Modern Screen (Dec 1954 - Dec 1955)

Liberace sat quietly at a table with his "best girl," his mother, and pointed out the movie stars to her. She was as excited and interested as any ian would be. Jeff Chandler arrived with a pretty blonde, but I never did. get her name. Dick Powell arrived an hour before June Allyson did "because she had to go to the beauty parlor and I didn't," laughed Dick. "That's . where men have the best of it at these parties." When June came in (she is the winner of three former polls) she rushed up, immediately to Ann Blyth and congratulated her. "If I couldn't win it, I'd rather you won it than anyone." June said, giving Ann a big hug. You'll just have to pardon me when I say that the happiest moment of the evening came when George Delacorte honored my daughter Harriet on the fine production job she did on her charming and money-making movie, Susan Slept Here. I'm so proud of her, proudest of all to be known as her mother. Other producers and directors honored were Stanley Kramer, George Sidney, Henry King, C. B. DeMille. Hal Wallis. John Huston, Dick Powell and Norman Taurog. All in all, it was a delightful party, really the best of many months. I'M ON MY SOAPBOX about the astounding bad manners of certain actors who have been loudly proclaiming, "I have no intention of marrying Miss So-And-So" — .whoever the .lady happens to be. Haven't these ungallant gents ever read an etiquette book? Or hasn't anyone, even a press agent/ ever told them that it is the lady who does the denying or confirming of approaching nuptials? After Marlon Brando announced his engagement to Josane Mariani-Berenger, he must have given Emily Post a terrible turn when he told reporters, "I don't put much stock in engagements." This takes the prize as the year's low in taste, sir. . Even my old friend, Clark Gable, was quoted from Hong Kong as saying, "I have no intention of marrying Kay Spreckels or any other girl." Knowing Clark, I'm sure he didn't mean this as bluntly as it read in print One of the silliest denials of intended matrimony came from Texas millionaire Sid Richardson, of Fort Worth, who was quoted in a magazine article as saying that he "warn't gonna marry Joan Crawford." Who ever said he was? Certainly not Joan who has never thought of Richardson, with all his zillions, as anything but a good friend with whom she dines in Texas. From Europe, Rock Hudson "firmly denied" that he is marrying his constant companion, script girl Betty Abbott. Was this necessary. Rock — when there are a lot of people who believe you will marry Betty? EDDIE FISHER TOLD ME over the telephone from New York, "Don't you believe all those rumors that Debbie and I will be married in January, Louella. "I wish it could be that soon, but because of our contracts we can't be free to take a honeymoon for two months before Fight" of the yean Lewis vs. Marciano —for the Muscular Dystrophy Drive. This is Dean and Jerry's pet charity — and they really do a great job for the fund, too. They've done benefits and telethons — and now Jerry actually consented to get into the ring with World's Champion Rocky. Dean got in, too — as referee. "Punchy" Lewis said, "I'll finish him early. He's a sucker for a right kick to the shins . . ." and fainted (almost). Dean announced, "I expect a good, clean fight. Anyone want Lewis? I'm taking Rocky and giving 50 to 1." Lewis (who weighed in at 92 pounds) went down. "I must get my manager to a psychiatrist," Rocky remarked. The bout (which ended as expected) was held at Paramount Studios. Nearly 300 M.D. patients attended the event.