Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1958)

Jottings: Venetia Stevenson and Barry Coe, at the “Peyton Place” premiere, made a stunning pair (left) . . . Natalie Wood Wagner’s smart black and gold sari-type frock has all the movie debs haunting the Oriental shops for silky gauzes. Natalie’s was a gift from hubby Bob. who carted it home from Japan for his lady love. Made with a long, flowing swoop of material over one shoulder, Natalie looks that sophisticated . . . And when Susan Zanuck, daughter of producer Darryl, walked into the open-house party given by director Jean Negulesco and wife Dusty Anderson, the boom fell. In her new Parisian frock of champagne-beige chiffon. Susan made the bright greens and reds that dotted the room look, well — frumpy . . . Rhonda Fleming, in her new champagne-beige, created by Don Loper, with which the lovely redhead wears antique jewelry set with green stones, looks just like Lawrence Welk's champagne music: Bubbling with loveliness. Pictures — And People In Them: “Bridge on the River Kwai” is my choice for the Academy Oscar, with “Sayonara,” “Wild Is the Wind” and “A Farewell to Arms” among the serious contenders. The feeling in Hollywood is that Bill Holden was more or less dragged into the “Kwai” epic, with the plum roles going to Alec Guinness and Jack Hawkins. Incidentally, Geoffrey Horne, the third Britisher in the film, and a handsome twentyfour, paid Hollywood a short visit, but always in the company of Nancy Berg. Self-assured and not too impressed (or could it have been a pose?), young Horne promised to return. Without Nancy? He wouldn't say . . . Bets are that Guinness will walk off with the Oscar for a best performance of the year. His most serious contender will be that two-time winner, Tony Quinn, for his work in “Wild Is the Wind.” And Magnani in “Wind” is only wonderful. I hear from Anna's closest friends, the Caesar Donavers, that the tempestuous Magnani is beginning to like and to understand us. The chip is off the shoulder and the hand reached out in a gesture of friendship. Marlon Brando’s performance in “Sayonara” rates diverse opinions in Hollywood. He gave either the greatest or the weakest performance of his career. His accent was charming or he sounded like Pearl Bailey in a character song. He was sensitive; he was cold. But in my book, he’s fascinating in anything. If women alone voted for the Oscars, “A Farewell to Arms” P would win hands down. Abounding in love and romance, Jennifer Jones and Rock Hudson tear the emotions to shreds . . . Of the new rib-ticklers, I like U-I’s “The Girl Most Likely.” Houses — And People In Them: Doris Day and Marly Melcher moved back into their newlydecorated (from stem to stern) home in Beverly Hills, and with Marty’s luck in grabbing off the Broadway hit “Fair Game” for his bride, they're the beamingest couple in town . . . Bob Wagner surprised me with a telephone call about the house he and Nat (above) hope to buy. No honeymoon cottage for this pair. Bob says the “modest housekeeping bit” is out. What Nat and Bob hope for is a large gracious home, suitable for large and charming parties. continued There appears to be no hope for a reconciliation of Diane Varsi and young producer Jim Dickson, even though the estranged couple got together for the premiere of her great triumph. “Peyton Place.” Wed to Dickson for a year, unlucky-in-love Diane has a sixteen-month-old son, Sean, by a previous unsuccessful marriage. She denies romantic interest in Dennis Hopper, says Sean is the important man in her young life. 20