Modern Screen (Jan-Nov 1952)

PARTY OF THE TEAR continued We know that Modern Screen's Annual Awards are the onthe-level-result of movie-goers' opinions of us all." "Not only that," said Van Heflin, "but in my opinion, these awards are prophetic. The winners here tonight — some of them, at least — will be taking Oscars home in the not too distant future." And Van Heflin, who has one himself, ought to know. But to get to the party — and almost everyone in Hollywood did — it was one of those blowouts that was just for fun. There were no hour-long speeches, not a stuffed shirt in sight. And you never saw so many celebrities in your life. The few who couldn't come sent their love, and top-man John Wayne, who was in Acapulco, sent his voice. This might sound difficult, but it wasn't with Louella Parsons around. "Hand me a phone," said Louella, and with the phone came Mexico. "Hello, Duke," said Louella. "I want to tell you that you've won Modern Screen's popularity prize for 1951, and I'm arranging to have the award sent down to you for an official presentation." Not only was the award delivered 24 hours later — in person —but the person was Hedy Lamarr. She gave the silver cup to John amidst a gathering of high Mexican government officials. By the way, you may have heard Louella's memorable call on her Sunday ABC radio program. And Jim McCulla's tablehopping interviews were broadcast over the Liberty network. Cameramen from both MGM and 20th Century-Fox brought the party to you via newsreel. If you caught the newsreel you may have imagined that the party went off like a charm, but it didn't— anyway, not at the beginning. An hour before the event, Modern Screen's editors sat bleakly next to a window watching the torrential rains. "That noise you hear," said Hollywood editor Carl Schroeder, "is my career going down the drain." But suddenly in walked Glenn Ford with our publisher, George Delacorte. "Don't let that mist bother you," Glenn said. "Let's just wring out our topcoats, pull up a chair and see what happens. I had to skip lunch today, and with a little luck I can eat my way through at least half of those magnificent hors d'oeuvres." Glenn didn't get a chance to see if he could make it, though. Hedda Hopper arrived, dry as toast under one of her huge hats, and then the doors literally burst open at Ciro's. John Wayne's great and good friend, Grant Withers arrived, to "sit in for the Duke" as he explained it, and was promptly joined by the Forrest Tuckers, the Bill Holdens (he's one of Modern Screen's almost perpetual top ten, it seems), Piper Laurie, Dorothy Lamour, the Larry Parks, the Bill Bendixes and Bill Demarest. "I didn't come with nobody," Bill Demarest said, "but I got a reason for coming. You see, them two boys, Duke Wayne and Alan Ladd are old buddies of mine. I talked to Alan in Palm Springs this morning, and he told me I got to get dolled up and get on over here on account of he can't show up, what with his kids being sick. So he's (Continued on page 104) Top winner John Wayne couldn't make the party (he was in Mexico) but Louella Parsons interviewed him by radio hook-up and later, Hedy Lamarr flew to Acapulco with Duke's trophy. Marty Melcher, Doris Day and Chuck Saxon couldn't resist leaving fingerprints on the silver trophies. The M.S. photographers took over 50 pictures in the course of the party. a ' 7' Louella Parsons and Doris Day stepped up to share glow around Ronald Reagan and his constant compan Nancy Davis. Nancy never took her eyes the ion, ff Ronnie. 50