Hollywood Studio Magazine (September 1971)

Lee Graham MAN ABOUT TOWN Once upon a time, a prominent Philadelphia couple became parents of a daughter, one of four children, whom they named Grace Patricia. As a child she was shy and overshadowed by her family of champions. But she grew up to be beautiful, bright and gay (in those days gay meant carefree). She attended expensive finishing schools and then became a successful model. When she decided to become an actress, she didn’t have to struggle like other girls. You see, she was greatly talented and a career was handed to her on a silver platter. In a short time she was a reigning movie queen playing opposite such kings as Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, William Holden, Bing Crosby, Cary Grant, and Frank Sinatra. Her career reached its height when she won an Academy Award against the favored star “bom-in-a-trunk” whose life was as tragic as our heroine’s was happy. Once upon a later time, the cooly austere actress met her stalwart Prince Charming and, following a fairy tale romance, became the bride of one man whose home is still his castle (and vice versa). She sailed off into the far blue yonder to become Princess Grace of Monaco. Princess Caroline was born to Grace and Prince Rainier in 1957 and a year later, making their life complete, a 101-gun-salute announced the birth of the new heir to the throne — Albert Alexander Louis Pierre. Alas! One day trouble came to the principality. Charles de Gaulle, infuriated over Monaco’s tax-free status, threatened Prince Rainier with economic strangulation. Irascible de Gaulle hissed, “I will turn out your lights, turn off your heat, and stop the princesses’ bath water.” The loyal princess told the opposition, “You do what my husband tells you and everything will be all right.” They did and it was. When it was announced that Her Serene Highness would pay a rare visit to our town as patroness of the Motion Picture Relief Fund Gala, the evil tongues of the village began to wag, “She’s in her forties, she’s had two children and she’ll be fat and ugly.” But BEHOLD! On that memorable night, the commoners stood and applauded for, miracle of miracles, Princess Grace had discovered the fountain of youth. Now, she is back in Monaco where the royal family reigns, supreme. MAY THEY LIFE HAPPILY EVER AFTER! Introduced as the son of Irene Ryan and Allen Ludden, Jack Jones was in peak form at his Westside Room bow. Also in peak form (and how) was ringsiding Jo Ann Pflug, Jack’s new romance. The thirty-three year old singer, who gets better with each divorce, filed for his third in July. Jack’s hair is shaggier and he dresses and works more casually than he did at the Grove last January. The Century Plaza was busy as guests segued from the Westside Room to a champagne reception in the hotel’s Westwood Room following the show. Jack’s attractive mother, Irene Hervey, was with long-time friend Cesar Romero. Others were Michele (Lee) and James Farentino, Alexandra Hay and Jack Haley, Jr., Jane and Bob Finkel, Jane Dulo and Richard Deacon, Dani and Buddy Greco who brought Rosemary Forsyth as David Janssen was working; Betty (White) and Allen Ludden, Ann (Rutherford) and William Dozier, and newlyweds Brenda (Benet) and Bill Bixby. Since making his singing debu,t with his father, Allan Jones, at the age of nineteen, Jack has found a firm place for himself in nightclubs and the record field. But he’d like to make another movie. In 1959, he played the lead in an unlamented Sam Katzman flick, “Juke Box Rhythm” That was two years before Jack’s recording of ’’Lollipops and Roses,” and four years before “Wives and Lovers.” Things have changed! When asked what he is looking for in show business, Jack quickly replies, “I’m trying to communicate — be my own man. I want to come across as a person, not just a voice. For the first time I’m able to do that because I’ve just started to find myself.” So, it would seem Jack Jones, the singer with the common name is anything but a common performer, or a common man. The lights dimmed! Guests stopped talking and once again the magic of Judy Garland, her sad eyes lighting in persistent hope and the famous catch in her voice, made the audience aware they were seeing a star among stars - one whose incandescence was so bright that, for that particular moment, she made them forget all others. It happened at D’Antan Cinematheque/Club, which opened with stars of yesterday and today there to pay tribute to Judy. “A Star Is Born,” one of her greatest triumphs, was scheduled but