Week of April 1, 1959

Without warning - Russia seals off virtually the entire Soviet Union from western

diplomats. In retaliation, the United States posted a similar temporary travel ban

on Russian diplomats here. The action adds to East-West tension over Berlin.

The NATO Council firmly endorses the Western Big Three’s German policy and

warns the Communists to keep their hands off the free allied sector of Berlin. The

big three are the U.S., Germany and France.

In London - Sir Winston Churchill’s town house is ransacked by burglars who

made off with furs and jewels valued at $28,000. No one was home. The loot

included several boxes of the ex-prime minister’s big cigars.

In a Gallup Poll - Sen. John Kennedy pulls up slightly on Adlai Stevenson as the

choice of rank-and-file Democrats for the 1960 nomination:

Sen. John F. Kennedy - 28%

Gov. Adlai Stevenson - 27%

Sen. Estes Kefauver - 12%

Sen. Lyndon Johnson - 9%

Sen. Stuart Symington - 5%

Others - 11%

Back in January - It was Stevenson leading at 29%, with

Kennedy at 25%.

Elizabeth Taylor announces that she will

marry singer Eddie Fisher in six weeks, if he

can get his ex-wife, Debbie Reynolds, to

consent to a quickie Nevada divorce...

Debbie Reynolds, fresh from a European

trip, arrives with a warm answer, saying yes

“I will consent.” She expressed bitterness

though that she learned of Fisher’s wishes

from newspaper reporters: “I find it very

difficult to always be informed and to be

asked a very personal question, which

means a great deal to my life, over the

telephone or second-hand.” Informed at her

change-of-mind - Eddie Fisher said - “That’s

real great news. We are very grateful and we are very much in love.”

Week of April 1, 1959

Some winners of the 31st annual Academy awards this week:

Best picture - “Gigi”

Best actor - David Niven “Separate Tables

Best actress - Susan Hayward - “I Want To Live”

Best supporting actor - Burl Ives “The Big Country”

Best supporting actress - Wendy Hiller - “Separate Tables

Best song - “Gigi” - Frederick Lowe, Alan Lerner

Princess Grace of Monaco undergoes a successful

appendectomy in Switzerland. The operation was performed

by Dr James Lehman of Philadelphia. He says she is in

good condition.

Black & Decker parade of springtime values -

Jig Saw - with four different blades - $39.95

1/4” Untility drill - $16.95

Finishing Sander - $16.95

“Sound nourishment with sound effects ... Kellogg’s Rice Krispies. They snap

with energy, crackle with fun, pop up the muscles, for everyone.”

Actor Gregory Peck says - “When I travel, I always carry my money in American

Express Travelers Cheques. Then I know it’s safe.”

Trends in home appliances - look for space-saving, big capacity refrigerators,

ranges, washer-dryers and dishwashers. One manufacturer is showing

experimental models of a refrigerator and a kitchen storage cabinet, both of

which move up and down at the touch of a button. Any shelf can be sloped at the

most convenient level freestanding; the units can be used in front of a window or

as room dividers.

Trends in clothes - Seventeen Magazine

reports that teen girls - ages 14-17 spent

$719 million on clothes last year. The

group, which represents 4 million,

averaged $179.98 on new fall wardrobes.

College freshman girls spent an average

of $377.88 per person.

Week of April 1, 1959

Ford Motor Company says it has developed a new gas-turbine engine - the

“704.”. The 300 hp supercharged gas turbine engine is described as superior in

conventional gasoline engines under most operating conditions. It is set to be

tested on vehicles at the end of the year.

In sports - Wilt (the stilt) Chamberlain will sign with the Philadelphia Warriors for

regular season NBA play. Wilt is now with the Harlem Globetrotters and it’s most

likely he’ll stay with them, playing off-season.

Art Wall Jr., staging a fantastic finish, birdies five of the last six holes for a 6-

under par 66, winning the Masters in Augusta. Wall’s triumph was worth $15,000

- three times more than the guaranteed prize money of $5,000 to the winner. His

winnings thus far this year are just over $33,000.

Crooner Bing Crosby says he believes he has failed

as a father to his four boys. They don’t come to him for

help, they don’t listen to his advice: I think I failed them

by giving them too much work and discipline, too

much money and too little time and attention. I just

want them to be nice guys. I don’t car how big they are

or how important. I’d just like them to be the kind that

other people would like to have around. And I want

them to be thoughtful of other people. I hate

thoughtlessness, rudeness and arrogance.” The

crooner says he kept them on a tight leash until they

were 17: home by 10pm, whipped with a leather belt when necessary, earning

their own spending money. But, he said - it didn’t produce the boys he hoped for.

Hollywood teenage favorites -

Marlon Brando and Debbie Reynolds

For male actors - Brando is followed by Tony

Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Yul Brynner and James

Stewart.

Female - Following Debbie Reynolds is Kim

Novak , Elizabeth Taylor.

“Gigi” is teen’s favorite movie this year followed by

“The Defiant Ones,” :Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and

“Auntie Mame.”

Week of April 1, 1959

Bestsellers - Doctor Zhivago - Boris Pasternak

The Ugly American - W. Lederer and E. Burdick

Mrs Arris Goes To Paris - Paul Gallico

Lady L. - Roman Gary

Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov

From The Terrace - John O’Hara

Exodus - Leon Uris

Mine Enemy Grows Older - Alexander King

Only in America - Harry Golden

What We Must Know About Communism - Harry and Bonaro Overstreet

Nautilus 90 North - W.A. Anderson

Elizabeth the Great - Elizabeth Jenkins

The First Easter - Catherine Marshall

Twixt Twelve and Twenty - Pat Boone

Speaking of Eddie Fisher - he opens his new stage show at the Tropicana in Las

Vegas. He seemed edgy the first few songs, but seemed to relax with the friendly

crowd.

Elizabeth Taylor says after she marries Eddie

Fisher in six weeks, she is quitting the movies

forever. “My personal life has always been more

important to me than anything else. There are

certainly some very happy marriages in Hollywood

that combine both marriage and career. But it is

difficult when the wife is an actress. I had intended

to make “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ my last film. After

Mike (Todd) was killed, my life was no longer

complete. I decided I had to continue to work. It

gave me something to do. Now, however, my life is

once more complete. I want to devote my full time to

being a wife and a mother.”

Ingrid Berman returns to Hollywood this week - after

being gone for 10 years. At her side her new husband,

theater impresario Lars Schmidt. She will personally

present an Oscar to the producer of the best film of

1958. She says she will remain in Europe.

Week of April 1, 1959

Television news - Milton Berle and George Burns from B & B Productions to

produce a new television program which Mr. Berle will star. He’s still under a

contract with NBC - and that network has first rights.

Desi Arnaz recently flew to Jamaica to meet CBS head William Paley to discuss

plans for TV shows that the Desilu studios will produce for CBS.

After four seasons, CBS cancels “ Sergeant

Bilko” starring Phil Silvers. The original

name of the series - “You’ll Never Get Rich

Quick.” Silvers is expected to appear on

CBS-TV in various specials and guest shots.

Actor Billy Gray - “Bud” on “Father Knows

Best” says its hard to play a teenager when

you’re 21 - “I started this show when I was

16 years-old. At that time, I played the part of

a 14-year-child. I’ve always had to play someone younger than my actual age.

It’s hard playing a teenager who is supposed to be 16 years old, when you’re

actually 21. It’s just as difficult as digging ditches. Many people don’t realize

what’s involved in doing this series. I work 12 hours a day, five days a week for

10 straight months. When I get home, I’m tired, physically as well as mentally.”

On live TV - On NBC-TV’s “County Fair” - Contestant Manfred Weber is burned

after a match is touched to a fake firecracker fuse. At the same moment, flour

was dropped into Weber’s hand, but the flour contained sawdust (included to

simulate some sort of building collapse on the set). Weber suffered first and

second degree burns of the neck, face and both arms. His condition is described

as good.

Fred Astaire is signed by Chrysler for two more specials set for airing this fall and

the spring of 1960.

Wells Fargo star Dale Robertson is really hitting the rodeo

trail this year. He’s just signed for 12 more, bringing his

arena appearances up to 15 for the 1959 season.

Julie Andrews, currently in London playing the title role in

“My Fair Lady” is granted a leave of absence to return here

and headline a guest spot on a May 23 Jack Benny special.

Week of April 1, 1959

Music news - Bill Hayes (33) gives credit for “Davy Crockett”

with starting his career. Bill is co-host of “The Oldsmobile

Theater” on NBC-TV - Thursday of this week. His other host

is Florence Henderson. His most important TV role, lasting

over three years, was with NBC’s “Your Show of Shows”

starring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. Hayes’ latest record

album is “Jimmy Crack Corn,” a collection of folk songs. His

1955 hit “Ballad of Davy Crockett” sold over a million.

ABC-TV Friday night TV highlights -

Week of April 1, 1959

One of the most remarkable gunfights in the annals of the American Western is

realistically recreated in “The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca” starring Robert Loggia .

Walt Disney Presents On ABC-TV

Rin Tin Tin - Sgt. Biff O’Hara is inspired by his good luck

charm,a piece of the Irsh Blarney Stone, to deeds of braver

in facing an Indian attack. ABC-TV

Highway Patrol - The case of a blackmailer preying on ex-

convicts who have gone straight draws the attention of Capt

Dan Matthews (Broderick Crawford) and his staff. On ABC-

TV.

Tombstone Territory - The moral of Tombstone is at stake

when Sheriff Clary Hollister (Pat Conway) is prevented from

arresting two gunmen in a land and cattle feud.

Pop music this week in 1959 -

SINCE I DON’T HAVE YOU - The

Skyliners

VENUS - Frankie Avalon

COME SOFTLY TO ME - The

Fleetwoods

PINK SHOE LACES - Dodie Stevens

GUITAR BOOGIE SHUFFLE - The

Virtues

SORRY (I Ran All The Way Home) - The

Impalas

NEVER BE ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU -

Ricky Nelson

IT’S JUST A MATTER OF TIME - Brook

Benton

IT’S LATE - Ricky Nelson

CHARLIE BROWN - The Coasters

TRAGEDY - Thomas Wayne with The DeLons

IT Doesn’t MATTER ANYMORE - Buddy Holly

SEA CRUISE - Frankie Ford

TURN ME LOOSE - Fabian

THE HAWAIIAN WEDDING SONG (Ke Kali Nei Au) - Andy Williams

ALVIN’S HARMONICA - David Seville & The Chipmunks

Week of April 1, 1959

Now And Then There’s) A FOOL SUCH AS I - Elvis

Presley

THAT’S WHY (I Love You So) - Jackie Wilson

WHERE WERE YOU (On Our Wedding Day)? -

Lloyd Price

PLEASE MR. SUN - Tommy Edwards (M-G-M)

DONNA - Ritchie Valens

THE MORNING SIDE OF THE MOUTAIN - Tommy

Edwards

I NEED YOUR LOVE TONIGHT - Elvis Presley

TELL HIM NO - Travis & Bob

Top Western single -

When It’s Springtime in Alaska, It’s Forty Below - Johnny Horton

Wednesday Night Television -

CBS - Keep Talking, Trackdown, The Millionaire, I’ve Got A Secret, Circle

Theater

NBC - Wagon Train, Price Is Right, Milton Berle, Bat Masterson, This Is Your Life

ABC - Lawrence Welk, Ozzie and Harriet, Donna Reed Show, Accused, Boxing

Keep Talking - Carl Reiner emcees

Donna Reed - Donna opens her home to a singing idol

( James Darren).

Bat Masterson - Bat tries to open an athletic club in Denver and

tangles with the boss of the boomtown.

Milton Berle - guests Edgar Bergen, Joe

Besser and Peggy King

Accused - Pamela Mason stars as a women

accused of murder.

The Tonight Show With Jack Paar - Peggy Cass, Jack

Douglas, Joey Bishop, Anita Darian

Week of April 1, 1959

At the movies -

Rio Bravo - John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Walter

Brennan, ward Bond

Green Mansions - Audrey Hepburn ,

Anthony Perkins, Lee J. Cobb, Sessue

Hayakawa, Henry Silva

Never Steal Anything Small - James

Cagney, Shirley Jones, Roger Smith,

Cara Williams

No Name on the Bullett - Virginia Grey,

Warren Stevens, R. G. Armstrong

Gigi -

Some Like It Hot - Marilyn Monroe, Tony

Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft, Pat

O’Brien, Joe E. Brown

Compulsion - Orson Welles, Diane Varsi, Dean Stockwell, Braddford Dillman

Al Capone - Rod Steiger, Fay Spain, James Gregory, Martin Balsam, Nehemiah

Persoff

Some Came Running - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine. Martha

Hyer, Arthur Kennedy, Nancy Gates

The Sound and the Fury - Yul Brynner, Joanne Woodward, Margaret Leighton

Gidget (Dick Clark says Gidget is the greatest!) - Sandra Dee, Cliff

Robertson, James Darren, Arthur O’Connell

Walt Disney’s The Shaggy Dog - Fred

MacMurray, Jean Hagen, Tommy Kirk,

Annette Funicello, Tim Considine, Kevin

Corcoran

Imitation of Life - Lana Turner, John Gavin,

Sandra Dee. Dan O’Herlihy, Susan Kohner,

Robert Alda, Juanita Moore, Mahalia

Jackson, Earl Grant

Night of the Quarter Moon - Julie London,

John drew Barrymore, Dean Jones, Agnes

Moorehead, Nat King Cole

Rally Round The Flag, Boys - Paul

Newman, Joanne Woodward, Joan Collins,

Jack Carson

Taiga - Ruth Leuwerik, Hannes Messemer

Intent To Kill - Richard Todd, Betsy Drake,

Herbert Lom

Tempest - Van Heflin, Silvania Mangano,