ROCK HUDSON – An all-time great sex symbol.

July 24, 2017 Alan Royle 2

  In 1995, Empire magazine named the Top 100 Sexiest Stars in Movie History and Rock Hudson came in at # 28. Today, of course, he is best remembered for his sexuality rather than his appeal to female cinema-goers around the world. Rock was the first big star to be […]

When is an Indian not an Indian? (PT 1)

February 14, 2017 Alan Royle 4

  Until around about the eighties very few actual Native Americans were employed playing Indians in Hollywood movies. Thankfully, since then that has changed and there are numerous Native American actors making healthy livings in westerns and other genres. Over the next few days I shall examine some of those […]

Did you know?

January 21, 2017 Alan Royle 0

  Fifty or more years after The Magnificent Seven first graced our screens in 1960, it is still the second-most repeated movie on American television. Only Casablanca is shown more. Actor James Coburn could thank a scheduled strike by the Screen Actors Guild for his opportunity to star in it. […]

Sara Shane aka Elaine Hollingsworth.

May 16, 2016 Alan Royle 15

  I recently watched a 1956 Clark Gable western titled The King and Four Queens and was struck by the beauty of one of the leading ladies, an actress named Sara Shane. Indeed, she was not the only beauty in the picture for it featured one of my all-time favourite […]

The ‘girl next door’ types – Pt.2.

May 6, 2016 admin 0

      In the fifties the iconic ‘girl next door’ arrived on the screen in a series of domestic romantic comedies, several of them opposite Rock Hudson. Doris Day would grace the pop music charts with numerous best-selling singles and albums, but her screen image of the suburban housewife, […]

Yvonne de Carlo – A rare beauty.

April 18, 2016 admin 13

  The ravishing (and ravenous) Yvonne de Carlo was at the height of her beauty when Robert Wagner spotted her in her car alongside his at a drive-in restaurant called ‘Jack’s at the Beach’. She nodded for him to come on over, which he duly did, and she invited him […]

Henry Willson – super agent.

February 22, 2016 admin 0

  Henry Willson He started out as a journalist in the 1930s. By the late 30s he became the guy who gave Lana Turner her name. In fact, Henry had a real flair for creating memorable (and unusual) names for up and coming actors and actresses. In addition to Lana […]

Did you know? Points of interest Pt. 24.

November 11, 2015 admin 9

  Yesterday I stole 203 minutes out of the remainder of my life and watched the Liz Taylor, Rock Hudson and Jimmy Dean 1956 blockbuster Giant. I have certainly seen worse movies, but two hundred and three minutes! I found Rock and Liz to be far better than I expected, […]

The longest Hollywood marriages?

October 24, 2015 admin 0

Richard Benjamin & Paula Prentiss 53 years and still going (1961-) Richard in Westworld Paula with Rock Hudson Mr & Mrs Benjamin today Ann Prentiss 1970 Sixties fans would remember Paula Prentiss. She was a pretty comedienne who possessed a deep, throaty chuckle that fans (including me) found very sexy. […]

Gay/Bisexual Actors in Old TV Shows ( Pt 3 )

June 21, 2015 admin 12

  Nigel Hawthorne (1929 – 2001) The most surprising fact about the superbly written (and acted) Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister is that only 38 episodes in total were made, 22 in the first show and just 16 in the second. Hawthorne was quite brilliant as Sir Humphrey Appleby […]