Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1959)

Brief Encounter Recently I went to New York and the main thing I wanted to do was see some movie stars. Anyone who says movie stars are too busy to take time for young (teenage) fans doesn’t know what he’s talking about. My aunt and I went to one TV studio to see the show and take pictures of the well-known panelists. We were standing outside talking when a taxi pulled up and Gordon MacRae stepped out. I ran over to get a picture while he was signing someone’s autograph book, but it was so crowded I couldn’t reach him. A man started to take him into the studio but he stopped him, smiled at me and said for me to take the picture if I wanted to. Well, today that picture is my prized possession. Susan Fox Tipp City, Ohio Oscar for Entertainment Here goes my first letter to my favorite movie magazine. Academy Award time is rolling around again and I hope, for once, the voters will not overlook the fine, carefree and brilliant performance of Mitzi Gaynor in “South Pacific.” It’s a shame that many think to be eligible for an Oscar nomination the role must be that of insanity, alcoholism or frustration. It’s about time the movie industry recognized a performance that really entertains the moviegoer ! Tom Paul Palm Beach, Fla. Circle this date, April 6, on your calendar. That's the night when you'll see whether your favorites win or not, when the Academy Awards are televised coast to coast over NBC-TV — Ed. Open Letter to Rick Nelson You don’t remember me, Rick, I know, for we met only fleetingly in your dressing room at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Washington, D.C., on your first night’s performance there. I was with a party of six or seven girls led by a columnist, and as we approached your dressing room, my feelings were pretty well mixed. I was a little bit afraid and shy and very much excited. I was the last one to pass through the door and as you stood up to greet us, I received an impression I will never forget. Maybe your face really was pale or maybe it was just the stage makeup but to me, Rick Nelson, you looked scared. Oh, not scared of those of us in the tiny dressing room, but of the howling, screaming, hysterical mob that awaited you outside. Scared, yes, and a little lonely, too. As we were introduced, you said, “Hi,” to each of us and when someone mentioned autographs you said, “Sure,” and sat down to sign as many as we wanted. I had heard rumors that Rick Nelson was a snob but that was straightened out right away. I don’t think I’ve ever met a nicer boy than you, Rick, and my friends felt the same way. All too soon it was time to leave and return to our seats and as I stepped out into the cool night air, I almost felt like crying for you. Oh, I’d read plenty of stories about stars who weren’t happy with all their money and fame and who would sometimes wish to be like everyone else. I never honestly believed them, though, until I caught the most wistful look in your electrifying blue eyes. Were you wishing that you were just another teenager? Was it possible that you were envying us because all our friends were in the same town and our parents weren’t hundreds of miles away? Was it envy that we didn’t have a constant mob around us, never letting us alone, even in the privacy of a hotel room where guards were posted day and night? Just as we got back to our seats you came on stage to sing your first number and immediately the screaming and shrieking began. You looked quite pleased and happy. The crowd loved you and you seemed to love the crowd. I began to wonder if I hadn’t imagined how unhappy you looked backstage. I wondered if I had dreamed the expression in your eyes before you rose to meet us. And like I said, I guess I’ll never know. Mary Beth Boisseree Arlington, Va. Thai’s where you're wrong. Rick will know now , when he reads it right here in Photoplay — Ed. Fat, Flabby, Sagging? ! ! I have certain views concerning the caliber of Hollywood leading men which I’ve been keeping to myself entirely too long. It takes courage to cite them, because a “lady” isn’t supposed to have such, thoughts — much less express them ! I guess I’m not a lady then, so here goes: Sometimes after seeing a motion picture, I get the feeling that the producers have only the male members of the audience in mind when casting their films. (This is a great mistake, for I’m sure women comprise a larger part of the theater-going public.) When selecting male leads, apparently their only thought is, “He's a good actor.” Ah! but the female lead! That’s another matter entirely ! She must not only be a capable actress, she must have eye-appeal. Even our ageless cinema queens (many of whom will never see fifty again) can wear low-cut gowns or don swimming togs and in the process reveal figures that the average teenage girl might very well envy. But not the man of the species! He can be fat, flabby, sagging and downright ancient-looking and still command leads opposite the finest female specimens in movieiand. Of course, the producers can truthfully say (in many cases) that they continue to use these actors because they still draw the crowds. I don’t want to see them turned out to pasture — I simply want them to keep themselves in shape as do the actresses. If some actors can do it, so can the others. Among the few who have kept faith with the female public are Cary Grant and Gilbert Roland. I still remember a movie in which Roland and Bob Stack were co-starred. What a field day those two afforded the female who truly appreciates the handsome male physique! Edith Rodcers Troutdale, Ore. Set to Music In my opinion. Miss Dorothy Malone is great in every part she’s ever had in a movie. In my opinion, that Academy Award that she won was one of the most deserved Oscars ever. 1 do wish some studios would get on the ball and star her in a musical or musical comedy. Miss Malone has a lovely voice, can dance and is a top actress. What more would be needed to make it the hit of the year? Mrs. Alice Huggins Harlingen, Texas A fan asks: Should teeners envy Rick? 12