Modern Screen (Jan-Dec 1960)

continued I nominate for STARDOM James Shigeta . . . which may come as a bit of a surprise. But not since the days when the young Sessue Hayakawa completely charmed American movie fans has a Japanese actor registered as compellingly as this tall, dark and handsome Japanese. I caught Jimmy first when he was appearing in Las Vegas in the revue Shirley MacLai lie's husband, Steve Parker, imported from Honolulu to the New Frontier. I was amazed at the way Shigeta scored as a singer and dancer but I was even more amazed when I saw his Columbia picture The Crimson Kimono to see what a fine dramatic actor he is. His second Hollywood picture will be Walk Like a Dragon for Paramount and he will be starred. Personally, he is a most gracious and polite young man with excellent manners. After I had written a glowing tribute to him in my newspaper column, he called to ask if he might drop by to thank me. Even more handsome off-stage than on, Jimmy arrived bearing a beautiful bouquet of gardenias and violets from his native Hawaii. "These are inadequate to express my appreciation," he said, "but I am deeply grateful for the interest you have shown in my career — and in me." Oh, what a charmer this boy is! As we talked, I discovered he has a wonderful sense of humor in addition to his other assets. He also loves music, American variety, and plays the piano as though he had been born in a band. "I want to make my home in Hollywood," he told me before he left, "everyone here is so kind and helpful." He'll have to go traveling, however, after he finishes at Paramount, for he has a big role with Marlon Brando coming up in The Ugly American to be shot in the Near East. Look out, Brando, you'll have your work cut out for you. A Name for Audrey and Mel's Baby If you can think of a name for a baby that goes well with Ferrer, Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer will be glad to listen! I was very amused when the Ferrers came calling on me so happy and excited about that long-desired baby that they're having one of the few disagreements of their married life over a name. These two who are known as a couple of love birds who never argue (as a matter of fact, Mel treats Audrey like a treasured child or a delicate piece of Dresden China) are pretty definite about this name business — and pretty far apart. If 'it' is a girl, Audrey is holding out for Kathleen (her middle name). Mel's solid for Maria. If 'it' is a boy — Audrey wants Ian — for her brother. "I don't like Kathleen — and I don't like Ian," laughed Mel. "This is getting serious.' "Well, I don't like Maria," kidded Audrey so slender she looked like anything but an expectant mother in a bright red suit from Paris. But one point the Ferrers meet on is they want this baby more than anything else in the world, Audrey particularly, as Mel has four children by two previous marriages. Audrey was brokenhearted last year when she lost an expected baby. She and Mel were in Switzerland at the time and when Deborah Kerr returned to Hollywood she told me, "I've never seen anyone cry as Audrey did when she lost that baby. My home in Switzerland is near hers and I went to be with her during this difficult time. She tried so hard to be brave, but unexpectedly, she would just burst into tears. And this went on for days until the doctor told her that there was no physical reason that she might not again expect a baby." The Ferrer baby will be born in the USA although Mel and Audrey will go to Europe first where Mel will direct Blood and the Rose in Italy.