Modern Screen (Jan-Dec 1960)

first Love 'ontinued from page 27) That day began with a song, a sad song, mette was staying in bed late that mornf, listening to her record player spinning olaintive tune of loneliness and dreamf about the date she would have with ul Anka that evening. She had often nired his singing, often thought about n, always wanted to meet him. Then t-xpectedly. Irv Feld, Paul's manager. : to thinking that these two kids would it off beautifully, and he arranged a iner date for them. Tonight was the ;ht. ohe lay in bed, listening to Paul's voice, ;amily imagining what their date would like, what Paul would be like. That would come of their meeting? mid they meet, be stiffly cordial and n never see each other again? Or would •re be a spark and would the lights go in their eyes and would they want to each other again and again and again? innette, one of the more fickle young ies in this world, had gone out with and ■n attracted 10 many boys. But though was sixteen and had often been kissed, le of her romances had been lasting. Tie one serious crush she'd had was an 'older man' of twenty -six, a camera n named Jack who worked for her dio, who had promised to wait for her. nette was fifteen then. But this dream 5 shattered when he upped and married ly this year . . . leaving Annette broken j-ted. he had never fallen into the tender p of love with a boy her own age, but he bait were attractive she was willing h, so willing — to be captured. Perhaps tonight would be the night Annette was going to surrender her heart. . . . I'm just a lonely boy . . . Lonely and blue. . . . Paul's song interrupted her reverie and Annette smiled to herself and promised herself that Paul Anka would not be lonely tonight . . . ! That first date But this promise wasn't easy to keep. At first, they were both lonely . . . and shy. Whenever their eyes met, Paul and Annette would smile softly at each other and then quickly shift their attention to the tablecloth. Both nervously fingered the silverware and both were looking around the room for familiar faces they never found. "Isn't Dick Clark great?" asked Paul, in a desperate attempt to get a conversation going. "I'm in love with Dick," answered Annette, in a rush of relief at having anything to talk about. "He's wonderful and I'll never be able to thank him for everything he's done for me. I can't wait until he gets out here this summer to make his film. You know, Paul, my secret ambition is to be in that picture." "I'll be here then, too," Paul said enthusiastically, "to make my first film. I wonder what it will be like?" It may have been a slow beginning, but they soon found they had a lot to discuss with each other — the movies, the record industry, Irv Feld, the weather, Fabian, food, the new house Annette was about to move into, rock 'n' roll, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. They stopped looking for other faces and began to concentrate on one another's. If I get my way, dreamed Annette in the semi-darkness of the restaurant, this lonely boy is never going to be lonely again. Too bad I've got to leave town so soon. Paul wistfully thought. This girl is too good to leave behind. . . . And all too soon Paul led Annette up the short walk to her front door. The evening drew to a close. Without saying a word, they both knew instinctively that they would be seeing a lot more of each other. Paul didn't want to end their relationship with just one dinner engagement and Annette was anxious to see Paul under more informal circumstances. Annette leaned expectantly against the door. Paul edged closer and murmured, "Thanks for a wonderful evening. I'll call you as soon as I can." Then he silently turned away, headed back to his car, and drove off, remembering the sweetness of Annette's shining smile. . . . Up in her room, Annette tossed about in her bed, wondering about the last few moments of her date with Paul. She was certain he had been about to kiss her, but had hesitated at the last moment. She wondered why. She was perfectly willing to kiss a boy on a first date, if the boy meant something to her. And though she hardly knew Paul, she was certain that he was going to mean a great deal to her. She really suspected that he liked her too . . . maybe he didn't want her to think he was too fast, she decided . . . But she wished he had kissed her. . . . Perhaps her guess was wrong and Paul's sweet good-bye had just been the cue for a hasty exit? Perhaps she was drawing too many conclusions from just one brief encounter? Perhaps she ought to turn over, she told herself, shove her head under the pillow and forget she ever met Paul. . . But those doubts need not have worried her. For Paul had been completely captivated by Annette; he found her so nat s150 FOR YOU! in the form below (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) as soon as you've read all the stories in this issue. Then mail it to us right away, 'romptness counts. Three $10 winners will be chosen from each of the following areas — on a basis of the date and time on your postmark: :astern states; Southern states; Midwestern states; Rocky Mountain and Pacific states; Canada. And even if you don't earn $10, you'll >e glad you sent this ballot in— because you're helping us pick the stories you'll really love. MAIL TO: MODERN SCREEN POLL, BOX 2291, s rand central station, n. y. 17, n. y. Please circle the box to the left of the one I. I LIKED MARIO LANZA: JJ more than almost any star [JJ a lot T fairly well [JJ very little [JJ not at all TJ am not very familiar with him I READ: JJ all of his story J] part J] none T HELD MY INTEREST: [TJ super-completely Tj completely J] fairly well [TJ very little TJ not at all l I LIKED ERROL FLYNN: TJ more than almost any star [JJ a lot Tj fairly well [JJ very little TJ not at all TJ am not very familiar with him READ: [TJ all of his story [TJ part [JJ none T_ HELD MY INTEREST: JJ super-completely U completely JJ fairly well [JJ very little TJ not at all i. I LIKE DEBBIE REYNOLDS: JJ more than almost any star (JJ a lot JJ fairly well [JJ very little JJ not at all U am not very familiar with her phrase which best answers each question: I READ: JJ all of her story [JJ part JJ none IT HELD MY INTEREST: JJ super-completely UJ completely JJ fairly well JJ vary little JJ not at all 4. I LIKE ANNETTE FUNICELLO: JJ more than almost any star JJ a lot JJ fairly well JJ very little JJ not at all JJ am not very familiar with her I LIKE PAUL ANKA: JJ more than almost any star JJ a lot UJ fairly well JJ very little JJ not at all JJ am not very familiar with him I READ: JJ all of their story JJ part JJ none IT HELD MY INTEREST: JJ super-completeiy J] completely JJ fairly well [JJ very little J] not at all 5. I LIKE TROY DONAHUE: JJ more than almost any star [JJ a lot UJ fairly well JJ very little JJ not at all J] am not very familiar with him I READ: JJ all of his story JJ part JJ none IT HELD MY INTEREST: JJ super-completely UJ completely J] fairly well JJ very little JJ not at all 6. I LIKE JIMMIE RODGERS: JJ more than almost any star JJ a lot J] fairly well JJ very little JJ not at all JJ am not very familiar with him I READ: JJ all of his story [JJ part JJ none IT HELD MY INTEREST: JJ super-completely J] completely JJ fairly well JJ very little JJ not at all (see other side)