Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1957)

Exclusively Yours (Continued from page 47) new, new look. . . . Marlene Dietrich’s first stop when she arrives in Hollywood is at Van Johnson’s, where she stuffs herself on all the local gossip and pays off by preparing the tastiest beef stroganoff in town. . . . The fact that the Stewart Grangers’ baby girl, Tracy, was first reported as being a boy only makes them more aware how happy they are that their first-born is a pretty addition to the female sex. . . . There is no doubt that Audrey Hepburn thinks she can be both great wife and great actress at the same time. But close friends feel that she might be working just a mite too hard at both roles. . . . Glenn Ford got a great kick out of participating in the making of “Teahouse of the August Moon” in Japan, but after Ellie brushed the lotus blossoms off his lapels he was ready and content just to hang up his hat and laze around with the family for awhile. The Facts, Ma’am : Ever since Eddie Fisher married Debbie Reynolds, there have been rumors from the Hollywood grapevine that Debbie was trying to influence Eddie into dropping some of his business associates of the past, notably, his personal manager, Milton Blackstone. It was Blackstone, of course, who discovered Eddie when his was just a voice in the wilderness and helped skyrocket him to his present pinnacle of success. For Eddie to drop Milton now would be the kind of ingratitude that is “sharper than a serpent’s tooth.” No one is more aware of this man Eddie — which is why he is so indignant over this misplaced rumor, directed not only at himself but at his wife Debbie. “Debbie has never at any time tried to impose any demands on me, as far as my career is concerned,” Eddie assured me when he came East for the press premiere of their first co-starring venture, “Bundle of Joy.” “And certainly she has far too much integrity as a person to want me to be disloyal to anyone who helped me in my struggling days. As far as Milton is concerned, sure, we’ve had our differences of opinion. Who wouldn’t, in a business relationship that involves so many decisions, so much long-range planning and pressure from all sides? But, as long as I live, I’ll never forget the debt of gratitude I owe to Milton. All rumors to the contrary, he is still my manager, and always will be, I hope.” Proving this is not idle talk, Eddie insisted that the press preview of “Bundle of Joy” be held at Grossinger’s, in Liberty, New York, where Milton first spotted Eddie. Debbie couldn’t come East to be at the Grossinger premiere because she couldn’t leave her real “bundle of joy,” Carrie Frances, whom she was still nursing at the time, but Milton was at Eddie’s side and shared the honors with him. It was here, eight years ago, that a timid youngster from Philadelphia first sang his way into prominence. Overseas Intelligence : Ingrid Bergman, actress, is continuing to bring tears to the eyes of spectators nightly for her sensitive portrayal in the French stage version of “Tea and Sympathy” in Paris. Rossellini, after seeing Ingrid’s opening (with teeth chattering, he was so nervous), and after staying to spend the holidays with his family, finally left for picturemaking in India — which, of course, immediately p started those old, unfounded separation rumors. Six-year-old Robertino has entered a school in Paris and the twins are under the care of a French governess, who 9b doubles as French teacher to Ingrid in the mornings. But she really doesn’t need the lessons. . . . Rossano Brazzi confided, just before sailing for America with his wife, Lidia, that he is determined to retire from the screen in 1960. Lidia’s comment about his reputation as the “great lover”: “Rossano just sells love. I wouldn’t be jealous of potatoes if he sold them for a living!” . . . Now that she is finished with Edmund Purdom (“too young for me,” she says), Linda Christian has been putting into effect her new resolve to stay away from married men. During her stay in Paris, she was seen about town with many handsome men, all of them single. Her phone was busy, too, with calls from as far off as Greece. Linda confessed that she is looking for a serioustype man to be a good father to her two daughters. ... A new way of saying “we’re just friends” is writer Peter Viertel’s comment about his friendship with Rita Hayworth in Paris: “We share similar interests.” Before departing for America recently, Rita seldom left her Georges V Hotel apartment except to go dancing with Viertel. Dancing, she usually takes her shoes off. Tidbits about Tourists: Mr. and Mrs. Errol Flynn are taking a leisurely cruise in Mediterranean waters. . . . Dana Andrews made the entertainer and other patrons unhappy, at London’s swank Casanova Club, by talking loudly during the acts, despite admonitions from surrounding tables. Dana apologized to the singer later. . . . Merle Oberon dividing her time between the Earl of Dudley in London and a mysterious Frenchman in Paris. . . . Grace and Rainier are encouraging the people of Monaco to adopt as many Hungarian children as possible. They have made donations out of their pockets to Hungarian relief, in addition to official government donations. /Veie Personality of the Month : About a year and a half ago, before Susan Strasberg left for Hollywood to make “Picnic,” she was given a bon voyage party at the home of her godparents, Mr. and Mrs. Herb Moss. As someone who has known Susie ever since she was just a twinkle in her father and mother’s eyes, I had been invited to this gay gathering. Just as I was leaving, a young girl rushed over to Paula Strasberg to say goodbye, too. There was nothing spectacular about her Rita Hayworth took off from the famed Georges V Hotel in gay Paris to return to America with Rebecca and Jasmine looks — mousy brown hair, clean blue eyes and a general impression of sweet, scrubbed freshness. But Paula introduced us: “Radie, here is someone you should know. She’s our newest exciting discovery in the Actors Studio. Lee (Strasberg) and Gadg (Kazan) predict a brilliant future for her, so when she becomes famous, remember you met her here first!” And that’s how I met Carroll Baker, before her “Giant” screen success as a “Baby Doll.” Shortly after Carroll came back from location in Mississippi, where all of this Tennessee Williams’ film was shot, we caught up with each other over lunch. Despite the fact that her mousy hair was blonder now (although she was letting it grow back to its natural shade after bleaching it almost platinum for this second movie) and her slim figure had blossomed out considerably, due to the imminent arrival of a “baby doll” in the Jack Garfein nursery, I recognized her immediately. Neither George Stevens nor Gadg Kazan had tried to transform her into the usual mould of a Hollywood glamorpuss. Carroll’s film career runs a striking parallel to another disciple of the Actors Studio, Eva Marie Saint. Eva won an Oscar for her prize performance in a Kazan-directed film, “On the Waterfront.” Carroll will be a strong contender in the Academy Award sweepstakes for her brilliant characterization of a “Baby Doll,” also directed by Kazan. Incidentally, neither film was made in Hollywood. Eva is married to M-G-M director Jeff Hayden. Carroll’s husband is Jack Garfein, who recently completed his first directorial effort for the screen, “End as a Man.” One coincidence Carroll won’t share with Eva: Should Carroll win her Oscar in March, she’ll accept it in a beautiful new gown, unlike Eva, who accepted hers in a maternity dress. But to add one more final parallel, Eva’s co-star in “On the Waterfront” was an actor who first exercised his talent at the Actors Studio — Marlon Brando. In Carroll’s first Warner Brothers’ film, “Giant,” she played opposite another famous Studio alumnus, the late James Dean. All or Nothing: Speaking of lonely movie queens, take Ava Gardner, if Walter Chiari hasn’t already beaten you to it by the time this reaches print! When Ava was in London last summer filming “The Little Hut.” I visited her on the set and late: ran into her on the few occasions when she dined out. When Ava was seen supping at the Caprice or dancing at the Milroy, she was, naturally, the center of attention, and everyone speculated about who her good-looking escorts were. A couple of dukes or a lord or two, at least, I lots of people were telling each other. How l amazed they would have been had I introduced them to two American commoners named Sidney Guillaroff, Ava’s hairdresser at M-G-M and one of her closest Hollywood friends, and Morgan Hudgins, a Metro publicist, who had been on location with Ava in Africa for “Mogambo.” Grace Kelly took such a fancy to him, too, that when she married Prince Rainier, she borrowed Morgan from Metro as her chief press liaison at the wedding. Now he was back with Ava again, handling her publicity on “The Little Hut” and keeping her company when Sidney or Walter Chiari wasn’t available for the purpose. Ava, who is well accepted in Europe, has been presented by the manager with a special winter-season pass for the performances at the La Scala opera house in Milan. Milan, of course, is Walter Chiari’s home town. Incidentally, speaking , .