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).

Dean Martin Beats the Heat

Stars at Home

Dean Martin - 1958

Dean and his Brood; 1958

Martin Family Boxing Match; 1958

Martin Family Feats of Strength; 1958

Dino Hits the Hay; 1958

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]