Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1951)

WHAT HOLLYWOOD’S INSIDE WHISPERING ABOUT BY HERB STEIN Featured Columnist for Holly wood' s Newspaper , The Reporter Linda Darnell’s tremendous dating activity: Although she sees much of her ex-hubby Pev Marley, she’s around town with every eligible guy in town, having the time of her life with Eddie Norris, author Polan Banks, Glenn Rose, oilman Bob Calhoun, Ted Briskin, among others . . . Deanna Durbin’s letters to friends that she’ll make a stab at pictures again after she has her baby. But she’s under contract to no studio . . . Judy Garland’s big success in England despite her heft, which she doesn’t care about so long as she can sing her heart out into yours . . . The Paris Theatre that has the know-how on making ladies remove their hats: It puts a strip on the screen which reads, “The management wishes to spare elderly ladies inconvenience. They are permitted to wear their hats!” The fight between Nicky Hilton and director Stanley Donen outside Liz Taylor’s home, which was kept hush-hush with the papers . . . The plague Clark Gable went through with the attendants at a local hospital for autographs when he was there for a “check-up” — then heat it to Arizona with a publicity man. When he returned, Sylvia left for the Bahamas. The studios’ clamor for he-men yarns — dame stuff isn’t going as well . . . The great ego of Marcus Goodrich, Olivia de Havilland’s hubby, when she was doing “Romeo and Juliet” on the New York stage — and he insisted she be called Mrs. Goodrich. And the wag who wagged the play should be called “Marcus and Juliet” . . . Phil Baker’s claim that success hasn’t changed him: With taxes as they are, he’s still poor . . . Marlene Dietrich’s wire to us when we said she looked awful with that bleached white make-up and she replied, “I have news for you, dear. I’m that color all over.” To which we had to reply, “We don’t believe you, Marlene, prove it!” NBC taking out a $1,000,000 life insurance policy on Bob Hope . . . John Lucas’s line about the gal who has the biggest following in town — and has a tough time getting a girdle to fit it! ... The happy Hollywood note — casting of eightyear-old Donna Marie Corcoran to top moppet role in M-G-M’s “Angels and the Pirates,” which will allow her dad to put aside his broom in the studio maintenance department . . . Doug Fairbanks Jr.’s refusal of all offers to play the life of his famous father in a picture . . . Red Skelton giving a blind kid who peddles papers near M-G-M studios a hundred-dollar bill . . . Ezio Pinza’s line: “A hoy scout is a boy scout until he’s sixteen — after that he becomes a girl scout!” Pev and Linda talented radio singer (she’s now under contract at Warners) appeared on the program. Helen Hayes and Ruth Chatterton stood in the wings and listened rapturously. With a catch in her voice, Ruth Chatterton whispered: “Doesn’t that beautiful voice remind you of Grace Moore’s?” “At that very moment,” Helen Hayes says, “I was thinking the same thing.” Mr. Hush: His studio is finally convinced that Richard Basehart won’t talk about his romance with Valentina Cortesa. When he was refused permission to visit the Italian actress, Richard took a suspension (Translation: No dough!) and visited her anyway. Upon his return from Europe, everyone waited breathlessly. No announcement was forthcoming. Then they started questioning. Finally, local columnists demanded a statement. Richard, who gives a brilliant performance in “Fourteen Hours,” remained strong— and silent. Some say the couple were secretly married. We wonder. John’s Other Life: Here’s hoping John Agar’s many fans join us in believing he’ll soon be back to being the gentleman he’s always been. According to a tip (Cal checked but the information was not available), following a third drunkdriving charge, John joined Alcoholics Anonymous. With such a fine family background, he’s obviously suffering from some emotional shock. Some say it all stems back to his first picture when he found himself in fast company. Like any ambitious newcomer, the sensitive John wanted to hold his own with the oldtimers. Living within the very shadow of Shirley Temple’s family didn’t add to his composure. Naturally their divorce and his wife’s subsequent testimony was a bitter pill to swallow. If a guy’s willing to try and help himself, he’s entitled to everyone’s support. Let’s give it. The harried grandparents of “Father’s Little Dividend” meet at Monica Lewis, of recording fame and now a Hollywood ** Romanoff’s before going their separate ways — Joan Bennett, for tele actress, has 1.0 trouble selling cigarettes to Scott vision shows in New York; Spencer Tracy, for film role in London Brady, John Bromfield at Jewish Home for Aged benefit 16