a wonderful afternoon and we can’t thank Simon, Lauren and The Dorchester enough.
“Thanks to our celebrity friends for making each supported family feel really special.
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| Caleb and his mother Faye share a joke with Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman (Photo: Shooting Star Chase) |
FILM FLASHBACK : JUDGMENT DEFERRED .. 1952 ..
50's Focus - JUDGMENT DEFERRED
Sunday, May 28, 2017
FILM FLASHBACK : THE WOMAN'S ANGLE .. 1952 .
50's Focus The Woman's Angle
Saturday, May 27, 2017
FILM FLASHBACK : LADY GODIVA RIDES AGAIN .. 1951 ..
50'S Focus - Lady Godiva Rides Again..
Friday, May 26, 2017
EVENT UPDATE : THE SHOOTING STAR CHASE SUMMER LUNCHEON.. THE DORCHESTER LONDON.. MAY 26TH 2017 ..
Joan attended the Annual Summer lunch for Shooting Star Chase at The Dorchester earlier, always making an appearance were Simon Cowell, Arlene Philips and Julian Clary.. |
| Joan with Shooting Star's Karen Sugarman |
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
PHOTO UPDATE : THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW .. MAY 22ND 2017 ..
As the sun was shining today, Joan visited the always spectacular Chelsea Flower Show this morning, to peruse the exhibitions.. This special VIP viewing was also attended by Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders, with The Queen visiting in the afternoon..
Saturday, May 20, 2017
PRESS UPDATE : THE SUNDAY POST .. MAY 21ST 2017
Joan Collins says she’s still having the time of her life!
The Time of Their Lives is the latest film from Joan Collins, not a bad title for someone who’s been having the time of her life during her fantastic career.
Joan would be the first to tell you she’s had many ups and downs, but she always fights back and is never slow to smile.
“It’s true that I have had my share of disappointments and failures, but the secret is not to get morose and dwell on them,” she said.
“Learn from them, by all means, but don’t look back wishing you had done this or that. Look forward and focus on what you are going to do next.
“You never stop learning in life and should always be open to new ideas and new challenges.
“Never think you know it all and have seen it all as I can guarantee you don’t and you haven’t.
“Count your blessings, too. I have a career that goes back more than 60 years and it’s had its disappointments, but many more great experiences and fun.
“You can only get back what you put in. So many people want to be celebrities these days — and why not?
“The trouble is that not so many seem to want to put the real work in — all that time at drama school and training for this or for that.
“If you look at the careers of all the great movie stars, they all did their apprenticeship and worked hard for a number of years, often doing the most menial of jobs to keep themselves going.
“They had the talent, but it had to be honed and that’s what the hard work in training achieves.”
Joan was born in Paddington in 1933. Her father was well-known theatrical agent Joe Collins and her mother was Elsa, a dance teacher.
Surrounded by the entertainment world and regularly meeting so many famous people meant that there was no way Joan was going to have an ordinary life.
“I don’t think I wanted any other sort of life,” she said. “I took to it like the proverbial duck to water.
“I made my stage debut when I was nine at the Arts Theatre in A Doll’s House.
“That was just the start, though, as it was made sure I did the full training.
“If this was going to be my career and my life, I had to know how to do
It is incredible to think she’s made nearly 70 films during her career as well as hundreds of TV appearances and roles, probably none more important than Alexis Carrington in Dynasty in the 80s.
“What a great character she was,” said Joan. “Just about all the characters in Dynasty were charismatic, but Alexis was really great and I loved playing her.
“She was witty and dangerous, two deadly attributes.
“I still get fan mail about her, so she must have made a mark. She did with me, it was a wonderful role and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
The diversity of her roles has always meant something to Joan, who has a great sense of humour and does not mind sending herself up. That is why she has played such a diva character in a couple of TV commercials.
“You should never think more of yourself than you can really justify,” she said.
“If you are willing to laugh at others, you must be even more willing to laugh at yourself.
“That is one of the appeals of the latest film. I might get to play the actress, but it’s not really a glamour trip.
“I was pleased it came my way as it was fun to do, great to work with Pauline Collins and the rest of the team and it was nice to be asked.
“I’m not one of those actresses who moans that there are no roles for older women.
“The roles are there, it’s just that they are usually offered to the same small group of actresses.
“Normally, the script goes first to Helen Mirren, then to Vanessa Redgrave then to — I don’t know who — then it would get to me.
“I think I got first call this time. It is quite a clever script and funny.
“An old actress trying to make a comeback. That’s great. It wasn’t about me and I don’t think I have ever had to make a comeback, but it was still a part I enjoyed very much.”
Make no mistake, Joan Collins is an actress of the highest calibre.
That is why she has countless other awards and nominations including a Golden Globe.
She’s also had a few marriages, but has happily been at the side of Percy Gibson since becoming his wife in early 2002.
“We work well together,” she said. “I like to be a proper wife at home and he’s a proper husband. We work as a team and we are very happy.
“He understands the business and I think that is important. You have to work as a team and we don’t have a problem with that.”
Life is not just about acting and film making, though, as Joan keeps herself very busy with many other interests.
While her late sister Jackie was famous as an author, Joan has also written many books and clocked up sales of more than 50 million copies worldwide.
She’s also an experienced stage actress, of course, and her one-woman show continues to pack audiences into theatres.
Add to that her continuous work for various charities and you can see that far from slowing down, Joan Collins is busier than ever. You can also understand why she was made a Dame.
“That came as a surprise,” she said. “I had received an OBE for my work in 1997 and that was a delightful surprise, too, but when I was asked to become a Dame, well, what a lovely gift.”
The DBE was mostly for her charity work. She’s always seen celebrity as a great key to helping others and never failed to support those in need.
“What is the point of being in the news unless you can put it to good use to aid those who need help and support?” she said.
With so much going on, how does Dame Joan manage to look decades younger than her 83 years?
“I take care of myself, make sure I get enough sleep and keep myself as healthy as possible, but I’m not a health freak,” she said.
“I like coffee and croissants for breakfast not a sprig of parsley. I’m not dressed up all the time like Alexis, but I like to be presentable, it makes me feel better.
“I also always do my own make-up whether it is day by day or for films. That was something that I really started when I was about 18.
“I had a great make-up man in Hollywood called Whitey Snyder — he worked with Marilyn Monroe and many others. He taught me how to apply make-up properly.
“If you feel OK about how you look you will feel so much better about yourself.”
Clearly, Joan has every right to feel good about herself — a new film, and still in great demand.
She really is having the time of her life.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
PHOTO UPDATE : JOAN'S IN THE FRAME FOR A FRAGRANT LUNCH!
It was a stylish lunch for Joan as she met up with friends photographer Mario Testino and perfumer Roja Dove at The Wolseley..
PHOTO UPDATE : LUNCHING IS ALWAYS FASHIONABLE FOR JOAN!
Joan had a wonderful lunch at Colbert's, catching up with old friend designer Bruce Oldfield.. No doubt chatting about all the glamour of the 80's.
ON THE COVER : THE WEEKLY NEWS MAY 17TH 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
TV UPDATE : GOOD MORNING BRITAIN .. ITV1 MAY 16TH 2017 ..
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| Joan with Piers & Susanna |
Joan made an appearance on Good Morning Britain to remember the much missed Jackie Collins, whose collection of wonderful jewellry and art works go under the hammer at Bonhams in Los Angeles on May 16th & 17th.. Check out the unmissable items from the Legendary Jackie here.. Jackie Collins - A Life In Chapters!
PRESS UPDATE : THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR .. MAY 16TH 2017 ..
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| Jackie with Rory, Tiffany & Tracey |
Late Jackie Collins held on for sick daughter
Jackie Collins' daughter Rory Green believes that her mother was determined to live long enough to know that she had been given the all-clear from breast cancer.
The English romance novelist passed away in September 2015 at the age of 77 from the same disease her youngest child Rory had been battling.
Jackie - the sister of actress Joan Collins - had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer six years earlier, but Rory's own tumor was operable and she is certain her mum clung on to life until Rory had been told she was cancer-free.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Rory said: "Mum waited to know I was in the clear before dying. It was as though she couldn't really let go until she'd had that confirmed."
One of Jackie's dying wishes was that her beloved possessions were auctioned off for charity.
Most of the contents of her Beverly Hills house - which fetched $21 million last year - are being sold at an auction which begins at Bonham's in Los Angeles on Tuesday (16.05.17), and include her extensive jewelry collection, the highlight being a pear-shaped diamond and platinum ring, statues, artworks and her champagne colored 2002 Jaguar XKR car.
Rory, insists she and her two sisters, Tiffany and Tracy are not saddened to see their mother's treasured possessions sold.
Rory - who, along with Tiffany, are Jackie's offspring with her second husband Oscar Lerman, while Tracy's father is the writer's late first spouse Wallace Austin - explained: "Actually, it's not heartbreaking for us. We rather love the idea of her energy being dispersed. And mum did request the action herself."
And Rory has revealed that her mother - who was an avid collector of jewelry - wanted all the money raised to help empower women.
Rory said: "She wanted all these things that she loved to have a new lease of life elsewhere, and she wanted the proceeds to go towards charities and institutions supporting the empowerment of young women in the arts. Because she knew how hard it was to be a woman in the Fifties and Sixties, trying to make a name for herself in a man's world, and she made sure we all grew up with the mantra 'girls can do anything.'"
Jackie published 32 best-selling novels in her lifetime, with more than 500 million copies sold in 40 countries and would always buy herself a gift in celebration of completing a novel.
Rory said: "She would always celebrate the completion of a book by buying herself a present. And she had a real affinity with big cats, which she saw as a symbol of power."
And another of her collecting passions was shells and matchbox cards.
Rory added: "Also, since our mother never did anything in small measures, there was so much of everything. Goodness, the sheer scale of it all! She used to collect shells and matchbox cards, and then when we were little she would fill our rooms with lovely little Snoopy ornaments.
Monday, May 15, 2017
PHOTO UPDATE : JOAN FINDS THE BAFTAS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!
Joan was delighted to meet up with friend Jennifer Saunders at The Bafta Television Awards backstage at The Royal Festival Hall on Sunday evening. They last worked together on the recent 'Absolutely Fabulous The Movie'.. Thanks to Alyn Waterman for sharing this super shot!
Sunday, May 14, 2017
EVENT UPDATE : BAFTA TELEVISION AWARDS 2017 .. THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL .. MAY 14TH BBC1 8:00PM
Joan attended the Bafta TV Awards 2017 held at The Royal Festival Hall where she presented Best Entertainment Award to Ant & Dec.. Watch the ceremony on BBC1 at 8:00pm tonight! |
| Joan with Ant & Dec |
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| Joan with agents Jonathan Shalot, Stuart Piper, Percy & makeup designer Alyn Waterman |
Monday, May 8, 2017
COMING SOON! THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES .. AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND RELEASE .. JUNE 22ND 2017
For those in Australia & New Zealand, you will get your chance to have The Time of Your Lives on June 22nd when the film will get a general release from Rialto Distribution..
Sunday, May 7, 2017
EVENT UPDATE : AN AMERICAN IN PARIS .. DOMINION THEATRE LONDON.. MAY 4TH 2017 ..
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| Joan meets Robert Fairchild & Leanne Cope with Nick, Tara & Percy |
Joan attended a performance of the latest hit West End musical 'An American In Paris' at London's Dominion Theatre.. Previously a hit on Broadway, Joan who also attended it's American run, enjoyed the show so much, she simply had to see it again.. The show based on the classic MGM film which starred Joan's good friend Hollywood legend Gene Kelly along with Leslie Caron.. The London run stars Robert Fairchild, Leanne Cope, Zoe Rainey and Jane Asher... |
Thursday, May 4, 2017
EVENT UPDATE : JACKIE COLLINS - A LIFE IN CHAPTERS .. BONHAMS BOND STREET LONDON .. MAY 3RD 2017 ..
Joan attended a Private VIP Preview party at Bonhams in Bond Street to showcase items from the forthcoming auction of items from Jackie's estate, which will go under the hammer at Bonhams in Los Angeles on May 16th & 17th.. Among the guests were Christopher Biggins, Julian Clary, Glynis Barber & Michael Brandon, Eve Pollard, Liz Brewer, Nancy Dell'ollio, Shakira Caine and Joan's children Tara, Katy & Sacha and Jackie's daughgter Rory among others.. |
| Joan arrives at Bonhams |
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| Joan with Katy & Tara |
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| Joan with Shakira Caine |
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| Glynis Barber & Michael Brandon |
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| My friend Glen Knott with Joan |
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| Joan with Biggins |
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Myself with Joan |