Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1963)

Sandra Dee continued like, much less love, each other." The world did seem to be Darin's oyster. However, Bobby made his first and biggest mistake by thinking that he could build a shell around their marriage. Even an oyster eventually has to come out of its shell. Sandy's reaction to Bobby's tactics at first was no reaction. After all, Bobby was head of the household and she enjoyed this protection. Studio executives, especially Producer Ross Hunter who discovered the actress, were unhappy. Darin issued orders that he and Sandy would refuse to pose for photographs together. He even went to great lengths to carry out this edict. Once to avoid cameramen at Bobby's opening at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Sandy had to remain in her room. Hunter became especially upset when Darin began to hint that Sandy's career wasn't being handled properly. This was like saying you hate your father because, under Hunter's tutelage, Sandy skyrocketed from a New York model to a top box-office star. Then there was a report that Bobby felt Sandy should make pictures with only the big, big male stars. Anyone less than a Rock Hudson wouldn't be acceptable. ! Certainly Bobby received the lion's share of criticism those first few months of marriage. Yet he deserves credit, too. Until her marriage, Sandy was treated as a young and delicate teenager. Even though she was eighteen when she met Bobby, without makeup and wearing those princessstyle dresses she could pass for a child of twelve. And her mother was always by her side. They were inseparable. Some feel that one reason Sandy was so determined to marry was to finally be on her own. When she became Mrs. Bobby Darin, Sandy no longer was the shy little girl. Overnight she blossomed into a full-grown woman. But in some ways — Sandy appeared awestruck at many of Darin's mannerisms. And some of his fast-lingo was soon mimicked by her. She began 18 to smoke cigarettes, and occasionally would join him in a cocktail. Her mother wisely bowed out of Sandy's life, hopi .3 and praying for the best. Surprisingly, Darin's formula 3r a happy marriage apparently was working. The union was additionally fortified at 2:19 A.M. in the wintry wee hours of Dec. 16, 1961 — when the first cries of Dodd Mitchell Darin were heard at Cedars of Lebanon hospital. Both Bobby and Sandy were ecstatic over becoming parents. Soon afterwards, however, reports began leaking out of dissension. Some said this stemmed over Bobby reportedly wanting Sandy to give up her career and devoting full time to being a mother. Others claimed their love had withered, the honeymoon was over now and forever. Since the first of the year the tension obviously was mounting. Sandy appeared overwrought and tired. Bobby flung himself into a multitude of business ventures, working at his office on the Universal Studios lot from early in the morning until late at night, and then working in night clubs. When he was appearing on stage, Sandra played the role of the appreciative wife sitting ringside and forcing smiles. The smiles became more forced and insiders say Bobby insisted on having his Sandy at all of his openings. This was often hard on Sandy since most of his nitery dates are out of town. Bobby, they say, also insisted that the baby travel with them. Caring for a small child in a hotel room can be like Alcatraz for a mother. Ironically in the past months, he seemed much friendlier to the press. Bobby reworked his night club act, eliminating all of the brash and cockiness that once was his trademark. While filming "If A Man Answers," he even allowed cameramen to take photographs of Sandy with him. If Bobby had made any amends, it was too late in Sandra Dee's eyes. What triggered the big blow-up could have been as minor as Bobby telling Sandy he didn't like the gown she purchased for his Coconut Grove opening. However, both are closemouthed about it, and at any rate no matter what set it off the dynamite had been accumulating over many months. Finally, the night Bobby was scheduled to act as one of the masters of ceremonies at the Foreign Press Awards he didn't show. Bobby's press agent said he was ill. Well, that wasn't so very far from the truth as it happened. An insider (a friend who asked that his name not be published) reported exclusively to Photoplay: "Sandy and Bobby battled like wildcats all that day. And Sandy was in tears most of the time. Bobby was shaking with anger. Then silence. Silence between them for several days. They didn't speak. They have quarreled before, but this time, from the way they were treating each other, I knew it was the end. "There was no apologizing by either of them. They didn't kiss and makeup like they used to." Finally, Sandy could stand it no longer. But who could she turn to? Her mother was the logical choice. Weeping on a mother's shoulder has relieved many a hurt feeling. Sandy, however, didn't turn to her mother for advice. Perhaps, she felt embarrassed, remembering all that she said before the marriage. Maybe if Sandy followed her mother's advice then she wouldn't be suffering the miseries and heartaches of a marriage breakup now. So the call for help went to Betty Mitchell. Betty L a publicity woman at Universal-International and ever since Sandy stepped on the lot years ago they have been close friends. "I have to get away," Sandy reportedly said. "I must get away. To have time to think." So that same day, a pale and haggard looking Sandra Dee boarded a United Airlines' jet plane for Hawaii. She was leaving Bobby Darin. The baby, now fifteen months old, was in her arms, and Betty Mitchell and a nurse were (Continued on page 20)