Ice Cold Sylvia’s beer ad

5:59pm Thursday 29th June 2006

It was a pleasure to meet veteran Elstree star Sylvia Syms again when I interviewed her prior to the screening of Ice Cold In Alex during the Elstree Film Festival.

I have met Sylvia on a number of occasions over the past 20 years and she is always a feisty lady and likes to test interviewers, which I find fun.

Reflecting on making this well-known war film in 1957, Sylvia said: "We spent several weeks on location in Tunis and did the interiors at Elstree Studios.

"I remember having foolishly signed a seven-year contract and was paid the princely sum of £30 a week. I remember they had to dye my hair each evening after filming as it bleached badly in the strong sunlight."

Sylvia recalled: "The final scene is where we get safely back to Alexandria and have an ice cold beer in a bar which we had to down in one.

"Johnnie Mills forgot we were using real beer and after several takes he had to be carted off to his dressing room for the rest of the day!"

Ironically, 20 years later, Carlsberg decided to use that final scene in a television advert but had to get the agreement of Sylvia, for a price, so she earned more from that than she did making the original movie!

I received a letter and several phone calls from readers telling me the photo that appeared in a recent article about Peter Lawford was not the actor in question. I know you think I am losing my marbles but I only supply the words for this column, not the photos!

At least, it goes to prove I have some readers out there so thank you for contacting me.

In the 1980s, I briefly met actress Ava Gardner in London. For a time she had been one of the top stars in tinseltown and in 1956 came to MGM in Borehamwood to star in Bhowani Junction with Stewart Granger.

Ava recalled: "I loved working with director George Cukor and it was a very happy experience."

The following year she was back here again with Stewart for The Little Hut, which also starred David Niven.

"I hated everything about that picture which had a terrible script," she said.

"The problem was in those days if you refused a part, MGM simply suspended your contract and added it on to the end which meant it could go on forever."

Ava said she moved to London for privacy.

"I love the way the English leave you alone to get on with your life."

However, she recalled one amusing anecdote: "Somebody wrote me a fan letter just addressed to Ava Gardner, Hyde Park, London, as they must have heard I had an apartment in that area.

"The Royal Mail delivered it to my address which was marvellous but the mailman had written on the envelope which park bench?' which I thought was good limey humour."

Sadly, Ava was a heavy drinker and smoker and the combination caught up with her when she had a stroke and later died at the age of 67 in 1990.

They were two strong-willed ladies who helped brighten up the big screen.

Editor's Choice