Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1951)

Across a Crowded Room ( Continued from page 38) Sometimes it kind of scares me too. So much keeps happening so fast, it’s hard to believe that people around you are personally interested. That’s when Janet comes to my rescue. “Always remember,” she quietly reassures me, “you wouldn’t be here, Tony, if there wasn’t a. place for you. When people go out of their way to be kind and friendly, they want to share with you because you’re sharing with them. You’re giving something of yourself, too, so don’t ever question it or be afraid of it. Just accept it — and be grateful.” I’m grateful, all right, grateful for lots of things and to Photoplay Magazine at this particular time, for giving me this opportunity to pay a personal tribute to Janet Leigh. Just knowing her has been a pretty exciting thing. Up to the time we met, I never even had a girl I could talk to — I mean someone who would listen and understand. AS A sensitive kid growing up in the Bronx, I guess I was kind of a misfit. For several reasons I was regarded as being some kind of a freak. For one thing, all the other kids in the neighborhood had dark eyes and mine were blue. Either it was a fist fight with the boys, or my feelings were hurt by the girls. The ones in my class thought I was conceited and then, when I avoided them, they said I was annoying them and reported me. It didn’t break my spirit but it kind of got dented in a couple of places! Maybe I just didn’t have the equipment to cope with girls. Anyway, I know I didn’t understand them and they didn’t understand me. Actually, I was afraid of girls until I was fifteen and from fifteen to nineteen I didn’t like girls as people — at all. But I’d force myself to make a date, sweat it out right up to the time I’d get to the door. Then I’d take a fast powder, ending up at the beach — alone. I was ■ known as the most disappearing suitor on our block! After I met Janet I was still ready to run. Any little indication that she was bored and I would have made like 'i Houdini. Instead, a great thing happened to me. Suddenly I didn’t want to run any more, because Janet is the first girl who made me feel that I could run and next time when I’d see her — she’d still say hello to me. Up to this moment I just didn’t know what I had been missing. Janet really amazes me. No matter what happens, she always seems to know how to handle the situation. Like the night of the “Harvey” premiere. Wear a tuxedo and take a pretty girl, the studio said — the fans will expect to see you! The fans will expect to see — who? I wanted to ask them to repeat it to make sure it wasn’t a dream! Well, I didn’t have a tuxedo and I couldn’t afford to buy one. When I told I my trouble to my good friend, Jerry Lewis, he opened his clothes closet. “I’ve got four of them,” my favorite comedian cracked. “Don’t be a chump, chum, grab one!” The day of the premiere I polished my DON’T WAIT FOR SICKNESS Right now your druggist is featuring sick-room needs. Check with him today! BE PREPARER! YOUR EYES WOMEN 'NSlsj ON VOGUE says : "ACCENT GOOD ANYWHERE Protects You in wase ur SICKNESS & ACCIDENT COSTS only 3c a DAY Individual or entire family eligible, birth to age 70. Policy pays Hospital Room and Board Benefits as long as you remain confined. NO TIME LIMIT! (rest homes, sanitariums, Gov. Hospitals excluded). You get Cash Benefits for 74 Surgical Operations... Lump Cash for Accidental Death . . . Cash Payment for Loss of Eyes, Hands, Feet . . . Special POLIO protection... plus other valuable coverages. No waiting period! We pay CASH DIRECT TO YOU! Only 3c a day for adults; 1 Vic a day for children to age 1 8. Sold direct! No agent will call! HOSPITAL ROOM AND BOARD FOR SICKNESS mZh ’150.00 (No time limit) HOSPITAL ROOM and BOARD for ACCIDENT Month $150.00 (No time limit) 74 SURGICAL OPERATIONS *10 to *100 Policy Provides In Lieu ot Other Benefits the Following— ACCIDENTAL DEATH *500 to *2000 LOSS OF EYES, HANDS, FEET DUE TO ACCIDENT *250 to *2000 INFANTILE PARALYSIS HOSPITAL UP$CAft BILLS TO DOCTOR DILLS UP$CAA While in Hasp. TO ORTHOPEDIC DP SCAR APPLIANCES TO YOU CAN GET MATERNITY FREE! MAIL COUPON I NORTH AMERICAN MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY' I | Dept. 251 ?Y!C, Wilmington, Del. | {Please send me, without obligation, details about | your "3c A Day Hospitalization Insurance Plan". I | Name jjj | Address State. j -Fifolaanpowd fume AtHmded ©H&f “Jamp^'QuiSted" •fot Ctmfiyit:.. "QuiStteJL'ft' d&nitjfovLi |Xn^eofu>*c)> *T. M. REG. U. S. PAT. OFP. If 95