Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1955)

inside: UFF ( Continued from page 39) teaching Mitzi how to cook her steak and be able to eat it, too. Sav It Isn’t So: That ever since he made “Country Girl,” Bing Crosby’s been bitten by the “acting” bug and is searching for new dramatic fields to conquer . . . That Edmund Purdom’s so weary from overwork and so unnerved by his personal life problems, he’s reached the point of throwing things on the set . . . That the marital troubles between June Allyson and Dick Powell could be traced to the presence of his high-spirited teenage daughter Ellen (her mother is Joan Blondell) who now makes her home with them . . . That talented Grace Kelly who’s never aspired to becoming a cheesecake queen, may sue the parties responsible for putting her head on a curvaceous body. Object: “Green Fire” advertising! . . That Michael Wilding obtained his release from his M-G-M contract because he felt he was “Elizabeth Taylor’s husband” on that lot Younq At Heart: Debbie Reynolds was still in New York visiting Eddie Fisher when Lori Nelson called her from Hollywood and introduced Robert Francis over the telephone. Bob was flying East for personal appearances and Lori didn’t want her new boy friend to get lonely in the big city! • And reporters flipped when Terry Moore leased a cottage for two for Jack Sernas. It will be occupied by the handsome Frenchman, who returned to Europe to bring his mother back to this country . . . Rusty Tamblyn carries Luana Lee’s scripts instead of her school books these days. She’s a beautiful studio messenger girl now enrolled in M-G-M’s dramatic classes. Object: eventual stardom. Father’s Do’e: The day before Charlton Heston’s wife gave birth to a 7 pound 14 ounce boy (they named him Fraser which is Chuck’s Scottish family clan name), Chuck was so nervous on “The Private War of Major Benson” set, he wasn’t aware he had his boots on the wrong feet! . . . And anxious Jose Ferrer took several runs to St. John’s Hospital before Rosemary Clooney presented him with a son and heir they named Miguel Jose . . . But fatherhood’s no novelty to Robert Cummings who welcomed his fourth child and third daughter. Funnies: Jeff Hunter to Dan Dailey: “How come you and Gwen O’Connor got married when you fight all the time?” Dan back to Jeff: “All our fights were about the same thing. Should we get married!” . . . Robert Mitchum to Jane Russell: “Tell me, how did you like Europe?” Jane back to Bob: “I’m glad it’s over there!” . . . And then there’s that woman who wrote to Liberace about his highly publicized “romance” with Sonja Henie: “I’m much better for you than Sonja. At least I have piano legs!” Personal Piffle: Richard Widmark is a handy man who just designed and built his own furniture for that new room in his Mandeville Canyon home . . . Rory Calhoun calls Jeff Candler “Big Grey” and Jeff calls Rory “Old Smoke” . . . Debra Paget and her sister attending a Beverly Hills church each Sunday, dress like they’re going to a cocktail party later! . . . And Doris Day finally asked for her first P autographed photograph. She couldn’t have picked a worthier subject — Jimmy Cagney! 102 Lodies In Waiting: Susan Hayward broke right out in front of everyone on the “Soldier of Fortune” set and planted a big birthday buss on Clark Gable. But not a single news hound found out that Grace Kelly gifted the King with a real live miniature burro for his ranch. While she was in Hollywood long enough to turn down her next picture, Grace called Clark constantly. And sometimes the calls came in when Kay Williams Spreckels was sitting a few feet away with an amused smile on her beautiful face! Our Town: Ever since he hit Hollywood again, perfectionist Marlon Brando has been rehearsing like a demon for his songs and dances for “Guys and Dolls.” Finally one hostess did manage to snare him for a Saturday night party. Marlon worked late and was the last to arrive. The room was filled with aspiring young actors — all trying to look like you-know-who in leather jackets and dungarees. The original one and only walked in wearing a white shirt, black tie and a beautiful charcoal gray suit! A La Carte: Jeff Richards passing by Louis Calhern’s table in the M-G-M commissary, exclaimed: “You’re my favorite actor!” With that inimitable twinkle, Calhern countered: “Mine, too!” Town Talk: Cal caught up with Tony Curtis. who was on the set making “The Rawhide Years.” “Jan gained five pounds,” he greeted us joyously. “Every time she gains a pound she gets a gift, so that makes five gold trinkets for her charm bracelet!” Does this sound like a man in love with his wife? Sexy Santa: There may not be anything serious between Rock Hudson and secretary Phyllis Gates, but the big bov gets very serious when he picks out gifts for her. Rock recently devoted an entire day to personally selecting a complete outfit for Phyllis. It included gloves, shoes, handbag and perfume to go with a coat and dress. Then as an extra gift he threw in — a set of pink and white candy stripe sheets and pillow slips. No wonder every glamour puss wants Rock for a husband. “They don’t hardly make them that way no more!” Peaks At Production: After her experience at Paramount, Pat Crowley refused that U-I contract. But they needed her so badly for “There’s Always Tomorrow,” she got the role anyway . . . Paging Hollywood’s number-one miracle man! For their roles in “Giant,” Elizabeth Taylor ages from 21 to 45 and Rock Hudson from 27 to 50! . . . And here’s a bit of irony. Stewart Granger over in India is helping Ava Gardner acquire a British accent for “Bhowani Junction.” But back in Hollywood, Jean Simmons Granger is trying to lose her British accent for “Guys and Dolls!” . . . The old gang ganged up on John Derek who was once a stock actor at 20th. When he went back to make “The Prince of Players,” the sign on his dressing room door read “Derek Harris” — his real name and the one John used to use! As We Go to Press: The Jack Webbs celebrated one month of marriage with their first “lovers’ quarrel.” She went home to mama, “But I’ve been working ve’-v hard and we got to snapping at each other,” says Sergeant Friday. “There’s nothing to it.” Da da dum dum! . . . Joan Evans and Kirky Weatherly are going to be happier (if possible!) when their 1st wee one arrives next September . . . yl that blessed event for Aldo Ray and ,fl Donnell could be a double productiotwins to you! . . . And to you from the frit office at M-G-M: “Eleanor Parker’s b liant performance in ‘Interrupted Melcy1 has lessened enthusiasm for Grace Kel . . Since breaking his arm skiing at fn Valley, Dick Powell is even closer tin ever to June Allyson . . . But Edrmd Purdom’s one-man holocaust for Lii a Christian is becoming a feeble flame— ;d his studio couldn’t be more relieved to e it dying! Cal Salutes: William Holden whose ijj emplary family life is worth many n lions to Hollywood. Recently all the B dens appeared on Edward R. Murro's “Person to Person” tv show. For id days fifty men were in and out movg furniture, setting up four cameras ;d wiring the Holden house for sound. Ill served them 250 sandwiches and endhs gallons of coffee. After the telecast e opened up his bar for the men and win he talked to Mr. Murrow in New Yc: Bill told him how painless it all had bin because of his great crew. Those headl e hunters who give the town a black ic should observe Bill Holden and learn h\ a real star operates. Oo+iroistic Type: Looks like Marilyn M( roe’s buying a permanent residence r Connecticut and with Joe DiMaegio bill there to help her select the right pl:5 draw your own conclusions Speaking >1 the blond bombshell, remember Cal tc you she’d formed her own “Mari r Monroe Productions, Inc.” and dismiss her agents at the same time. She sc sent all parties concerned a wire cl wished them — a Happy New Year! Citv Slickers: When Debbie Revnolds vited Eddie Fisher recently, she fell in he with New York. “After we’re marrie’ she confesses, “I’d love to live in the E 1 when I’m not working.” Bet M-G-M \ , love that! . . And when Janet Leigh t: Tony Curtis blew into the big city < meet the press, they held quiet conferen : with important playwrights. The popr i pair are just panting to face a live au ■ ence in a good comedy . . Tab Hum had an odd experience during his bi 1 stooover in New York en route to Euro: Someone swiped Tabbie’s long underwu (used for ice skating) out of his he room. He just hopes it fits! Funnies In surgery for two hours for ■ moval of a kidney stone, Bing CrosJ came through like a block-buster and E: Hope cracked: “Wouldn’t you know the 1 find uranium in Bing’s kidney stone!” .i After waiting a year (on salary) She : North finally replaced Marilyn Monr scheduled for “Pink Tights” and “H > to Be Very, Very Popular.” Hearing | news, sizzling Sheree cracked: “If I ve married now, with my luck, I’d probal1 be pregnant!” . . . And some sentimen 1 soul ( ? ) dedicated a song to Ava Gardn entitled: “Barefoot Contessa, Where A Your Shoes!” J Wee Ones: Because her baby had to \ born by Caesarean section and she cou name the date, Elizabeth Taylor switch! the day to February 27th and on her o ' twenty-third birthday, Liz gave birth : a 5 pound 12 ounce boy, whom the Wrings have named Christopher Edward.