You Read It First In Vintage Paparazzi

Cupid Conquests: What a month for Cupid! The gal who waited longest to take her “heart” to her heart, was Jinx Falkenburg, whose engagement had lasted just about three years before she and popular war correspondent Maj. Tex McCrary tied the knot. And what hectic proceedings! Tex had been overseas a long, long time in Europe. He suddenly returned to the United States en route to the Pacific with just a few days to spend in New York. At this very moment. Jinx was leaving to go overseas to Europe in the entertainment troupe with Ed Gardner. She flew east, after an impassioned message (via long distance phone to Hollywood) from Tex—and off she rushed to become his bride. They had just a couple of days together before each departed for different sides of the globe again! Romantic, huh? Everyone hopes the two will be reunited soon. Jinx is such a swell gal—and so popular. And so ready at any time to help in the war effort. Many a gal would do well to stop, look and listen around Jinx—and learn a lot of the components of real glamour.

The long-expected marriage of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli (remember Cal gave you the first hint that their romance was real—many months ago) came off amid a lot of last-minute changes of mind. Instead of both of them going to New York for the ceremony, it was suddenly decided to tie the knot right in Beverly Hills. One reason was that Judy wanted her boss and discoverer, Louis B. Mayer, to be present. And he was. What’s more, he gave the bride away. Then the newlyweds leaped aboard an eastbound train to spend their honeymoon in New York and found themselves in the very next compartment to pretty, Bergmanish Donna Reed and Tony Owen, who had been married the same afternoon. Cal wonders how much the four of them saw of each other on the journey. Donna’s groom is a young, good-looking agent and he’s very popular around town.

Cupid Casualties: Among Cupid’s casualties are Carole Landis, leaving any minute for that Reno divorce—long delayed. She’s supposed to marry Horace Schmidlapp, millionaire theatrical producer, when she’s free—but don’t bet too much on that . . . Ken Murray’s marriage of several years has flopped—and he’ll soon be a bachelor again . . . Arline Judge, who has been denying she’ll divorce Capt. Jimmy Adams of the RAF, will nevertheless do so. And many a bird whispers she has her fourth groom already picked out . . . If Ida Lupino and Helmut Dantine aren’t a “casualty” in the romance department already—they will be soon. All signs point that way. Meanwhile, Helmut’s ex, Gwen Anderson, has married playwright Eddie Chodorov . . . and dialogue director Freddie de Cordova (who used to rush Bonita Granville) is courting Ida Lupino like mad.

And of course another “black-out”—Joan Fontaine’s final divorce decree from Brian Aherne. No real romantic antic in view for Joan at this writing.

Fans, tsch, tsch!: We heard a story recently that has made us wonder if you fans who complain of the rudeness or indifference of stars ever think that maybe it works both ways. For instance, a fan ran up to Van Johnson’s car as he drove out of M-G-M and asked for his autograph. Van obliged on the very first page. Then turning to Keenan Wynn who was riding with Van, the fan asked for his signature. Turning the page to sign, the actor had the book rudely snatched from his hands. “No, no,” cried the fan, “the front of the book is reserved for big stars like Van and Frankie Sinatra. You sign here.” And turning the pages he indicated a page that held another name. Keenan’s eyes bulged as he looked at John Barrymore’s signature. Under it Keenan wrote, “This is the greatest honor ever paid me.”

The fan didn’t get it.

Thisa and Thata: M-G-M is having a time casting “The Romance Of Rosy Ridge.” They had hoped Jimmy Stewart might return for the starring role—but that was just wishful thinking.

Phyllis Thaxter tells Cal she’s taking a whole year off the screen to have a baby. Phyllis is happily married to Capt. James Aubrey, now overseas.

The town is holding its breath over Lili Damita’s return to Hollywood. Especially since Errol Flynn, is suing for declaratory relief from paying tax on her alimony. Their four-year-old son, Sean Leslie Flynn, accompanies Lili. Hollywood feels the impending court fight played a large part in Flynn’s open acknowledgment of Nora Eddington as his wife. Which is the good that blew out of that ill wind.

Lloyd Nolan was telling us about his cute little daughter Melinda who trotted home from Sunday School with a religious picture in her hand. “And what’s this?” Lloyd asked her. “Oh, just an ad from Heaven,” Melinda said.

Prophecy Come True: Photoplay chalks up another winner in the marriage of Deanna Durbin to Felix Jackson, her producer. Think back and you’ll remember that just a year ago Photoplay told you this was a romance in a I story called “Deanna’s In Love.”

Probably no girl in all Hollywood knew more loneliness and confusion in matters of the heart than Deanna. Everyone hoped that her marriage to Vaughn Paul would last, but both were too young to have a firm ground for permanent happiness.

When Felix Jackson stepped into the picture after her divorce, it was natural that Deanna found him exciting. He had all the poise and polish of an older man. He had persistence, too. So on June 13 Deanna and he were married in the chapel of the Last Frontier Hotel by the Rev. A. C. Melton of the Emmanuel Community Church. They picked that date because they believe thirteen is their lucky number—all Deanna’s pictures start on the thirteenth, the last five of which, including “Lady On A Train,” have been directed by Felix Jackson.

High Spots: By the way, Kathryn Grayson’s spouse, Lieut. John Shelton, is temporarily home from the Pacific and looking very well. Saw them both at a big party that Walter Winchell threw while he was visiting here, beaming at each other all evening.

This party had people gaping at Georgia Raft, who never takes a drink. But he had a glass and a half of champagne and really thought it was New Year’s Eve. He had more fun! And the rest had fun with him because when George gets up to do an exhibition rumba (which he did with Judy Garland) or his famous snake-hips routine (which he did by himself) people get a load of some real steppin.’

Auction for Uncle Sam: And when it comes to selling War Bonds, nobody-can top Hollywood for getting people to open their hearts and their pocketbooks or staging their Bond-selling with glamour. Take the big “On to Tokyo” dinner the film folk held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Hundreds of people paid a thousand dollars a plate (in Bonds) just to dine and then started bidding in Bonds for some of the things that the movie stars auctioned off. Cary Grant, who with Bob Hope had sold two and a half million in Bonds one night in Chicago, popped his eyes out before the night was over. And no wonder! Between himself, Reggie Gardiner, Basil Rathbone, Pat O’Brien, Bob Young, Roz Russell, Mary Pickford, Joan Leslie and others as auctioneers, they garnered over six million dollars for Uncle Sam! Roz Russell hit the high of the night by getting $1,075 for a gorgeous evening gown. A handbag of Mary Pickford’s went for $360 in Bonds. So Mary just put her lipstick and other doo-dads into a handkerchief and took them home like that.

Round abouts: Joan Blondell is having the time of her life on the “Strange Adventure” set with Gable. The two lunch, laugh and howl all day long . . . Charles Russell, back from New Orleans location with the “Enchanted Voyage” troupe, reports seeing Lieut. Bob Taylor all over the place. Dining alone one night Charles strolled over to a table where Bob was also a lone diner. Before Bob was an open copy of Photoplay. “Ever get homesick for Hollywood?” Charlie asked him. Bob looked down at the magazine and said, “What ‘ do you think?” The handsome lieutenant is champing at the bit to get overseas . . . The Cary Grant-Betty Hensel romance is wavering due to Betty’s impatience with Cary’s indecision as to dinner or dancing dates. The gal never knows whether Cary will or won’t be on tap . . . That little Fox charmer, who knows how to wine and dine cameramen to her advantage, has everyone chuckling. What a schemer!

Cal Roams around: It’s a gala night when Cal goes dining out with the Chester Morris’s, for in all Hollywood there is no happier couple, one more amusing or one more popular with the villagers themselves.

Romanoffs was the setting for our last get-together with practically everyone stopping by the table for a chat or to gape anew at some astonishing feat of magic by Chester who is recognized as one of America’s best amateur magicians. Dozens of tiny wool rabbits literally spring from friends’ pockets, ears or hats, to the dumfounded amazement of out-of-towners who are convinced the natives are wild people.

When Chester isn’t making the popular “Boston Blackie’s” at Columbia, he and Lily are off to camps and hospitals with their magic show. And if you think only Hollywood loves this couple, ask any soldiers who have come within ten feet of the Morrises.

Fighting Men: Hollywood’s own Col. Jimmy Stewart should be leaving just about this minute for the fighting zones of the Pacific. He was due in Hollywood for a nice long furlough, after having been in the United States sans publicity for several weeks. But his mind wasn’t just on seeing the pals he’d missed—nor just playing around. He was longing for re-assignment to the Pacific—and that’s what he expected to get. He’s a shining example of the movie lads who are making a wonderful showing for themselves and their country. Another one is Lieut. Ty Power. Bet you didn’t know that the very first plane to land on Okinawa was piloted by Ty! Yep—an Army transport it was.

Day Break?: Laraine Day really had a let-down when she went to visit her home town of Roosevelt, Utah—and this is one for the “such is fame” department. Laraine, whose real name is Johnson, hadn’t been in the home burg in seven years. When she got off the train, the station master who has known her for ages, called, “Hi, Miss Johnson—you been away quite some time—don’t think I’ve seen you fer a couple of years!”

Incidentally, keep a wary eye on the Laraine Day-Roy Hendricks marriage. As Cal told you about the Carole Landis fiasco (while it was being denied)—this mating is not long for this world.

Sis: June Allyson is finally breaking down and admitting that her gorgeous mink coat is a gift from Dick Powell and Dick is admitting that the big house he bought in Bel-Air is intended to be just a “honeymoon cottage.” Dick’s divorce is final any minute—and you can bet June will be more starryeyed than ever when she becomes Mrs. Dick Powell—I should say roughly about five minutes after it becomes legal for them to say “I do.”

Everyone out at M-G-M has nicknamed June “Sis.” After all, she played Gloria De Haven’s sis in “Two Girls And A Sailor,” played sister to Margaret O’Brien in “Music For Millions” and just finished being Kathryn Grayson’s sis in “Two Sisters From Boston”—besides, Junie likes the nickname. She never had a sister and wishes she had. 

Glenn and Eleanor: Cal found himself with Glenn Ford and Eleanor Powell at a friend’s house the other evening and it was hard for us to visualize this tall, rather shy girl in her cotton frock as that black silk-stockinged dancer of M-G-M’s musicals. Her feet are quiet now but her smile is as radiant, and her hands that kept time to the rhythm of her feet stray now to her purse where her baby’s picture reposes.

To make their happiness complete, after being homeless since Glenn’s discharge from the Marines, the two have bought a little home of their own and are now scurrying about transforming one of the rooms into a nursery.

Eleanor expresses no desire to return to the screen, but after Glenn finishes “A Stolen Life” opposite Bette Davis (and what a break that is) he reports to Columbia for more movies.

Last-minute News: Louella Parsons’s party for Col. Ben Lyon and wife Bebe Daniels brought out every personality and star in Hollywood. It was good to see Jean Pierre Aumont in civvies again. Errol Flynn haunted the garden but left with Florence Pritchett. Well, well! Maria Montez in a side-draped, brilliantly striped turban with purse to match looked tres glamorous, but Cal had the prettiest gal there to our notion—Lana Turner. Fact is, Lana called for Cal in her Packard coupe . . . Walter Winchell was all over the place newsgathering, with Cal right behind him . . . Chatted with Clifton Webb who tells us he’s here now for more movies—after “Laura” that’s great good news, isn’t it? . . . Cary Grant was the beau bachelor of the party . . . Harold Lloyd’s pretty daughter Gloria drew lots of admiring glances . . . Everyone is so happy over the John Garfields’ expected baby, which is helping assuage Mrs. Garfield’s grief over the sudden death of her little daughter.

Heard and Seen: Bogie paid forty thousand dollars for the house that Lauren Bacall chose for them to live in—just because she was so crazy about the place. It’s worth about half of that. But any kind of a house in Hollywood, it seems, is bringing a terrific price these days . . . Lonesomest sight in town: Lana Turner—who wails how she feels only “half alive” since Turhan went into the Army. Hasn’t been step- ping out, either. Went to La Rue one night for dinner—just with another girl. Then they “bached” it to Mocambo—but only for a few minutes—then home! . . . Rita and Orson Welles seem to be making La Rue their dinner hangout. Orson has lost pounds and pounds of weight—soon will have a figger as glamorous as Rita’s he says . . . Vic Mature developed a big crush on pretty little Buff Cobb Bautzer, but Alan Curtis has been dating her since Vic left town . . . Sinatra is a sensational success with the GI’s overseas. They were worried in the beginning that the boys might razz Frankie but, wisely, Frank was made the “stooge” in the act he did with Phil Silvers and others, and his down-to-earth charm, plus his singing won the soldiers completely.

Maisie and Ouijo: The phone call was from Ann Sothern. Cal and Lieut. Ted Tewksbury, who expected to go back overseas much sooner, were invited up to play the ouija board, of all fantastic things. Happiness in motherhood has done wonders for the screen’s beloved Maisie. Her pixie-like charm has grown into downright loveliness.

Her eagerness to learn the names of every navy plane kept Lieut. Tewksbury hopping from PB4Y2’s to every conceivable type of Navy plane while Ann compared the Navy with the Army type her husband, Lieut. Robert Sterling, is flying.

She told us, too, how Bob had taken on his duties as a father from the moment the baby was born. “He stood with his nose flattened against the window staring for hours at her in the hospital,” Ann laughed.

The ouija? Oh yes. Jerry Asher of Warner’s publicity department joined us and the results were amazing. Ann learned her next for M-G-M was a Maisie film followed by a musical. Jerry learned many things about the stars at his studio (as if we’d tell), Ted learned where he’d be stationed next and Cal discovered stars were as eager to be amused and entertained, as the average fellow.

Music Everywhere: A few months ago, when suddenly a whole bunch of new crooners were making a bid for the throne that Bing Crosby still holds, Bing shook his head and we heard him say in that velvety voice of his, “eeeeeverybody’s singin’!” He wasn’t kidding. What must Bing think now—with Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Van Johnson all about to burst into song in coming movies??! Clark will warble a bit of “Trolley Song” into Greer Garson’s ear in “Strange Adventure,” Cary will sing six Cole Porter tunes in “Night And Day” and it’s all cooked up to have the Johnson boy do some real crooning in his new picture.

Speaking of “Strange Adventure” recalls how Greer Garson, always quick with a quip, broke everyone up during one scene. Greer was playing the librarian of a book shop and another actress was supposed to ask for a certain book. She approached Greer and said, “ ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,’ ” and before she could get “please” out, Greer said, “Are you kidding?” P.S. They took that scene over.

Correction, Please: Regarding those swell Joe Gotten color pictures Photoplay ran in the June issue, we understand the information we had on the photographer was wrong. That’s why Al St. Hilaire was given credit instead of Madison Lacy who actually did the job. Sorry!

 

It is a quote. PHOTOPLAY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 1945