Front Row Dress Circle

I suppose you have to know what to expect when an interview involves veteran actor Tony Curtis. Anyone who did not certainly found out last week when he was interviewed on BBC Ulster in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Tony has been over here in the UK promoting his new book, ‘American Prince’ and I caught his appearance on GMTV during the week - it gave a taste of what he is known for.

Basically he told the same old anecdotes peppered with the same old sexual innuendo - the only difference being that each time he tells them they become more exagerrated each time. If I hear that story about him calling Marilyn Monroe ‘Hitler’ again I will scream.

But it has to be the fault of the presenters; they always ask about that and generally the same questions all the time. So you get the same tired old answers all the time. Time has not been kind to Tony but then he was not kind to himself for a long time - that he is still here to tell those old stories is probably a feat in itself.

Nice to see the old guy around though.

Popularity: 15% [?]

There is growing cynicism over the recent ’split’ between Katie Price and Peter Andre with some well-placed sources claiming that the whole thing has been planned by Katie to rejuvenate public interest in the couple. Or ‘herself’ to be more to the point. They split, they reunite and they make masses out of the resulting interviews and publicity. Cynical…me???

I don’t know what her cash flow problems are but with an estimated fortune of £30million I’d say her cash will be flowing on for quite a while yet…

Katie is now reported to be hiding out in the Maldives with her two youngest children Junior and (the oddly-uncute) Princess Tiiiiaammmmiii. Unfortunately for Katie her plans for a lucrative ‘reunion’ with Peter are going awry as OK! magazine have advertised a special exclusive for this week - “My final days with Pete” - the very interview her PR people claimed was not going to happen.

So she disappears with the kids within an hour of the separation announcement being made and then within 48 hours ‘her side of the story’ appears in a glossy magazine. Do I still sound cynical?…

My main concern though is for poor little Harvey; Katie has cleared off to the Maldives with the two youngest kids, Pete has fled back to Cyprus and young Harvey has been deserted and left at home with the nanny. I feel for that nanny too - how awful to be caught in the middle of all this rubbish - I’ll bet she could say a few things worth listening to…

Popularity: 45% [?]

I was very saddened today to read of the death of Australian actor Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell at the age of 86.

You cannot just call ‘Bud’ an actor; he was an icon of the Australian film and stage industry. A giant of a talent, a modest man of great humility and generosity.

He was there when the Australian film industry was in it’s infancy and it would be impossible to find any other individual who did more to promote and develop the medium that Australian film-making has become today.

Not only was he a great actor of radio, stage, television and screen Bud was a fighter pilot of great courage during WWII flying 76 missions over North Africa for the British Airforce. In 1946 he returned to Australia and appeared in an uncredited role in the landmark film about Sir Charles Kingsford Smith - ‘Smithy’.

Bud travelled to London where he established himself as an actor and is best remembered for his role as the Inspector in the ‘Miss Marple’ series of films starring opposite the great Margaret Rutherford.

Loved and respected for his warmth and intelligence, he was a fond favourite of film crews and fellow actors and was generous with his time and advice for the younger actors he worked with.

My favourite memories of Bud are of his roles in Homocide, the Australian crime drama series from the early 70’s, and his wonderful portrayal of a retired QC who volunteers to help out Aussie battler Daryl Kerrigan save his home from corporate developers in the 1997 film ‘The Castle’.

Not only does Bud leave a huge gap in the hearts of Australians, he leaves a void in the Australian film and stage industry that will never be filled.

Popularity: 24% [?]