Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1951)

STUFF Cal Wishes: That someone would introduce Scott Brady to Marilyn Monroe, who he thinks is the greatest discovery since the wall telephone . . . That John Hodiak’s public could hear his hysterical rendition of “Little Red Riding Hood” in Ukranian! . . . That handsome Bob Wagner, who is -really going places and accomplishing things, would stop acting as if the Beverly Gourmet (where he was discovered) keeps open in his honor . . . That Marlon Brando (who recoils against going Hollywood) wouldn’t drive around in that yellow convertible looking as if he just had a mayonnaise massage! . . . That producers could see the avalanche of fan mail Gig Young receives monthly . . . That more young actors had the enthusiasm of Bill Campbell (Spencer Tracy’s plugging got him an M-G-M contract) who organized Ricardo Montalban, Phyllis Kirk and others into a weekly group who see old movies and discuss acting. Farewell Frolic: There wasn’t time for the Van Johnsons to call on all their friends to say goodbye. “Why not invite them here and tell ’em all at once,” he grinned. Evie thought it was an excellent idea. An excellent party it was! When Cal took inventory he discovered there were exactly three eligible bachelors (Peter Lawford, Cesar Romero and writer Cy Howard) and at least two 'extra girls for each. Barbara Stanwyck 'and Nancy Sinatra, close Hollywood friends these days, arrived together and left, unescorted. While in Rome making “When in Rome,” Van Johnson gets a lucky break. Arranged by Ann Sothern, he will meet Father Willis Egan, the humorous, kindly, warm and intelligent brother of Richard Egan, who is studying at the Gregorian College. “Just copy Father Egan,” mused Ann to Van, “and your role of the priest will be perfect!” Many Hoppy Returns: Proud parents now have one more reason for being grateful to “Hopalong Cassidy.” Recently, the famous Western star opened his own “Hoppy Land” and he was right there to greet the kids who swarmed the place. It’s situated on Washington Bou The Gene Nelsons, at the Ice Capades. Gene doubles as singer as well as dancer in star-studded film, “ Starlift ” Hollywood party line BY EDITH GWYNN With so many stars hopping back and forth from Filmville to Manhattan, from Hollywood to Europe, the fashion-minded gabbers wanted to know what the traveling gals bought. We can tell you a few style gasps. Judy Garland was never a gal who cared too much about clothes. But Judy sure splurged on creations by Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior. One is a breathtaking gown of gossamer black lace mounted over ivory tulle and satin. The strapless bodice of lace seems to be “painted on” the ivory satin; but the tremendously full lace skirt is over many layers of ivory tulle, with its satin skirt beneath all that . . . Arlene Dahl picked up some divine duds in Paris. One was an anklelength dancing dress of black lace, very full skirted and tight-bodiced with a long black lace stole, brightened with splashes of bright blue sequins. . . There’s no doubt the most popular evening style with the movie glamour gals is the bouffant look — with bodices as decollete as “the law will allow.” A dress Janet Leigh bought in New York has a skirt consisting of six layers of pastel marquisette, each a different color — mauve, pink, pale chartreuse, baby blue, gray and lavender — creating a truly rainbow-like over-all effect. The almost no-bodice is of pale gray marquisette and this dreamy thing makes that gorgeous blonde even more so. The mess jacket and ruffled-front evening shirt (see cut) that’s startling the natives, is worn by Tyrone Power for a definite purpose. “When we were robbed in Europe,” he explains, “they even took my shirt studs. I don’t want to buy new ones because I don’t want to worry about losing them again” . . . And one more male fashion note: Errol Flynn showed up at a cocktail party wearing red plaid wool trousers! Of all the big movie premieres of the month, there’s no doubt that “Caruso” took the cake. It brought a host of celebrities from both the film and musical worlds and all acclaimed Mario Lanza, who is getting the full bobby-sox treatment a la Sinatra in Hollywood. Deborah Kerr, who’s expecting, was there in a black gown topped by a three-tiered stole of silver fox. Joan Evans looked so pretty in her floor-length satin formal of pale blue. The tight bodice was cut very low and, even though strapless, was dented into a deep V center front. Mario’s wife was stunning in white satin with a long white ermine cape. The Keefe Brasselles, Leslie Caron with Bill Campbell, Debbie Reynolds with Jeff Richards, the Johnny Greens, the Artur Rubinsteins, Bob Stack with Claudette Thornton, the Marshall Thompsons, Monica Lewis on the arm of Arthur Loew Jr. (who used to beau Janet Leigh), the Howard Keels and Pier Angeli with another Metro newcomer, Richard Anderson, were just some at the premiere who cavorted at the late spots afterwards. Faye Emerson and Skitch Henderson were in Hollywood for just two days but, with all the things and people they had to attend to, managed to give a lovely cocktail soiree in the new outdoor addition to the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Faye, in a short dinner dress of dead-white lace over bright blue, was more dressed up than most and looked radiant. She spread her charm to over a hundred guests among whom were Ann Sheridan with Steve Hannagan, Hedy Lamarr (in sports clothes) with Ted Stauffer, Jane Wyman (in a black street dress and tiny white mink stole) with Milo Anderson, Dan Dailey, stag. Later at the Cocoanut Grove, where Lena Horne was “standing ’em in the aisles” with her songs and beauty (and her Dior-Fath-Loper gowns) we saw Peggy Dow in a good looking white halter-dress of silk jersey that had a softly gathered skirt and a gold contour belt. Her sandals were of gold kid. But the gadget that particularly struck us as ey'e-eatching was a wide, rigid gold bracelet monogrammed with her initials in little brilliants — worn above the elbow. Walter Florell, who always comes up with the quite new or quite mad in hats — and other things — has invented something lovely. It’s a long-stemmed artificial rose that can be worn on the head (as a wreath-type hat) or twined about the throat as a necklace; or twined around the arm even more times as a bracelet. It can even be worn as a belt — and very effectively, too, most especially on a simple black one or two-piece dress. 13