Modern Screen (Jan-Dec 1960)

June's neiv hair-do got many reactions but Fred likes it! George Hamilton tvas with Susan Kohner, icho looked exotic. A very handsome Rossano Brazzi gallantly raises his glass to toast his wife, at an 'Oscar' party they attended. Olivia DeHaviUand looked like a vision in white lace. She is a very, very happy girl these days. Parties . . . Parties every night The Academy Awards always inspire a lot of social activity and the week before Oscarnight was a big one for lovely affairs. Olivia De Havillands old friends vied with each other to welcome her — and her handsome journalist husband Pierre Galante back to her old home town after so many years of living in France. At the dinner given by the Lew Schreibers, Livvy looked like a vision in white lace with that authentic Paris look. But it takes real inner happiness to give a gal that glow Olivia wears these days — and she is very happy with Pierre. Natalie Wood and Bob Wagner were there — excited about their coming-up trip to New York with Liz and Eddie Fisher. Natalie was 'previewing' the new hairdo she later wore to the Academy Awards, short and straight with a sweep of bangs across her forehead. This same night MGM production head Sol Siegel and his wiie hosted a joint birthday party honoring Sol and Mrs. Walter Lang. It was so amusing to note that William Wyler (everyone was sure he was a cinch for bestdirector Oscar for Ben-Hur which, of course, he won) kept reminding people "there's many a slip, etc. . . ." whenever he was congratulated in 'advance.' Rossano Brazzi and his Lidia were there and if there's a more handsome man than Rossano I don't know who he is — much more handsome than he photographs, I think. Several people kept telling June Haver MacMurray that they liked her better as a blonde than with her new black hair but the man who matters, Fred MacMurray, voted for the brunette June — and with her, that's all that counts. Groucho Marx, with cigar of course, was in a serious frame of mind about affairs in and out of Hollywood and cracked no jokes. The Sunday night before the Oscars, another party was given for Olivia and Pierre by Frank McCarthy and Rupert Allen at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Saw many of the same guests we had seen at previous affairs — but a standout was Hope Lange who is really a beauty. She hasn't been dating much since her separation from Don Murray — but if the smitten bachelors in this town have their way she soon will be. Following this cocktail party, Jimmy McHugh and I went on to the home of Joan (Mrs. Harry) Cohn who was entertaining at a dinner honoring Laurence Harvey, and later giving her guests a look at his British-made comedy Expresso Bongo. This really looked like a preview of the Oscar contestants — so many were present and wishing each other well (with their fingers crossed, I suppose). Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher had just flown in that morning from New York and I saw them chatting with Simone Signoret — both ladies in the running for bestactress prize. Pretty, fresh-looking Susan Kohner (herself contending in best supporting-actress) was there with George Hamilton — who else? Susan was done up in a most exotic style — a truly beautiful oriental costume. Laurence Harvey and Liz and Eddie had much to talk about as all three are stars of the (strike) interrupted Butteitield 8 and at that time they were wondering when they would be back at work again. (Come ten days later.) Yes, Oscar time is a big season in Hollywood. 21