CELEBRATING 70 YEARS! : REVENGE .. RANK ORGANISATION .. UK 1971 ..

 

THE RANK ORGANISATION

Presents

A Peter Rogers Production

REVENGE

Starring

JOAN COLLINS as Carol Radford

JAMES BOOTH as Jim Radford

RAY BARRETT as Harry

SINEAD CUSACK as Rose

TOM MARSHALL as Lee Radford

KENNETH GRIFFITH as Seely

ZULEIKA ROBSON as Jill Radford

ANGUS MACKAY as The Priest

GEOFFREY HUGHES as Delivery Man

BARRY ANDREWS as Sergeant

PATRICK MCALINNEY as George

Assistant Director - Stuart Freeman  Director of Photography - Ken Hodges  Art Director - Lionel Couch  Music by Eric Rodgers  Screenplay by John Kruse  Edited by Tony Paulk  Executive Peoducer - Peter Rogers

                                    Produced by George H Brown  Directed by Sidney Hayers

(c) 1971  Rank  89 Mins Color

When ten year old Jenny Radford is molested and murdered, her parents are determined to bring the murderer to justice. A hermit named Seely is the prime suspect, but is let out of police custody, due to the lack of evidence. Jim Radford, along with his son and a friend, abduct Seely and hold him prisoner under the public house he owns! Will the Radford family cope with the unseen presence and the tension that is mounting? Can they keep The Terror Under The House, locked Behind The Cellar Door?

Will they ever satisfy their thirst for Revenge?!

"Revenge" was the second of two films Joan appeared in for her old bosses at The Rank Organisation. She also appeared in "Quest For Love", which was almost filmed back to back with this release. Both films were produced by Peter Rogers, most famous for the "Carry On" series of comedy film. "Revenge" was set around a small town public house called "The Crown", with the interior of the pub constructed at Pinewood Studios, with great attention to detail.

Joan learning to pull a pint!

Joan with James Booth

The film's exteriors were shot at nearby Little Marlow in Buckinghamshire. The popular firm of brewers at that time, Bass Charrington provided the fittings and the booze for the production, with Joan having lessons in how to pull a pint! Joan's co-star James Booth was delighted to get the role of Jim Radford, as he previously was more associated with light comedy roles. 

 He commented at the time.

" Until "Revenge", nobody would take me seriously. But this is undoubtedly the best acting part I've ever had!"

Joan had just filmed "Quest For Love" and said of her role in "Revenge".

" "Quest For Love" was a different kind of film. This time there is no glamorous wardrobe by St Laurent or Dior! For the first time in my career, I found myself playing a publican's wife, a barmaid. I had never pulled pints i a pub before and I had great fun learning about life on the other side of the bar.
It was a fascinating part, quite unlike any other I've ever been offered."

After the film's release Joan commented on the film.

" Although it was not a box office hit or a work of art, an actor acts and a baker bakes and I needed the bread!"

USA video sleeve from 1980's

"Revenge" probably seemed daring at the time, as it dealt with the rape and murder of a child, but viewed today it can be best viewed as an entertaining slice of 70's sensationalism. While over the top in it's protrayal of it's subject, Joan is believable as the tough yet fragile landlady. The film was saddled with various silly titles in the USA , including "Terror From Under The House" and "Beyond The Cellar Door".

USA Title poster

'Revenge' has been released on video many times over the years under various titles 'Terror Under The House', 'Behind The Cellar Door', 'After Jenny Died' & 'Inn Of The Frightened People'. There has been a number of dvd releases most recently from Network which you can order here..

ORDER REVENGE ON DVD HERE!

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS! : THE PERSUADERS .. FIVE MILES TO MIDNIGHT .. ITC ENTERTAINMENT .. UK 1971 ..

 

ITC ENTERTAINMENT
Presents

As

ROGER MOORE as Lord Brett Sinclair
TONY CURTIS as Danny Wilde

LAURENCE NAISMITH as Judge Fulton

Guest Starring

JOAN COLLINS as Sidonie

JEAN MARSH as Nicole

ROBERT HUTTON as Frank Rocco

FERDY MAYNE as Sangallo

ROBERT RIETTY as Torino

IAN THOMPSON as Vasile

ROBERT GALLICO as Manny Howard

Directed by VAL GUEST

Danny Wilde a self made millionaire from the Bronx meets Lord Brett Sinclair, a member of the British upper classes on the French Riviera. After they become involved in a bar room brawl they come face to face with retired Judge Fulton. They have two choices, spend 90 days in jail or help him bring criminals to justice whom the court system failed in prosecuting...they decide to keep their freedom! They become two unlikely partners known as The Persuaders, seekers of justice throughout Europe. Their latest mission to escort the assassin of an underworld boss, out of the country, who for a reduced sentence promises to expose a crime syndicate. Along for the ride is the glamorous photographer Sidonie, who is beautiful, but certainly not dumb! Can they get him out alive? When there is still Five Miles To Midnight! 

Joan with Ferdy Mayne & the gang!

"The Persuaders" first aired in 1971 on ITV and then ABC in America and for it's time was the most expensive television series made for British TV at £100,000 an episode. Star Roger Moore was involved in the production from the start, but it took awhile to cast the role of Danny Sinclair. Rock Hudson and Glenn Ford rejected the role, with Tony Curtis finally accepting the part. But the series only ran for a season, while it was a hit in Europe and as far a Australia, it never caught on with American viewers. It did not help that the schedulers pitted it against the hit series "Mission Impossible". 

You got to hand it to Joan!

Joan had been friends with Roger for many years, ever since he was married to singer Dorothy Squires, as her father Joe was a theatrical agent and he represented Dorothy and then Roger. Joan is funny and lively in the episode as the trendy but eccentric Sidonie, however she does don a hideous early 70's wig!! Even though Roger was a gent to work with as expected, Joan found Curtis to be rude and arrogant and it did not help when he insulted her on the set one day. 

Tony's an unfriendly Persuader!

Tony recalled this story only recently as did Joan in her autobiography "Second Act". Any tension between them is not visible on screen, which shows how professional true stars really are whilst at work! Now a cult favourite.."The Persuaders" is certainly worth viewing today...

Daily Mirror January 1972

The Persuaders has been avaialble on dvd for some time, with a recent blu-ray from Network.. Joan's episode was avaialble on a single disc with another episode but this is now unavailable.. You can order the Network Releasing blu-ray at the following link!

ORDER THE PERSUADERS BLU RAY AT THE FOLLOWING LINK!

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS! : UP IN THE CELLAR / 3 IN THE CELLAR .. AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL .. USA 1970 ..

 

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL PICTURES
Presents

UP IN THE CELLAR

Reissued as

3 IN THE CELLAR

Starring

LARRY HAGMAN as Maurice Camber

JOAN COLLINS as Pat Camber

WES STERN as Colin Slade

JUDY PACE as Harlene Jones

DAVID ARKIN as Hugo Cain

NIRA BARAB as Tracy Camber

BILL SVANOE as Bert

JOAN DARLING as Krigo

  Assistant Director - Gary Grillo  Director of Photography - Earl Rath  Music by Don Randi

  Written by Theodore J Flicker  Based on the Novel "The Late Boy Wonder" by Angus Hall

         Edited by Richard Halsey  Produced by James H Nicholson & Samuel Z Arkoff

                                                       Directed by Theodore J Flicker

(c) 1970  AIP ..  94 MINS .. COLOR ..

When Colin Slade loses a college scholarship on the advice of the college computer, he appeals to the college president Maurice Camber's (Hagman), better nature.But when the politically ambitious, womanising Camber dismisses him, Colin sets out on a course of sexual revenge! Firstly seducing Camber's troubled daughter Tracy, then his astrology mad wife Pat and finally Camber's mistress Harlene! Will Colin's poetic justice be his downfall? Can there be room for one more liaison Up In The Cellar?

Joan with Larry Hagman & Nira Barab ( Caitlin Adams )

This 1970 comedy is definately a film of it's time, as viewed today it seems very dated, but still interesting. It is also a novelty in seeing two of TV's most famous villians in one movie, namely Larry Hagman (JR) and Joan (Alexis). The film although low budget has many unusual characters and was based on a novel by Angus Hall. It was shot on location in Las Cruces in New Mexico. The then Governor of New Mexico, David Cargo makes an appearance as an official. He also arranged of the demolition of a building for a scene in the film. The building had been cited for an urban renewal project. It was also the first starring role for Wes Stern, whose previous job was a hawker for The Merv Griffin Show, where he had to get people from the street into the theatre for the show. 

The director Flicker said of his young star.

" I chose Stern, because he is totally vulnerable. He believes in life and it's essential goodness. We of the older generation need him more than he needs us! That is why we must find and develop young actors who can express the humour, the problems and the truth of their age."

Joan with Wes Stern

He also said of co-star Nira Barab...

" She struck me as a girl, in total rebellion, angry, impatient with old values, bracing for a change. Beneath the surface, Nira is sensitive and quite spiritual."

Joan with Wes Stern off set in Juaraz

To obtain extra's for the film, Flicker came up with a novel idea! He organised a raffle with the prize been a plymouth car, anyone obtaining a ticket had to commit to been in the scene! They would be filmed in the Pan American Auditorium of New Mexico, for a protest scene. Both Joan and Larry appear in this scene, which gives Joan's character Pat a very funny speech to present, much to the horror of her husband Maurice! The raffle was success and provided the film with 3,000 extras! Joan found other interests during the shoot and while on a day off from filming, she accompanied Stern to nearby Juarez. There they both attended the local bullfight, the famed matador Jose Garcia El Charro, even dedicated a bull to her!

The film did good drive-in business as did most of American International's releases.

American International Press book with reissue title

As usual critics hated it...

NY TIMES..

" A tasteless, dull piece of idiocy titled "Up In The Cellar", is the latest satirical jape aimed at the campus front of the establishment. What makes it bearable is a genuinely funny, sharply defined performance by Larry Hagman as the symbolical villian of the piece, a mutton headed college president, who refuses to heed the outraged yelps of a campus poet. Director Flicker has done some fresh, interesting things, but this is not one of them! Joke for joke, it all goes down the  up staircase!"

Joan is very funny in the film and provides a good American accent and she certainly lights up the proceedings!

Apart from a couple of video releases in the 80's, 'Up In The Cellar' has not been released on dvd as of yet, hopefully it will surface at some point..

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS! : THE EXECUTIONER .. COLUMBIA PICTURES .. UK 1970 ..

 

COLUMBIA PICTURES

Presents

THE EXECUTIONER

STARRING

GEORGE PEPPARD as John Shay

JOAN COLLINS as Sarah Booth

JUDY GEESON as Polly Bendel

OSCAR HOMOLKA as Racovsky

CHARLES GRAY as Vaughan Jones

NIGEL PATRICK as Colonel Scott

KEITH MICHELL as Adam Booth

GEORGE BAKER as Philip Crawford

ALEXANDER SCOURBY as Professor Parker

PETER BULL as Butterfield

ERNEST CLARK as Roper

PETER DYNELEY  as Balkov

GISELA DALI as Anna

Assistant Director - Peter Price  Director of Photography - Denys Coop  Art Director - E.W Marshall

      Music by Ron Goodwin  Screenplay by Jack Pulman  From a Story by Gordon McDonnell

            Edited by Roy Watts  Produced by Charles H Schneer  Directed by Sam Wanamaker

(c) 1970  COLLUMBIA  111MINS   COLOR

When John Shay's latest British Intelligence operation fails as a result of Communist counter espionage, he is recalled to London. Shay then meets up with girlfriend Polly, who helps him in his mission to unmask the traitor who is working as a double agent! But when he meets an old lover, Sarah whose husband is a fellow agent, John risks losing his job, if not his life! From London to Athens, to the Isle of Corfu, Shay is travelling a fine line between death, in the shadow of The Executioner!!

This 1970 production had all the hallmarks for a great film and Joan had a major role in it, compared to her previous films like "Warning Shot" and "If It's Tuesday". She did however have reservations about it's star George Peppard who was known to be fond of the drink and a womaniser. Her fears were founded when he propositioned her after a party, she turned him down and he did not speak to her for most of the film shoot. He did not seem to mind the fact he had his wife and family with him in England as they had rented a Queen Anne house in Victoria in London. Peppard was the typical tough guy, he even worked as a rancher on his 13,500 acre spread in Northern California. He also learned to fly and got his license so that he could fly himself in the film "The Blue Max", in which he co-starred with Ursula Andress. Coincidently some years later he would be cast as Blake Carrington in a pilot for a series called "Oil".Of course that went on to be retitled "Dynasty" and after shooting much of the pilot, Peppard was replaced by John Forsythe, due to been difficult to work with. Lucky for Joan that he was!

"The Executioner" was shot on location in Athens, Greece, Corfu and London. While in Athens, for the first time in it's 2000 year history, the Acropolis was bathed in brilliant light from 

unset to sunrise, so that it could be used as a background in some scenes. Joan also had some difficulty with director Sam Wanamaker, as he wanted her to do a nude scene, that she was reluctant to do. However she did fare better in her clothed scenes as all her wardrobe was designed by Christian Dior! Other concessions the film received were in London, permission had been given by the Board of Trade to film in the Whitehall vaults, which were originally part of New Scotland Yard. The films other female star Judy Geeson was just getting back into films, as two years before she almost died! While on holiday in the West Indies, she became ill and lay in a coma for two weeks, before making a full recovery. Judy went on to work again with Joan in 1972's "Fear In The Night". Joan's marriage to Anthony Newley had ended and she was just forming a relationship with Ronald Kass, president of Apple Records. She would eventually marry him and find happiness for the next few years! 

 

While not a box office hit, it does have a great cast and wonderful locations, the critics were not too kind.

DAILY MIRROR .. Dick Richards..

" The Executioner is just another dreary reminder that espionage is a dull, dodgy and dirty
business.This film just hasn't got the bite, pep and ingenuity to keep people nibbling at their nails. Joan Collins and Judy Geeson are the girls, but I doubt if either of them could have turned on Peppard, who is too busy suspecting people, going through secret files, being beaten up and looking knowing!

Joan on set in make up

Spanish dvd release

Still the film is worth a look and Joan looks sensational in it..
A Spanish dvd release is available with a wonderful sleeve as shown above, however the print of the film on the disc is awful and fullscreen with the English audio out of sync..However a release available from Sony on demand features a wonderful widescreen release with an excellent print.. Both these releases are not currently available, but you can have a look at the sleeves!

USA release ..

PRESS UPDATE : THE SPECTATOR .. APRIL 10TH 2021 ..

 

Joan Collins

After London lockdown, LA is like Disneyland!

April 10th 2021 ..

When I arrived a month ago, one wouldn’t believe LA was suffering a major pandemic. The roads were still busy with fast cars, the freeways choked when we ventured on to them, all vehicles seeming to be dodgem cars, zooming across the lanes with ferocious abandon. There was a major accident recently in front of my building. I looked out of my window at a speeding sports car, which had been careening down the boulevard at 120 mph and had crashed into another expensive car (as well as a few others on the way). It had been cut in half and exploded into flames. Both drivers died. Sadly, there’s an epidemic of young rich boys playing speed games on the wide boulevards. I hear, from members of their social group, that their pathetic excuse is that because the clubs are closed and there is nowhere for them to go at night, this is how they ‘let off steam’.

The streets of Beverly Hills are similarly thronged with people, all dutifully wearing masks, as it is mandatory to do so outside. There is a wonderful feeling of freedom after being in lockdown for the better part of a year. People look happy and are delighted that shops and hospitality venues have started to open up again. Most restaurants and cafés are functioning with ingenious ways of making them Covid-safe. Some bistros are out in the open air while others are enclosed by thick plastic, with just a sliver of air allowed in. Customers wear masks to enter but remove them once they sit. Although it is suggested that no more than six people dine together, sometimes younger groups ignore this advice, and the restaurants turn the other cheek. After all, they need the money.

Joan & Percy arriving at Craig's

All restaurant staff, by contrast, still must wear three face coverings. A disposable paper mask serves as the base, which is then covered by a cloth mask and finally topped by a clear plastic visor — voilá! Le Masque Bombe. In a dimly lit restaurant, I felt like I was in a science fiction movie. The experience is only heightened when the waiter attempts to announce the specials, which is hopeless. It’s like being served by Darth Vader.

Nevertheless, each restaurant had its own original and charming ambience. As a devoted ‘eater outer’, I patronised restaurants several times a week pre-Covid; so, after London’s lockdown, LA was Disneyland for me. Our first dinner was at Craig’s, one of the most popular and trendiest spots in LA. The owner, Craig, had taken over his parking lot and transformed it into the sort of brown wooden barn that would not be out of place in a Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney musical. Instead of his usual suave lounge suit, he sported jeans and a western shirt, explaining that it befitted the casual look of his ‘saloon’.

The legendary Wolfgang Puck, whose restaurant Spago is famous world-wide, escorted us, George Hamilton and Alana Stewart (his ex-wife, with whom he’s close friends) to a cosy table beside a roaring outdoor fire. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the music soft jazz, and as usual the food was delicious, especially Wolfgang’s legendary pizza topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon and caviar.

Joan & Percy with Alana & George at Spago

The fabulous Beverly Hills Hotel didn’t disappoint either, as the outdoor garden Polo Lounge was open and thriving and looked exactly the same as usual. ‘We’re only 45 per cent capacity in the hotel,’ the manager Pepe informed us. ‘But we hope that European and British tourists will come soon.’ Since both Europe and the UK are locked down tighter than Prince Harry’s mouth regarding the royal racist, I admired his optimism.

The Grove is a fabulous shopping centre for tourists, with its magical musical fountain spouting in time to Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald numbers. It was thriving when I went shopping and lunching with my friend the stylist Rene Horsch. The big movie complex was still closed but I was delighted to find Barnes & Noble open, as well as most other stores, and I was able to browse at last!

Joan with Rene Horsch at The Grove

As America’s vaccine rollout continues apace and the infection and hospitalisation rates drop, in the very near future hospitality and retail are expected to return fully to normal. But sadly, there are an inordinate amount of homeless people and tents lining many of the roads; a stark reminder of the devastation that the pandemic and continued economic shocks have caused.

Crime, too, has spread like wildfire. Shortly after the kidnapping of Lady Gaga’s dogs, a shooting a block away from the shopping paradise that is Rodeo Drive shocked this august community. It appears some dimwit with more money than sense had just purchased a $400,000 watch and boasted about it on social media. He then told the world where he was having lunch. To no one’s surprise, the robbers showed up at the restaurant and in the struggle a gun went off, injuring a bystander.

The by-product of social media can be terrifying, inviting not only criminal activity but a digital version of the ‘pitchfork brigade’ that casts judgment on any opinion or activity one decides to share. Caught by the paparazzi on my first evening out, I was sad to see I had been trolled by Instamoaners about ‘breaking the rules’. I would like to point out I am allowed to travel for work and business, and my husband is American and allowed to travel back home.

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS! : DRIVE HARD DRIVE FAST! .. UNIVERSAL TELEVISION .. USA 1969 / 1973 ..

 

UNIVERSAL TELEVISION
Presents
A UNIVERSAL/PUBLIC ARTS PRODUCTION

DRIVE HARD .. DRIVE FAST!

Starring

BRIAN KELLY as Mark Drsicoll

JOAN COLLINS as Carole Bradley

HENRY SILVA as Deek La Costa

JOSEPH CAMPANELLA as Eric Bradley

KAREN HUSTON as Ellen Bradley

TODD MARTIN as Fielder

CHARLES H GRAY as Blonde Man

JOHN TRAYNE as Gerald Ives

FRANK RAMIREZ as Comandant Morales

BUDD ALBRIGHT as CIA Man & Chase Driver

MICHAEL CARR as Second Man

JACK DENBO as Mechanic

HAL HOOPER as Doorman

SOCORRO SERRANO as Maria

Director of Photography - Gene Polito

Edited by John J Dumas

Music by Pete Rugolo

Costumes by Charles Waldo

Teleplay by Matthew Howard  Story by John Thomas James

Produced by Jo Swerling & Roy Huggins

Directed by Douglas Heyes

(c) 1969 (Released 1973)   UNIVERSAL   88 MINS  COLOUR

Racing pilot, Mark Driscoll agrees to drive a beautiful lady, Carole Bradley home to New Orleans, from Mexico City, in her husbands sports car. Soon after they depart, they are constantly followed by psychopatic Deek La Costa. As well as tailing them, he can hear their every word, via a bugging device in the car. A dangerous cat and mouse game ensues, on a never-ending road! There is only one thing left to do ..... Drive Hard!  Drive Fast!!

Joan with Brian Kelly & Karen Huston

This TV movie was filmed in 1969, but was shelved by Universal until 1973 and even then it was rarely screened. Soon after filming, it's star Brian Kelly, who is synonymus with the classic TV series "Flipper", was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. The accident ended his film career, as he remained paralysed in his right arm and he developed a speech impediment. However he did go on to produce films, including the cult "Blade Runner."

The producer Roy Huggins and director Douglas Heyes had previously worked on the classic James Garner series "Maverick".

Lifes a Boa for Joan!

The film although interesting, is choppily edited and jumps from one scene to another, although this may be intentional! Joan looks wonderful in a variety of outfits and although always on the move, she manages to look elegant throughout. Henry Silva who plays the psycho in the film also appeared in "The Bravados" with Joan and Gregory Peck. There is not very much information on the production and other than a handful of rare TV screenings, the film is not available on DVD.. I managed to get a copy some years ago..

Joan with Brian Kelly