Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1959)

becoming attractions A. New Color Lift temporary hair rinse by Helena Rubinstein goes on right from bottle, is designed to last through five shampoos. Enough for two times, $1.50.* B. Glitter makes nighttime news: Evening Eyes eye-shadow by Kurlash combines shimmering iridescence with color in five luminous shades. $1.50.* C. More color at hand: Pearl nail polish by Cutex in Jamaica Green, Capri Blue, Tahiti Orchid, slated to be spring and summer’s fun and fashion news. 49(t.* D. On the scent: Color excitement and perfume blend in “Red Roses,” lush, fullbodied new fragrance by Yardley. Spray mist (shown), $2.00*; cologne, $1.50.* E. Foot note: With Pretty Feet lotion to smooth skin, remove callouses, you p can step into the sandal season without risky bathroom surgery. $1.50*; 98^.* *plus tax 18 READERS INC. rr continued that picture who fascinated me so much I could hardly take my eyes off him. His name. Arthur Kennedy. He was in "Peyton Place,” too, wasn’t he? How about telling us something about him? Pat Fairclough Louisville, Ky. Arthur Kennedy has probably had less publicity than any star of his stature — and there are reasons. T rying to get him to talk about himself has driven people like us to the brink of madness. W hen we met him he was more interested in us than in himself. What’s more , trying to get all the facts on him is a job — he’s done fust about everything: acting, writing, producing, directing, etc. And when you’ve said all that, you’ve just barely begun. But the real-life drama began fortyjour years ago in Worcester, Massachusetts — from which place young John Arthur Kennedy speedily departed for engineering courses at Carnegie Tech. Extracurricular dramatics proved to be the main attraction and, shortly after graduation, Kennedy headed for New York. ‘ “ Actually , l lived with David Wayne and three or four other theater hopefuls in a West Side rooming house. Half of us slept on cots. W e’d pound at Shubert Alley doors during the day and then try to whip together enough to eat for supper. With a dollar you could sometimes bring back half a delicatessen. When things were really rough Davey used to cook griddle cakes like crazy — God, when I think of the stuff I've put in my stomach.” Persistence paid off in two appearances which earned him an accolade from George M. Cohan as “ the most brilliant young actor on Broadway.” That was enough for James Cagney. They were having trouble casting a role in “City for Conquest.” and after reading the Cohan quote, Jimmy ordered. “Get him!” He was signed without a test, had his first name lopped off, and did eleven pictures for Warners before the Air Force claimed him for a two-year stretch during the war. Since then he has freelanced successfully as a three-time Oscar nominee, alternating films with footlight appearances — most notably in three Arthur Miller plays: “All My Sons” (which won him a New York Critics Prize). “ Death of a Salesman,” and “The Crucible.” From the Cross shack in “ Peyton Place” to the Kennedy home in Westport, Connecticut. is roughly comparable to going from cold beans to caviar. First built in 1690, it’s the oldest residence in the area — a homey, two-storied Early American structure which is furnished and decorated in the best of taste. This is the province of Mrs. Kennedy — a charming, attractive blonde who' d look good on any stage and did, twenty years ago when she was known as Mary Cheffey and Kennedy met and married her. Much of their conversation these days is devoted to a choice of the right prep school for Terrence, fifteen, and the right girls’ school for Laurie, thirteen. Also on the premises are a fourteen-yearold mixed breed named “Chippie” two cats — “Scupper” and “Papooli” — and, in the adjacent barn, a three-and-one-haljvear-old ocelot named “Smidley.” Ocelots, lor the benefit of the uninitiated, are something like miniature leopards, only grayer. Kennedy often visits the barn for a freefor-all and has the' scars to prove it. Kennedy’s main relaxation, sports-wise, is swimming — at Martha’s Vineyard, where the family spent their last two summers, and in the Bahamas, which they visited last winter. “And I’m crazy about the Caribbean.” Any particular spot? “Well, there’s an island that’s part of the French group called St. Martin, and it’s one of the few undeveloped spots down there. A group of us are thinking about buying property down there — but it’s still in the planning stages. I took a vocational guidance test — that’s a theory of mine, that everyone should take a vocational guidance test to find out what they’re best suited for in life — and anyway, they told me I had excellent possibilities as a real estate salesman. So I figured I’d try it out on Tom Ewell. And l painted a rosy picture Art's hard to track clown for a fan. of an island paradise, y’know, and all that, and Tommy was all ready to go. But it’s still in the thinking stage.” What would he do ivith property down there? “Oh, Fd probably get a shack on the beach and just take life easy.” — Ed. Poem for Pat 1 have thought and thought For something to say, \ And here's a few things That are on the way. Now he’s written a book I’m sure he will find, That he’s made even more fans Who think he's divine. I could go on and on There’s so much to tell, But one thing that’s very true, Mr. Boone, you're swell. Grace Ferrin LeRoy, N. Y. Address your tetters 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.