Could we talk a bit about the people who were important to Ava Gardner? First, her parents and sister, Beatrice “Bappie” Gardner: Given the poverty of her youth, how did the actress regard her mother and father? Were her memories of them bittersweet? By all accounts Ava had nothing but fond memorie...

Prior to his death, I read that Huston had hoped to cast her again in a proposed adaptation of Hemingway's Islands in the Stream, which was eventually made by Franklin Schaffner in 1977 with Scott in the lead. Perhaps it's just as well that "dream casting" never occurred? Oh gosh, I agree...

Different directors such as Robert Siodmak, George Cukor, John Ford, and John Huston brought out something special in the actress. Was there a particular director whose help was significant for Ava Gardner? In later years Ava maintained that John Huston was her favourite director, and indeed they d...

As I reviewed the acknowledgements section, it's amazing how much cooperation you had from so many libraries, agencies, and previous biogaphers of Ava. If you feel you can share with us here, do you mind revealing what interviews that you conducted revealed information that you'd not encountered be...

Like Moira, Anthony, I am happy to know that you have such a high opinion of Night of The Iguana, I also enjoyed the quote from Ian McKellen concerning Ava's lack of artifice in her day-today-appearance. Do either of you have a particular fondness for any of Ava's anecdotes or stories about her? We...

Anthony, I am delighted to read that your first memory of Ava Gardner was Night of the Iguana. Her later work, in films such as the former, On the Beach, and Seven Days in May (on TCM now!) were my introductions to her unique blend of warmth, humor, and vulnerability when I was a kid. Her early, da...

Thanks so much, Kendra. I can't wait to read what Anthony's response. It seems that Anthony shares your enthusiasm for the new Ava book. Can you also share some of the difficulties you encountered trying to secure some of the images you wanted? What factors ultimately drove some of your decisions? ...

Kendra and Anthony, we are so thrilled that you have taken time out of your busy schedules to share your expertise with us here at The Silver Screen Oasis. Thank you both! While researching about Ava, did you find that there were any parallels in the lives of Vivien Leigh and Ava Gardner? Ava seeme...

Good morning, Kendra & Anthony! Thank you so much for having us on here, what a thrill to share our appreciation of Ava with everyone! As Kendra pointed out we had already been very good friends prior to our starting work on Ava, and that was definitely a huge plus, both in terms of researching...