Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1963)

Continued from page 31 the talk about trouble in their marriage. They wouldn’t even dignify it with a denial. They were acting within their rights, certainly. Still there is a time when gossip must be met sternly, with a reply. That was the way Debbie finally decided to handle it. “I don’t know who started the talk, but I I’m not afraid,” Debbie said quietly but firmly. “Perhaps it’s someone who has nothing better to do than make up stories. That doesn’t frighten me. People had a field day once before but they won’t have another. Let them talk. It can’t hurt me.” Debbie was not going to strike back at The Woman, as I’ve chosen to label the creature who started the rumors. Nor had Debbie any desire to castigate or criticize her. “All I can tell you about my marriage to Harry is that it’s forever,” said Debbie insistently, with dignity. “I went through one unfortunate marriage which | didn’t work out. It won’t happen to me again because I am very, very lucky to have a man like Harry. He is a very good husband and wonderful, wonderful father [ to the children.” The wrong tree As I talked with Debbie I couldn’t help but feel that The Woman who was trying to break up her marriage again was now barking up the wrong tree. Yet I had to satisfy my curiosity about one thing: How did the rumors start in the first place? Did The Woman have any grounds whatsoever in starting the tongues gabbling so virulently? Could it have been an argument Debbie had with Harry, perhaps in a restaurant, perhaps on a plane, perhaps i backstage at one of her night club engagements? Debbie paused in deep, careful thought. “If there was an argument,” she finally sighed softly, “it was one I’ve forgotten — and I’m sure Harry has, too. What husband and wife don’t have a word between them at one time or another? I don’t think any couple can claim they haven’t ex| changed a harsh word or two at some point in their marriage. But that isn’t an invitation to file for divorce. I think it’s ridiculous to discuss it.” I thought it was ridiculous, too. I reached that conclusion the instant I asked Debbie about the eight children Harry told me he and Debbie wanted. Debbie laughed. It was as if she were saying, “How on earth did you get Harry to let you in on our private secret?” “That’s right,” she whispered, with surprise still seeming to hang on her words. “We have it all figured out. I have two children from my first marriage, Harry has four — and we’re going to have two more. That’ll make eight.” It was not long ago that Debbie suffered a miscarriage almost at the end of her pregnancy. The tragic experience had prompted some of Debbie’s detractors to criticize her. They said she had worked too hard, pushed too much when she should have taken it easy. They said that the pressure of working before the blinding, blazing kleig lights of Hollywood sound stages was too arduous for someone in Debbie’s condition. Debbie had listened to the criticisms without losing her temper, without anger at those who hinted she might have done something wrong. Tragic though it was, the loss of her unborn infant had nothing to do with the nature or fervor of her activities. During her earlier pregnancies, she had faced life each day with the same vibrant vitality, and, of course, her children were born normal and healthy. The full impact of her loss still lingers in the recesses of her heart. But she bears up under it well and, perhaps because of the loss, is determined more than ever to give Harry the children they both want so dearly. Harry, as we all know, has been publicly profuse a number of times about bis deep desire to have children with Debbie. And it is more than likely that is what prompted the first despicable rumor of a marital rift between Harry and Debbie. After the infant’s death, Harry Karl was gripped by despair and grief. But The Woman, in the quagmire of her deformed mind, could not see Harry’s true feelings. Instead, as if looking at a mirror in a house of horrors, she saw not Harry’s genuine disconsolation but, instead, her own unbelievable invention — impatience, anger, and maybe even loathing of Debbie. How does The Woman find out so many personal things about Debbie and Harry? How can she be everywhere? Very easily. For instance, Debbie goes into an exclusive shop to buy a hat. One of her first public ventures since her miscarriage. Harry is with her because she values his opinion. She absolutely falls in love with a concoction of pink tulle and rosebuds, but Harry thinks it looks “silly.” And says so. Now the shop, though high-priced, is not a private salon; anyone else may be there — and besides, this time The Woman may be there, listening, in the guise of a saleswoman, perhaps. With malicious glee, she delights in phoning the gossip columnists. It is her important moment! She has some exclusive dirt to tell! Result: Harry’s mild criticism of the fancy hat comes out as his comment that Debbie should act her age. And in another column as, “Debbie Reynolds and hubby Harry Karl are having words again. Don’t be surprised to hear an announcement from them soon.” Nothing could be more ludicrous. Just shortly after the heartbreak of losing their baby, I talked to Harry myself. He spoke only of bis love and admiration for Debbie, and his plans to bring her whatever happiness he could. “Well, for one thing,” he said with determination, “more children. She’s a perfect mother and nothing would make her happier. She’s a remarkable girl. What we want is to have eight children. I have four. Debbie has two. And we want two together. “And it’s perfectly all right for her to go on and have as many children as she wants, you know. Sure, Debbie is a very ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT COSMETICS? Many women have allergy to one or more cosmetics. 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