'The Harder They Come' to be re-released for 40th anniversary

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A Pat Boone kiss-and-tell

By Susan King

Pat Boone would like to set the record straight: He never had a clause in his movie contract at 20th Century Fox that he wouldn’t kiss his leading ladies. To prove it, he ticks off a list of actresses he kissed, including Diane Baker in 1959’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, Barbara Eden in 1961’s “All Hands on Deck”, Debbie Reynolds in 1964’s “Goodbye Charlie” and even sex kitten Ann-Margret in the 1962 musical “State Fair.”

Still, he jokes, “I guess my love scenes didn’t set the screen afire.” Continue reading this story.

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(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Gloria Stewart

By Susan King

Yes, Gloria Stuart has slowed down and uses a cane these days — she is 100 after all — but the legendary actress is still stunningly beautiful, witty and impishly charming.

During a recent visit to her Santa Monica home, her grandson Benjamin offers a guest a glass of orange juice and Stuart a glass of water. Stuart declines; she wants a glass of white wine.

“Would you like some wine instead?” she asks her visitor.

No, thanks. I don’t drink wine.

“You don’t drink?” she says, smiling. “I do.” Continue reading this story.

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• Hollywood Walk of Fame (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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William Link, pictured, created “Columbo,” “Murder, She Wrote” and “Mannix” with his late partner Richard Levinson. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Richard Chamberlain

By Susan King

During his long, successful career, Richard Chamberlain has played a wide variety of roles. But who knew that he could also do a pitch-perfect impression of Katharine Hepburn?

Chamberlain played opposite the legendary actress in the 1969 film “The Madwoman of Chaillot.” He recalls that Hepburn demanded to meet him before he could get the role of Roderick in the comedy.

“I had to fly to France for her to OK me for the part,” says Chamberlain, still “Shogun” handsome at 76. “She loved to fool around. We did a scene in this park where I had just tried to drown myself. I was lying with my head in her lap on this park bench. They were lighting the scene and she started fooling around with my hair.”

And his ears. Conjuring up the spirit of the late, great Kate, Chamberlain mimics her, saying in her distinctive patrician style, “Oh, little pig ears. Close to your head. Just like mine. It means you are very selfish.’ ” Continue reading this story.

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(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Kevin Tighe

By Susan King

Is Kevin Tighe embarrassed over his starring role as L.A. fireman-paramedic Roy DeSoto in the 1972-77 series “Emergency!” from producer Jack Webb that also starred Randolph Mantooth as his partner?

“No, I feel a great deal of pride that I was able to be a paramedic,” Tighe says. “Randolph and I have stayed good friends. I was the best man at his wedding. I didn’t want to scurry away from it. But it was something I did in my 20s. It didn’t require a lot of acting. It didn’t require a lot of great dialogue ... I don’t list it in the program because it doesn’t really link with what I am doing now.”

Truth be told, he admits he has always had a serious problem with being a celebrity, especially during the “Emergency” era.

“I didn’t know how to deal with it,” he says, “I couldn’t small talk. I would go to parties and my glasses would fog. I was truly miserable. I am a character actor. I am not a celebrity.”

For the last 23 years, Tighe has been building a resume of terrific character parts on film and television, including John Sayles‘ “Matewan” and “Eight Men Out,” Lasse Hallstrom‘s “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” and as John Locke’s contemptible con man father on “Lost.” Continue reading this story.

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• Hollywood Walk of Fame (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Raquel Welch

By Susan King

Raquel Welch has made her peace with Loana, the scantily clad cave woman she played in the 1966 camp classic “One Million Years B.C.” The poster of Welch wearing pelts in strategic places made her a worldwide sex symbol. The image is so iconic, it was even a pivotal plot point in the 1994 film “ The Shawshank Redemption.”

“She’s really pretty OK,” says Welch of her reel-life character. “I recognize her as one part of my nature. But I just don’t want it to be my complete legacy.” Continue reading this story.

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• Hollywood Walk of Fame: Raquel Welch (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

By Susan King

Aug. 26, 2013 11:19 AM PT

Perry Henzell’s cult classic “The Harder They Come” is being re-released in theaters for one night only next month to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its U.S. premiere.

Jamaican singer/actor Jimmy Cliff stars in the crime thriller as Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin, a reggae singer-songwriter who ends up turning to a life of crime after he is swindled by a corrupt record producer.

The film, which opened in New York in February 1973, quickly became one of the most popular midnight movies around the country — including at the Nuart in West Los Angeles. The movie also helped introduce the world to reggae music.

PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments

The soundtrack featured Cliff performing the title tune plus three earlier songs he had recorded. Other reggae singers featured include the Melodians, the Slickers, DJ Scotty and Desmond Dekker.

The influential bestselling album, which paved the way for such reggae artists as Bob Marley, ranked No. 119 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

“The Harder They Come” has been restored and remastered and will have a special screening Sept. 3 at the ArcLight in Hollywood before it goes into wider release in major markets in the U.S. on Sept. 5. Locally, the film will screen on Sept. 5 at the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre.

PHOTOS: Billion-dollar movie club

The film will be released later this year on Blu-ray.

“I knew 40 years ago we had something special with the film,” said Cliff in a statement. “With the re-release of ‘The Harder They Come,’ combined with my upcoming tour and recent Grammy win, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the past, present and future.”

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