Here’s the story you wanted—Liz and Mike’s wedding party. Incidentally, I almost didn’t make it. Except for Eddie Fisher’s pants, I wouldn’t have. I had to borrow a pair from him at the last minute—’cause my own tropicals got lost in the shuffle. It was real mad! To get back to the wedding party, you can believe me when I tell you that it was just about the poshest party that’s ever been thrown.
“Debbie Reynolds gets a kiss from Liz’ bridegroom. If Debbie’s eyes look a little big, it’s because Mike has just whispered that his wedding gift to Liz is a $90,000 bracelet!”
“Eddie Fisher’s gone native, and Liz thinks he looks cute as a . . . as a . . . well, cute. By the time Liz finished saying hello to Eddie, his Debbie was already lapping up the caviar.”
“When I met Liz’ family, her mom, sister-in-law, brother and dad, Liz’ dad told me that Mike’s the kind of guy she needs. ‘Somebody who can lay down the law to her’ were his words. Mrs. Taylor agreed!”
“Liz, looking radiant bui stall not completely recovered from her recent spinal operation, is helped to a camp-chair by Mike. Then the skies over Acapulco were filled with fireworks. Many guests attended this party, but only Liz’ family, Debbie and Eddie, Mike Todd, Jr., Cantinflas and their host Enrique Parra Hernandez were present at the ceremony.”
Mike flew in 15,000 white gladiolas from Mexico City to carpet the lawn of the Acapulco estate where the wedding and shindig were held. Twenty-two cases of champagne were iced and waiting and there was a buffet supper of giant crabs and baby lobsters, baked oysters, caviar, smoked turkey—and all the Mexican dishes that anybody could possibly want.
“Just after the wedding cake was cut, Mike kissed Liz and turning to Eddie, said, ‘See, Liz finally made it! Trying to hook me for so long and now she’s really done it. I’ll bet she’s the happiest girl in the world tonight.’ Mike was joking but Liz wasn’t when she answered ‘You’re right Mike, I am!’ ME: ‘When did you two fall in love, anyway?’ Liz: ‘I guess I’ve always loved Mike. Always. Ever since I was a little girl’ ME: ‘But Liz, you did marry. Michael Wilding . . .’ Liz: ‘I know, and I thought that I loved him then. I really did. But the truth is that I loved Mike.’ ME: ‘Even though you were married to Michael?’ Liz: ‘Yes. Of course, I didn’t know it then. But I know it now.’ “Those words were enough for Mike. He put his arm around his beautiful wife, whispered a few words to her, and then kissed her.”
“Tragedy struck while Liz and I were talking: the air conditioning unit broke down. So the party continued outside. Two orchestras were kept busy. One played Mexican music; Léon Escobar’s troupe of native dancers performed on the patio in the torchlight. When they finished, the party resumed in-doors. Eddie Fisher sang several songs, everyone danced and ate. It was around 10:30 when Liz began feeling ill. I guess it was the heat, the crowds, the endless toasts even though Liz only sipped at her champagne, and the effects of her recent operation. When her dad suggested she retire, she gave out with a strong ‘no’; said she wanted to stay with Mike on this, the most important night of her life.”
“The last to leave, Liz was helped to Mike’s white Thunderbird by her new husband. Just as they were about to drive off, I got in one last question: ‘Liz,’ I shouted, ‘What are you going to name the kids?’ ‘Samuel if it’s a boy and Virginia if it’s a girl!’ she shouted back. And off they drove into the night.”
The ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Acapulco, Mario Lopetegui. But enough of all this; one picture’s worth reams and reams of my letterwriting—and here are fourteen of just about the greatest pictures ever snapped, in addition to my captions—telling all.
Look ’em over, boy. Feel like you were there, too?
Liz is in Warners’ Giant. Watch for her soon in MGM’s Raintree County.
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