Eagle-eyed follows of Giancarlo Giammetti on Instagram caught sight of a very familiar face last month, as Mr. Giammetti posted a shot of himself dining with none other than Dame Joan Collins. “Saturday is for friends!” noted the caption. And indeed, Collins is a friend of the true-blue variety. The iconic Dynasty star, now reappearing on the small screen on the series The Royals, has come out to support Mr. Valentino and Mr. Giammetti at myriad events over the years. She was there in 1988, for example, when Maison Valentino staged a special fashion show at the 20thCentury Fox Studios in L.A.; nigh on a quarter of a century later, Collins was there again, in London, at the opening of the Valentino: Master of Couture exhibition at Somerset House in London. That’s to cite but two examples. And Mr. Giammetti and Mr. Valentino have repaid the favor, by, say, toasting her at the launch of her book Passion for Life in Mayfair in 2013. She’s also a regular guest on the Valentino yacht, the T.M. Blue. Perhaps nothing sums up Dame Joan’s regard for Valentino, though, than this fact: When the queen of TV melodrama was called upon to play an ambitious fashion editor in the 1986 miniseries Sins, who did she call upon, in turn, to design her character’s outfits? Valentino, of course. Perhaps, last month, she and Mr. Giammetti reminisced about that over lunch.
From the end of May, BBC Arts celebrates The Genius Of British Cinema in a season of documentaries, films and events across BBC Two, BBC Four, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, BBC iPlayer and online.
In a partnership aiming to bring British film to a wider audience, BBC Arts and the BFI have joined up to host live events and screenings taking place at BFI Southbank which will be recorded for BBC Four. In Conversation will feature an interview with some of the best known names in British cinema, Julie Walters, Ken Loach and Dame Judi Dench.
On BBC Two, film aficionado Jonathan Ross goes behind the scenes of the nation’s most successful studios in Pinewood: 80 Years Of Movie Magic. Whilst exploring the sets and scenes of some of the biggest blockbusters of all time he meets the people who made them possible both on screen and off, including Barbara Windsor, Hayley Mills, Joan Collins, Matthew Vaughn and Naomie Harris.
Ross tells the story behind some of Britain’s greatest film moments and even reveals the magic behind the movies in some special recreation sequences, where he takes to the wheel himself in a bold car stunt, learns the art of choreographing a musical number on screen, before staging an audacious underwater scene complete with damsel in distress!
The BBC’s multi award-winning Arts strand Arena undertakes the first major profile of the great British film director Nicolas Roeg, examining his very personal vision of cinema, with contributions from collaborators and film-makers who have been inspired by him.
Keep calm and sophisticatedly carry on when mingling with movie stars, royalty, musicians, sports
heroes and supermodels. The good girl exudes grace, politeness, sincerity and intelligence to make a positive, lasting impression when encountering prominent people. High-profile interactions are not daunting if you embrace the good girl's guide to socializing with celebs.
Don't Insult Their Intelligence.The Friars Club in a singing, dancing and comedy extravaganza honored television icon and newly minted Dame Joan Collins in Manhattan on Monday, May 4. Winner of the Golden Globe and People's Choice Awards, Joan has starred in feature films and dozens of television programs, including the megahit primetime soap opera, e Dynasty. She is beauty, brains and compassion personified.
The good girl that mingles with public figures should painstakingly examine what motivates and moves a star. I had the glorious opportunity to ask Dame Joan Collins about her tremendous work withchildren and learning disabilities, and why those causes are important to her.
"There are over 300,000 young people in England who get serious head injuries. My daughter was in a car crash many years ago. That's why I became interested," remarked the bestselling author.
Before we parted ways, the philanthropic powerhouse generously commented, "Thank you and you ask good questions." No doubt this compliment from an accomplished stage actress and humanitarian immediately ushered in an immense wave of joy and gratitude. The good girl hobnobbing with entertainment elite should always be on the lookout for universally compelling (and smart) questions about a star's nonprofit work; what constitutes success at this point in the icon's career; and where did the celebrity draw inspiration from for their latest project. To be engaging is to empower a celebrity to tell their breathtaking story.
In “Testimony,” the season-one cliffhanger, Alexis is dramatically introduced during Blake’s murder trial as a surprise state witness. Maggie Wickman, a model and purported friend of the producers, played the part in this first (nonspeaking) tease, making a dramatic entrance in dark glasses and a wide-brimmed hat, a veil covering most of her face.
The iconic character of Alexis Carrington was introduced in the dramatic finale ofDynasty’s first season–but Joan Collins, who made the role famous, does not appear on the show until season two.
Joan Collins was cast as Alexis before filming began for season two. (Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Jessica Walters and Raquel Welch had all been rumored to be up for the role.) She had strong ideas about how the character should be written, and her influence on the show was felt from the moment she joined the cast.
You can see Collins at work in “Enter Alexis,” her firstDynastyepisode, tomorrow, May 13, at 10a/9C on Pop. Find your channel:www.poptv.com.
Those lovely folks at The BFI Southbank have given us a special offer for fans of Joan's..
Fallen Angels at BFI Southbank , part of the Noel Coward season..
Don't' miss this polished comedy of manners starring Susannah York and a
luminous Joan Collins, showing as part of the BFI's tribute to Noel Coward.
To enjoy 2 tix for the price of 1 simply quote "241Coward" on phone (020
7928 3232), on line or in person. http://bit.ly/1I7lpiq
Anglia TV 1974
Directed by Donald McWhinnie
With Susannah York, Joan Collins, Sacha Distel, Lally Bowers
52 min
This perfectly constructed comedy of manners, a TV adaptation of Coward’s play by William Fairchild, provided the perfect star vehicle for Susannah York and Joan Collins. Sacha Distel gives a surprisingly good cameo as the dashing Frenchman with whom both women are infatuated, while Lally Bowers’ servant is a miracle of comic timing, undercutting her mistress at every turn.
Day four at theBentonville Film Festivalwas all about journeys, care of protagonists heading out on an adventure and, you guessed it, learning something along the way. Yet, for that thematic through-line, the fourth day of the newbie festival provided the greatest breadth of features yet, a testament to the depth of films that adhere to the fest’s mission to “champion women and diversity in film.” Let’s take a trip.
Watching kids films without kids in the audience is tough business. Sure, if something is charming or fun or well made, it should speak for itself, but if it’s aimed at the younger set and they’re not around to respond to what’s on the screen, it can be difficult for a crusty old adult to determine the appeal level of a film.Will the kids like this?, you might wonder, suddenly trying to picture the kids you know, realizing most of them are babies or toddlers who are only interested inFrozen(they all loveFrozen, all of them).Is this movie likeFrozen?, you will think.There are no princesses here, or even any ice.
Fortunately, Friday’s screening ofChristopher N. Rowley’sMolly Moonwas packed with happy kids, and although it’s not likeFrozen, it is a bit likeHarry Potter(kids also loveHarry Potter,says this adult who also lovesHarry Potter). Based onGeorgia Byng’s book of the same name,Molly Moonintroduces us to another plucky orphan, the eponymous Molly Moon (duh, as the kids would say), who lives in a small English orphanage run by, as tradition dictates, a pretty horrible headmistress. Molly’s (Raffey Cassidy) life isn’t all bad, however, and she’s got a fizzy spirit to keep her afloat, along with her best pal Rocky (Jadon Carnelly Morris) and at least one nice orphanage employee (Emily Watson).Molly Moon’s plot is a bit scattershot, but it’s also fast-moving and snappy, and even if adventures unfold too swiftly to have much connective tissue, it’s so good-natured and appropriately silly that it’s easy to forgive (the kids loved it, okay?).
Molly is a voracious reader, and when her frequent sojourns to the town library put her in the path of a mysterious book about hypnotism (and a crazy thief who wants to use the book for his own nefarious needs, amusingly played byDominic Monaghan), she discovers she has a true talent for the art. Although the returns on Molly’s newfound skill are swift – she convinces that mean old headmaster to be nice, gets the cook to start preparing delicious meals, and even makes a furry friend out of nasty pug – there are unexpected consequences. After Rocky is adopted away to a maybe-nice (maybe) family in London, Molly embarks on a quest to get him back.
Although that may sound like adventure enough – a pre-teen hypnotist, running amok in London, trailed by an angry thief (whose mother is played byJoan Collinsof all people) – the film takes a snappy left turn into strange territory. Molly soon becomes a major pop star (yes, thanks to they hypnotism), and while her new fame seems like a wonderful gift, it soon forces her to reconsider what’s really important in life. Packed with lessons and plenty of fun to boot,Molly Moonis a genuinely sweet family film, with enough jokes to keep the kids and adults laughing. One note, though: more pug!
Kate is an entertainment and culture writer and editor living in New York City. She is also a contributing writer for VanityFair.com, Cosmopolitan.com, RollingStone.com, Vulture, MTV.com, Details.com, The Dissolve, Screen Crush, New York Daily News, Mental Floss, and amNY. Her previous work can also be found at MSN Movies, Boxoffice Magazine, and Film.com. She lives her life like a French movie, Steve.
Joan enjoys a wonderful summer picnic in this shot taken for Hello! magazine in 1995 to promote the tv movie 'Annie A Royal Adventure' in which Joan starred as the evil Lady Edwina Hogbottom..
Hollywood legend Joan Collins was honored at the Friars Club in New York on Tuesday for her appointment as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for charitable service. Stars including Jerry Lewis and Collins’ "Dynasty" co-star John James came out to celebrate the film and TV icon.
James praised the British beauty for her toughness in the cutthroat entertainment industry.
“To be in this business you have to be tough. She never gives up. She never stops. She’s always going, like Joan Rivers," Collins said. "She managed to take the role of Alexis and build that into a major career.”
Actress Arlene Dahl also credited Collins' tenacity.
“She’s got guts. She believes in herself, and she has talent, and beauty," said Dahl. "So that’s what it takes.” Legendary comic Jerry Lewis joked Collins,, did so well “because she looks so nice," but Collins said it was her late father, Joseph, who instilled her winning attitude.
“I had a very smart father who told me it was a very tough profession and I had to be able to take rejection and not to get too carried away if I did become famous," she said. "Which I never have."
Silk on the top, jewels in your handbag - there’s an art to packing your suitcase, and you have to get it right
By Joan Collins
I divide my time between London and the US, and travel like a packhorse, toting several suitcases containing clothes, accessories, books, CDs, DVDs and the odd household chattel from one residence to another. My luggage is hard-sided, which holds up well against the rough and tumble of the carousel and baggage handlers. It isn’t immune to going astray – it was once lost on the way to Acapulco. I have no idea where it went but we were reunited three days later. Here’s how to pack: Step-by-step guide I like to plan and set out all my outfits for any events or parties on a portable rack ready to be packed. My staples are exercise clothes, cashmere trousers and sweaters for lounging, swimming costumes and cover-ups, at least one sun hat and a gilet for layering..
Use tissue paper – always white, as coloured can stain. It helps to protect clothes from creasing, button impressions and possible snagging on embellishments. I lay each item front down in the case, place tissue over the back and then fold in the sides, often scrunching tissue into sleeves.
Keep packing ordered. Put heavier items in first, like shoes, coats and sweaters, and the more delicate, like silk, on top. Underwear, small or soft items go in last so I’m not rummaging to find them if I haven’t had time to completely unpack.
Try to fold items carefully using the maximum dimensions of the case as fewer folds take up less room and minimise creasing. When I reach my destination, I hang my clothes outside a hot shower to get any creases out. (I never wear linen because I hate creased clothes.)
Soft cloth bags protect shoes and prevent contact with clothing. For books I like see-through mesh bags.
I keep all my cosmetics and perfume with me so I am always ready to go, and I always keep jewellery in my hand luggage, along with my diary and address book, and plenty of moisturiser. joancollinsbeauty.com
Joan spent an enjoyable afternoon taping an interview for Turner Classic Movies with TCM host Robert Osborne.. Joan enjoyed chatting about her favourite films for the upcoming feature i
nterview... TCM are currently screening Joan's classic MGM release 'The Opposite Sex' and the Fox comedy 'Rally Round The Flag Boys'.... Look out for Joan on TCM .. Coming Soon!
To celebrate Joan been made a Dame, The Friar's Club NY threw a special evening of tributes to Joan last night to a sold out members audience.. Hosted by Jerry Lewis with tributes from Alan Cumming, Ron Raines, John James and Matthew Broderick...
From the end of May, BBC Arts celebrates The Genius Of British Cinema in a season of documentaries, films and events across BBC Two, BBC Four, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, BBC iPlayer and online.
On BBC Two, film aficionado Jonathan Ross goes behind the scenes of the nation’s most successful studios in Pinewood: 80 Years Of Movie Magic. Whilst exploring the sets and scenes of some of the biggest blockbusters of all time he meets the people who made them possible both on screen and off, including Barbara Windsor, Hayley Mills, Joan Collins, Matthew Vaughn and Naomie Harris.
Joan enjoyed lunch at one of her favourite Hollywood eateries 'Craig's' yesterday, looking every inch the Dame!
heroes and supermodels. The good girl exudes grace, politeness, sincerity and intelligence to make a positive, lasting impression when encountering prominent people. High-profile interactions are not daunting if you embrace the good girl's guide to socializing with celebs.
The iconic character of Alexis Carrington was introduced in the dramatic finale of Dynasty’s first season–but Joan Collins, who made the role famous, does not appear on the show until season two.
Joan Collins was cast as Alexis before filming began for season two. (Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Jessica Walters and Raquel Welch had all been rumored to be up for the role.) She had strong ideas about how the character should be written, and her influence on the show was felt from the moment she joined the cast. 
by Kate Erbland
Joan and Jackie celebrated comedy legend Don Rickles 89th birthday at The Sunset Tower Hollywood..
Joan met up with Jackie at Craig's restaurant .. Joan looking sensational as ever in a Ralph Lauren Silver coat...
Joan attended the Hollywood screening of Blythe Danner's new film 'I'll See You In My Dreams' at The London West Hollywood yesterday....
including Jerry Lewis and Collins’ "Dynasty" co-star John James came out to celebrate the film and TV icon.
To celebrate Joan been made a Dame, The Friar's Club NY threw a special evening of tributes to Joan last night to a sold out members audience.. Hosted by Jerry Lewis with tributes from Alan Cumming, Ron Raines, John James and Matthew Broderick...
