Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1954)

Inside Stuff ( Continued, from page 43) talked heart to heart. Then he took his two older boys on a camping trip before he took off again. About his marital status? Gregory and Greta have decided to separate and get a quiet divorce. . . . And while we’re trouble shooting Betty Hutton’s reconciliation with Charles O’Curran lasted just long enough to hit headlines to be followed by divorce. . . . Now their friends are saying Jeff Hunter seldom hears from Barbara Rush, who’s in Ireland making “Captain Lightfoot” with Rock Hudson. Could be that she’s swamped with work. . . . Harry James hates flying but home he flew from an engagement and Betty Grable was waiting at dawn at the airport. That kiss she gave him should kill those separation rumors — forever! Fair Exchange: Charlton Heston finally “got even” with his wife, who’s always buying him neckties. When he made “Secret of the Incas” in Peru, Chuck bought Lydia some Peruvian clothes of centuryold pattern that can be adapted to today’s high styles. They finally arrived in this country. Tapestry Of Life: Here’s an untold, touching story concerning the romance of June Haver and Fred MacMurray. For eighteen years Fred dedicated his life to his lovely ailing wife until her tragic death last year. Their two children never lacked love, but despite Fred’s devotion, daughter Susan became shy and retiring. Then Fred met June. She took the little girl shopping, selected her clothes and won her confidence. Susan suddenly blossomed! In the eyes of her church June is still married to Jimmy Zito, so she and Fred had to have a civil ceremony. Hollywood is so thrilled that two such deserving people finally found happiness — together. People, Places, Things: Warners is looking for a script to co-star Doris Day with Alan Ladd. . . . Ginny Mayo looks happier than ever since the birth of her baby. Her figure is stunning again and she’s going back to work with a vengeance. After “King Richard and the Crusaders,” in which she costars with Rex Harrison, she will do “The Silver Chalice,” which should be perfect for her. . . . Only wish we could print Stewart Granger’s answer to an offer to appear in a local stage production of “The Four Poster” with Jean Simmons. It’s crazy man, crazy! Baby Talk: Quiet-living Audie Murphy who likes to keep his private life private, also has a sense of humor about it. His studio has endless requests and therefore is always after him to pose for family art. So whenever he comes into the publicity department, Audie turns up his coat collar and wears dark glasses with a slouch hat! . . . The christening of Timothy Patrick McNulty was probably the most sentimental occasion in Ann Blyth’s exemplary life. Her tiny son wore a tiny gold chain and locket around his neck, which her beloved mother had placed around Ann’s neck when she was christened. Behind the Camera: Two Monroes are working in “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” The first and foremost is a luscious blonde named Marilyn, who hopes to become as rich as she is famous. The second is a handsome blond, who hopes to become as famous as he is rich — P or will be eventually! He calls himself Michael Monroe. His real name is Jonathan Brink and he’s the heir to the fabulous Boston armored-car fortune. Jonathan — or Michael, wanted to make good with his own acting talent and this he’s doing. He has two scenes with Marilyn, whose name he didn’t copy. “Friends picked Michael Monroe for me,” he explains, “and it was before Miss Monroe became famous!” It could only happen in Hollywood! Royal Razzberry: Anyone liking kids, and who doesn’t, will get a kick out of this story. Rita Hayworth and Dick Haymes vacationed at Lake Tahoe this summer to escape (they hoped!) from their web of troubles. Rita’s little girls went with them, so Dick sent for his oldest son Skipper, whose mother is Joanne Dru Ireland. Little Rebecca, whose father is Orson Welles, and Skipper hit it off immediately. Not so with Princess Yasmin, whose father is Aly Khan. Kicking off her shoe, she commanded Skipper to bring it back and put it on her foot. “Why should I!” he exclaimed with boyish bluntness. “Because I am a princess,” answered her pint-sized royal highness. Skipper never batted an eye. “Oh, I didn’t know!” he exclaimed pleasanty enough. Then he picked up the shoe — and tossed it in the lake! Old Folks: So Debbie Reynolds threw a Gay 20’s party recently, the guys wore bell -bottom trousers and the dolls came in knee-length skirts! When Missy Reynolds did her impersonation of Eddie Fisher doing his soft drink tv commercial, Eddie with love light in his eyes, laughed loudest! . . . And Tab Hunter celebrated his twenty-third birthday on the eleventh of July. His best present, a long-term contract with Warners. Present that pleased him most, a pair of miniature gold ice skates made into a tie clip, from a fan. The Truth Is: Terry Moore is under contract to 20th Century-Fox, but RKO designer Michael Woolf made the transparent-above-the-waist — except for a few beads! — slash-skirted gown the bosomy star wore for her opening night at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. . . . Contrary to reports, Jeff Chandler didn’t buy a house in Apple Valley and he isn’t about to elope with Gloria DeHaven. Jeff bought a lot and intends to build on it later. He won’t be legally free to marry anyone until March of next year. Production Palaver: You don’t have to take Cal’s word for it— just ask Piper Laurie’s publicity man! He swears they found uranium dust in the lovely redhead’s hair on the “Smoke Signal” location in sweltering Utah. . . . And while we’re in this hot spot, lonesome June Allyson flew up there to be with Dick Powell, directing Susan Hayward and John Wayne in “The Conqueror.” Everyone knows Junie’s terrified of flying, but — “They may have to carry me off the plane, but I’ll get there!” she boasted. And that’s exactly the way it happened! ABILITY COUNTS Overseas Duty: Here’s one for the ha-ha department. That stranger lunching daily at M-G-M with Grace Kelly was her French teacher and not a “hot romance” as reported. Making “To Catch a Thief” in France, Grace delighted the Bill Holdens by looking up their daughter Virginia, there with a group of girls on a vacation tour. . . . And Richard Widmark, who crossed the Atlantic to make “Prize of Gold,” couldn’t stand being separated from his adored spouse, who remained behind to close up their house. So Dick cabled: “To heck with the house. I miss you. Start flying” . . . Believe it or not, they couldn’t find thatched roofs and cobblestone streets in Ireland for Rock Hudson’s “Captain Lightfoot.” So the studio had to install ’em, which gave El Rocko time to rent a car and tour the surrounding country with girl friend Betty Abbott. Newlyweds: Because pink is his bride’s favorite color, Fernando Lamas ordered two dozen pink camellia bushes for Arlene Dahl’s first anniversary. Their first month, that is! . . . Robert Taylor, who designed most of ex-wife Barbara Stanwyck’s magnificent jewelry, is up to his old expensive tricks again. Bride Ursula Thiess just received her current hunk of dream stuff— a brooch studded with rubies, moonstones and fresh water pearls. . . . And not that there was doubt before, but now June Haver and Fred MacMurray are doubly sure they took a step in the right direction. After their marriage they had to hire a special secretary to answer the deluge of messages from all over the world. . . . I Probably the proudest bride of all is Mrs. Joe DiMaggio, who recently affixed her : signature to a sensational insurance policy. “It protects me from everything but bad . scripts!” sighs maid Marilyn, as she winks! ! Contrasts: Lana Turner’s blond hair behind the wheel of her new imported canary yellow Fiat even dazzled blase extras when i she drove on the M-G-M lot. . . . Mona Freeman’s eyes looking like twin sapphires < set in her Las Vegas sun tan, ringsiding i with Frank Sinatra who joined her after his thrilling show. . . . Rory Calhoun wear i ing a white cashmere turtle-neck with black whipcord riding breeches, fascinating the fillys (two-legged types!) in the Polo Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel. For Your Information: When the Burt Lancasters became parents for the fifth time, they named their daughter Sighle. i which is the Gaelic way of spelling Sheila | and you pronounce it the same way. . . . Jane Russell’s quartet did it again! They recorded “Give Me That Old-Time Religion” and it’s even catchier than theii now-famous “Do Lord.” It’s expected tc make a mint. . . . Now that the Far East, has finally seen “Roman Holiday,” they’re out of their Japanese minds over Audrey ! Hepburn— natch! Cal can’t pronounce oi spell their pet name for her, but translated i it means — “little seashell!” Down Romance Lane: His studio publicity j department tried, but handsome George j Nader won’t go for those dreamed-up romances. Women like Joan Crawford and j Barbara Stanwyck seem to give a guy like George more to think about! . . . It’s hei i studio’s instructions, so Marla Englisr I makes like she’s heart-whole and fancy i free. The gal who can’t miss zooming te :: stardom like a skyrocket, actually zooms i over ex-baseball player-turned actor, Buc Pennell. And he feels full of pin wheel: j over Marla in return! The End