Hollywood Studio Magazine (September 1972)

LEE GRAHAM'S MAN ABOUT TOWN ACTRESS ANN RUTHERFORD now»and 30 years ago as SINGER ELVIS PRESLEY at the Vegas Polly Benedict with Mickey Rooney. Her new film, after Hilton, his first appearance since divorcing 22 years of retirement, is “They Only Kill Their Masters.” his wife of seven years. SINGER JACK JONES, Susan George, and actress Iren Hervey, Jack’s mom, all Valley residents, after Jack’s recent stint at Century Plaza’s Westwide Room. By Lee Graham If MGM’s “They Only Kill Their Masters” is as fascinating as the party given to launch it, we’re in for something unique. Quite an assortment of friends, cast, and press gathered at producer William Belasco’s Bel-Air home. Everyone seemed turned on by the balmy night, drinks, food, each other or something! When I asked a chick if her green hair had any special significance, she explained, “Of course, it’s the go-signal for casual lust.” WILD! James Garner, back for another whirl in films, after another whirl at a tv series, was with his wife, Lois (they’re giving their marriage another whirl). Others associated with “Masters” were its red-bearded director, James Goldstone, Katharine Ross with roommate, Conrad Hall, Harry Guardino, Tom Ewell who has gained so much weight he’s hardly recognizable; Peter Lawford and his 21-year-old wife, Mary Rowan; Edmond O’Brien, alone (his wife, Olga San Juan was ill), and Ann Rutherford, returning to the MGM lot HELEN HAYES, Jacque Mapes and an unsmiling Lee Graham at the July opening of the “Follies” in the new Schubert Theater in Century City. Show was an Actors Fund benefit. for the first time in 30 years. Another returnee is June Allyson. In a radical departure from her wholesome, goody two-shoes image, she is playing a lesbian. June is so dainty, I assume she’s portraying a Dresden dyke. The opening of “Follies” and the Shubert Theatre benefiting the Actor’s Fund of America, was the gala event of the summer. The score may not be the greatest, but the production and performances are. In her 50’s, glacial Alexis Smith looks even better than in those Warner Bros, movies of long ago — and what legs! Gene Nelson is wonderful and so is Dorothy Collins. But it is Mary McCarty, poignant and funny at the same time, who stops the show with “Who’s That Woman?” A lavish party followed in the mall of the Century Plaza under the stars and Helen Hayes, at 71, was the brightest of all. She had a great supporting cast of luminaries like Lucille Ball and Gary Morton, Vickie and Jack Oakie, Greer Garson and Buddy Fogelson, Pat and Michael York, Jacque Mapes with Laura Mako (Helen Hayes was her houseguest), Nancy Sinatra Sr. and Ross Hunter, and Lucie Arnaz, separated from Phil Vandervort, with impressionist Jim Bailey. *** If Paul Anka was disturbed by Joey Heatherton’s lawsuit against him for $10 million, he didn’t show it - nor did he mention it. The story broke in the papers the day he opened at Caesars Palace for the fifth time. He had just become a father for the fourth time (“my pleasure”) when he was there last February, so his wife, Anne, couldn’t be with him then. This time she was ringside, as was songwriter Sammy Cahn who said “Paul has the finest ear for music and orchestration in the business.” 31-year-old Anka has been in show business over half his life. He became a minor millionaire at the age of 15 when he composed and recorded “Diana.” While Paul was doing his thing at Caesars Palace, the new Wayne Newton was doing likewise down the Strip at the Frontier. Not that there was anything wrong with the old one, but at 30, Wayne has a new maturity, a new streamlined body, and even a new baritone (his voice finally changed). In Vegas style, a party honoring Wayne and celebrating the hotel’s fifth anniversary, started at two in the morning and lasted until dawn in the Frontier’s Cabaret Room. A record-shaped cake with the title “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast,” was cut with much ceremony. Guests from other shows included Doc Severinsen and his wife, Evonne, over from the Sahara. Not known to be sartorially conservative, he was wearing an outfit of white feathers made of eyelash fabric and looked like a cross between Phyllis Diller and Liberace. Doc told me he feit like a chicken that had exploded. His name may be common, but he is hardly a common performer. Jack Jones has developed great Charisma, a fine style, and added humor (“I don’t believe in astrology myself, which is typical of Capricorns.”) When he opened at the Westside Room of the Century Plaza, the 34-year-old entertainer introduced his mother, Irene Hervey. The actress is now a travel agent. The account of her