Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1959)

Ever been to a Roman feast? Come with me to Lydia and Rossani Brazzis party. Bits and Pieces: Kim Novak’s cat Pvwacket grew lonely for her shepherd dog Tracy, so Kim had the dog shipped on to her “Middle of the Night” location in New ^ork. Also planing east to visit Kim was director Richard Quine, with gossips wagging that she’d be "Kim Quine” by lilac time. I wonder. . . . “Too many stars leave their babies to the care of a nurse,” says Jayne Mansfield. “Not me.” Little Miklos gets special care, and, between feedings, Jayne’s writing her life story. . . . The Los Angeles Elvis Presley fan club girls are pooling their funds, shopping for the best rates and, this summer, will take off in a body to visit Elvis in Germany. Don't they know they can start a stampede this way? . . . Vicki Thai’s visit to John Saxon on his Mexico location of “The Unforgiven” came off without the delays that a frantic Mel Ferrer ran into when he was rushing to the same location after Audrey Hepburn had fallen from a horse and injured her back and ankle. Happiest news is Audrey’s recovery. . . . Warners may plan on yanking handsome James Garner out of his “Maverick” TV series before long and shoving him into movies. Know why? Fans keep asking for him since “Up Periscope." Ramblings: Pretty newcomer of the month is Alena Murray whom Bing Crosby chose from among twenty applicants for a role in “Say One for Me.” A year ago the young lady from Montreal, Canada, was alone in Hollywood, very ill, very lonely and discouraged. Months later — success, health and happiness. It's the old Hollywood success story and a better one has never been told. . . . Hollywood has gone mad over 13-year-old Dodie Stevens, whose platters are the absolute most. . . . Ran into Fred Astaire the day before he took off for Australia and "On the Beach.” A friendly, natural, real person. Fred radiates an aura of "aloneness” since the death of his beloved wife a few years ago. That T-Bird he is rumored to have given his TV dance partner, Barry Chase, was an act of friendship. Or so I’m told. And 1 love Barry's remark to a writer, "Nobody understands me but me." And sometimes I feel even Barry has her doubts. Arriverderci, Hollywood: "Sara, come to Lydia and me on Wednesday evening," Rossani Brazzi telephoned. “We are having a few friends in we love best before leaving.” Delighted to be considered a friend of these two popular people whom I love, I trotted off to join Van and Evie Johnson, just back from picture making in Europe, and Mitzi Gavnor and husband Jack Bean who were off the next day to New York where Mitzi is making “Anniversary Waltz" with that Critics Award winner, David Niven. . . . My favorite Hollywood executive, that marvelous Lew Scheiber of Twentieth Century-Fox, and his pretty wife and director John Negulesco (who directed Rossani and Deborah Kerr in "The Blessing”) and his talented wife Dusty Anderson, joined me for dinner. And what a feast that Lydia set up! None of us are over it yet. The handsome Ceasare Donovas and Nancy Sinatra livened up the party but Katy Jurado sat most of the evening by herself on the couch. I’m told Katy misses Ernie Borgnine, who’s on location in Australia, more and more. I guess it is real love between these two. Once Over Lightly: Clap hands, everybody. The Guy Madisons are back together, happy with each other and their three small daughters. . . . It's a funny thing but Janies Mason is so much taller than he appears on the screen. . . . To me Frankie Avalon constantly looks shy. Which is why every girl over 19 would like to “mother” the popular young singer, 1 suppose. Every girl under 19 just wants to date him. . . . Cary Grant’s two Rolls Royce cars, one for his use in London and one in Hollywood, have created considerable comment, what with Cary being on the thrifty side. But, and wouldn't you know it, the cars, I hear, may be rented when not in use. Love that Grant ! . . . And how about that dog-biscuit machine belonging to Audrey Hepburn’s poodle. Famous? All Famous has to do is press a lever with his paw and out pops a biscuit ! Party of The Month: Sparks flew! Ashes fell! Brush fires raged! Neros fiddled! And still we danced at the Arthur Cameron party hosted by socialite C.obina Wright. Despite the fact immediate danger had passed, Cornel Wilde haunted the telephone to ask after the children while his lovely wife Jean Wallace hovered near. Had supper with Eleanor Parker and her husband, the prominent painter Paul Clemens. Eleanor, who has a divine figure, had just finished the movie “Hole in the Head” for U.A. with Frank ( continued ) 20