HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIRIAM..

Today is the birthday of another of Joan's good friends, the wonderful Miriam Margolyes, who was born today in 1941 in Oxfordshire. Miriam a veteran of many film and TV series, made her small screen debut in 1965 in an episode of "Theatre 625" called "Enter Solly Gold".. Miriam also won a Bafta award for her role in the 1993 film "The Age Of Innocence" She is rarely not working and has just completed two films.. "Harry Potter-Deathly Hallows 2" and "Legend of The Guardians". Miriam has worked with Joan in the 90's series "Tonight at 8.30" in the episodes "Means and Ways" .. and "Hands across the Sea", the featured still is from this episode and Miriam kindly signed it for me when I met her recently in London. Always a joy to watch, Happy Birthday Miriam....

FILM FLASHBACK : THE BRAVADOS 1958

This still from the western "The Bravados" features Joan as Josefa Velarde with co-star Gregory Peck. The film was directed by Henry King and will feature a full article on this in a future post..

VIDEO FLASHBACK : THE GOOD DIE YOUNG 1954

As I just featured my article on "The Good Die Young", I just decided to feature this UK video cover for the film that was issued by DD video in 2001. It does not feature Joan at all , thankfully the DVD release that followed awhile later did feature her on the cover..

JOAN SUPPORTS FIGHT FOR SIGHT COMPETITION

Joan is a patron of the charity Fight For Sight and she has lent her support to their new competition which invites people to submit their favourite view of London photo's. Joan chose the views over the river to the Houses Of Parliament. The photo is by Nic Barlow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKI!

Today is the birthday of one of Joan's very good friend's Nikki Haskell. Always one to brighten up the party scene, Nikki is also a successful business woman and she soon will launch a new line Starshape Diets Products and she is working on a romantic comedy!  Here are a few shots of Joan and Nikki partying!  Happy Birthday Nikki!!

FILM FLASHBACK : STOPOVER TOKYO 1957

This still features Joan as Tina in the 1957 Fox film "Stopover Tokyo" which also starred Robert Wagner and Edmond O'Brien. In the still with Joan is Reiko Oyama, who at that time was Japan's answer to Shirley Temple!  Will feature a full article on this film in a future post..

SSO EPS 5 JOAN IN YOU TUBE SERIES BY TARA NEWLEY

ON THE COVER : PALM SPRINGS LIFE DECEMBER 1982

This cover from 1982 features Joan in an elegant pose to herald the holiday season edition of "Palm Springs Life", which featured Joan inside modeling a variety of festive furry fashions!  This magazine first hit the stands in 1958 and it celebrates the hip and luxurious lifestyle of southern Californian and is read by celebrities and captains of industry!

FILM FLASHBACK : SEA WIFE 1957

This portrait features Joan in the 1957 Fox film "Sea Wife", where as you can see she plays a nun! Thew film also starred Richard Burton, Basil Sydney and Cy Grant. As with all daily stills that I am featuring from Joan's film's, I will be eventually posting full articles on them all!

DVD ALERT..... TALES FROM THE CRYPT REGION 2 RELEASE

Joan's classic 1972 terror film "Tales From The Crypt", finally get a UK dvd release on June 28th 2010 from Final Cut Entertainment. This classic Amicus film featuring five stories also stars Peter Cushing, Sir Ralph Richardson, Richard Greene and Ian Hendry and is was directed by Hammer veteran Freddie Francis. Will feature an in-depth article on this film in a future post.

FILM FLASHBACK : ISLAND IN THE SUN 1957

This still features Joan as Jocelyn Fleury with Stephen Boyd in the 1957 Fox film "Island In The Sun", also starring James Mason, Joan Fontaine, Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge. Will feature an full article on this in a future post.

ON THE COVER : CHAT JUNE 1990

This cover from June 1990 is from the popular UK magazine CHAT and features a headline "The Prime Of Miss Joan Collins". The photo used shows Joan in a relaxed casual pose, very natural..

EVENT PREVIEW : DICK WHITTINGTON BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

http://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/whatson_focus.asp?showid=1651

Joan had been mentioned over the years as slated to star in Pantomime, but it was usually tabloid gossip. So it is a thrill to finally receive an official announcement of Joan's starring role in this years Birmingham panto. Joan's best friend and panto veteran Christopher Biggins mentioned that Joan's decision to accept the role might have to do with the money she will receive for her six week role. Biggin's had mentioned the idea to her over the years about doing a panto role but she wasn't too keen. But finally she agreed and she is excited about the challenge of two shows a day for six weeks! The Hippodrome chief executive Stuart Griffith's mentioned he has been trying for years to get Joan to appear in the annual pantomime, but she has always refused, he is thrilled that she has finally accepted! He also insisted that the script will be written to include Joan as much as possible and she will feature throughout the whole show and not just pop on and off to deliver a line.  Julian Clary is also thrilled to be appearing with Joan as he of course started his career as The Joan Collins Fan Club, so to appear on the same showbill with Joan , brings his career full circle, as where!  One thing we are guaranteed, is a high quota of camp and ultimate glamour with the two J.C'S. I personally cant wait! Watch this space for updates!

FILM FLASHBACK : THE WAYWARD BUS 1957

This still is from Joan's 1957 little seen FOX film "The Wayward Bus", where she plays the alcoholic cafe owner Alice Chicoy. The film is based on the John Steinbeck novel and also stars Jayne Mansfield, Dan Daily and Rick Jason who is featured in the above still. Will feature a more in-depth article in a future post..

ON THE COVER : LEARS SEPTEMBER 1991

This stylish cover features Joan in red with a little zebra print thrown in and is from USA magazine LEAR'S. The headline reads.."Joan Collins..Her Private Lives". as Joan was appearing on Broadway in Noel Cowards "Private Lives". Lear's magazine first hit the newsstands in 1988 and it was created by Frances Lear the ex-wife of television producer Norman Lear, as a bible for the over 35's. Frances put all her energy and money into the magazine, but then she lost interest in it and it ceased publication in 1994.

EVENT ALERT! DICK WHITTINGTON BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME!

http://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/whatson_focus.asp?showid=1651

It seems Joan is finally hitting the panto scene! She will play Queen Rat in the Christmas's Birmingham Hippodrome panto "Dick Whittington" also starring Julian Clary & Nigel Havers as King Rat. Performances start on Saturday 18th December and continue until Sunday January 30th. Click the link for tickets and more details!

ON THE COVER : WOMAN'S REALM SEPTEMBER 1990

This cover for popular UK magazine Woman's Realm, features a glamorous as always Joan, who was starring in "Private Lives" in London at the time. The headline reads "Joan Collin's Private Lives". Woman's Realm magazine was published for 43 years, finally leaving the newsstands in 2001. Joan has appeared on countless woman's magazines over the years, many of which are now deleted, but you can see many of these in future posts!

FILM FLASHBACK : THE OPPOSITE SEX 1956

This still is from Joan's 1956 MGM film "The Opposite Sex" where she played Crystal Allen, a role played originally by Joan Crawford in the original version "The Women". This still also features June Allyson and Dolores Gray. Will feature a full article on this glorious film in a future post..

CANDID JOAN : JOAN & PERCY ST TROPEZ...

These new photos show Joan & Percy out walking in St Topez yesterday, taking a break from her ever busy schedule.  

FORBIDDEN LOVE JOAN'S LATEST APPEARANCE