Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1963)

and ankled off the stage after he and Buttons clashed . . . Topic A around the N.Y. office of 20th Century-Fox is that a press exec’s job is in jeopardy. Because he supposedly told Darryl F. Zanuck, producer of “The Longest Day,” when Zanuck was just the producer (he now is chief of the studio) that the film was strictly for the teenage market . . . Jim Mitchum (Bob’s sprig) and Mary Ann Mobley, a former “Miss America,” dated five nights in a row. The busybodies wonder if the young man has been twapt-wike-a-wat. * Latest Holly weird bid for “How To $u£$;eed” (Broadway’s Hottest Ticket) is over four million . . . WNBC disc jockeys are shaking in their mikes. Large shakeup in all personnel imminent . . . Barbara Holmes, one of Howard Hughes’ discoveries (when he was producing pix), flashed a large diamond betrothal ring at ChateauMadrid the other moodnight. From (chums reported) Wm. Dreyfuss. midwest theaterchain owner. Barbara was last seen in the film “The Ziegfeld Follies” which starred Milton Berle . . . Actors, actresses and movie mag staffers can thank us for the tip. If they do not wish to be embarrassed, they’d better not give rubber chex at The Tenement in midtown Manhattan. All chex that bounce become part of the wallpaper. * There was a Toby Wing thrushing at Atlantic City’s Riptide Room. Not THE Toby Wing, wife of Eastern Airline famed pilot Dick Merrill? (We thawtnut) . . . Don t Invitem: The Jackie Coopers and the “Soupy” Saleses. Pals won’t say why . . . Cary Grant’s losing that delightful Briddish accent. Insteada “commahnd” he now pernounces it the way we all do, “command” ... A reader wishes we’d settle a wager: “Doesn’t Natalie Wood dye her hair because she is prematurely gray?” Let’s find out from Miss Wood, whose many fans prolly will bombard her with this clipping to satisfy their curiosity . . . Two songs these ears never weary of: "What Kind of a Fool Am I?” and “Gonna Build A Mountain” from Anthony Newley’s most enjoyable show “Stop The World. I Want To Get Off!” All morning-paper reviewers panned the show — all post-meridian critics saluted it. Our rave notice made it a 5-4 verdict. The dissenters will be embarrassed by the mint this show makes. * Scandal of the Year: The male star who won added renown for his love-making. He has boasted of all the actresses, stars and starlets he has conquered. But he doesn’t mention the name of a young actress who was fired from a TV spectac starring him directly after she spurned his “line.” Her initials: YF. By contrast: At a celeb party held in Gatsby’s (on the East Side of Gotham) a young actress was awestruck meeting a famous stage star. “I feel,” she blushed, “very humble in your presence.” “And I,” was the charming reply,” feel very grateful in yours.” * No Kiddin': Two of the cast in the movie Continued from page 41 Now, indeed, it was sealed off from the rest of the world! The moment of truth was at hand for the realm of Prince Rainier III, descendant of the Royal House of Grimaldi, a dynasty dating back to the 13th Century. Startling as it was, the action was not totally unexpected. France had given Monaco ample warnings that it would impose drastic economic measures to stop the practice of giving 7.000 absentee Frenchmen and scores of French business firms an official haven in Monaco as a means of dodging taxes in their own country. For six months, France ami Monaco had been at swords points over this issue. It had prompted Prince Rainier to abandon his suaveness and royal dignity and to hurl bull-like invectives at the French government. It made him vow to fight de Gaulle to the finish. To the outside world. Rainier’s tack had p comical aspects. Here he was, ruler of a 368-acre country with an army of eighty — the entire military strength at his disposal — defying de Gaulle, head of a nation of 45.000.000 with a land mass of 212.659 square miles (not acres), and an army of a million — not to mention the overwhelming air and sea power at his command. There was no question in anyone’s mind that France had only to sneeze to obliterate Monaco. But Monegasques bravely backed their ruler’s stand of defiance. They liked Rainier’s courage. It was like in “The Mouse That Roared.” But de Gaulle wasn’t frightened! After all, he had tangled with the mighty red bear which is Russia. He had even warned that he would fight a war with Russia if necessary to protect France's sovereignty. No, de Gaulle was not intimidated by Rainier’s bravado. The beachhead of customs trailers established on Monaco’s border at midnight was proof of that. Monaco was besieged ! Now no one could enter or leave the little land without declaring property or possessions they were bringing in or out of Monaco. Alas for the Monegasques! And where was Rainier? The blockade came at a most inopportune time. At that very hour. Prince Rainier was out of the country. Of all places, in Paris — the “enemy” capital — where the order to seal off Monaco’s border had come from. But the Prince, as well as Princess Grace and their children, all on a short vacation in the French capital, were in no danger. “Johnny Cool” are christened Freddy ; Heete and Susan Oven. * t Lyricist Jack Ackerman and composer ■ Franz Steininger wrote the title songs for Universal-IntTs “The Ballad of Dancer’s Rock” and “Terrified.” Strange combination. Jack is a youthful contemporary jazzician. He did the wordage for John Cassavete’s films “Shadows” and “Too Late Blues.” Franz, in his mid-50s, is primarily a classical composer with a , background of standards dating back to "Marching Along Together.” His godfather was Franz Lehar. * Many big stars are slowly heading back to working for a salary instead of a profit percentage. Most of the flicks lately do not j show a profit. Another warning to actors who take a small wage plus “co-ownership” of a film or tv series: If the show flops, you do not rate residuals because you are an “owner" — of a failure! The cast keeps getting paid when the flop orbits forever along the syndication circuit. * We toast you with Charley Henderson’s introduction to his long-ago book, “How To Sing For Money”: “All characters in this book are strictly fictitious, except those who like what we say about them.” The End Walter Winchell narrates “The Untouchables,” ABC-TV, Tuesday 9:30 PM. EST. — No armed guards came to stand at the door of their hotel suite. No restrictions were placed on their movements. They were free to come and go as they pleased. It was barely minutes after midnight when the phone rang in Rainier’s Paris ] suite. It was Monaco calling, to inform the Prince of the crisis. Without a moment’s 1 delay. Rainier kissed Princess Grace goodbye and bravely flew home to take command. No sooner was he back, than he went on the air to renounce de Gaulle’s j drastic action and reiterate that the tiny : principality could not accept France’s demands to levy taxes on foreigners and on foreign corporations without jeopardizing Monaco’s economic future. “It is our duty,” said the Prince, “to defend the position of the foreign residents who, in good faith, have established themselves in the principality. How can we even conceive of abandoning them?” He termed the border harassment an unfriendly act “but not very extreme,” and said he was ready to resume negotiations witli France at any time. The implication that France could have done worse to Monaco was obvious. President de Gaulle could have invoked absolute border controls had he wanted. That would have meant stopping all traffic, cutting off all water and gas and electric power which comes from France, halting the railroad and setting up a sea blockade. Monaco could have been crippled. As it was. the French customs guards folded their house trailers and drove away