Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1954)

1 {Continued from page 8j Jean Simmons, uitli Steivart Granger, ivas an elegant figure at Gold Medal party in pale pink mousseline de soie over satin, lieloiv, Doris Day, Esther TT ill tarns, Donna Reed, June Allyson make some repairs hit as Joan and Setli exchanged platinum l)ands in a doiihle-ring ceremony — later sent tliem on tlieir merry way to a Honolulu honeymoon. Some wondered how the hride and groom managed to last out the hours of smiling, shaking hands, posing for hundreds of pictures hy almost as many photogs — while the guests dined and polished the dance floor to Freddie Karger's wonderful music. When it was all over, someone asked Seth what he thought of big fancy weddings. The tired lad replied, “You wouldn't print it. doll!” After such a lavish spread, it was hideous to pick up the papers a couple of days later and find Seth being splashed all over the front pages hy his ex-wife. Joan Baker, who's claiming her divorce in the Virgin Islands isn't legal yet! But nothing on the night of the wedding could have marred the beauty of the celebs drifting past my eyes. There were .Ann Blyth with Jim McNulty; Evie Johnson. a knockout in white with much glitter. (Linda Christian wore black, saying she didn't think anyone hut the hride ought to wear white at a wedding! ) Jeanne Martin, in a bouffant white, very decollete and heavily headed, danced and danced with spouse Dean . . . ditto Gloria and Jimmy Stewart, Alan and Sue Ladd, who’d arrived from Europe the day before; Joan Bennett and Walter Wanger, Barbara Stanwyck (in black lace over pearl gray) and Vic Damone, Ethel Merman and Bob .Six. the Bonnie Reagans, the Dennis Days ’■(Dennis was the only man in the ])lace not in tux), the Jack Balances, the Boh Hopes. Frankie Sinatra and Nancy, too, but not together. Gab from the girls agreed that the gowns on Grade Allen and Joan Caulfield were the purtiest. Another smallish and different approach to a party was the one given by Ruth Lewis and Gail Gray, who told their freewheeling friends to come without dates. This resulted in some new pairings at going-home time. Melinda Markey and Jeff Chandler latched on; Geary Steffen, who's been going with Susie Zanuck, left with Sheila Connolly, and Susie joined up with Casey Adams. Nora Haymes left for a late snack on the Sunset Strip with Brad Dexter, and Gwen O’Connor (Don’s ex) was whisked away by Bob Calboun. Only Suzan Ball (and who had a better right?) brought a feller, her fiance. Richard Long. Suzan was on her crutches, but as I write this, she is doing so beautifully preparing for the use of her artificial limb that she and Dick expect to be wed by tbe time you read this! And courageous Suzie (whose U-I contract only awaits her recovery ) expects to walk down the aisle unaided to say her “I do’s”! Rhonda F'leming and Dr. Lew Morrill gave their first party in their new home and invited, among others, the crowd who were going along with them to the Brazilian Film Festival. That included June Haver and Fred MacMurray. Jeanne Crain and Paul Brinkman. Irene Dunne, the Bob Cummingses, Ann Miller, Greer Garson and Buddy Fogelson, Joan Fontaine and Collier Young, Walter Pidgeon, Janie Powell and Eddie Robinson. And y’know something? Several in the group abovementioned bad never met each other! Of course, I'm not going to go into the details about Photoplay’s wonderful (as usual ) Gold Medal Awards Dinner at the Crystal Room on account you'll see and read all about it elsewhere in this issue. But it sure was a dilly — with more stars than ever. And Marilyn Monroe’s entrance (again as usual) almost stealing the show. Marilyn looked so well and seems to have won so much more personal popularity as Joe DiMaggio's bride. And. just as quickly, I have to tell you that glimpsed in the powder room for quick repairs to appearances were Doris Day in a tailored lace over satin formal. Esther Williams in gold tissue faille, Donna Reed in dreamy white with embroidered beading, and June Allyson in the simplest lace over silk. The whole affair was tres elegante! 10