Top Secret (1954)

Aly Khan took Gene Tierney to the English races — a sure sign of affection for him. THE COMING OF IRENE PAPPAS The Film Festival was a dull affair. Nothing really exciting happened. The large contingent of reporters and photographers from all over the world were bored. One of them, a certain Stephane Richter, working for a large chain of European newspapers, and looking for a juicy bit of news for his readers, stumbled on Irene Pappas, an attractive starlet from Greece. No one had ever heard of her, but she spoke six languages fluently and Richter thought she might be worth an interview. The Greek girl saw her opportunity. She rolled her big sparkling eyes and came up with a whopper. In confidence, she told the newsman she had been secretly dating Aly Kahn, that he was panting to marry her! It so happened that the same evening Aly Kahn had invited all the movie beauties to a reception at his villa. He danced with Irene Pappas among others. Richter, however, in order to clinch his "scoop,” had a photographer ready. And when Aly Kahn danced with Irene, chatting harmlessly, unaware of what was in the making, a flashbulb went off and the camera clicked. Next morning all the papers featured the picture as definite "proof” of Aly Khan’s new romance. The "news” was picked up by the wire services and the name of the unknown starlet was flashed all over the world. Aly Khan was flabbergasted. It was not the first time this sort of thing had happened. But Aly is a gentleman and in order not to hurt a young lady he scarely knew, he only said, "It is nothing serious.” But Irene was enjoying her worldwide publicity and added fuel to the flames Said Irene: "Aly Khan did not say exactly that he loves me, but his kisses speak for themselves.” And she added, "The prince is the type of man I love. We are made for each other. He is very gentle. He called me This rare picture of the Prince shows him in uniform as he decorates troop volunteers. this morning and invited me for lunch. I loved him as soon as I met him . . .” This was too much for Aly. Confronted by Irene’s statement, he became furious. "I have heard many unbelievable stories about myself,” he declared. "I’ve been linked to so many romances that were ridiculous, I’ve always smiled. I can’t keep that attitude today. I met Irene Pappas during the reception at my villa. She is a very charming girl, but I’d never dare to say about her even one-thousandth part of what she had the nerve to tell reporters. It’s pure fiction. The truth? I met her on two occasions and on neither occasion were we alone.” This story shows how a career-hungry starlet launched her own publicity campaign with a purely fictional romance. By the way, she did pretty well for herself. Today, Irene Pappas, as a result of that publicity, is busy making movies all over Europe. She has become a star. STUDENT OF HISTORY The fact that Aly Kahn is a highly educated man is generally overlooked. He studied law, history and political science at Cambridge University. A brilliant sportsman who loves nothing better than horses and racing cars, he is also well known for his extravagant parties. He is witty, gay, and an excellent dancer. In short, he is the type of man women love to be with. True enough, some of his ideas are rather bizarre, but this makes him even more fascinating. But perhaps the best answer to the enigma of Aly Kahn was given by Elsa Maxwell. Said she: "Some people are cocaine addicts and some take a drink. With Aly Kahn it is different. He feels that way about women He’s the type of man who should never get married. He gives any woman an intense thrill. Even to look at him makes a woman feel funny.” And she added, "When a man becomes a legendary romance figure at the Irene Pappas stunned the great Aly when she said his kisses told her he loved her madly. age of forty-three you must admit he has got something very, but very, special. He’s gallant, gay and delightful . . .” Also, it may come as a shock to some people to learn that Aly is definitely not welcome in certain smart restaurants and nightspots. Reason: Aly often signs dinner and supper checks, and it sometimes takes restaurateurs a long time to collect their money. The truth is that there are times when his losses at the gambling tables of Deauville, Cannes and Monte Carlo reach astronomical proportions and he can’t pay his bills. Papa Aga Kahn often has declared that he refuses to be held responsible for his son’s debts. And the lush spots don’t need the publicity value of Aly’s presence as much as they need cold cash. Furthermore, Aly Kahn is not exactly a favorite with waiters, bartenders and headwaiters. For one thing, he is a lousy tipper. For another, his sloppy way of dressing causes continual eye-brow lifting. The other day in Copenhagen he was refused permission to dance at a famous spot because he appeared in sports jacket and slacks at a club where formal dress is required. ALY’S PRIVATE ADDRESS In Paris Aly Khan’s apartment is at 80 Boulevard Maurice Barres in Neuilly-sur-Seine. His unlisted, secret phone number — in case you’d like to give him a call — is Maillot 23-78. At his Riviera castle, the secret phone number is Golfe Juan 92977. Aly Khan speaks English fluently, more fluently than French ; while his Arabic is rather bad, he can also converse in Italian and in German. But the most fascinating question remains: ’"Why do so many women fall for him?” TOP SECRET thinks the answer lies :n the fact that Aly Khan is perhaps the most perfect lover any woman could ever dream up. It is sa'd that (Continued on Page 34) 28