Modern Screen (Feb-Dec 1958)

LOUELLA PARSONS in Hollywood Continued AFTER-THOUGHTS on the ACADEMY AWARDS Quick tears sprang to winner Joanne Woodward's shining eyes when a messenger handed her a huge box of orchids at the banquet following the presentations. She handed the card silently to Paul Newman, who in turn handed it to me. It read, I Am So Happy For You. (Signed) Elizabeth Todd, And Mike Too. Except for this poignant moment, what a night! If our town was bustin' its buttons with pride over the great show and the brilliant ball following, it's only natural. For this was Hollywood's own show, without benefit of automobile commercials — and never before have so many great stars taken part in a program. I am sure you must have seen it and read detailed accounts of the brilliant event. So, from now on I'll just give you some of my personal observations about things that stood out: Rosalind Russell's long scarlet Chinese mandarin coat, under which she wore skin-tight trousers made of black lace over nude chiffon. . . . The touching humility of Red Buttons, clutching his best-supporting-actor Oscar and in a happily dazed manner saying, "Thank you, thank you so much" before some of the guests had a chance to congratulate him. . . . The verve and sprightly freshness of Doris Day before the microphone — and Doris claims that she gets stage fright in public! That lovely little bit of Japanese porcelain, Miyoshi Umeki, so surprised at winning the best-supporting-actress award that she didn't have a speech ready. What a cute thing she was in her native costume. . . . The wild shrieks from the sidewalk and bleacher fans going up for Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart— who says the teenagers have to have new faces?. . . Biggest pleasant surprise among the masters of ceremonies, Jack Lemmon, proving he can wisecrack and keep things going with the best of them. . . . Too bad Alec Guinness couldn't be there to win his best-actor award in person, but when Columbia tried to fly him from London they were told they'd not only have to pay his way — but pick up the entire cost of closing down his current film! . . . Rock Hudson dropping by our table to say he'd never had more fun than doing the Baby, It's Cold Outside number with Mae West. "She's just great, and I think she's due for a comeback," laughed Rock, "if, that is, she's ever been away. . . ." I sat with Joanne and Paul, 20th boss Buddy Adler and Jerry Wald — who produced the fine Academy Awards show and received many compliments — Hope Lange and Don Murray, Cary Grant, Jennifer Jones and David Selznick and Jimmy McHugh. I thought what a wonderful scout Hope proved herself to be when she was so sweet to little Japanese Miyoshi Umeki, who beat her out for best supporting honors. . . . Who, oh who, picked out that hot maroon velvet dress, trimmed in fur, for Natalie Wood to wear when every other woman was IS arrayed in spring finery? Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas bringing the house down with their singing. . . . Clark Gable and his pretty Kay stopped by to say hello, and Clark admitted to me he got a kick out of his stint of awarding the prize for best script. Never before has the King taken part in an Academy show. . . . Kim Novak's deep blue-purple sequin gown so tightly fitted she had to walk to the stage with the pace of a snail. . . . I greatly admired Debbie Reynolds for her courage in keeping her promise to sing Tammy when her heart was so sad over the loss of Mike Todd. . . . Don't say I said so, but one of the greatest beauties was Lana Turner, who hasn't looked as glowing and exciting as she did on Academy night in a long time. And so the 30th anniversary of the Academy Awards has moved into its spot in history — but it will long be a stand-out in the minds and hearts of Hollywood. . . . Above "Baby, It's Cold Outside," Rock sang to Mae West. Left Director John Bryant told Alec Guinness he won Below, Left King Gable and his wife Kay were there too. Below And Joanne Woodivard got the Oscar— and a heartwarming telegram . . .