Modern Screen (Jan-Dec 1960)

continued Zsa Zsa Gabor's escort, Hal Hayes, was without a place card. Lovely Cyd Charisse and (right) Dano Wynter in fabulous maternity gown. Merle Oberon (holding son) and husband ( right) hosted the lavish party for the Henry Fords. Aly Kahn flew from New York especially for Merle's party. Poor Martha Hyer (here with Richard Burton) was robbed!'. PARTYo/ the month Merle Oberon s party, in her Bel Air home, honoring the Henry Fords was not only one oi the largest and most lavish of the season — it was packed with drama and excitement from start to finish. Unless you've been hibernating in a cave, you must have read the headline stories about how Zsa Zsa Gabor arrived with Hal Hayes (whom Merle had not invited) and for whom she had no place card. Nor did she write one. When Zsa Zsa and her escort later departed in a huff — it hit the headlines. But enough of this. It's been argued pro and con by ;he experts — and as a close friend of Merle's and a guest in her home I promised not to discuss it. But this was just one of several eventful happenings of this eventful evening. Aly Khan had flown out from New York with his current girl friend, Gwinella Riva (a Swedish beauty but she makes her home in Paris) especially for Merle's party. So when Aly's former wifa Rita Hayworth showed up, every eye was on this interesting "threesome." Strangely enough, the suspense did not last long. Aly and Rita chatted like old and good friends and when the dancing started after the formal sit-down dinner, Aly asked Rita to dance with him. Martha Hyer, beautifully gowned in a long picture-portrait black velvet dress, had a ball — until she returned home that night and found she had been robbed of $80,000 worth of priceless paintings, jewelry and furs! Poor Martha collapsed when she found out that among the looted treasures were her prize Renoirs and Utrillo oils. Meanwhile, back at the party (to paraphrase the TV westerns) there was never a dull moment even up to midnight when Senator John Kennedy arrived and immediately was the center of a circle of friends and relatives, including his sister Pat (Mrs. Peter Lawford Pete, and Frank Sinatra. Aly Khan was also noted dancing with Kim Novak — which brought to mind that they had also been a spark in each other's lives at one time — last summer it was, when Kim was in Europe. But the flame seemed to be banked when Kim and Aly danced and chatted, and his girlfriend had nothing to be jealous of any more than when Aly danced with Rita. Almost all the women were arrayed in th« most fabulous gowns from such designers a: Sophie, Mainboc-her, Fontana, Dior and others So I was really amazed when one of the pret tiest women, wearing one of the lovelies gowns and coats, Mrs. David Janssen. told me she made every stitch of her ensemble! (Incidentally, everyone is crazy about th( Janssens and I admit I'm a fan of David' popular TV show Richard Diamond. Ellie anc David are so much fun and she gets a laugl when some friends call her "Sam," the sexi telephone gal on David's show. Mark words, David will soon be as big in motioi pictures as he is on TV. He's a young Clark Gable.) As usual — it's a habit with her — Cyd Charisse was one of the most beautiful women present and Tony Martin is always^ so proud of her. It was really a party of parties and the ' young Henry Fords, who had come to the j Coast to be the godparents of Merle and Bruno Pagliai's adorable little adopted son. certainly got an interesting close-up of Hollywood before this evening was over.