Yes, I know, those of you who are laughing at the headline, that perhaps 20th Century Fox may be overstating their case for Joan Collins in this collection to be released on Tuesday. Keep in mind that once upon a time, a little costume epic tltled Cleopatra was earmarked for Collins until Elizabeth Taylor decided that she was the true queen of Hollywood and the Nile.
Some of the films are barely remembered, if at all, like the espionage thriller, Stopover Tokyo (1957), with Collins as the wife of spy Robert Wagner. Sea Wife, also from 1957, stars Collins with Richard Burton as passengers of a sunken ship, trapped on a lifeboat. Burton falls in love with Collins not knowing that she is really a nun! Even more amazing is that at one time this film was to have been directed by the Italian neo-realist director Roberto Rossellini.
Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys (1958) was a later effort from classic director Leo McCarey with a cast topped by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, with Collins as their sexy neighbor. Future stars of the Dobie Gillis televison series, Dwayne Hickman and Tuesday Weld are also in this film. The comedy is about the reaction in a suburban neighborhood when the Army plans to build a nearby missile base.
Henry Hathaway’s Seven Thieves (1960) is a heist film with Collins as the lone woman with a team of crooks including Edward G. Robinson, Rod Steiger and Eli Wallach. The plan is to steal money from a casino in Monte Carlo.
Best of the five releases is The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955), starring the twenty-two year old Collins with Ray Milland and Farley Granger. This film from Richard Fleischer is based on the true story of a scandal that rocked New York City in 1906. Marilyn Monroe was originally cast in the film, although Collins was closer in age to the teenage Evelyn Nesbit.
For those who only know Joan Collins from Dynasty, check out any of these films to see Collins when she was a young hottie!
Popularity: 1% [?]
