Under Hedda's Hat - July 1963
The feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis was only an undercurrent during the making of Baby Jane, but Oscar night it came to the surface.
Half the town was certain Bette would win her third Oscar. Joan was betting on Anne Bancroft or Geraldine Page. Before she left New York, she very sweetly arranged to pick up the Oscar in case either won. She showed up at the theater in a gown of crystal dewdrops from shoulders to feet, highlighted by the largest diamond clip she owns—and she owns plenty. Backstage, she installed two Pepsi coolers, and had her dressing room stocked with champagne, Scotch, and bourbon, along with cheese, crackers, etc. She held open house for the press. Then came the electric announcement of best actress. When Max Schell announced, “Anne Bancroft,” the camera flashed to Joan. She wore the biggest, broadest smile on record. Joan clutched the Oscar in her hand.
The next day, a bitter friend of Bette’s said, “I cringed as I
watched.” But I say you’ve got to hand it to Crawford. If there’s a star in this
town with better showmanship, you name her.
Eddie Fisher’s date “Oscar” night was cute Ann-Margret. Eddie made
a complete comeback with the Hollywood cynics when he sang his heart out on the
Oscar show. He never sounded better. He claims he’ll never marry again, “I’ll
never again give up my career for any woman.” That’s probably the wisest decision
he’s ever made, but never is a long, long time and Ann-Margret’s mighty cute. Maybe
he can figure out how to marry and keep working—like a whole lot of other men!
Ava Gardner’s developed a phobia of the candid camera. She refuses
to attend any of the premieres of 55 Days at Peking because she can no longer
face a battery of photographers. She told a pal she wasn’t sure if she’d ever appear
before a motion picture camera again. I’m sorry Ava feels this way and hope she
changes her mind. Work would do her good, and we want her back in Hollywood.
Shirley MacLaine’s supposed to stay in Japan and play husband
Steve Parker’s favorite Geisha for two whole months. Well, we’ll see how long she
stays. They thrive on parting.
Pal Sophia Loren spent her one day in Hollywood after the Oscar
show touring Disneyland and the Wax Museum with husband Carlo Ponti. She’s the latest
star to be waxed (in a scene from her Academy Award role in Two Women)
for the Museum, which is becoming as famous as Madame Tussaud’s. And bless her heart,
Sophia brought me another hat from Paris, lovelier than the one she sent me a
year ago. I had a heck of a time keeping that one from being stolen—half a
dozen dames tried to snatch it off my head. Incidentally, I understand my busy friend
is not content just being a good actress. I’ve now heard she’s going to made
some recordings. If she does, I’ll be first in line at the store to buy one!
That Doris Day-Marty Melcher divorce talk seems to have subsided—for
good—I hope. They’re inseparable these days, and a husband and wife should be if
they want their marriage to work in this crazy town of ours.
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From the July 1963 issue of Photoplay.
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