You Read It First In Vintage Paparazzi

Bedside Manner: Marlon Brando proved to be that proverbial friend in need during Anna Kashfi’s recent bout with pleurisy. Although medicos posted a “No Visitors” sign, it did not keep out the volatile actor, whose flowers, phone calls and daily visits helped to hasten dark-eyed Anna’s recovery. That hillside house formerly occupied by Marlon was vacant again. So he checked out of his Chateau Marmont apartment, and the Don Murrays, who expect Sir Stork, checked in. . . . Still weeping over her broken marriage, Elizabeth Taylor departed for “Raintree County” location in Danville, Kentucky. Hard to say whether it was the heat or the emotional pressure set off by her separation from Mike, but Liz collapsed and had to be ordered to bed for several days. This seems to happen to Liz every time she makes a picture. Could it be some deep-seated dislike of picture-making? Hard to believe. Co-star Montgomery Clift lavished care and concern on her, and still-devoted Michael Wilding cabled red roses from his own picture-making in Europe.

Memory Lane: Driven by desire to see James Dean again, Natalie Wood and Scott Marlowe motored all the way to Bakersfield when “Giant” was previewed. During the 112-mile trip back to Hollywood they sat in silence, too choked to talk. . . . And hearts went out to inconsolable Fred Astaire, who had his toughest line to speak in “Funny Face.” He had to say, “I have to meet my wife and kids.” Still suffering the loss of his real-life wife, Fred broke up during the first three takes.

Pretty Babies: When Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher finished “Bundle of Joy,” they rested for a full week before giving their first party. Debbie modeled a maternity bathing suit she designed herself, and everyone urged her to manufacture them. Eddie, who usually smokes a pipe, puffed away on cigars. “Just rehearsing for November first!” he grinned. . . . A tip from Jean Simmons to expectant mothers: “To conquer hair-do problems, wear your hair in a bun crowned with little wreaths of artificial flowers. I buy my flowers in the five-and-ten and make the wreaths myself. They’re practical, they’re fun and you always look neat.” Jean’s in “Protection for a Tough Racket.”

“So This Is Hollywood” mused English import Diana Dors the next morning after her husband had “ruffled up” a photographer for having reportedly pushed Miss Dors, her agent, Louis Schurr and dress designer Howard Shoup into a swimming pool. It seems that Miss Dors’ husband, Dennis Hamilton, doesn’t like to see his wife pushed around, much less dunked fully clothed into water. Mr. Hamilton insists the photographer, Stuart Sawyer, did the pushing in the hope of getting a good picture of Miss Dors emerging, soaking wet. Mr. Hamilton felt that this was extremely poor behavior on the part of Mr. Sawyer, considering that the lad had eaten of the Dors-Hamilton food, drunk of their liquor and generally enjoyed their hospitality. Mr. Sawyer was taken to the hospital with fairly severe bruises and injuries, Miss Dors took to her bed with a sprained back, Mr. Hamilton took to the telephone to defend his action, and their guests, generally, took to the hills, preferring no to be quoted. But, as someone remarked, picking fights—with or without provocation—with newspapermen is something older and wiser stars avoid, sometimes even accepting insults rather than permit themselves to be provoked into making headlines.

More Bounce to the Ounce: That’s Betty Hutton, these happy days. Making “Spring Reunion” for United Artists, Betty’s walking on air over the fact that she’s been given a strong, dramatic role that really calls for acting as well as enthusiasm. After her TV spectacular was slightly less than spectacular, Betty’s spirits took a nosedive, but the girl has too much courage and too much talent to be defeated for very long.

There’s a Long, Long Trail: Remember all the people who said the Arlene Dahl-Fernando Lamas marriage couldn’t possibly last? You’ll need a long memory, because Fernando and Arlene have weathered plenty of marital storms and they’re still very much together, very much in love, and very, very happy.

Baptism by Fire: Eighteen-year-old son of Helen Hayes, James MacArthur, who screen debuts in RKO’s “The Young Stranger,” was invited to his first Hollywood party his first night in town. Elaine Aiken instructed her guests to appear at her hilltop home in dungarees, with bare feet. Bongo drums bongoed until dawn. Natalie Wood, Tom Tryon, Scott Marlowe, Lori Nelson and Sal Mineo were just a few of the famous guests who shook the welkin, if not the neighbors’ nerves. New York now seems like a quiet little village to young James, no doubt.

The Saints Be Praised: Eva Marie, certainly, deserved all the praise she got for her fine work in “That Certain Feeling,” which co-starred Bob Hope and was her first fling at comedy. She enjoyed every minute of it, and she’s also enjoying living in Hollywood with her producer-husband Jeffrey Hayden and her young son Darrell—so named so that no one could tack a nickname onto him. Currently making “Raintree County” with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift, Eva Marie Saint is another actress who has proved that careers and marriage can be happily combined when people are old enough to know what they want.

Flash!: Or is it just a flash-in-the-pan? Anyway, 20th Century-Fox has announced that Elvis Presley will star in “Love Me Tender” along with Richard Egan, Debra Paget and Neville Brand. For a complete report on how Presley likes Hollywood and vice versa, see the December issue of Photoplay, with his first interview as a film star.

Intimate Scoop: We hasten to bring you the first fashion tip from the wardrobe of Hollywood’s newest glamour girl, Miss Kelly Lee (not spelled Leigh) Curtis. When Janet Leigh, whose figure is better than ever, if that’s possible, brought her to the set of “The Eyes of Father Tomasino,” Missy Kelly stopped production, much to Tony’s relief, since he was being “choked” by Gilbert Roland. Tony’s first-born was the epitome of female daintiness in a pink organdy frock with white piping. Also she is definitely carrying out the Gussie Moran influence. Kelly’s panties were lace-trimmed! There was so much oohing and ahing that finally the assistant director pleaded, “Would you put your baby away, Mr. Curtis, please!”

Sunny Side Up: Donald O’Connor should have a new bride to go with his new house before you read this. To keep Gloria Noble’s tootsies warm he had the bricks in the patio heated with infra-red rays. His garden is also wired for sound. Donald deserves lasting happiness. Here’s hoping this time is it!

Flag of Truce: Hollywood may have its faults but the town is quick to forgive and forget. No one was less cooperative than Rita Hayworth, and she hurt many people along the way. Now she’s making “Fire Down Below” with Robert Mitchum in Trinidad, and they’re shouting her praises. Maybe at this late stage she’s seen the light. For Rita’s sake we hope it’s true.

One Man’s Family: Robert Taylor is a very fortunate man—and a smart one too! His wife, Ursula Thiess, loves to do her own marketing. She also does all her own cooking and takes care of the children herself. Bob married because he wanted a home and a wife not dedicated to a career, but he never told Ursula not to make pictures. She will make her own decisions. Nice going.

Green Light: Lana Turner is an Rh negative blood type, which makes it difficult and dangerous for her to have children. But doctors assure the Lex Barkers there will be no complications when their baby is born in January. Now if they could just unload that huge house, their happiness would be complete. British Diana Dors, who adores Hollywood, decided it’s too expensive.

Where There’s Smoke: Everything and everyone (including a pixie blond) was blamed for Jack Lemmon’s marital breakup. But according to a pal who dates back to college: “The real villain, I think, is success. Jack settled down too soon, before he got certain things out of his system. I predict that they’ll reconcile.”

Winning Number: Now that Grace Kelly Grimaldi is officially a “lady in waiting,” we can all go back to work. Her heir will save Monaco from reverting to French possession, and the people are ecstatic. Love Bob Hope’s crack: “It’ll be the first time the stork dropped a bundle at Monte Carlo!”

Final Bow: Embarrassing moment for enthusiastic Van Johnson, who always drops to his knees and salaams the “great” ones. In the great Shirley Booth’s dressing room. following her performance in “The Desk Set,” poor Van got a crick in his back and couldn’t get up again. Incidentally, his role in “Slander” nets him three times what M-G-M shelled out when he was under contract to the studio! He’s worth every hard-earned penny of it.

Rice and Old Blues: Soon after twenty-two-year-old Kathy Grant was converted to the fifty-two-year-old Bing Crosby’s church, he walked into a Beverly Hills jewelry store. Naturally, every columnist reported he had bought the ring. Bing did buy a ring—which was a birthday present for his mother. He’ll undoubtedly become a bridegroom soon. He’s mad about the girl and vice versa.

That Certain Party: Spencer Tracy, making “The Old Man and the Sea” in Cuba, was burnt to a crisp over those articles appearing in Cuban newspapers. Unlike the discreet American press, they weren’t so subtle in referring to Spence’s long-time friendship with Katharine Hepburn. Katie happened to be in Havana visiting friends, at the same time they were shooting the picture!

We Wonder: If Guy Madison will ever have anything more to say than “Hello!” . . . If Dorothy Malone has forgotten that an actress is expected to look like an actress, especially in front of the public. On the other hand, Debra Paget never forgets for a second and overdoes the bangles bit.

—CAL YORK

 

It is a quote. PHOTOPLAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 1956