Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1957)

Address your letters to Readers Inc., photoplay, 205 E. 42nd Street, New York 17, New York. We regret that we are unable to return or reply to any letters not published in this column. If you want to start a fan club or write to favorite stars, address them at their studios.. — Ed. READERS IAC... Actors Are Fine People We here in Marietta, Ohio, were host to the world premiere of “Battle Hymn,” the true story of our own Colonel Dean Hess. Rock Hudson, Jock Mahoney and Dan Duryea, who are the stars of the picture, and Ross Hunter, who is the producer, were brought by a caravan of cars from the airport, and when they entered Marietta, they were taken to the hotel via a torchlight parade. Hundreds and hundreds of teenagers followed Rock’s car to the hotel. Some of us got inside and went to the bottom of the steps and yelled, “We want Rock!” Others did the same outside. Finally, Rock came out on a balcony, and talked to us until they made him go inside. The next day was a “cake and autograph” party for teenagers. But since we had to go to school until 3:35, by the time we got to the Field House, there was such a crowd of older women that hardly any M.H.S. teenagers got in. We never gave up, though, and finally they had to take Rock back to the hotel in a police car. Thursday afternoon, Marietta saw the biggest parade she ever saw or ever will see in her life. All the stars, Colonel Hess, Air Force officials, floats, bands and many other things were shown off to Marietta. Rock, Jock, Dan, Ross and Colonel Hess were mobbed all through town by people wanting to get their pictures and shake hands with them. Thursday morning, Rock had been given a Doctor of Arts degree from Marietta College at the annual Founders Day ceremony. He looked like he was so proud over the fact he could burst. Thursday night was really the big time. We have only three small theatres in Marietta so in order to accommodate the thousands who wanted to see the movie, we had to have two showings at each of the theatres. Before the first showing at the Colony, which is our largest theatre, all the stars were to make an appearance at the reviewing stand in front of the theatre. Our M.H.S. hand played until all the dignitaries arrived. All of a sudden, as we were playing while the stars came up on the platform, Jock Mahoney grabbed the baton and started directing us. Rock followed suit, only with his finger. The whole band went into hysterics. We are known as the only band in captivity to be directed by Jock Mahoney and Rock Hudson at the same time. Rock, Dan, Jock and Ross talked to us until they had to go into the theatre. We all loved them. Marietta and all the people will never forget when they were here. They were all lovable, down-to-earth people. If there were more stars like them in Hollywood today, it wouldn’t be given so much criticism. They all had fine parts in “Battle Hymn.” I think we should hear more about Jock Mahoney and Dan Duryea. They’re all fine people as well as actors. Ross Hunter and Rock are the best! They won the hearts of all the people in Marietta, and we’ll be their number one fans for years to come. Tobie Wright Marietta, Ohio Are We In a Rut? I have been a reader of your magazine for a number of years and for the first time I have decided to voice an opinion on it. 1 buy other magazines only if they happen to have a story on one of my favorite stars, but I buy Photoplay because it is Photoplay. I realize that you must concentrate on the stars who are in the public eye, and to please your readers you must give them stories about stars they like. However, would it be asking too much for perhaps just one page of your supposedly terrific magazine to cover someone like Kathryn Grayson or Maureen O'Hara — or perhaps a special feature acquainting the young fans of today with the old Hollywood, and what we missed while we were in the cradle? How about stories about people who have really contributed something to the industry as, for instance, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland and others too numerous to mention? I have yet to read an article on Ida Lupino, a terrific actress. I could go on and on about what my dream fan magazine would contain. I know people have different tastes. I, too, like Debbie Reynolds, Tab Hunter, Janet Leigh, etc., but enough is enough ! June Parker Dixon, Illinois Here's one reader we feel is going to enjoy the story in this issue, “Has Hollywood Lost Its Glamour ?” with pictures and comments about many of the old stars! — Ed. No Rut, Says Mrs. W! I just have to write this letter to let you know how pleased I was with the April issue of Photoplay. There were no stories on Natalie’s boy friends, nothing on Liz’s marriage problems and no Elvis Presley! I subscribe to four movie magazines. As each arrived at my mail box, they all seemed like duplicates — that is, until Photoplay came. Here was a different one, and I was so happy. Doris Day, Pier Angeli, Jacques Sernas, Anne Baxter, Monty Clift — it was so nice reading about these stars for a change! I can truly see why Photoplay is the largest-selling movie magazine. Thanks for being different. Mrs. T. C. Willman Appleton, Wisconsin Favorite Actor Is Different He doesn't look or act like any other star. He is an individual! He has a style of his own. He is at ease in any role. He has played a bashful newlywed, a small-time hood, a sex-hungry cowhand, a rocket-ship cook, a punch-drunk boxer, a frightened young soldier, and was convincing in each part. Now, with his fine part in “The Rainmaker,” 1 believe Earl Holliman will get the recognition he deserves. A Fan Longview, Texas Continued Rock Hudson, gowned for honorary degree from Marietta, charmed the town. So did Dan Duryea and Jock Mahoney