St. John's Confidential File

HELLO AMERICA!—No matter how you look at it, Russ Tamblyn was an extremely lucky young kid in having an opportunity to work with some of the most exciting, talented actors of his day. He was born in Los Angeles in 1934, a perfect time to absorb all the high life, glitter and YES, opportunities which were available to him. When...

HELLO AMERICA!—He's from the streets of New York and proud of it! This is a guy who touched your hearts when he exploded on the screen in “The Godfather: Part II."  YES!  Robert De Niro had arrived and the world would experience his sting from that moment on. When I first met De Niro, it was during the early 1970s,...

HELLO AMERICA!—While so many music and acting greats of the 70s are have quietly retired or subtlety looking around for the perfect nest to spend their declining years in the entertainment business, still beautiful and gifted singer-actress and former TV host Freda Payne is busy planning her performing dates around the world. "I was born to perform on a stage,...

HELLO AMERICA!—There are too many young hopefuls who arrive in our magic town of Hollywood, expecting to be discovered immediately based on their looks or physical presence, but Courtney Gains was not one of these people. As a youngster, he prepared himself by taking acting classes, music and script writing; he made up his mind to fully understand the...

HELLO AMERICA!—During the late 1950s, TV and film star Chris Robinson (“General Hospital” and “Twelve O’Clock High) and I met while under contract to Lucille Ball's Desilu Studio Theatre on Gower.  It was a glorious time, the actors of real substance and meaning crowded the lot, especially when we were in production. I remember being totally flabbergasted spotting the...

HELLO AMERICA!—There is no doubt that Morgan Freeman is one of the most talented actors we have today in the entertainment industry. However, when he graduated from high school, becoming pilot appealed to him more than anything and signed up to the U.S. Airforce.  It didn't take long for his dream to dim because he was relegated to "ground"...

HELLO AMERICA!—It’s good to know that our new breed of film writers and directors take time to explore cities and countries they plan to set their dramatic scenario on.  Steven K. Proctor is one of those who plans a major film feature about Greece and its people. He is currently there living among the people who reside in the...

HELLO AMERICA!—I must admit that when I first became aware of Eric Roberts in a short film in the 1970s, I thought he was menacing.  He had the same kind of dark and even exciting edge as that of a Jack Palance or even Charles Lauton, actors I had met and respected so terribly. When finally meeting him, he...

HELLO AMERICA!—For years I've viewed the Billboard Music Awards show and found them usually tolerable, but this current outing was off balance and shaky a bit.  The opening was a typical Las Vegas extravaganza with all the luster, color, attached to star Britney Spears. Who, for the kind of talent she has, did a great job and proved again why...

HELLO AMERICA!—There is one thing that has been established in the entertainment industry: Miley Cyrus might be young and spirited, but she knows how to handle herself with the greatest of ease. She has dated and nearly got engaged to some of the most successful guys in the country, but never fell under their control. She is a young woman...