EVENT WRAP: NEW YORK CITY FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS ROUNUP..

EXCLUSIVE!! CHARLES CASILLO INTERVIEW ON JOAN & FETISH EXCLUSIVE!!

FRANCESCA FURGETS HER TROUBLES WITH THE HELP OF DARIUS!

FETISH POSTER

CHARLES COMES FACE TO FACE WITH AN OLD FRIEND AT THE LA SHORTS FEST

To coincide with the exciting news that Joan has won best actress for her role in "Fetish" at last nights awards gala at the New York City International Festival, here is another chance to read this exclusive interview with Charles Casillo, who as well as writing the screenplay for "Fetish", he is also Joan's co-star in the independent film, directed by Matthew.J.Pellowski. ,
Charles! I am really looking forward to seeing "Fetish", can you give us an idea of what to expect?

JOAN & CHARLES ON SET FILMING CHAT SHOW SCENE WITH DIRECTOR MATTHEW.J.PELLOWSKI

C.C." It is a dark comedy about a legendary actress on the skids, who is a constant target of bad press, always in the tabloids and is trying to redefine her image for a comeback. She appears on a late night talk show, where she becomes "cozy" with the host in a bid for a comeback. Joan herself described the screenplay as a cross between "Sunset Blvd meets "David Letterman" via "The Twilight Zone"!"
It sounds fabulous Charles, when you were writing the screenplay did you have Joan in mind for the role of Francesca Vonn?

CHARLES & JOAN ...

C.C.." I wasn't thinking of any actress in particular for the part, while I was writing the role. The character is really a composite of all those kooky actresses today, you read and hear about...addicted to drugs and alcohol and plagued by one scandal after another and who are known more for their personal lives, than their current movie careers. Once the script was finished, I knew it would take a special actress who could be very comical and over-the-top one moment and subtle, tragic and vulnerable the next..yet maintaining a glamorous charisma throughout. I immediately thought of Joan! There is really no actress today that equals her when it comes to combining classic Hollywood glamour and beauty with a contemporary hip and sexy personality."
Charles, yes I agree, there is very few actresses like Joan!
C.C .. "My producer Kelvin Dale and I put together a short list of five actresses, we thought would be right for the part, as knowing Hollywood as I do, we were not sure who would be available. But Joan was on top of the list and as soon as she expressed an interest, I immediately knew I need look no further! Now that the film is complete, we cant imagine anyone else in the part!"
Charles, you also are a best selling author with "The Fame Game" and "The Marilyn Diaries", had Joan read your books?

ON SET OF FETISH

C.C..." Before I met her in Los Angeles, I sent her a copy of "The Fame Game" along with the "Fetish" script. She was in the middle of reading "The Fame Game", when I met her for lunch to discuss her appearing in "Fetish". One of the first things she said to me as we slid into the booth at the restaurant is "I am enjoying your novel!" So when we met again the following week in New York, to meet with the director, I gave her a signed copy of "The Marilyn Diaries", which she read over the holidays, before we began shooting "Fetish"."

JOAN as FRANCESCA with CHARLES as DARIUS IN FETISH

Charles, I loved your novels and I wondered what you have in mind for your next project, be it another novel or a screenplay?
C.C..." Now that I've been bitten by the film bug, I really want the next part of my career to be all about making movies. I want to write and act. So for the time being, I have put my book career on the back burner. I am working on a script for Lindsay Lohan, which I hope will get her career back on track. I then plan to write a screenplay based on "The Fame Game", in fact Joan and I have talked about her taking a role in the film of "The Fame Game". Frankly Joan would be welcome to a part in all of my future films! She is a dream to work with and she adds value to any production.""
Charles, you are obviously a great admirer of Joan's, as I am, did you find it an awe inspiring experience working with such an icon?

CHARLES IS SHOULDER PAD TO SHOULDER PAD WITH JOAN!

C.C..." All the while we were in pre-production, I was on the phone with Joan quite a bit, talking about the character, the mood of the script, the wardrobe, the actual making of the movie. Then during rehearsals we were constantly exchanging ideas with the director, Matt Pellowski. So at first it was like working with any dedicated, passionate actress who is completely "into" the work. But I remember just before we shot our first scene together, we were rehearsing in her dressing room and I had a mini meltdown! I was like, "Oh My God! I am about to shoot a scene with THE JOAN COLLINS!"
I am a total movie buff, so it had a really deep emotional meaning for me. I said, "Gee, Joan! I'm a little nervous." I acted like an ass, actually! She immediately put me at ease. She said, "Nonsense." Once we began shooting the scene, which took place inside a limousine. I instantly got wrapped up in the intensity of working with her and it was marvelous!."
Charles, it can be nerve inducing just meeting your idols, let alone having to work with them. Now that the film has wrapped, what plans do you have for it?
C.C... "We are just in the beginning stages of entering it into the high profile film festivals all over the world.
Would love to see it at the London Film Festival! "

JOAN & CHARLES ON SET FETISH

Charles, I am sure with Joan as star, you will get plenty of publicity and much interest. I am so looking forward to seeing it, as is all the readers and we wish you as much success as possibly can be had with the film! Thank you Charles for sharing this interview with the blog!
The photo's shown are candid shots of Joan and Charles on set of "Fetish" and thanks to Charles for sharing these!
(c)   2010 ..   Mark McMorrow...

PROMO UPDATE : TAXI (FIT) FOR AN ACTRESS!!

Continuing the fabulous campaign for Alexis Bittar, Joan features in a new poster campaign and she also appears in Cab form, whizzing around New York City with a birds eye view of everything with hair in full flight.. So if you are in the New York area..keep your eyes open as Joan could be whizzing by you any moment!!

CELEBRATE!! JOAN WINS BEST ACTRESS!!

CHARLES & MATTHEW ACCEPTS THE AWARD ON JOAN'S BEHALF...

Delighted to report that Joan was named Best Actress for her role as Francesca Vonn in the independent film "Fetish" at last night's New York City International Film Festival Gala Awards... Joan was unable to attend as she on her way to Rome, but great news and I am sure she is delighted.. She did tape an acceptance speech in which she was so delighted to get the opportunity to work on the film with the talented actor/writer Charles Casillo and director Matthew J Pellowski..

 Festival producer Robert Rizzo commented that he was "blown away by Joan's tender, lonely performance"..He said the festival judges were stunned by her performance, which is totally different that they expected of her...
. Joan also announced a new book in the works called "The World According To Joan".. So we all look forward to that... Congratulations Joan..Enjoy your trip to Rome and your cruise!

TV FLASHBACK : TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED : NECK .. 1979

ANGLIA TELEVISION
 Presents

TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED

Introduced by ROALD DAHL .

PRESS BROCHURE

 NECK 
Starring

JOAN COLLINS as Lady Natalia Turton
MICHAEL ALDRIDGE as Sir Basil Turton 
SIR JOHN GIELGUD as Jelks 
PETER BOWLES as Major Jack Haddock 
CARMEN SILVERA as Carmen La Rosa 
PAUL HERZBERG as John Bannister 

Story by Roald Dahl ..... Teleplay by Robin Chapman ...  Music By Ron Granier .. 
  Produced by John Rosenberg ... Executive Producer .. Sir John Woolf .. Directed by Christopher Miles ..

Lady Turton rules the roost of her husbands publishing empire, not to mention their country mansion..While Sir Basil has an eye for art, Lady Natalia has an eye for young men! But when Sir Basil has to make a choice, his wife or his art...who will get the axe? When it comes to the chop...who will get it in the Neck!! 

JOAN & JOHN SIGNED

LADY TURTON GET FRIENDLY WITH HER HOUSEGUEST

This now classic mystery/suspense series ran for nine seasons from 1979 to 1988 and attracted a high caliber of guests.. This episode was the first of three, that Joan filmed , "Neck" been the most remembered. The series first began with introductions by celebrated writer Roald Dahl, whose stories featured in the early episodes. Later on the series featured stories by different authors and Dahl no longer introduced the series...

WHO GETS THE AXE!

PETER BOWLES GETS AHEAD!

NATALIA IS DUMBFOUNDED!

Joan had filmed the highly rated Noel Coward adaptation "Fallen Angels" for Anglia and it's head Sir John Woolf asked Joan if she would like to appear. She was more than delighted to take the role and even more so with the casting of one of her favourite actors Sir John Gielgud...John played the crafty old butler Jelks, to Joan's typical bitchy maneater Lady Turton.. Joan loved working with him and was intrigued by his sharp wit and tales of theater-land.. Sir John was equally enamored with Joan as he commented..." Joan is a very professional actress and we got along extremely well together, in fact she was quite perfect in the part..of course people expected some kind of cataclysmic happening with Joan and I working together.."

THE CAST SIGNED

MARTINI MADAM!

Both Joan and John are excellent in the episode, incidentally  Michael Aldridge who plays the diddering Sir Basil also appeared with Joan in "Fallen Angels".. The episode was directed by Christopher Miles who would team up again with Joan for the 1998 film "The Clandestine Marriage"... Will feature Georgy Porgy tomorrow!!

EVENT ALERT! NEW YORK CITY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS!

Tonight in New York at New World Stages is the closing night gala awards show for the 2010 New York City International Film Festival. Good Luck To Joan who is Nominated for Best Actress for her role as Francesca Vonn in "Fetish"... Joan cant be there tonight, but if she wins she has taped a short message.. Fingers crossed for her! Good luck to Charles and all the team..  The Awards show is from 7.00 to 9.00... Watch this space...

TV FLASHBACK : LENNIE & JERRY ... 1978

JERRY STEVENS .. JOAN .. LENNIE BENNETT ..

CHE & RAY

HENRY COOPER

When Morecambe & Wise left the BBC, the network sought to replace them and signed up popular comedian Lennie Bennett and his sidekick Jerry Stevens for their own show "Lennie & Jerry", later called "The Lennie & Jerry Show". This Saturday night variety sketch show followed the same format as "The Morecambe & Wise Show" and featured guest stars every week. Joan appeared in an 1978 show with other guests Che & Ray and Henry Cooper.. The show also featured Alyn Ainsworth and his Orchestra.

EVENT FLASHBACK : JOAN'S A BOND GIRL!!

Here is a rare photo that I took of Joan and 007 George Lazenby at Autographica 13 in Birminghan in 2009.. George dropped over to Joan's table to say hello.. They had worked together many years ago on an commercial...

EVENT ALERT! FETISH IN FLORIDA!

It was just announced that "Fetish" will be featured in the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival which is held from October 22nd to November 11th.. This 25th Anniversary event features over 100 films from all over the world and filmmakers and stars walk the red carpet in true Hollywood style..Maybe Joan can teach them a thing or two when it comes to Star Style!  Watch this space!!

ON THE COVER : PHOTOPLAY ... NOVEMBER 1979 ...

This cover features Joan, heralding an article entitled "The Woman Joan Collins wants to exorcise!".. Joan was trying to get away from "The Bitch" image that had sprung up after the success of "The Stud".. Little did she know that a bigger Bitch was looming on the horizon!

TV FLASHBACK : BERNIE ... JANUARY 1980

THAMES TELEVISION
 Presents

 BERNIE 
Starring 

JOAN & BERNIE (SIGNED)

BERNIE WINTERS & SHNORBITZ 

Guests...

JOAN COLLINS
JULIE DAWN COLE
GLYNN EDWARDS
VALERIE MINIFE
MICHAEL STAINTON

BERNIE .. MIKE & SHNORBITZ

BERNIE & JOAN KEEP IT UNDERCOVER

JOE COLLINS with MIKE & BERNIE

In the 50's a popular comedy double act were brothers Mike & Bernie Winters, whose agent was none other than Joe Collins, Joan 's dad. The brothers had a successful act right up to the 70's, but then they both had a disagreement and Mike went to America. Bernie went it alone and was signed up by Thames Television and was given his own show titled "Bernie", where he teamed up with a lovable St Bernard called Shnorbitz.The series consisted of sketches and various guests which also included June Whitfield, Liz Smith and Diana Dors.. The series began in 1978 and ran for 14 episodes and lasted till 1980. After the show finished, Bernie went on to present the popular "Whose Baby?" series and another called "Make Me Laugh". The brothers reconciled in the 80's, but never worked together again.. Sadly Bernie became ill with stomach cancer and died in 1991 at the age of 58....

JULIE DAWN COLE

 

ON THE COVER : VIDEO - THE MAGAZINE ...SEPTEMBER 1982 ..

This cover features Joan among others and is from the popular 80's video review magazine "VIDEO THE MAGAZINE"...I found this in a charity shop some years ago so it's condition is not mint.. but it was a great find!

TV FLASHBACK : FALLEN ANGELS .... 1974

ANGLIA TELEVISION
Presents

FALLEN ANGELS 

Starring
JOAN COLLINS as Jane Banbury 

MICHAEL ALDRIGE & RONALD FRASER as THE HUSBANDS with the Angels!

SUSANNAH YORK as Julia Sterroll 
SACHA DISTEL as Maurice Ducios 
MICHAEL ALDRIDGE as Fred Sterroll 
RONALD FRASER as Willoughby Banbury 
LALLY BOWERS as Saunders 

Produced by John Jacobs & Ron Kass 
Adapted for television by William Fairchild 
From the play by Noel Coward 
Costumes by Beatrice Dawson 
Directed by Donald Mc Whinnie


When Jane informs her friend Julia that an old flame, they both have secret feelings for is coming to town, the girls become frantic and with their husbands out of the way, how will they deal with the situation. Only heaven above can help those Fallen Angels!

THE ANGELS.. SIGNED BY SUSANNAH

 In 1972 Joan was still married to Ron Kass and he managed to secure the rights to some of Noel Coward plays in order to produce them for television. Joan had hoped he could secure her favourite play "Private Lives", but no luck with that. But she did love "Fallen Angels", a play that first was staged in New York in 1927 starring Tallulah Bankhead and Edna Best. With Ron producing, Joan was given the task of casting the production and she immediately knew Susannah York was perfect for the role of Julia. Susannah loved working on the production and instantly took a liking to Joan and they became the best of friends. I spoke to Susannah recently and even though she did not remember too much about the production side she had only praise for Joan.
" Joan is a superb light comedienne, it is a pity that through her career producers tend to think of her as a sultry sex symbol." Susannah also mentioned she remembered in the 80's testing for the role of Sable Colby on "The Colby's" and Joan been very supportive.  Joan also wanted the perfect man to play Maurice as she recalled..
" I thought Sacha would be perfect for the role, as usually in the past the part was played by a lesser known actor..I felt it extremely important to the plot as Susannah and I pend most of the play extolling the virtues of this divine Frenchman, with whom we both loved, by time the audience see him, he had to be to die for!"

JANE.. MAURICE & JULIA

SUSANNAH, SACHA & JOAN in rehearsal

SUSANNAH & I RECENTLY

JOAN as JANE

LALLY BOWER

                                                                  Screened over Christmas and was a big success. Joan was delighted that a good friend Beatrice Dawson was doing the costumes as Bea was one of the theatres best designers and had been a good friend to Joan's favourite actress Vivien Leigh. She scoured the antique shops looking for authentic twenties frocks and came up with some beautiful items..I watched the programme recently and it is a sparkling production and both ladies are excellent. Joan returned to Coward in the 90's with the BBC series "Tonight at 8.30",which will feature more on in future posts.. 

The cast in rehearsals