Week of December 23, 1959

Nelson A. Rockefeller - Governor of New York, backs out of the race for the

Republican Presidential nomination. His decision hit the political community like a

bombshell. Across the country, politicians reacted with dismay, delight or were

just plain stunned. No reason was given for the decision.

Soviet Premier Khrushchev accepts the West’s proposal for a summit conference

in Paris next spring. No comment has come from President Eisenhower due to

the holiday, but Paris, London and Bonn expressed satisfaction the Premier had

replied favorably to the idea of an East-West summit meeting to settle

outstanding issues of the cold war.

television special “Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood”

because of a bitter feud between Hopper and Ed

Sullivan. Sullivan complained to AFTRA and the

Screen Actors Guild that she was using her column

as “payola to get performers for her show free.”

Hopper countered verbally: “When he says I don’t

pay my people, he’s a liar. He’s s afraid I will have a

good show, I will bounce him off the air.” Both

shows will air in direct competition, Sunday -

January 10. Heston appeared on the Sullivan show

last week and has signed for two more

appearances. Heston agreed to appear with some

of his Ben Hur cast to appear on Hopper’s show,

but in lieu of the feud, his agent pulled him out.

Dies in office - Maine Governor Clinton Clauson (64) in his sleep. He served less

than a year in office.

1959. Runners-up in the poll conducted by George Gallup

(in order): Mamie Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth, Clare

Boothe Luce, Helen Keller, Mme. Chiang Kai-shek, Pat

Nixon, Senator Margaret Chase Smith, Dinah Shore,

Princess Grace, Princess Margaret.

Two scientist brothers at the University of Illinois in Urbana,

produce a mechanical heart that may add years of useful life to humans. . The

brothers, William and Francis Fry said that once installed, the heart is sealed

within the chest cavity and the opening is healed. Only the wires for connection

Week of December 23, 1959

to small batteries protrude from the body. Batteries may be strapped to the leg.

sweaters come in second. Alligator bags cost an average of

$175, while Cashmere sweaters cost an average of $75.

President and Mrs Eisenhower spend a quiet holiday in an

almost empty White House, without the four grandchildren who

have shared their past Christmases. Unannounced, the first

couple attend a candlelight service at the National Presbyterian

Church

Moscow Radio wishes Americans a Merry Christmas and a new year of true

peace, “genuinely good neighborly relations” between the Soviet Union and the

United States and “still more plenty” for all.

Time Magazine names President Eisenhower its man of the year

for 1959. Time said the President “towered as the world’s best-

known, best-liked citizen” after his trip to Europe, Asia and Africa.

Eleven “pilgrims” leave Seattle to establish a colony in Ecuador’s

Galapagos Islands in the Pacific. The group is the forerunner of

about 100 families from the U.S. who are expected to settle there

by late next year. The families paid $2,500 to the Island Development Company

for the privilege of going native. The colonists plan to raise coffee, cocoa and

bananas and fish for lobster, tuna and shrimp on 64,000 acres, including a coffee

plantation and refrigerating plant.

York Giants for the past six seasons jumps to the New

American Football League’s Houston club.

Bestsellers include - “Exodus” - Leon Uris, “Hawaii” - James

Michener, “Act One” - Moss Hart, “This Is My God” - Herman

Wouk.

Playhouse, The Twilight Zone, Person To Person...(NBC) Christmas Night, Night

Of Christmas, M Squad, People Are Funny, Seahunt...(ABC) Walt Disney

Presents, Man From Blackhawk, 77 Sunset Strip, Robert Taylor’s Detectives

ABC - Walt Disney Presents - Alice In Wonderland - all cartoon and all wonderful!

Week of December 23, 1959

NBC - Christmas Night - features the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

CBS- Desilu Playhouse - Variety Show featuring Lucy, Desi, Rory Calhoun, Ann

Southern, William Demarest and Hedda Hopper.

Marries - Tommy Rettig (18), former star of Lassie to Darlene Portwood (15).

Rettig said he met his bride two years ago at a party.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve Party on ABC-TV - 11pm. Join

Fontaine Sisters. Dick will bring-in the New Year in this 90-

minute special.

Week of December 23, 1959

New Year’s Eve TV highlights -

“the vote.”

battles a kiler at the Polo Grounds.

Munsel, Sammy Davis Jr.,

Paul Whiteman, Ames Brothers and Abe Burrows.

a runaway boy.

outside attention it seems.

Dick Clark New Years Special (see above).

Television news -

Desilu amid rumors. National Telefilms Association (NTA) had

been exploring the possibility of acquiring the Arnaz-Ball stock in

Desilu. NTA and Desilu have a joint interest in almost 300 half-

hour shows. NTA is a television program distributor and owner of

WNTA-TV, Channel 13 in Newark New Jersey and WNTA-AM/FM.

Number” - Guy Mitchell, “Why” - Frankie Avalon, “The Big

Hurt” - Miss Toni Fisher, “It’s Time To Cry” - Paul Anka,

“We Got Love” - Bobby Rydell, “Among My Souvenirs” -

Connie Francis, “In The Mood” - Ernie Field, “Hound Dog

Man” - Fabian, “Scarlet Ribbons” - The Browns, “Uh Oh

Part 2” - The Nutty Squirrels, “The Little Drummer Boy” -

Harry Simeone Chorale, “The Happy Reindeer’ - Dancer,

Prancer & Nervous, “Be My Guest” - Fats Domino, “Mack The Knife” - Bobby

Darin, “Oh Carol” - Neil Sedaka

Week of December 23, 1959

Las Vegas Sands beginning December 30.

Ernie Kovacs is currently working on his fifth movie

“Wake Me When It’s Over.”

At the movies -

Gina Lollabrigida

Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins

Reynolds

Lollabrigida, Peter Lawford, Steve

McQueen

Curtis

Pat Boone, James Mason

Kathryn Grant, Dwayne Hickman, Hans Conried.