Modern Screen (Feb-Dec 1959)

continued Lauren's bitter comments Until she chose to pop off about Hollywood and the USA in London, I had always liked Lauren 'Betty' Bacall. I thought she was a straightforward, outspoken gal and I was more amused than annoyed when she gave forth with her opinions on everything under the sun from politics to medicine. But I'm far from amused and I think she is acting very foolishly in criticizing her own country to the British press. Betty has been very bitter since her romance with Frank Sinatra ended. It's my personal opinion she's still carrying a big, big torch for him. If she is being quoted correctly, she stated that she would "exchange Hollywood, where flesh is cheap and people forget too quickly, for England, where people have something to say and are willing to listen to what I think." If she didn't say this — I'll be glad to retract it for her. If she did say it — all I can say is she is a very, very foolish girl. I would like to call to Betty's attention that her own country gave her a fine career, a happy marriage to the late Humphrey Bogart, two charming children and much happiness for many years. If one of her private romances disillusioned her — that's a personal matter, not an international crusade! Inger Stevens: love at its cruelest The heartache of not one — but several — broken romances is believed to be the reason for the rumored suicide attempt of Inger Stevens. Everyone is genuinely sorry about her unhappiness. Inger is a popular girl at the studios, a 'regular' person and well liked by her co-stars and the crews. Y. Frank Freeman, head of Paramount, was particularly distressed because he believes so much in her future as an actress that she was given a contract with the studio for five years. Love, in Hollywood, can be very cruel. Particularly if a sensitive girl is unfortunate enough to keep falling in love with the wrong — for her — men. (Read the story of Inger's tragedy on page 48.) (Right) I think Lauren Bacall is acting very foolishly. If a private romance disillusioned her, that's a personal matter, and not an international crusade! Find the 'True' Stewart 16 Which is the real Jimmy Stewart? The one on the right, or the one on the left? That might be a harder question to answer than most people think. I am extremely talented in fashion sketching and hope for a career as a designer, writes Kahen McCormack, Boston. Is there any AcademyA wardwinning designer in HoiJywood who conducts a schoof for aspiring novices? No, Karen, there is not. I think your best bet in practical designing is with the commercial art department of a department store. If you are really good, you'll make your mark. . . . Brian Skinner, star of Teen Club tv show operating out of Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada, writes that he recently conducted a poll among Canadian teenagers to select their favorite American movie actors and the results were: 1 — Tony Curtis 2 — Rock Hudson 3 — Elvis Presley (Take a bow, boys. And thank you, Brian. ) From Lucerne, Switzerland, Marie writes in excellent English, Greetings, from one of many of your Modern Screen Magazine readers in Switzerland. My home town is near Burgenstock where Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer and Sophia Loren and her husband come to rest. I wish to report both couples are so friendly and permit us fans to snap their pictures. We in Switzerland have never encountered a difficult or temperamental film star. Perhaps it is because they come here to relax and be happy. Could be, Marie, and thank you. Another letter from abroad, Christina Jacobson writes from Stockholm, Sweden: American movies are the most! But. the star who holds my interest super-completely is Frank Sinatra/ Frankie is the most.' How do you like the way I use the latest American slang? As Frankie would say, you're a gasser, Chris. PJease tell me the real names of Jimmy Stewart and Stewart Granger, writes Mrs. L. Nollner, Ft. Worth. Don't blame you for being confused. Jimmy Stewart's real name is Jimmy Stewart — and Stewart Granger's real name is also — Jimmy Stewart! . . . Alvin Cummings, New Orleans, asks: Who is the richest actress in the world — and fhe richest actor? With income taxes what they are today, Alvin, present day stars do not pile up the fabulous fortunes earned by veterans such as Mary Pickford, Chaplin, etc. Taking a running guess, I'd put Liz Taylor high on the list (her salary plus returns on 80 Days'): Ava Gardner is said to be well heeled and Doris Day must be doing all right. Among the actors John Wayne, Cary Grant and Bill Holden have plenty piled up. . . . Ricky Nelson is jusf an ouf and our carbon copy of Elvis Presley.' yelps sixteen-year-old Cynthia Hossford, Atlanta Oh, boy — have you started a battle, Cynthia' Watch this column for the firing. . . . Evelyn Swarengen, Detroit, has a message for Doris Day: Please sing more in your movies. I printed much the same ideo in a recent newspaper column of mine — so we agree on Doris continuing her singing in future pictures, Evelyn. That's all for now. See you next month.