My Los Angeles holiday gave me a chance to read The Richard Burton Diaries*, which were published at the end of last year (reviewed at the time in The Guardian here).
One of the fascinating aspects of the diaries was the actor's relationship with journalists. Though he loved to read newspapers, he didn't have much time for the people who wrote them.
He was, as many journalists reported during his lifetime (1925-1984), very friendly towards most of them. He ate and drank with them, and appeared at ease in their company. But, in private, he clearly despised them.
A voracious reader of books and papers, his diaries contain several references to his enjoyment in reading the International Herald Tribune and the British Sunday papers. At one point, he reveals that his then wife, Elizabeth Taylor, loved him to read out stories from the News of the World.
On 11 November 1968, he...
One of the fascinating aspects of the diaries was the actor's relationship with journalists. Though he loved to read newspapers, he didn't have much time for the people who wrote them.
He was, as many journalists reported during his lifetime (1925-1984), very friendly towards most of them. He ate and drank with them, and appeared at ease in their company. But, in private, he clearly despised them.
A voracious reader of books and papers, his diaries contain several references to his enjoyment in reading the International Herald Tribune and the British Sunday papers. At one point, he reveals that his then wife, Elizabeth Taylor, loved him to read out stories from the News of the World.
On 11 November 1968, he...
- 4/17/2013
- by Roy Greenslade
- The Guardian - Film News
A chasm exists between the modern popular press and celebrities - the people who have become an indispensable part of tabloid newspapers' editorial content.
It wasn't always the case, as I wrote in my London Evening Standard column yesterday. There was a time when stars were not only not afraid to enjoy the company of journalists, but eager to do so.
Donald Zec, the Daily Mirror's superb showbusiness writer during its glory days of yore, is fond of telling how he once flew into Los Angeles and within an hour of arriving at the Beverly Wilshire hotel received a call from Humphrey Bogart chiding him for failing to honour his promise to get in touch immediately he arrived in town.
Zec then spent a weekend on Bogey's yacht with Lauren Bacall and assorted celebrity friends.
When I mentioned this on a BBC Scotland radio show yesterday the interviewer said this...
It wasn't always the case, as I wrote in my London Evening Standard column yesterday. There was a time when stars were not only not afraid to enjoy the company of journalists, but eager to do so.
Donald Zec, the Daily Mirror's superb showbusiness writer during its glory days of yore, is fond of telling how he once flew into Los Angeles and within an hour of arriving at the Beverly Wilshire hotel received a call from Humphrey Bogart chiding him for failing to honour his promise to get in touch immediately he arrived in town.
Zec then spent a weekend on Bogey's yacht with Lauren Bacall and assorted celebrity friends.
When I mentioned this on a BBC Scotland radio show yesterday the interviewer said this...
- 11/24/2011
- by Roy Greenslade
- The Guardian - Film News
September 18, 2010: Roderick Mann, a globally respected entertainment journalist and author, who wrote for the glitzy show business for over 4 decades, died on the 17th of September in Los Angeles.
Anastasia Kostoff Mann, his wife, revealed that he had been battling dementia as well as Alzheimer’s disease for 2 years now. He worked as the entertainment feature writer with Sunday Express throughout the 1950s and the 1980s and Mann’s interviews with movie as well as stage stars were not only extensively read and syndicated worldwide, but they also resulted in friendships with well-known actors like Cary Grant, Richard Burton and David Niven to name a few.
Roderick Mann was the closest to Grant, and looked up to him.
Anastasia Kostoff Mann, his wife, revealed that he had been battling dementia as well as Alzheimer’s disease for 2 years now. He worked as the entertainment feature writer with Sunday Express throughout the 1950s and the 1980s and Mann’s interviews with movie as well as stage stars were not only extensively read and syndicated worldwide, but they also resulted in friendships with well-known actors like Cary Grant, Richard Burton and David Niven to name a few.
Roderick Mann was the closest to Grant, and looked up to him.
- 9/18/2010
- by News
- RealBollywood.com
Roderick Mann, an internationally respected journalist and author who wrote about show business for more than 40 years in London and Hollywood, died Sept. 17 in Los Angeles. He was 87.
Mann's wife, Anastasia Kostoff Mann, said he had been battling dementia and Alzheimer's disease for the past 14 months.
As the entertainment feature writer at London's Sunday Express from the 1950s through the 1980s, Mann's interviews with motion picture and stage luminaries were not only widely read and syndicated throughout the world, they often resulted in lifelong friendships with famed actors including Cary Grant, David Niven and Richard Burton.
He was closest to Grant, whom Mann thought of as an older brother, while Niven credited him as the impetus to write his autobiography. Mann was the confidant of his superstar friends and noted for never betraying their trust. Other actor friends included Alexandra Bastedo, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak and Anthony Hopkins.
In 1978, Mann...
Mann's wife, Anastasia Kostoff Mann, said he had been battling dementia and Alzheimer's disease for the past 14 months.
As the entertainment feature writer at London's Sunday Express from the 1950s through the 1980s, Mann's interviews with motion picture and stage luminaries were not only widely read and syndicated throughout the world, they often resulted in lifelong friendships with famed actors including Cary Grant, David Niven and Richard Burton.
He was closest to Grant, whom Mann thought of as an older brother, while Niven credited him as the impetus to write his autobiography. Mann was the confidant of his superstar friends and noted for never betraying their trust. Other actor friends included Alexandra Bastedo, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak and Anthony Hopkins.
In 1978, Mann...
- 9/17/2010
- by By Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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