Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1953)

readers inc... Address letters to Readers Inc., photoplay, 205 East 42nd Street, New York 17, New York, Much as we would like to, we cannot promise to publish, return or reply to all letters SOAP BOX: My curiosity is piqued by Lou Sullivan, of Lexington, Kentucky, who wrote Readers, Inc. “What is this thing called Zsa Zsa Gabor? She certainly can’t act, isn’t beautiful (as some people say) and can’t even talk plain.” I shall answer this candid Kentuckian who wields the critical bludgeon as determinedly as Daniel Boone swung bis axe. “This thing called Zsa Zsa Gabor” is a woman wbo strongly suspects that Lou Sullivan is deeply disturbed by the female of the species and, unwilling to admit it or accept it, lashes out with male bluster to convince himself and others that he is a man. Lou, darling, don’t fight women! It’s no sign of masculine weakness to be preoccupied with them. They're really delightful creatures. You give yourself away, but utterly, when you feel impelled to beat them down with ungallant repudiation. A man who’s well adjusted to the opposite sex would never expose himself and his weakness as you have. As for not being beautiful, not being able to act, or “even talk plain,” I am defenselessly intrigued. At least I’m glad that despite my limitations in English I was able to put over a message to you. I hope someday to meet Lou Sullivan. There’s a chance that I can talk him out of the blinding shame that he’s suffering at the moment about his attraction to women. Sincerely, Zsa Zsa Gabor . . . Betty Hutton is one of the most popular movie stars among us boys in the service. We write her letters and she answers us with a large picture, and that is what we like, especially while we are over here in Korea . . . We are always glad to hear her and see her on the stage. We just love Betty. Cpl. Charles Phillips c/o FPO, San Francisco, California All mail can be addressed to: Battalion Library, 192nd Ordnance Battalion, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, California. Tbank you. Pfc. James Popefko, Librarian . . .” Mrs. F. Simmons Goldsboro, North Carolina I’m sick and tired of seeing Scott Brady be a smart aleck, or be on the wrong side of the law in films. I’ve seen the handsome fellow’s movies and every one was terrible because of the role he was given. Why can’t he be the innocent boy-next-door in his next movie? Team him up with some beautiful young star like Debra Paget or Helena Carter and it’ll be a hit . . . Carol Cowan Tryon, North Carolina ... In Readers, Inc. ... a Marietta Simons . . . voiced her disapproval of photographs taken of stars in low-cut, strapless gowns. Also one of Marilyn Monroe in a bathing suit . . . I wish to disagree with her. All over the country, girls wear that type gown, and as for the bathing suit on Marilyn, she will see far more revealing suits . . . any day, down at the beach . . . Mrs. Fred Ritchie Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina I would like to write a few lines in behalf of young Bob Wagner and Miss Barbara Stan-' wyck. Some items have been in print about Bob dating Miss Stanwyck and, in my opinion, these remarks have carried an insinuating note which is an insult to the intelligence andj, integrity of both these fine people. Why’ J haven’t these items also included information* that Bob and Miss Stanwyck have been engaged in the making of a film at 20th CenturyFox? Under the circumstances, isn’t it quite understandable that they should become friends |i without necessarily involving romance? There are a number of years difference in the ages of these two stars and I’m sure they’re both i well aware of it — surely this doesn’t prohibit ^ them from forming a friendship of value to jt both of them. I think their friendship is a’ »| wonderful thing to see and it should be treated properly and with fairness to both. Thomas F. Murphy ^ Boston, Massachusetts/. I read an article recently about John Wayne, ^ and he says he “can’t act.” But by gosh he does'Ji a mighty fine job of trying. Peggy Smith erS" Seaside, Calif, * V Speak for yourself, John ^ ft % The GI’s love Betty ... in the February issue of photoplay . . . Mary Barbarena of San Francisco, who had been collecting movie magazines, wanted to send some to the boys in Korea and didn’t know how to send them . . . Here is a letter I read: “We are endeavoring to correct the lack of p reading material for the men here in Korea. We welcome reading matter of any type . . . It is the policy of this library to distribute it to forward units of the armed forces . . 74 I have read photoplay for years. It is the only magazine which, to my notion, records the true Hollywood . . . the letter by Marietta Simons in tbe January issue made me angry. She says, “I feel I must voice my disapproval of the disgustingly revealing photographs.” As long as Hollywood stars continue to wear lowcut gowns and revealing bathing suits, it will be photoplay’s job to print these photos. AR low me to remind Miss Simons that a movie magazine records fact — does not sort out what it necessarily approves or disapproves of. That would be bringing readers only half the truth. Warren Luster Pomona, California We read your article in the latest photoplay, “Is Hollywood Carrying Sex Too Far?” Yes, we think it is, very much so. June Allyson, Jeanne Crain and Esther Williams are losing their sweet freshness by going “sexy.” Who will play the nice parts in movies if these exnice people go “sexy”? Why don’t these stars act their real selves, like Jane Powell, Pier Angeli and Doris Day? Phyllis Durnon Ossian, Iowa In Edith Gywnn’s column in February PHO-i TOPLAY . . . you said, “Robert Taylor was spied 8 buying a gorgeous chiffon and lace negligee^ with nightie to match — and ordering it mono-» gramed with merely an M. That doesn’t stand® for Barbara (Stanwyck) or Ursula (Thiess)— E so . . Well, isn’t Bob’s pet name for Bar-* bara Stanwyck “Missy” . . . and doesn’t it be-e gin with “M”? Mrs. Florence E. Foster Dorchester, Massachusetts CASTING: . . . After having read that great novel, “The Caine Mutiny,” I feel that a wise choice for^ the role of Captain Queeg would be Charlton Heston ... f Ann Reppert . J Glenside, Pennsylvania Jane Powell as Laurey and Howard Keel as Curley could certainly make “Oklahoma” wonderful ... Barbara Beazley Calgary, Alberta, Canadt {Continued on page 78) .3