Josanne Tames Marlon

Josanne Mariani; 1954 

"Marlon Brando

Is one of the few actors who can get by on talent alone and, whether or not you like him as a personality, he falls in the category of genius as far as acting is concerned.  We never found Marlon hard to take as a human being, either.  He’s hypersensitive, which accounts for his great talent; but once he trusts you, there’ll be no trouble from him.  Seems like half the eligible girls in Hollywood claim to have dated him just before his engagement to Josanne Mariani was announced.  But his big moment while making his last picture Desiree was Joanne herself, who was secretly in Hollywood and a mystery girl on the movie set."

[Source: Movieland;  February 1955]

Jeff Still Loves His Wife

Husband and Wife - Jeffrey Hunter and Barbara Rush; at Home; 1953

Jef Hunter

Has been carrying a torch for Barbara Rush, who seems determined to go through with a divorce.  But that tall, dark and handsome guy on whom she has her eye isn’t in the mood for marriage.  He happens to be Rock Hudson, whose chief interest is his career.  Jeff is not exactly weeping in his beer though at least as long as Debra Paget is around.




[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Jeffrey Hunter; Barbara Rush; Rock Hudson

Jeffrey Hunter (born Henry Herman “Hank” McKinnies, November 25, 1926 – May 27, 1969) and Barbara Rush were married from December 1, 1950 until March 29, 1955.  They would have one son together, Chris.  Hunter and Debra Paget would star in two films together, Fourteen Hours and Princess of the Nile.  I'm not sure there was ever a relationship between the two, but they would have made a handsome couple.  I'm 100% sure Barbara and Rock didn't happen, as we have more info than those living in the 1950s would have.  I've always thought Jeffrey Hunter was a strikingly handsome man - almost too beautiful to be true.  Tragically he died from a cerebral hemorrhage from injuries received on the set at the young age of 42.  

Jeffrey Hunter and Debra Paget in Fourteen Hours

Fred MacMurray Channels Tony Curtis

Fred MacMurray

June and Fred

“I’ve had so many pictures taken with my wife (June Haver)  that I’m beginning to feel like Tony Curtis.”

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

June and Fred

I find both Fred MacMurray and June Haver delightful.  They were married 37 years, from 1954 until MacMurray's death in 1991.  They adopted twin girls in 1956.  

Above Suspicion (1943)

June is not remembered as she should be and Fred seems to be remembered solely for My Three Sons.  Not that it wasn't a good show, but he was great in many other projects, most notably in Double Indemnity, a Film Noir classic.  My current MacMurray favorite is Above Suspicion (1943) which I saw recently on TCM.  My favorite June Haver film is her last film appearance, The Girl Next Door (1953).

Mayor Tony Curtis

You

Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis; 1954

Can now refer to Tony Curtis as “your honor”.  He won a hotly contested race for the mayor of Universal City.  But Tony would rather be a proud father.  He and Janet Leigh are still hoping for a baby any time now.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Sheriff Mamie Van Doren, Mayor Tony Curtis, Fire Chief Mara Corday

Janet and Tony, married from 1951 until 1962,  would have two children - Kelly, born June 17, 1956 and Jamie Leigh, born November 22, 1958. 

Shy Zsa Zsa

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Zsa Zsa and Profirio; Frankfurt; 1954

Has got a new act.  She’s become coy, shying away from spotlights and microphones as if she really meant it.  Maybe Profirio Rubirosa has put the brakes on her.  If he has, he did more than George Sanders was ever able to do.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Profirio and Zsa Zsa; 1954

Zsa Zsa and Profirio started dating in 1954 after Zsa Zsa's divorce from George Sanders.  Rubirosa was a Dominican diplomat, polo player, Formula One driver, and playboy.  Known to have dated hundreds of actresses because of his enormous "gift", the French nicknamed giant pepper-mills after him, "Rubirosas".

Danielle Darrieux

Profirio married several glamorous actresses and wealthy women including: actress Danielle Darrieux, socialite Doris Duke, and socialite Barbara Hutton.  Every film I've seen with Danielle Darrieux in it has been delightful.  Surprisingly the marriage-prone Zsa Zsa and Profirio never married each other.  I wonder why?  

Is Gregory Dodging the Taxman?

Gregory, wife Greta, and Children

For some reason, those European made pictures just don’t seem to come off as well in America as the Hollywood-made ones.  Maybe it’s due to the terrific publicity and promotion Hollywood gives the films.  And absence does not make the heart grow fonder with the American movie-going public.  Alan Ladd, after eighteen months in Europe, is having to get a new grip on his fans; so is Kirk Douglas.  And Gregory Peck is beginning to seem like a stranger in American theatres.  

Moby Dick Press Tour

Ironically, Greg told us he thought it unwise for an actor to stay abroad eighteen months just to escape the income tax.  To keep busy he’d likely have to accept inferior pictures, and his career would suffer in the long run.  Then, going against that judgement, Greg took the leap himself.  Now he may wind up paying taxes to both England the the United States, as “Moby Dick”, which is being shot in Britain, is running over schedule.  “Moby Dick” can be the most exciting picture of all time – or the most resounding flop.  John Huston, forever experimenting, is handling the film as Herman Melville wrote the book – as an allegory.  We can recall no successful transformation of allegory to the screen.  So Greg is really taking a chance.  

[Souce: Movieland; February 1955]

Gregory Battles the Whale

I have yet to see Moby Dick, even though I'm told Gregory's performance is wonderful.  I just did not enjoy the book at all, so the thought of seeing the film is not that appealing.  Is it anyone's favorite film?

Reagan - Ambassador

Ronald Reagan

For several years, president of the Screen Actors’ Guild, is a very able speaker.  He’s putting that gift to use by visiting the plants of his TV sponsors and talking to the employees.  That’s one excellent way of building a neat television audience, don’t you think?

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Reagan visiting a GE plant 1955

Ronald Reagan hosted General Electric Theater from 1954 to 1962.  He spent ten weeks a year traveling to different General Electric plants as their ambassador.

Dewey Looks for Greener Pastures

Dewey Martin

Dewey Martin

Is expected to file for divorce soon, and that’s a pity.  He and his wife went through some mighty lean years together.  Now that his career is clicking, his marriage seems to be doing just exactly the opposite.  The price of fame can be high.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Dewey Martin and Peggy Lee

I assume Movieland is referring to his first wife Margaret Ann Havelhurst.  I cannot find any marriage dates for the two.  Martin was also married to singer Peggy Lee from 1956-1958.  

Jimmy and Ingrid are Tempted

Director Leo McCarey

Leo McCarey

Has never given up the idea of doing the story of Adam and Eve for the screen.  At first he wanted Jimmy Stewart and Ingrid Bergman for the leads.  Now he’d settle for John Wayne and Audrey Hepburn.  How’s that for casting the Biblical version of the original man and woman.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Unfortunately McCarey never was able to make his film because of the necessary nudity.  Those in charge of the production code would not approve the script, let alone the filming.

James Mason Quits Acting

James Mason

James Mason and Judy Garland in A Star is Born

After making a neat fortune from “A Star is Born” is thinking about quitting acting and devouting his time to producing.  The Masons, who blasted Hollywood before coming here, are now two of its staunchest citizens.  Well they might be.  The movie capital has given them undreamed of wealth and opportunity.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Mason and Garland in A Star is Born

While James Mason is known primarily for his fantastic acting skills, he did write, produce, and direct.  I'm glad he didn't quit for we never would have seen his delicious performance in North by Northwest, one of my favorite films.

Police Chief Mamie

Mamie Van Doren

Police Chief Mamie, Mayor Tony Curtis, and Fire Chief Mara Corday

(After being elected chief of police at Universal City)  “Now I’ll be able to pinch producers instead of vice versa”.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Mari's Romance Goes Bust

Mari Blanchard

Mari Blanchard’s romance with that confirmed bachelor, Greg Bautzer, has gone completely bust.  She held onto the handsome lawyer about as long as any girl has.  Greg was dating Vera-Ellen shortly before she announced her engagement to Victor Rothschild.  That announcement caused about surprise in Hollywood as did Jean Peter’s marriage.  Almost everybody thought that Vera-Ellen was real gone on Richard Gulley, who is said to be carrying a huge torch for her.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Ethel Merman - Housewife?

Ethel Merman

Ethal Merman and Irving Berlin; 1950

Who is Miss Broadway Musical in person, is deserting the stage to devote her time exclusively to television and motion pictures.  Between jobs you can just call her madam.  She’ll live with her husband in a twenty-seven-room house on a six-acre estate near Denver, Colorado.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Ethel Merman and Irving Berlin; 1950

The husband Movieland refers to was Ethel's husband number three, Robert Six, president of Continental Airlines.  They were married from 1953 to 1960.  According to several sources, Six was upset that Ethel was satisfied just to be a housewife.  He expected her appearances to be free publicity and good will for Continental Airlines.  They would divorce following discovery of Six's affair with actress Audrey Meadows.  While it didn't work out for Six and Ethel, Audrey Meadows and Robert Six were married 25 years, from 1961 until his death in 1985.

Robert Six and Audrey Meadows Wedding; 1961

James Dean Gets Serious

James Dean

James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor Reading

“I’m a serious minded and intense little devil – so tense I don’t see how people stay in the same room with me.  I know I wouldn’t tolerate myself”.

[Source:  Movieland;  February 1955]

Jane Gets Stopped on her Way to Her Wedding

Jane Powell

Pat Nerney and Jane Powell

And Pat Nerney, after waiting all this while, got stopped by a cop for speeding on the way to their wedding in Ojai.  Pat explained the situation.  The cop wished them lots of luck and handed them a ticket anyhow. Jane had an interchangeable wardrobe made for her European honeymoon; so she could get all her fine feathers in two suit cases, an overnight bag, and a hat box.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Pat Nerney and Jane Powell

Jane Powell and Pat Nerney were married from November 8, 1954 until 1963.  

Pat Nerney and Jane Powell

Jane has been married 5 times, currently to former child star Dickie Moore.  I find Jane's films simply delightful and it is too bad that classic movie musicals went out of style and we have been deprived of this wonderful star on screen.

Ursula and Bob have a Cozy Christmas

Ursula Thiess

Ursula Reading a Script

Is hoping to get her eight-year-old son here from Germany by Christmas so he can join her. Bob Taylor, and his sister for the holidays.  The boy’s travel was held up by an appendectomy.  It’ll be curious to see Bob with two children on his hands and living in a new house of his own.  He was never very much of a family man even when married to Barbara Stanwyck.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Will Joe and Marilyn Ever Reunite?

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn 1954

And Joe DiMaggio who supplied the biggest screen divorce story of the year, may also come up with the largest reconciliation.  At this writing, Marilyn still has her divorce on file, but Joe, with time for reflection, seems to think he acted too hastily in walking out on his blonde bride.  And he was the one who did the walking, of that you can be sure even though Marilyn hastily applied for the divorce.  Joe was blazingly angry at something about which he wouldn’t talk.  The rumor mill has been working overtime to try to come up with an answer.  But Joe took the first active step toward a reconciliation when he visited Marilyn while she was hospitalized for minor surgery.  It was the concern that a man shows for his wife and not a divorced mate.  If they reconcile, and we believe they will, both Marilyn and Joe will have to learn a little more of the old game of give and take which has saved many marriages.  Certainly Marilyn has no intention of chucking over her career and Joe will have to accept that fact – just as Marilyn will have to accept the fact that a marriage brings responsibility to the home.  The highly publicized separation could be the best thing that ever happened to that marriage.  We believe the reconciliation will be as sudden as the divorce.  Marilyn needs a long rest, which a second honeymoon could provide – rather than the publicity field day occasioned by their first.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Marilyn and Her Attorney Announcing the Divorce

We all know the story of Marilyn and Joe.  If not, there are plenty of sources which speak of the topic.  I wish they could have made things work.  They seemed to have a lifelong love, or at least lifelong respect for one another.  Joe certainly never married again and Marilyn is known to turn to Joe when life was roughest.

Marilyn 1954

There were rumors of the two reuniting in February 1961, but though Joe nursed Marilyn through this tough moment in her life, the two never remarried.  Maybe they found each other again in that great baseball diamond in the sky.

Joe and Marilyn - in Happier Times

Barefoot Contessa Premieres - 1954

Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner

Must have found it ironical indeed to be attending the Hollywood premiere of “The Barefoot Contessa” with her press agent, David Hanna in view of the fact that Edmond O’Brien’s savage portrayal of a press agent is a highlight of the picture.  But then she had her hose on and was gorgeously gowned besides.  

Lauren Bacall, David Niven, and Mrs (Hjordis Tersmeden)

Humphrey Bogart, one of the stars of the picture, caused raised eyebrows by not appearing at the premiere.  Wife, Lauren Bacall, showed up with the David Nivens, explaining that Bogie had an early studio call the next day.  That was a lame excuse, because Humphrey is noted for staying up to all hours.  And you can bet that he was wide awake enough to discuss audience reaction with Lauren when she got home.  Trouble?

[Source: Movieland Feb 1955]

Bogart and Bacall return from "Barefoot" shoot

It is widely disputed that Bogart had an early call.  From what I was able to find out, the "no show" could be from one of several reasons:

• Bogart rarely saw his own films.  This included premieres.
• He thought Ava Gardner unprofessional and did not enjoy working with her
• Gardner had recently broken up with Bogart's friend, Frank Sinatra
• He had a huge argument with Bacall, who found Bogart with his secretary/toupee and hair stylist/self described mistress, Verita Thompson.  Bogie's solution?  Let Lauren go on a wild European shopping spree.

Bogart with Verita Thompson

The Milwaukee Sentinel dated November 21, 1954 had some fun commentary on the premiere:

"Ava was in a rosy-pink, body-molding sheath designed with a halter neckline, the full-length gown completely embroidered with matching pink sequins.  She wore a matching tiara, pink crystal earrings, long pink kid gloves, pink slippers, and carried a long pink fox stole.  It was a magnificent costume."

Ava looking Stunning

"Mrs. Robert Mitchum wore white lace, the dress embroidered with sequins with matching ful-length coat trimmed with white fox."

Ava Gardner

"Much longer hair was seen here than on smart women in the East - the longest ponytails in the world, and more red heads and white blonds than any other shade."

Ava Gardner

"Joan Crawford wore a stunning deep brown fallie gown with an elegant sable stole."

Charles Coburn

"Among the well-dressed men were Charles Coburn with a monocle, Edward Arnold, Victor McLaglen, and producer Jerry Wald."

Edward Arnold

"Lauren Bacall was in red and black brocade embroidered with gold coin dots."

Lauren Bacall

"Louella Parsons, who came with James McHugh, was in an orangey-red gown with a beautiful mink stole and a magnificent diamond necklace and diamond earrings."

Louella Parsons

"Red-harired Abbe Lane arrived with her husband Xavier Cugat, in a bright green lace gown embroidered with sequins."

Abbe Lane and Xavier Cugat

"Doris Day was in navy tulle and silk jersey with a mink cape."

Doris Day

""Marla English was in gold lace with a white fox stole"

Marla English

""Mrs. David Niven, who came with her husband, wore a white beaded net gown with a great skirt with swags of net and a white fox fur stole."

Lauren Bacall, David Niven, and Mrs

"Janice Wells, TV actress, in a white brocaded shirtwaist type gown girdled with a gold cummerbund, posed barefoot in front of the theater."