An Unforgettable Interview With Ingenuous Greta Thyssen!
QUESTION:
When Mr. Grant phoned you for dinner, did you know you were going to dine on his bed?
ANSWER:
No. . . but that’s the way he always entertains.
Are you and Cary serious? Or what is it, just a kick type of romance?
I don’t . . . I don’t think so. I wouldn’t say that. No. This man is so interested in human beings, and so interested in what goes on in you, that it’s sort of . . . I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t think he’s going with anyone else, at least not right now. But how do I know what a man does when he’s not with me?
Well, was it serious at the beginning? Would you be jealous now if you knew he was going with anyone else or saw him out on a date?
No, I wouldn’t be jealous. But how could you know whether it’s serious until a man proposes? Do you ever know if it’s serious? Really know, I mean.
QUESTION:
Well, you know whether it’s more than just a casual kiss.
ANSWER:
Cary has a theory. He believes that people really love all attractive people they meet, but they don’t dare admit it. Even if people are married, Cary says they still have this attraction. I suppose he means you can love more than one person . . . he says that if he loves me he can also love somebody else whom he may meet. This is what he feels I should learn to do, too, for my own good.
What good does it do to feel this way? I mean, aren’t you talking about free love? After all, in the United States people don’t accept this type of behavior. What do you think his purpose is in believing in this theory?
Well, I don’t know. At least it gives a male more freedom. In a sense, it is free love. Except Cary puts it a little differently. He’s been dating so many people since he separated from his wife. So actually, in reality, it’s been what he’s been doing. Practicing what he preaches. He doesn’t say shocking things just so people will listen to him when he speaks.
Hmm . . . that’s very interesting, but how does Cary feel that this theory would help a woman—you, in particular?
It would make me freer and it would | make me easier, surer of a real love when I do choose.
QUESTION:
Actually, what he’s saying, isn’t that a beautiful fine? To remove your inhibitions?
Yes. Of course.
QUESTION:
I’m interested. I’m trying to analyze this. I think it’s a beautiful line. This would make even the men mad. In effect, what he’s saying is, “You’re beautiful, I’m beautiful, and according to my theory, if we’re beautiful . . .”
We should love each other and tomorrow if we find other beautiful people we should love them also. But he’s a little bit more honest than most, you know.
QUESTION:
That’s right, but in truth, what he is also saying by this is, “I might love you today, but no promises if I find someone as pretty as you tomorrow, or even next year.”
Yes. Although he’ll still say, “I love you”—which he does say.
QUESTION:
That sort of leaves the un-beautiful out, though.
He has another theory. He feels you should be as close to nature as possible. And he feels even though you might be beautiful on the outside, it is what you exude from within that is more important.
QUESTION:
Well, then actually he is really carrying the theory a step further. He might see me, for example, and, although he might not think I’m beautiful on the outside, if be could convince himself I am beautiful on the inside, this also puts me in the same fraternity. Is that right?
Well, maybe.
QUESTION:
Well then I qualify, too, so this about includes every woman in the world.
I guess so. I hope this doesn’t make him furious. Am I telling too much?
QUESTION:
He learned this in psychoanalysis?
I think so. In those LSD visions, you know. That’s the drug that puts you in kind of a trance. You suddenly see the whole world as a whole, you suddenly see yourself and your relationship to the whole world in a clear, bright vision. I don’t know if it’s a lasting thing, but this is how he discovered his theory. Or maybe it’s just something very convenient.
QUESTION:
Well, now I think it’s something underneath, that basically any man who feels that keeps running after . . .
Yes. Polygamous.
QUESTION:
So I think any argument a man can give to this theory helps him.
It makes him freer to do whatever he wants.
QUESTION:
Has he discussed with you his reason for his last separation?
Well, I think the reason was simply that he wanted to be alone. That is all there is to it.
QUESTION:
You never feel in awe of him?
No, not any more. In the beginning I did. But not any more.
QUESTION:
How long did it take you to get over this?
Very quickly, actually, because I soon found out you can talk to him about anything.
QUESTION:
Tell me more about his theory of loving all beautiful people.
Well, he says that all the time. It’s not so much beautiful people, perhaps, as those you are attracted to. Love everybody you are attracted to. It should be a natural thing. And everybody should be free. I guess that’s what he means, but he doesn’t express it that way.
QUESTION:
There’s nothing morally wrong with this?
No, he doesn’t seem to feel that. He says there is too much suppression in this world. We suppress our urges and our feelings. But I wonder, wouldn’t this theory lead to havoc? I can’t help thinking it’s marvelous for men, but what about us women?
QUESTION:
I think this is a theory that has gone back thousands of years.
That’s right.
QUESTION:
The woman wants one man, she wants to tie him down; and all along, he wants to be free. This is the way we’re raised. But let’s gel back to Cary now as a person. What’s he like? What type of things bug him?
He’s not used to anyone disagreeing with him.
QUESTION:
What other type of things bug him?
Well he wants his help to be perfect. He can’t bear for them not to be on their toes, and everything must be in order. His secretary always has to be perfect.
QUESTION:
What type of people annoy him?
I think he dislikes people who are surface people, people who do not admit t hey have any problems. And people who are not themselves, who are not real. who are not relaxed.
QUESTION:
Does he ever tell yon how to dress?
Oh, yes, this he does. He hates makeup and he often tells me to wear none at all. Most of the time I try to wear as little as possible.
QUESTION:
Does he disapprove of tight-fitling dresses and such?
No. Because this is why he was attracted to me in the first place, when he saw me at the studio. I was wearing a tight-fitting lilac suit, and when we went to his office after lunch, he said, “You have the sexiest looking body I have ever seen.” If I hadn’t worn that type of dress, he would never have noticed.
QUESTION:
When he told you you w ere going lo have dinner on his bed were you alarmed?
Of course I was rather amazed, but not that much.
QUESTION:
What did he say when he said,”Come on, let’s have dinner on my bed?” And is that the way he asked you?
He makes a joke out of it. Like he I apologizes for the fact that . . . it’s on a bed. He explains it very carefully. He says, “It looks funny I know, but this is the way I always entertain, whether it’s a business associate or a producer or any of my friends.” That’s to minimize the fact that it was on the bed. And the housekeeper makes it a little more okay. The dinner is usually pleasant. and he’s very nice to talk to and there’s usually wine—you know, he does drink some.
QUESTION:
But you say the TV is always on?
Yes. he’s a very big fan of TV.
QUESTION:
This doesn’t give a picture of a romantic . . .
Well, he does become more romantic. He loves records and he’ll put records on.
QUESTION:
Is he romantic?
I think he is, yes. He is very much the way he is on the screen. He’s very charming always, and always a gentleman, always considerate, always concerned.
QUESTION:
Tell me about his other theories, he sounds fascinating.
He has many theories on psychiatry.
QUESTION:
Personally, do you think this has made him a better person?
It has made him a better adjusted person, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that the people around him have profited from it.
QUESTION:
Has he adjusted better to the world?
I think so.
QUESTION:
Does he fit in with the world around him because of this?
Oh, sure he does. As big a star as he is, the world is his oyster. And what’s more important, he dares to make it his oyster. He has learned to enjoy life now—he couldn’t when he was younger. As a matter of fact, he was very shy when he was younger, and that’s probably what caused him to develop his fabulous, suave, charming manner on the screen, as a compensation for his real personality.
QUESTION:
Is he a religious person?
I doubt it. I do think he believes in a God, but not in a church. No.
QUESTION:
Do you ever have the feeling when you’re with him . . . well, how old is he, roughly?
He admits to fifty-eight.
QUESTION:
All right. Which is probably as old as your father, right?
As a matter of fact, my father is a little bit younger.
QUESTION:
Well then, do you ever have the feeling that you’re with a man old enough to be your father?
No. This is very amazing. I don’t have that feeling at all. You look at this man and you can’t believe your own eyes.
QUESTION:
Is he as romantic and as virile as a young man?
I don’t know how long it would sustain. I mean if you were married to him.
QUESTION:
Does he have the Outlook of a younger man?
Yes, he has.
QUESTION:
You never have the feeling that you have to go home because he’s old?
Age never enters my mind because I know how old he is. But not because of any way he acts, not that at all. In fact, I’ve never really seen him looking tired or acting tired.
QUESTION:
Is he interested in athletics?
No, I don’t think so. He has a pool, and he swims there, but that’s about all. He doesn’t even exercise to keep in shape. He gave that up a long time ago.
QUESTION:
I’m sure you’ve dated a lot of younger men. Do you find him as exciting as younger men?
More so.
QUESTION:
Nothing of a paternal
No. The paternal end is only because of his concern about you. He’s very p concerned, and very concerned if you have any emotional problems. Or anything. He’s very interested in helping other people, because of his own experiences, I imagine.
QUESTION:
But is this a romance?
Yes. He’s even more concerned if it’s a romance.
QUESTION:
Does he ever send you flowers?
No.
QUESTION:
Buy gifts?
Yes, records and stuffed animals.
QUESTION:
Is he as egotistical as you might think a big star like Cary would he?
If he were, how could I possibly say that in print?
QUESTION:
Well, he certainly is not a normal man.
That’s for sure. Or he wouldn’t have stayed at the top this long. And he still plays a lover though he’s at the age where he should be a character actor.
QUESTION:
Now, you’re not saying anything harmful.
I might.
QUESTION:
Do you understand what I mean?
You’re asking me if he is egotistical. Suppose I say yes.
QUESTION:
But he must have a certain vanity.
Well, people seem to treat him as if he were a king, as if he were Caesar. Everybody says “yes” to him as if they were very much in awe of him. I suppose it is like this with every big star, but you can’t help being very struck by it. And he takes it as his due.
QUESTION:
And if he were just a normal man, he wouldn’t bring any of this excitement. Do you agree?
Yes, that’s true. And about his vanity. part of it is his being so young-looking. He always is very careful to get a lot of rest. For instance, he doesn’t stay out late. I have been at dinner parties at Tony Curtis’ house with him, and he always leaves earlier than anybody else. He goes to bed early and he sleeps late, even though he goes to his office every day. And on weekends he sometimes does nothing but stay in bed, resting, reading and just taking it easy. So he is always watching his health, his youth and his rest. Sometimes he will talk to people only on the phone, but not see them for days at a time.
QUESTION:
Does he take any special pains with his appearance that the average man doesn’t?
I don’t think so. He doesn’t wear any makeup in movies at all.
QUESTION:
Is he a clothes horse?
Well, he dresses well, but not exaggerated.
QUESTION:
Tell me about some of your other dates.
Well, what do you want to know?
QUESTION:
Tell me what it’s like to be with him.
Well he always makes you feel special, if you are the girl that he likes. One time, at Tony Curtis’ place, in a moment of enthusiasm, he fell on his knees in front of me and kissed my hand.
QUESTION:
Why?
I don’t know, I really don’t know why. Perhaps just to show his enthusiasm about something we had discussed, or his enthusiasm in me. It’s very flattering.
QUESTION:
Do the women gravitate toward him?
Oh yes, definitely.
QUESTION:
Tell me some other things about him.
Well, I’ve actually seen him most in his home. He doesn’t go out very much. I’ve seen him mostly during lunch in the studio, in his office.
QUESTION:
What do you do when you go to his home?
Well, what do you do when you go to somebody’s home? We have dinner, we talk, we watch television, listen to music and drink.
QUESTION:
Do you ever dance?
No.
QUESTION:
Does he ever take you to night clubs?
No.
QUESTION:
For drives?
Yes.
QUESTION:
Where do you go?
Nowhere, just long drives up in the hills.
QUESTION:
When you do go out, do you ever tell him where you want to go, or does he take the ead?
He takes the lead. I don’t say anything. He usually calls at eleven o’clock, if I don’t see him at night.
QUESTION:
When you’re not home does he ever ask you where you’ve been?
No. He would be rather curious about it because, according to his theory, I should be free, too, to be allowed to love others. He would like to find out, but I never tell him anything.
QUESTION:
And it never seems to bother him?
I don’t think so. Maybe it’s just some kind of sexual curiosity. I don’t know.
QUESTION:
Then he never does talk about your other dates, dates he assumes you have?
No.
QUESTION:
Is he always a gentleman?
Oh, unfailingly, always. I have never seen any man with such perfect manners.
QUESTION:
Did you ever get the feeling that he is always on, so to speak, on the stage?
I don’t really think so. Not any more. I don’t think he has to. I think a small part of him might be a surface personality. But underneath he goes deep.
QUESTION:
Does he impress you as a lonely sort of person?
In a way, yes. And yet he’s sufficient within himself. And more so since he had the LSD treatment.
QUESTION:
Is he undergoing any psychiatric aid now?
I don’t think it’s a steady or continuous thing now.
QUESTION:
Do you have very elegant meals when you have dinner?
Good meals, but nothing special. Wine. Good wine.
QUESTION:
What type of drink does he drink?
I forget whether it’s vodka or scotch or something. And he eats whatever he feels like. He doesn’t even have a weight problem anymore, which he used to as a young man.
QUESTION:
You think his secret of looking so young, then, is rest?
Yes. His secret is relaxation and rest. I think through hypnosis he keeps himself young.
QUESTION:
Does he use self-hypnosis?
Yes. His ex-wife used to hypnotize him.
QUESTION:
Have you ever seen him going through self-hypnosis?
No, but I’ve asked him about his treatment with LSD. I was kind of curious to try it myself, but he said no. It’s a treatment they use only in experiments at this point and not everybody can have it. So he didn’t want me to try it.
QUESTION:
Why did they give it to him?
Why? Because he wanted it, and they probably used him partly as an experiment.
QUESTION:
Can you think of anything intimate that has happened between the two of you that isn’t too intimate to talk about? For example, some of those evenings in his home you turn down the lights . . .
Sure we turned down the lights, but doesn’t that go without saying?
QUESTION:
So when you tell me you have dinner at Cary Grant’s house. I can assume that you don’t go there to watch television.
Well, we turned down the lights and listened to music, and . . . now people don’t talk about these things.
QUESTION:
Does he know that you have this appointment with me?
Oh, no. Gosh, I wouldn’t tell him. This interview will probably infuriate him.
QUESTION:
Well, are you thinking of any future with him?
A girl is never supposed to until she’s proposed to.—this is an exclusive taped interview with Marilyn Beck.
See Cary in “Touch of Mink” for U-I.
It is a quote. PHOTOPLAY MAGAZINE MARCH 1962
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