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But in early September last year, chatting online in Borders NetCafe to promote his new CD, This One's From the Heart, he marvelled at what was then a novel experience. "This is my first online interview or anything for that matter," he remarked. "It's so nice to know that I can reach out and touch and communicate with so many people all over the world ... It's a great feeling and I look forward to doing it many, many more times." And no doubt he will. After many years working behind-the-scenes as a director, his star is on the rise again thanks to DS9 and his new CD, a big-band jazz extravaganza featuring 17 timeless classics. But the popular performer, who first made it big in 1959 playing Moondoggie in the Gidget pics, hasn't forgotten where he started. "The very first Gidget was my favourite of all three that I have done, and I'm very proud [of] them," he said. "I believe those films captured a time of life that was very special. Young people today who see them would love to experience something like that in reality." James also cited The Guns of Navarone and The Time Tunnel as highlights of his early career, and said he especially enjoyed working with Heather Locklear and William Shatner on TJ Hooker. But it was his Las Vegas stage act with Buddy Hackett in the '70s that instilled in him a love of live performance. "I much prefer entertaining as a singer to a live audience 'cause I can be the ham that I am," he quipped. And what about touring? Since his resurgence as a recording artist, James Darren has performed at a variety of venues throughout the US, including Atlantic City. So far, his overseas followers have missed out on seeing him live, but maybe that's about to change. Remarking that he would love to tour Australia, he added "I'm just waiting for an invitation." Well, as the only Aussie present in Borders NetCafe that day, I felt it was my patriotic duty to speak up. "James," I said, "you're invited!" He's not here yet, but I'm still hopeful. Because, as we say in this part of the world, he sure sounded fair dinkum to me.
For the past 15 years, Connie has headlined at Las Vegas and large theatre venues throughout the US. Her daughters, Joely Fisher (now touring as the lead in a revival of Cabaret) and Tricia Leigh (a successful actor), occasionally join her in concert when they have time off from their own busy schedules. Connie's phenomenal business success with her line of beauty products is well documented. But her charity work also keeps her constantly on the go. For instance, Connie's Windfeather project helps Native American Indians by awarding college scholarships, providing surplus goods to reservations, and enabling children to attend summer camp. Through her Dignity foundation she helps mentally and physically challenged people in Wyoming by developing programs to house and educate them, and to facilitate their entry to the mainstream workforce. Next on her agenda is the development of a resort hotel for young people with special needs. And it doesn't end there. Proceeds from the sale of Connie's photographs and other memorabilia goes to charity. One of her former co-stars, Dwayne Hickman, has always been a Connie Stevens fan. He first worked with her in the '50s when she guest starred on The Bob Cummings Show. "She was sexy and vivacious," recalled Dwayne in his autobiography Forever Dobie, "and I had an instant crush on her." In the late 1980s Dwayne worked with Connie again on a Dobie Gillis reunion movie in which she played Thalia Menninger, a role created nearly 30 years earlier by Tuesday Weld. "Connie brought a wonderful energy to the set and was always pleasant and full of fun," said Dwayne. "[She] gave the impression that her life was one big party, and her enthusiasm was contagious." Audiences and recipients of her charity work would no doubt agree. Bravo, Connie.
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