Screenland Plus TV-Land (Jul 1959 - May 1960)

HOLLYWOOD LOWDOWN continued as good at business as Robert Cummings's wife, Mary, who handles everything for her husband. Petite Gina Lollobrigida has 100% approval of all photographs in or out of her films. She describes her house near Rome as "a little Versailles." Gina made lots of friends here with her great friendliness while filming "Never So Few" with Frank Sinatra. . . . And talking of Frankie, his kiss and make up with Sammy Davis, Jr., is the first time, to my knowledge, he has forgiven a fancied or real wrong. . . . Incidentally, Frankie boy installed an honest to goodness salt water pool on the grounds of his Beverly mansion. Salt is good for his sinus. It will be a long time before Ginger Rogers forgives the age-conscious British who screamed she was 47 in every story during her recent visit to London. They should all look as good as Ginger at 47 — or Lana Turner at 40 — or Marlene Dietrich at 55. . . . Motorcycle demon David Nelson will next take up parachute jumping. . . . And talking of the sons of famous fathers and brothers, Gary Crosby showed more tact than his old man when he refused to reply to Bing's blast about what a had job he has ..done as a father. It really wasn't fair to the Crosby sons to make such a statement. It's been tough for them to get out from Bing's shadow. . . . Sad thought — that Bob Hope will never again go dashing all over America and the world. Arlene Dahl explained her reconciliation with Fernando Lamas — " Twas as much for the sake of our son Lorenzo, as for ourselves." If there's a chance, it should be taken. . . . According to a library survey, passed on to me by producer Jerry Wald, the subjects most favored by book readers, are, in this order. Survival, Security, Sex. There should be BACK HOME after cross-country flight, Don Murray, Hope Lange and son leave plane. LOOKING more attractive than ever, June Allyson arrives at theatre with Dick Powell. room for Selfless Love. . . . Sal Mineo -is writing his autobiography. I hope it doesn't take as long as Errol Flynn's which started more than a year ago and is still unfinished. Oh the gorgeous trousseau that Elizabeth Taylor took with her to London! Her favorite nightie — and mine-^a white satin figure hugger, trimmed with black lace. . . . Talking of ladies undergarments. Cesar Romero is now in the dress business and none of the buyers can resist him when he comes a-calling with his little black bag of samples. Now I've seen everything. Liberace with a crew cut. Mama mia. . . . And while we're with Mama, their big quarrel was over his fight with brother George. The smiling pianist has made up with Ma, but there is still coolness between the brothers. . . . Italy's Anna Magnani takes her work so seriously that she will give no interviews during rehearsals or filming. The same is true of Sir Laurence Olivier — but he rarely talks at all to the press for publication. AMONG celebrities on hand for Hollywood opening are Red Buttons and wife Helayne. BEFORE leaving on European trip, Georg Montgomery and Dinah Shore attend part} Noel Coward's explanation as to wh his play, "Look After Lulu," folded o Broadway — "No one," said Noel wit amazing honesty, "went to see it." W could use him here after the preview c a bad picture when everyone is gushin to the producer. "It was wonderful." . . Alec Guinness was first choice to pla the Peter Ustinov role in Kirk Dougla "Spartacus." It remains to be seen whethf he was right in his refusal. It's hard t know when to say yes. Cary Grant an Charles Laughton turned down the Guii ness role in "Bridge On The River Kwai. . . . And it was because George Raft r fused to do "The Maltese Falcon" for tl then unknown director, John Huston, th; a new star was born in Humphrey Bogar When Marlon Brando read that the hig salaries of stars were responsible f< damaging the' movie industry, he e plained, "I thought it was television d stroying us." Marlon believes in nig wages for all. ... On the subject i money, a quote from James Garner: "If1 never made much, but my wife and ch dren are in good health, we eat well ar we're comfortable." There is only one man to my mil who should play the lead in the mov version of "Exodus" — Burt Lancaster, kept seeing Burt's face all the while read the best-seller. . . . John O'Hart asking price for the movie rights of b first best-seller, "Appointment In Samar. — one cool million dollars. Wow! . . Suzy Parker is a new girl since she car into the open and admitted she w wed to Pierre de la Salle, who spent lot of time with Suzy in Hollywood whi she filmed "The Best Of Everything." . . . Fred Astaire's daughter, Ava, hop to catch up with John Rees-Parker Oxford University this summer in I rope. They met while Ava was a stude at Marlborough and Rees-Parker attend the Harvard School here. . . . The ni Emmys for Fred's TV show were A] deserved in my opinion. But it was li continued on page