Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1952)

INSIDE STUFF (Continued from opposite page) HOLLYWOOD PARTY LINE BY EDITH GWYNN there’s no doubt about it, the freshest (in more ways than one) and most popular shades this summer will be any shade of green, from that of a pale lettuce leaf, through the limes, through the vivid greens to the deepest of leaf-tones. Susan Hayward has a divine apple-green coat-dress of pique, deep V-necked, and self-buttoned from there to the hem. She combines it with a grapefruit yellow chiffon scarf, tucked into the neckline (or just carried if the day’s too hot) and lots of gold jewelry. And if you don’t think that color combination is heaven for a red-tressed gal, you ain’t seen nothin'! at the FANCY preem of “Singin’ in the Rain,” star Gene Kelly was absent, picture-making in Europe. However, the crowd in the bleachers wasn’t lacking for stars to cheer. Present were Debbie Reynolds with Bob Wagner, Joan Crawford (in black marquisette) with writer Mel Dinelli, the Donald O’Connors (Don was so-o-o flustered when Joan asked him for his autograph!), Joan Fontaine (wearing yellow roses in her blonde hair) with Collier Young, the Dennis O’Keefes. Vera-Ellen with Rock Hudson, Claire Trevor, the Wendell Coreys. Carleton Carpenter with his crush, Barbara Ruick. And there was lovable Charlie Coburn, Bob Stack with Claudette Thornton, Marge and Gower Champion (Marge literally covered with flowers), Elaine Stewart (in black lace) with Richard Anderson — and Audrey Totter, wearing a Chinese-type dress, its narrow skirt slit up both sides. glitter in all forms — and on everything — is going right on through the season. Jo Stafford, who’s just finished her first starring picture, lunched at the Brown Derby in a snappy melon-colored cotton suit threaded with gold. The skirt was slim; its snug-fitting jacket featured a large square collar. On the collar was pinned a huge gold calla-lily, its center sparkling with little diamonds. “Glitter” can go on your tiny cocktail hats by way of simulated diamond stars, or other pairs of jewelled pins. Similar trinkets can be pinned to gloves (as Leslie Caron pins them, but not, of course, if she’s wearing them any other place) or on lapels, or attached to plain belts in bunches. vera-ellen, who loves full skirts, has a darling outfit that is both daytime suit and nighttime dress. It’s of white pique. Nipped-in jacket with long sleeves and stitched shawl collar covers a calf-length strapless dress of the same material, with a very flaring skirt — and plenty of starched petticoats beneath it. When the coat comes off. Vera’s ready for a cocktail party or a dance-date — and a small bunch of bright red poppies at the waistline adds a nice touch of color to the otherwise unrelieved white. the kids came into their own this month with two big shindigs especially for them. One was at the Blum candy and ice-cream emporium in Beverly Hills — strictly for the very much younger set. Jeanne Crain and Paul Brinkman brought two of their sons; the Pat O’Briens brought their Terry and Bridget. Dotty Lamour with her Ridge, Benay Venuta and her kids. Lex Barker with his two kids (by his first wife), the whole Eddie Bracken family, little Portland Mason with her nurse, Maureen O’Sullivan with four of her seven ehillun — were some who found out exactly how much sweet stuff kids could absorb during that afternoon’s first Smorgas-Blum, as it was called. Joan Bennett brought her daughter Stephanie to this party — and a few days later Walter Wanger took the child to Theodora Lynch’s similar party at her hillside home, only this time it was a “treasure hunt.” The Van Johnsons had their sprigs there, Mrs. Gregory Peck ditto. Sue and Alan Ladd came with their children, also the Don DeFores and the Jack Buetels with their children. lucille ball was the first actress to wear the “Dahl Cap” that Arlene designed and put on the market. Lucy wore it in a scene on her TV show. It’s a cute beanie of ruffled net to cover pin-curls — before you take out the pins, that is. Vera-Ellen, Rock Hudson . . . As a burlesque queen in “Stars and Stripes Forever,” Debra Paget makes her best ’’showing” since she’s been in pictures . . . Shelley Winters behaved like an angel when U-I loaned her for “Letter to the President.” Husband Vittorio Gassman is under contract to M-G-M and out Shel would like nothing better than to work permanently for Leo the Lion. Junior Critics: Cal caught up with Alma Day, who is Doris Day’s sweet mother. In the lobby of Warner Brothers’ Hollywood Theatre following the preview of “The Winning Team,” Mama Day was ecstatic. “Wasn’t Doris wonderful!” she sighed. “Of course I’m her mother and shouldn’t say it. Oh, look who came with me to see the picture!” We looked, but Doris’s son Terry, who was supposed to be at his grandmother’s side — wasn’t. He was over at the curb spitting out his bubble gum. “How did you like the picture?” Cal queried when operation bubble gum was completed. “It was keen,” he exclaimed, then turning to Mama Day, eagerly added; “Nana, please can we come back again and see Abbott and Costello in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’?” Those double features will do it every time! For Your Information: Ava Gardner, who was practically the only remaining star without a poodle cut, finally gave in because the man she loves — loves it that way . . . Arlene Dahl and Lex Barker are an unpredictable pair, but the announcement of their separation came as no surprise to Hollywood, for their quarrels have been many . . . why or ( Continued on next page ) Tap-happy: Ray Bolger, Doris Day on “April in Paris” set. Doris wears her Photoplay Gold Medal Dinner gown