Screenland (Jul-Dec 1948)

Mr. Homer Rockwell, SCREENLAND'S Publisher, is pictured here with Doris Day and Producer Michael Curtiz. Doris' first film, Warners' "Romance on the High Seas," is winning high praise. wide interests, poise and intelligence. He would like her to be attractive, but not a sensational beauty. Well dressed, but on the conservative side in choice of clothes. Wear very little makeup. Like sp irts as well as social frills. He doesn't mention shortcomings he would condone in his Dream Dame but I know he allows for them, for Pete's pretty honest about his own. He is always late, except for work. For everything else, one can always expect Lawford to be tardy. When he, June and I were going to San Francisco a few months ago, he offered to pick us up and drive to the airport. I telephoned him an hour ahead, but he was late anyway. We missed our plane, and only through good luck managed to get on the next one. He's always chewing gum and pops it with the finesse of a bobby-soxer. (He tried to teach me, but I have yet to learn.) It's almost impossible to get him awake in the morning. Whenever we have an early appointment I telephone him to wake him. He'll carry on a long phone conversation, then fall sound asleep again. And believe me, his disposition is far from sunny for an hour after he gets up. He wants a couple of cups of coffee — and to be left alone. Then about an hour later he likes breakfast, after which he snaps into the exuberant good humor, kidding and laughter that is the normal Lawford. (I can say this because my own disposition is horrible when I'm first awake!) Last summer June and I, Keenan Wynn and Peter spent many week-ends at Laguna. On Sunday mornings we'd never speak to Pete until after he had breakfast. It would have been useless, for he always had his attention on the funnies. Pete is a procrastinator in letter writing. He isn't thoughtless, but he does run the limit of time until he picks up a pen. He also suffers from telephonitis. As soon as he walks in a house he always has someone he must call. Actually, he just likes to yak on a phone. But these slight shortcomings are the 74, human side of Peter. If I told you he had no faults, you wouldn't believe it — and I'd be stupid, because everyone has some. Pete's are microscopic as compared with the good qualities that make him a great guy and fine friend. He has the suavity and polish of a junior Ronald Colman and manners that could be an example for anyone, but this is no veneer. It's ingrained and real, backed up by thoughtfulness. Pete is at our house several times a week. Our home is closer to the studio than his own, where he lives with his parents, so he often stops at Casa Cooper to clean up, after which the Coopers and Lawford have dinner, there or out somewhere. If either Pete or I has an early call the next day, the evening is over by 9 o'clock. On an average of two out of three times, Pete doesn't have a date. When he does it might be anyone from Hollywood's top glamor girl to some cute little studio messenger girl. If we aren't working we go to movies, ball games, a stage play, to hear music — anything ranging from a symphony concert at the Bowl to swing as dished out by Slim Gaillard on the Strip. Pete is a marvelous dancer, but subtle and rhythmic, not an exhibitionist. He loves to rumba and will go all over town to find a good rumba band. Because we're both restless we don't like to go the same places too often nor stay anywhere too long. It's odd, but we both usually seem ready to leave at the same moment. The only place we can stay indefinitely is the beach, from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. Every day in the week, if we didn't have to work! Beach rats. I guess. Pete plays wonderful tennis. I had always wanted to but didn't learn when I was young and was too impatient to take lessons until Pete offered to give them to me. He's a great teacher, too. In turn I was able to teach him something about horsemanship. He hasn't had time for me to get him interested in fishing and hunting, but I know he'd be good at them. Screen land At football games we yell and scream like a couple of mad characters and eat hot dogs by the near-bushel. We go to the Friday night prize fights fairly frequently, often with Keenan and Sid Luft. (June urges me to get "out with the boys" now and then.) Despite the great number of young men who are trying their hands at cooking as a hobby, Pete stays away from it; he can't even boil water, but his lack of interest undoubtedly stems from his bachelorhood. Fortunately he seems to need only about six hours of sleep a night, because in addition to all his more active interests, and despite his restlessness, he is addicted to voluminous reading. Pete doesn't like big parties, preferring the informality of a small group of people in casual clothes, sitting on the floor, playing games or listening to records. He's mad about music and has a remarkable record collection, although he doesn't play any instrument, because of the childhood injury to his arm. His great feeling for music was shown in its full scope for the first time on the screen in MGM's "Good News." His tap dancing, of which he did a bit in "It Happened in Brooklyn," is even better. I feel he could be one of the screen's best musical comedy stars if he stuck to that field. On the other hand, I say he's a fine dramatic actor. Pete is young and has played light young roles with scarcely any scenes that were deeply dramatic, but long ago he proved he was an artist in "White Cliffs of Dover." What a future that guy has! We like to go shopping, and could easily shop for each other because we wear most of the same kind of clothes. Unless the occasion demands a business or formal suit we both always wear flannel slacks in gray ranging from light to dark, a T-shirt, rather loud sports jackets, white wool socks and moccasin-type loafers. We even have the same man who comes to our homes, as well as to other friends, once a week for valet service, to press suits and shine shoes. Pete is a very thoughtful guy, never forgets birthdays and spends effort and time on appropriate gifts, even for our baby. He always brings June flowers at least once a week, says he does it because he's there so much, but how manv men remember, even if they are around every day? He is consistently considerate of his parents. We had originally planned to go to San Francisco for a week-end which included his birthday. When he me itioned the fact at home, he gathered his mother and father were disappointed that he would be away for his natal day, so Pete asked June and me if we'd postpone our trip a week. He stayed home and celebrated his birthday with the elder Lawfords. Our friendship, which started with just doing things together, has gone far beyond that state of mere activity largely because I guess we're both kind of sensitive. I've never had so close a friend. We've gone through worries together, fortunately minor ones, and I know if in a real crisis I needed a man to turn to I could depend on Pete. Lawford's okay for my dough, any time! PRINTED IN THE U. S. A. BY THE CUNEO PRESS, INC.