Cal York's Inside Stuff: January 1956

ESCAPE ARTISTS

via wifflegif

Hollywood represented too many heartaches for Ava Gardner, which is why she established permanent roots in Spain and will commute to Hollywood for picture-making. Meanwhile, Ava’s ecstatic letters to Lana Turner set Lana to thinking. Result: her big Bel Air home is up for sale. Lana and Lex fell in love with Acapulco, Mexico, where they vacationed last year, which inspired them to build a home there, and they, too, will commute.

HOLLYWOOD BELIEVES

That Rita Hayworth has finally learned her lesson and will allow the right persons to run her career after she divorces Dick Haymes…

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

Typical of Debbie Reynolds, she didn’t forget studio friends who were unable to attend her wedding. Several days after the surprise ceremony, the gang in M-G-M’s make-up and hairdressing departments received a package from the bride and groom. Inside was a huge slab of the five-foot wedding cake. Debbie also sent a slice to her good friend Lori Nelson, who has been sleeping with it under her pillow ever since. So far—nothing!

BRIEF MOMENT

Contrary to a ridiculous rumour, James Dean had every desire to live. This past year, Jimmy had grown closer to his estranged father and was beginning to feel he ‘belonged.’ Psychiatry was also helping him to mellows. Says Dick Clayton, his agent-friend who knew him best: “Jimmy was very thrilled about his new million-dollar contract and doing the Rocky Mariano story. Born lonely, he was confused at times and, as a result, his behaviour was unorthodox. But every day he lived, he struggled to improve. There was only goodness in Jimmy Dean’s heart.”

GIRLS-VILLE

Hollywood was surprised when June Allyson and Doris Day became intimate friends. The Dick Powells and Marty Melchers hope to make a movie together. Doris wants to dance in it and Junie wants to sing!

DARK BROWN TASTE

Press-agentry hit a new low when someone planted a story that Elizabeth Taylor’s hospitalization was due to shock over James Dean’s death. Lovely Liz was actually stricken with severe abdominal pains, and the fabricated story embarrassed her, as well as others who knew the truth.

From the Photoplay archives.