Screenland Plus TV-Land (Nov 1952 - Oct 1953)

We're still reeling and staggering from the impact of seeing "Come Back, Little Sheba" — it's that great. If Shirley Booth doesn't ivalk off hands down (a neat trick, don't you agree) with this year's Oscar for this performance, then we're just going to give up. Never saw anything like her in my entire life. * # * Tallu blew into town for a fast week to do her TV show and the part she plays in "Main Street To Broadway," a novel type motion picture that will have gillions of stars in same. Tallu asked for, and got, natch, a special dispensation before she'd consent to do the picture. Her good friend, George Cukor, is going to direct her in one sequence with Tay Garnett picking up from there. All her chums wished she could stick around — it's a much brighter city with Miss Bankhead holding forth. When she reported on the Goldwyn lot, there was a big banner out front saying, "Welcome Tallulah." * * * Tony Curtis may not have to worry so much in the future about finances. He's got a new contract at UT that'll keep him and his Janet in the style they've never been able to afford. Guess the boy's earned it, too — and loved every minute of being a movie glammer king. Hear awfully good things about both of these cute kids in their "Houdini" picture at Paramount. * * * It's going to be some anatomical duel in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" with Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell both in there a-pitchin , huh? Stroke of sheer genius to match these two dreamboats against each other. * * * Jane Wyman's a happy girl. Finally she gets exactly the kind of picture she's been waiting for all along — a love story with pullenty of sexy, beautiful dresses, a song or two, a gag dance that's both sexy and funny and Columbia's new white hope, Aldo Ray. It's called, "Love Song," and Meeting Debbie Reynolds at a party, William Powell congratulates her on rising career. A bachelor now, Lex Barker brought Susan Morrow to party for Johnnie Ray and bride. it'll team Janie and Ray Milland again — only this time Ray isn't going to be a drunk, like he was in their other pic together, "Lost Weekend." * # # Lex Barker's getting to be known as the town's most enthusiastic bachelor since his split-up with the beautiful Arlene Dahl. Different girl, different night spot every evening. Watch out, Tarzan, when you're swinging from the trees — you don't stay in trim for the jungle by living in the bistros. * * * // Bob and Bing have their way, they'll keep right on making "Road" pictures with Dorothy Lamour. "Road To Bali" is the new one, then they plan one called "Road To The Moon" and hope to have another on the fire — "Road To Blarney." Both Bob a?id Bing got back from their European trips about the same time — got in a golf game in England that had 10 be called off because so many fans showed up there wasn't room for that little ole golf ball to move around in. * * * Esther Williams' all burned up because there have been hecklers saying she and Ben Gage are having difficulty at home. She says they were never happier and these people who report they aren't can go and pry in somebody else's life. Hear the real hot scenes in "Dangerous When Wet" between her and Fernando Lamas are going to cause a riot when the pic's released. * * * It's kind of disappointing to hear that Mitzi Gaynor broke her long-standing engagement to attorney Richard Coyle just about the time they were scheduled to get married. Mitzi promised her mother she wouldn't marry until she was 21. Well, just about the time she hit that age the whole thing was called off. Another romance for Mitzi is going the rumor rounds but nothing gets in print about it. (Please turn to page 12) Gary Cooper listens with attentive silence as wife Rocky, from whom he's separated, converses with friend at dinner party. 10 Back in New York, Pat Neal, with Frey Brown, views the sophisticated entertainment at Tallulah Bankhead's lavish party.