To all my old and new friends in here, you may not be aware that I am on ITV at 8pm this evening in Bradley Walsh at The London Palladium.

I am going to need a stiff drink, it is very unnerving watching yourself, especially when you see what I do on that stage.

Best of luck Walter!!

Have a stiff drink and enjoy!

I'm off out to meet a friend at the cinema but I will definitely be watching on ITV PLAYER later! ☺👍

I think I'll +1 you, Walt......

Joel McGrea isn't someone I know much about but I'm aware that a few of my older (passed away) relatives liked Gary Cooper very much indeed! Screen presence was something I think he had in generous quantities!

I've also never seen "Midnight" but I guess as a fan of this era I really should try and check it out! Is it shown on TV often?

Nothing wrong with being a lurker but please leave a footprint now and again!!

Good luck Walter, unfortunately I won't be able to watch tonight as I am still in Canada.

Two direct connections to Barbara there, Joel McCrea was her most frequent leading man. They starred in six films together, Gambling Lady, Banjo on My Knee, Internes Can't take Money, Union Pacific, The Great Man's Lady, and Trooper Hook. She said that he was also responsible for persuading Sam Goldwyn to let her test for Stella Dallas.

She was also the first choice for Midnight, but had such a busy schedule that she had to turn it down. I have a horrible feeling that she was working on the God awful Union Pacific, they were both released within months of each other in the early part of 1939. shame that she was often such a lousy judge of scripts.

Thanks Hilda, I will just be glad when it is all over.

I just hope that you think it is worth it!

Lucky you, I will probably feel like running off to Canada after tonight.

Just saw you there, Walter-or should that be Ray?! I must say, your knowledge on Hollywood's Golden Age is absolutely phenomenal! I think you should seriously consider a career as a Hollywood historian, if you haven't already!

I was watching Easter Parade over Easter-Ann Miller certainly gave Fred Astaire a run for his money, didn't she, her tap-dancing scene was outstanding.

Anyway, well done on the London Palladium appearance-many men of a certain age will be jealous you got to sit in a royal box with Carol Vorderman!

Thanks, and please do call me Ray.

I agree 100% with you about Ann Miller, she was my favourite dancer, and she starred in Kiss Me Kate, my all time favourite musical. If you haven't seen it I urge you to get the DVD, she does a stunning tap dance to Cole Porters '"Too Darn Hot".

I was lucky enough to see her and Mickey Rooney on stage at the Savoy Theatre in 1979 in Sugar Babies. She brought the house down when sitting astride a piano she belted out "Don't Blame Me", she was just sublime.

I didn't cringe too much at my Palladium appearance, although I was disappointed that they cut out Bradley and myself doing the Plank on stage, and later he chatted to me when I was in the box with Carol. But at least I can say that I stood on the stage of the London Palladium, where I have seen so many legendary stars over the past 60 years.

Hilda - I always like Joel McCrea, he seemed lovely and a very relaxed actor. I hope I hear everyone else's fav's in time.

Walter - I am so sorry to miss you on TV last night. I will make a point of watching on "catch up" - I will even put up with being unable to fast forward the ads, lol, so I can see you

I had no idea Joel McCrea starred with Barbara so many times, I just thought there was something nice about him. I also had no idea Barbara was 1st choice for Midnight!!! Never seen Union Pacific but from your comments I don't think I will buy that off Amazon lol

x

What was carol vorderman like off camera then Walter?

Carol was lovely, and I was disappointed that they cut out our banter with Bradley. She suggested that she take a couple of selfies of us in the box, and she sent them to me the next day. They are on my Facebook page, and if you want to see them and don't know my full name, just send me a private message.

Hi David,

That is very nice, sorry that you will only see edited highlights of the full show. Bradley asked where I came from, and when I told him, all the audience members from Kent cheered, that was also cut out unfortunately.

Barbara and Joel were such good friends, but just like her other old friend Henry Fonda, their friendship didn't get off to a good start.

Barbara was always a stickler for punctuality, and expected it from her colleagues as well. For some reason Joel arrived late on the set of Gambling Lady, their first film together. He was playing the son of that grand old British actor, Sir C. Aubrey Smith

When he finally turned up she really bawled him out snarling, "Listen slug, for the son of Sir C. Aubrey Smith, you sure have lousy manners!"

That was probably the last time there was any bad feeling between them, and he became a warm and loyal friend. After completing The Great Man's Lady, in which she played a pioneer woman who aged from 16 to 110, Joel commented, "If Stanwyck doesn't get an Acadamy Award for her performance in this then there is no justice.
(She wasn't even Nominated)

Thanks

and what was this thing you did on stage that no one has ever done before?

Bradley asked me how I kept so fit after he commented on what a strong handshake I have. I explained that I go to the gym and also do the Plank every time that I go to the gym. I asked him if he wanted to see it, and then I got down on the stage, and Bradley joined me, maybe they cut it out because he gave up before me. I don't know whether you know that I did it on Good Morning Britain in January.

If you want to watch it just Google the following: Oldest contender steals plank-off crown from Kammy!

Ahh i see. I love Bradley Walsh. He is such a laugh and down to earth and it seems he is just like that off camera

and yes, i remember you saying about your GMB appearance. Mr TV Star.

Bradley seems to be a really genuine guy, but they try to cram to much into the show, they certainly don't need a regular weekly appearance by the slimy Peter Andre

I was first on TV in 1971, I spoke to Bette Davis at the National Film Theatre when she was interviewed by Joan Bakewell. Unfortunately this was a few years before we had video recorders, so I have no record of that event.

In 1975 I was a contestant on the BBC 2 series, Film Buff of the Year. I wasn't allowed my choice of subject, which of course would have been Barbara, they gave me Michael Caine as my subject, who I know nothing about, and not surprisingly I came last.

16 years ago I became a Film Extra, and had a couple of interesting parts. I was a sleazy drugs dealer in The Bill, and ended up having my evil way with PC Gary Best.

I was an MC in a boxing ring in London's Burning, and also had walk on's in Family Affairs, The Last Detective, and was in Richard Todd's last ever appearance in Holby City. I gave up in 2005 as I hated the long early morning train journeys from Kent to Elstree studios, and barely catching the last train home at night. Filming can be incredibly boring, funny how we imagine that it is all do glamorous and exciting when we are young.

http://www.people.com/people/archive...092262,00.html

Came across this 1980s article about Barbara Stanwyck Walter and fellow golden era fans!
Walter you may have already read it but I found it a real interesting intriguing read. It gave me a real sense of Barbara just as you do!

It's a real treat that it's been preserved online.

Wow what a life you have had.

What was Bette davis like? I am so jealous

Well when you consider that Barbara had the disadvantages that go with being freelance and had a weakness sometimes for choosing lousy scripts it's actually more testament to her talent that she still managed to become a legendary great but on the other hand how that could have been even greater and what could have been without those disadvantages /handicaps.

Thanks Hilda, I have that magazine, and it is a great article. I can remember how thriIled I was back in 1985 when I saw her on the cover, which incidentally is fabulous. She was dressed in black velvet standing with Linda Evans who was in red.

Apart from Linda, she didn't have much patience with the younger actors who she said would arrive on the set often not remembering their lines, and more interested in looking perfect for the camera.

Walter - you made me laugh this morning reading about you having your way with PC Gary Best in The Bill.

I have just been reading some posts again and notice you mention Claudette Colbert - one of my favs - as being described by a producer as "rotten"!!!! I feel sad now reading this. I knew she was a bit obsessed with only showing one side of her face but I didn't realise she was not well liked off screen.

My first 50 years were mostly spent in cinema's, it was only when I moved to Kent in 1988 that my life really started to liven up.

I have told this story before, but for those who missed it, here goes. I was determined to speak to Bette so when Joan Bakewell asked if the audience had any questions I put my hand up. I asked her if she had ever wanted to be a director, and fixing me with a piercing look, she snapped "NO!" then after what seemed like hours, she thought about it and said, "I am so passionate about what I do that I can imagine myself rushing in and screaming, THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT! I would like to produce though, I rather like the idea of bossing all those men around"