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"Actually, I don't believe Linda was too aware of how deeply and how very serious I felt about her. '
for Linda Darnell
By Tab Hunter
"Linda was different from any girl I had ever met, not giggly or moody or self-conscious or spoiled like some I've known1'
Even though she is older — I love her. I could have always loved her. She is sensationally a woman — any man would love her — if he had the chance. I am speaking of Linda Darnell.
I was dancing at the Mocambo last night with Denise Darcel and, the next morning, my agent said to me, "I know how it is, boy. A kid like you is bound to get a big crush on an older woman. There's always one in every man's life." What he didn't know was that I have already had that experience — and, to me, the greatest.
Denise, she's wonderful — full of life and living and oohla-la, and I never thought of her as being older. But Linda — knowing her was like being on a moving train headed for some definite but unknown destination — and marveling all of the while.
Actually, I don't believe Linda was too aware of how deeply and how very serious I felt about her. During those twelve weeks together on Jamaica — and then London— our companionship and cameraderie developed into a wonderful thing. But let's start at the beginning.
I was invited backstage at the Coronet Theatre in Hollywood where I met Paul Guilfoyle. Three years later, through Paul, I met Stephanie Nordli who wrote "Island Of Desire." The next day, I read the script and met the director and they said, "This is the boy."
Overnight, I was before the camera being introduced to Linda Darnell. Gosh, I had seen all of her pictures. In person, she is even more gorgeous. And now the director was saying, "Put your arms around her — hold her close — and kiss her. Kiss her with longing and passion as though she is the woman — the only woman in the world for you!"
That wasn't exactly easy — for I was so nervous. I have never been afraid to kiss a girl goodnight — but the girls I know are kids my age or younger. And here was Linda — so sensationally breathtaking. Anyone in their right mind wouldn't have to be told twice to kiss her — I kept thinking.
The director repeated, "Now kiss her." I brought her up real close and then I kissed her. I held her for a moment — and I stopped thinking. The perfume in her hair made me want to kiss her forehead, and then suddenly, I let her go.
I stood there not knowing, not sensing, not even daring to think. Then I felt a pinch on my arm and Linda was saying, "Tab, that was real nice." Real nice! That was pure heaven.
She was still talking in that low, soft voice. "I am always lucky for newcomers. Paul Douglas made his first picture with me."
Paul Douglas, I thought — why he's old — why, why? I wasn't thinking of a career — -I was only reacting to Linda's lips. And the director was saying, "Tab, that was realistic. If you can kiss Linda like that again—?" I didn't say a word. I was ready.
That night, I went home in a daze. I was quiet all through dinner. Mom had apple pie and I didn't ask for a second piece. "What's wrong, son?" she asked. Mom and I have been very close. My (continued on pace S2>
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