TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1963)

West, and let's hope the twain live happier ever after than Chuck and his first wife did. . . . Carl Ballantine of "McHale's Navy" is making a career out of failure. As "The Amazing Mr. Ballantine," he has put stitches in many a side by the brilliant feats of magic that never quite come off. "One success," he sighs, "and I'd be ruined for life." . . . June Blair comes back as David Nelson's TV spouse — which, of course, she is, in real life. But Ozzie has ruled out bringing their baby, Danny, on the show. He looks too young to be a grandpop, says Ozzie. rewrites and Tennessee his hit. Now a musical based on her life is in the works, starring Mary Martin as the talented "Laurette." A pal of Lucy Ball and Vivian Vance was watching the "Christmas program" being shot at the new sound stage that had been fixed up for his ex-wife by Desi Arnaz. The place is replete with bleachers for studio audiences, light fixtures and dressing rooms all done in Lucy's pet colors, blue and green. Viv was showing off the new gold and jade medallion her husband gave her, and Lucy was in her Davis Jr., wouldn't sign autographs at hubby's Cocoanut Grove opening. "I haven't worked in years," said May, "and don't care if I never go before the cameras again." She's one actress who really meant "I'll retire." Andy Prine and Lynn Loring are in the quarreling stage. Wonder if the subject is Andy's dates with Tuesday Weld. . . . Shecky Greene, as expected, pulled out of "Combat" in favor of night clubs, and will stake his claim again to the title, "Top Cock o' The Tropicana Yoks" in Las Vegas. . . . While Judy Garland was doing SRO Reunion: Harpo, Fred Astaire, Randy Scott, Walter Brennan. Financial twist: Keenan Wynn has good reason to say no I The turn of the year will see a new play by Tennessee Williams, "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore." If it is added to his hit parade, some of the credit ought to go to Laurette Taylor, dear-departed star of his first big show, "The Glass Menagerie." Seems Williams had cluttered up a good play with stage effects and lines of heavy poetry. Laurette, an old pro, demanded rewrites. Williams said, "I wrote your lines and you'll have to stand for them." Laurette's retort popper was: "If I can't say them, the audience won't sit for them." She got her usual glow about her better half, Gary Morton. The friend said wryly, "Their men spout just as blissfully about them. They're an adoresome foursome and, in this case, you can really say they're bridled and groomed . . ." Rising young Bob Dowdell read this sign in a bookstore window: "Help Stamp Out TV— Buy A Book!" And mustachioed, motorcycling Keenan Wynn, cavorting at Keith Jones' valley bistro, says he isn't interested in another TV series — he's making too much loot just freelancing. . . . And May Britt, ever-loving of Sammy biz at the Sahara, daughter Liza was visiting dad Vincente Minnelli in Hollywood. One of the few genuine talents in the second-generation crop, Liza helped dad out by teaching the "bump V grind" to a young actress supposed to do it in Vincente's MGM film, "Courtship of Eddie's Father." Fabian squired pretty Hedy Sontag, Polish artist-thrush, to the premiere of "The Longest Day." Darryl Zanuck came up to compliment Fabe on his performance, saw Hedy, and immediately ordered a screen test. How's that for a lucky break? — The End