Screenland (Feb-Oct 1949)

The Van Johnsons tarry in New York to dine at the Starlight Roof of the Waldorf-Astoria before going to Newport, Rhode Island, Van's hometown, to attend his old high school reunion. Gossiping with Anne Baxter, star of the picture, and Macdonald Carey at the "You're My Everything" debut is Cobina Wright. Mac's now doing "Copper Canyon" for Paramount. thing other than her work. * * * ANOTHER lavish opening was at Mocambo, when Desi Arnaz opened, and, of course, everyone who loves Lucille Ball and Desi turned out. Surprise of the evening was Clark Gable's first date with Paulette Goddard and I think the story of how this combination came about is most amusing. A mutual friend had asked Gable to come to the opening, but Clark said he wasn't too fond of night clubs and besides, he didn't have a date. * * * The friend told Clark that he knew just the girl. She was attractive, but new to Hollywood and didn't knoiv anyone. If Clark didn't mind he was sure he could fix it up. So Clark called at the Shoreham Apartments and when the door opened, there was Paulette, bewitching in a pearl grey brocade, with a handkerchief tied over her eyes just to prove that she was a "blind date!" * * * Paulette, incidentally, is going back to Mexico where she will make a picture for RKO's former president, Peter Rathvon, who is doing his first independent. I asked Paulette about writer John Steinbeck and she said it was all nonsense. However, I hear that there is a very important government official, in Mexico City, who has an eye for movie stars and who is paying La Goddard constant attention when she is south of the border. THE most unusual party of the month was hosted by Pan American Airlines. They "previewed"' their new strato-cruiser — the one which has a cocktail lounge on the lower deck — and invited a group of stars for "cocktails over Hollywood." * * * Literally "getting a lift" were the Zachary Scotts. Doris Day uith Jack Carson. Corinne Calvet and her husband, John Bromfirld . Barbara Lairrence with Turhnv Bey. and the Mark Stevens. For an hour they cruised above Los Angeles and. the ocean sunset and everyone had a wonderful time kidding about the sensation . As Bichard Ney. who jtist married wealthy Pauline McMartin said, "I haven't felt this high in i/ears!" And, a; handsome Robert Ryan put it, Right: Rosalind Russell is guest of Clark Dennis on ABC's "Name The Movie." She's soon to be seen in "Tell It To The Judge." Left: James Mason shows Geraldine Brooks a rare coin on set of "The Blank Wall," a Columbia film in which they are co-starred. Peggy Cummins, soon to be seen in "Gun Crazy," dining with John Dall at Stork Club. it was an unusual party, because it was the only one he had ever attended where all the guests both arrived and departed at the same time! * * * ANN MILLER gave a birthday celebration for her new romance, Bill Connor, and lots of the younger movie set arrived in the swank Rodeo Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel to sing "Happy Birthday" 'to Bill. In the crowd were Bobby Stack and Irene Wrightsman. who may take that bridal path any day now, Cleatus Caldwell and her husband. Bob Hutton, Florence Marly with George Fisher, VeraEllen with 'Agent A. C. Lyles and Phil Reed, who was one of Ann's constant escorts, with a new French importation, Denise Darcel. * * *■ Ann was busy showing us a letter which she had just received from Linda Power in Morocco. In it ivas a lock of hair, which Linda sent to show her Hollywood friends how the African desert sun had bleached it. She said that she and Ty were so happy over the prospect of the baby due to arrive in January, and that they were having a wonderful time, despite the early upsets of food and sandstorms which beset them when they first landed on the coast of North Africa. * * * "We are the guests of the Pasha here" (in Morocco), she wrote, "but I don't know how much longer we can take it. There are fifteen to eighteen courses with every meal and each one is more delicious than the preceding one. Ty and I are gorging