1. At sixteen, in my first evening gown, made by loving hands—my own.2. My son, Bill, at age of five, relaxing against me at our home in Great Neck, Long Island. Even at that age he loved the Navy, or I did, because I selected a Navy suit for him.3. Ken Murray burping. My beloved mother, Mrs. David Furry, and her daughter Hedda. At a picture premiere. Later at Ciro’s we were joined by Edgar Bergen. I introduced them. She was a bit hard of hearing and said, “Who?” I whispered in her ear, “Charlie McCarthy.” She said, “Is he now?” (Photograph copyright Vitagraph, Inc.)4. Clark Gable, who won the title of King and deserved it; he was the first I was photographed with when I started my column in 1938. And he was one of my greatest friends until the day of his death. (MGM photo by Ed. Cronenweth)5. Charles Laughton, Carole Lombard, and I in the good old days when pictures were fun for everyone except the producers. (Photo by Fred Hendrickson, Copyright 1940, RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.)6. The beautiful Merle Oberon, after telling me she was divorcing Sir Alexander Korda.7. Jane Powell and I were supposed to look alike. I was once engaged to play her mother at $5000 a week. But Louis Mayer was feuding with me at that time. Someone else got the part, but I got the money. The boy is Vic Damone.8. Ida Koverman, everybody’s pet, between two of her greatest discoveries, Bob Montgomery and Clark Gable. She fought like a tigress to see they got the top roles at Metro.9. Cary Grant and Randy Scott were once young bachelors, sharing life together. (Copyright 1935, Paramount Productions, Inc.)10. No wonder I look sad. Errol Flynn, Marion Davies, and Cissie Patterson have all passed away. But we were a gay quartet when this picture was taken at San Simeon during one of William Randolph Hearst’s birthday celebrations.11. At the San Simeon wedding of Mary Grace (daughter of Mrs. Grace, one of Marion’s cooks) Doris Duke and Marion Davies were bridesmaids. James Cromwell, who was married at the time to Doris Duke, was a guest of honor and William Randolph Hearst was the host.12. Charlie McCarthy’s Edgar Bergen and I at a fancy-dress do. Our mothers would never have known us.13. I aimed for Duke Wayne, but Charles Luckman got in the way.14. Hedda and the great Hemingway in Havana. We met too late. (Jerome Zerbe photo)15. Mario Lanza, the great. His voice is silent but you’ll never forget him. He didn’t sing as well as Caruso, but his voice was much sexier. When he’d sold a million copies of his first record, he received one made of gold and insisted that I present it to him. (Photo by Earl Leaf)16. With Moss Hart and Lady Elsie Mendl at the premiere of hisLady in the Dark. When Moss and I got inside, there were no seats for us.17. Tony Perkins, Sophia Loren, Hedda, and George Raft. This was Sophia’s first introduction to Hollywood, a party given for her by Twentieth Century-Fox. Jayne Mansfield almost stole the spotlight from her in a low-cut gown with a break-away strap—it broke.18. Designer Omar Kiam, Hedda, and Bill Hopper at theMarie Antoinettepremiere, where Norma Shearer, the great Antoinette, wore two evening gowns—one gold, one black spangles.19. Ingrid Bergman and Hedda Hopper signing autographs at Hollywood Canteen during World War II, with a member of the shore patrol looking on. This almost broke up my friendship with David Selznick. I didn’t ask his permission for Ingrid’s appearance at the Canteen. He called up and said: “Now you’ve got me into trouble with Louella.” My reply: “That’s your hard luck.” (Photo by Joseph Jasgur)20. James Shigeta, Robert Merrill, Charles Durand, Luise Rainer, and Ethel Barrymore on my Hollywood radio show. I can still close my eyes and remember that lovely voice of Ethel. No one like her; no one will ever forget her. (NBC Photo by Gerald K. Smith)21. Stephen Boyd and Hopper when she was handed the Foreign Correspondents’ Golden Globe Award by Vincent Price. (Los Angeles Times Photo)22. Hedda, Mrs. Eisenhower, Mrs. Raymond Massey, Mrs. Charles Brackett lunching at Romanoff’s during Mamie’s visit to Hollywood. You may notice how young Mamie and I look. The best brush man in Hollywood worked on our faces and eliminated the lines. When I thanked him, he said, “I’m now retiring and presenting that brush to the Hollywood Museum.” (Photo by Twentieth Century-Fox)23. Hedda Hopper receiving a new bonnet from Jackie Gleason, who was playingGigotin Paris. (Photo by Jean Schmidt, Paris)24. Elizabeth Taylor and Arthur Loew, Jr., her devoted admirer, with yours truly, whose hair needed the attention of both Mr. Kenneth and George Masters for this party. (Nate Cutler Photo)25. Bob Hope and me on Christmas, 1958, with Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, first U. S. Army Missile Command Base in Italy.26. I’ve got Bob and Lucy just where I want them—at my feet—during a visit on their set. But don’t worry, they didn’t stay there long.27. The conversation must have been dull, or was Darryl Zanuck just pretending to be asleep? I almost didn’t get on the set. The picture wasRoots of Heaven, directed by John Huston, who never cared for me after my review ofMoby Dick. I felt sorry for the whale, and it was made of cement.28. I like to think it was a draw between Betty Furness and me where hats are concerned. But in all honesty she had an edge on me. Both of them came from Sally Victor.29. Henry Luce and I trying to impress each other. Jerome Zerbe, in the background, was the winner. He remembered everything we said, but I’ve forgotten. (Photo by Walter Daran)30. Mrs. Bob Considine, Gary Cooper, Hedda in Madrid, where the señoritas and señoras followed him as if he were the Pied Piper.31. Perry Como never did take me seriously, and here’s a picture to prove it. (NBC Photo by Frank Carroll)32. Two of my best friends: Louella Parsons and Debbie Reynolds at a shower given for Debbie before the birth of her first child when she was Mrs. Eddie Fisher. I bribed the photographer to hold this print. I like it.33. Rudy Vallee, now one of the great hits in New York inHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, listening in on a radio rehearsal of Jack Barrymore and me.34. What a nerve I had showing my legs beside those of Marlene Dietrich.35. Hedda and Elvis sharing a koala.36. Hedda and Robert Preston in Mason City, Iowa, June 19, 1962, when 121 high school bands paraded through the city.37. Whenever I see a picture of George Washington, I always try to get under it and this time I did with Dean Martin. (MGM Photo)38. Well, now, look how Senator Javits and Joseph Binns have sliced off my hips, at a party at the Waldorf for Orphans of Italy. (Photo by Helen Grant)39. Adolph Zukor, Hedda, Mel Ferrer, and Audrey Hepburn at Friars dinner honoring Gary Cooper, which was his last public appearance. Coop became a star at Paramount Studios, whose founder was Adolph Zukor. But those who arranged the dinner—and they didn’t consult Cooper—didn’t have sense enough to place Mr. Zukor as an honored guest on the dais. (Photo by Jules Davis)40. Jimmy Cagney and Hedda Hopper—all passion spent. (Earl Theisen/Look photo)41. Barry Goldwater and Hedda Hopper at a luncheon for crippled children in Scottsdale, Arizona.
1. At sixteen, in my first evening gown, made by loving hands—my own.
1. At sixteen, in my first evening gown, made by loving hands—my own.
2. My son, Bill, at age of five, relaxing against me at our home in Great Neck, Long Island. Even at that age he loved the Navy, or I did, because I selected a Navy suit for him.
2. My son, Bill, at age of five, relaxing against me at our home in Great Neck, Long Island. Even at that age he loved the Navy, or I did, because I selected a Navy suit for him.
3. Ken Murray burping. My beloved mother, Mrs. David Furry, and her daughter Hedda. At a picture premiere. Later at Ciro’s we were joined by Edgar Bergen. I introduced them. She was a bit hard of hearing and said, “Who?” I whispered in her ear, “Charlie McCarthy.” She said, “Is he now?” (Photograph copyright Vitagraph, Inc.)
3. Ken Murray burping. My beloved mother, Mrs. David Furry, and her daughter Hedda. At a picture premiere. Later at Ciro’s we were joined by Edgar Bergen. I introduced them. She was a bit hard of hearing and said, “Who?” I whispered in her ear, “Charlie McCarthy.” She said, “Is he now?” (Photograph copyright Vitagraph, Inc.)
4. Clark Gable, who won the title of King and deserved it; he was the first I was photographed with when I started my column in 1938. And he was one of my greatest friends until the day of his death. (MGM photo by Ed. Cronenweth)
4. Clark Gable, who won the title of King and deserved it; he was the first I was photographed with when I started my column in 1938. And he was one of my greatest friends until the day of his death. (MGM photo by Ed. Cronenweth)
5. Charles Laughton, Carole Lombard, and I in the good old days when pictures were fun for everyone except the producers. (Photo by Fred Hendrickson, Copyright 1940, RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.)
5. Charles Laughton, Carole Lombard, and I in the good old days when pictures were fun for everyone except the producers. (Photo by Fred Hendrickson, Copyright 1940, RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.)
6. The beautiful Merle Oberon, after telling me she was divorcing Sir Alexander Korda.
6. The beautiful Merle Oberon, after telling me she was divorcing Sir Alexander Korda.
7. Jane Powell and I were supposed to look alike. I was once engaged to play her mother at $5000 a week. But Louis Mayer was feuding with me at that time. Someone else got the part, but I got the money. The boy is Vic Damone.
7. Jane Powell and I were supposed to look alike. I was once engaged to play her mother at $5000 a week. But Louis Mayer was feuding with me at that time. Someone else got the part, but I got the money. The boy is Vic Damone.
8. Ida Koverman, everybody’s pet, between two of her greatest discoveries, Bob Montgomery and Clark Gable. She fought like a tigress to see they got the top roles at Metro.
8. Ida Koverman, everybody’s pet, between two of her greatest discoveries, Bob Montgomery and Clark Gable. She fought like a tigress to see they got the top roles at Metro.
9. Cary Grant and Randy Scott were once young bachelors, sharing life together. (Copyright 1935, Paramount Productions, Inc.)
9. Cary Grant and Randy Scott were once young bachelors, sharing life together. (Copyright 1935, Paramount Productions, Inc.)
10. No wonder I look sad. Errol Flynn, Marion Davies, and Cissie Patterson have all passed away. But we were a gay quartet when this picture was taken at San Simeon during one of William Randolph Hearst’s birthday celebrations.
10. No wonder I look sad. Errol Flynn, Marion Davies, and Cissie Patterson have all passed away. But we were a gay quartet when this picture was taken at San Simeon during one of William Randolph Hearst’s birthday celebrations.
11. At the San Simeon wedding of Mary Grace (daughter of Mrs. Grace, one of Marion’s cooks) Doris Duke and Marion Davies were bridesmaids. James Cromwell, who was married at the time to Doris Duke, was a guest of honor and William Randolph Hearst was the host.
11. At the San Simeon wedding of Mary Grace (daughter of Mrs. Grace, one of Marion’s cooks) Doris Duke and Marion Davies were bridesmaids. James Cromwell, who was married at the time to Doris Duke, was a guest of honor and William Randolph Hearst was the host.
12. Charlie McCarthy’s Edgar Bergen and I at a fancy-dress do. Our mothers would never have known us.
12. Charlie McCarthy’s Edgar Bergen and I at a fancy-dress do. Our mothers would never have known us.
13. I aimed for Duke Wayne, but Charles Luckman got in the way.
13. I aimed for Duke Wayne, but Charles Luckman got in the way.
14. Hedda and the great Hemingway in Havana. We met too late. (Jerome Zerbe photo)
14. Hedda and the great Hemingway in Havana. We met too late. (Jerome Zerbe photo)
15. Mario Lanza, the great. His voice is silent but you’ll never forget him. He didn’t sing as well as Caruso, but his voice was much sexier. When he’d sold a million copies of his first record, he received one made of gold and insisted that I present it to him. (Photo by Earl Leaf)
15. Mario Lanza, the great. His voice is silent but you’ll never forget him. He didn’t sing as well as Caruso, but his voice was much sexier. When he’d sold a million copies of his first record, he received one made of gold and insisted that I present it to him. (Photo by Earl Leaf)
16. With Moss Hart and Lady Elsie Mendl at the premiere of hisLady in the Dark. When Moss and I got inside, there were no seats for us.
16. With Moss Hart and Lady Elsie Mendl at the premiere of hisLady in the Dark. When Moss and I got inside, there were no seats for us.
17. Tony Perkins, Sophia Loren, Hedda, and George Raft. This was Sophia’s first introduction to Hollywood, a party given for her by Twentieth Century-Fox. Jayne Mansfield almost stole the spotlight from her in a low-cut gown with a break-away strap—it broke.
17. Tony Perkins, Sophia Loren, Hedda, and George Raft. This was Sophia’s first introduction to Hollywood, a party given for her by Twentieth Century-Fox. Jayne Mansfield almost stole the spotlight from her in a low-cut gown with a break-away strap—it broke.
18. Designer Omar Kiam, Hedda, and Bill Hopper at theMarie Antoinettepremiere, where Norma Shearer, the great Antoinette, wore two evening gowns—one gold, one black spangles.
18. Designer Omar Kiam, Hedda, and Bill Hopper at theMarie Antoinettepremiere, where Norma Shearer, the great Antoinette, wore two evening gowns—one gold, one black spangles.
19. Ingrid Bergman and Hedda Hopper signing autographs at Hollywood Canteen during World War II, with a member of the shore patrol looking on. This almost broke up my friendship with David Selznick. I didn’t ask his permission for Ingrid’s appearance at the Canteen. He called up and said: “Now you’ve got me into trouble with Louella.” My reply: “That’s your hard luck.” (Photo by Joseph Jasgur)
19. Ingrid Bergman and Hedda Hopper signing autographs at Hollywood Canteen during World War II, with a member of the shore patrol looking on. This almost broke up my friendship with David Selznick. I didn’t ask his permission for Ingrid’s appearance at the Canteen. He called up and said: “Now you’ve got me into trouble with Louella.” My reply: “That’s your hard luck.” (Photo by Joseph Jasgur)
20. James Shigeta, Robert Merrill, Charles Durand, Luise Rainer, and Ethel Barrymore on my Hollywood radio show. I can still close my eyes and remember that lovely voice of Ethel. No one like her; no one will ever forget her. (NBC Photo by Gerald K. Smith)
20. James Shigeta, Robert Merrill, Charles Durand, Luise Rainer, and Ethel Barrymore on my Hollywood radio show. I can still close my eyes and remember that lovely voice of Ethel. No one like her; no one will ever forget her. (NBC Photo by Gerald K. Smith)
21. Stephen Boyd and Hopper when she was handed the Foreign Correspondents’ Golden Globe Award by Vincent Price. (Los Angeles Times Photo)
21. Stephen Boyd and Hopper when she was handed the Foreign Correspondents’ Golden Globe Award by Vincent Price. (Los Angeles Times Photo)
22. Hedda, Mrs. Eisenhower, Mrs. Raymond Massey, Mrs. Charles Brackett lunching at Romanoff’s during Mamie’s visit to Hollywood. You may notice how young Mamie and I look. The best brush man in Hollywood worked on our faces and eliminated the lines. When I thanked him, he said, “I’m now retiring and presenting that brush to the Hollywood Museum.” (Photo by Twentieth Century-Fox)
22. Hedda, Mrs. Eisenhower, Mrs. Raymond Massey, Mrs. Charles Brackett lunching at Romanoff’s during Mamie’s visit to Hollywood. You may notice how young Mamie and I look. The best brush man in Hollywood worked on our faces and eliminated the lines. When I thanked him, he said, “I’m now retiring and presenting that brush to the Hollywood Museum.” (Photo by Twentieth Century-Fox)
23. Hedda Hopper receiving a new bonnet from Jackie Gleason, who was playingGigotin Paris. (Photo by Jean Schmidt, Paris)
23. Hedda Hopper receiving a new bonnet from Jackie Gleason, who was playingGigotin Paris. (Photo by Jean Schmidt, Paris)
24. Elizabeth Taylor and Arthur Loew, Jr., her devoted admirer, with yours truly, whose hair needed the attention of both Mr. Kenneth and George Masters for this party. (Nate Cutler Photo)
24. Elizabeth Taylor and Arthur Loew, Jr., her devoted admirer, with yours truly, whose hair needed the attention of both Mr. Kenneth and George Masters for this party. (Nate Cutler Photo)
25. Bob Hope and me on Christmas, 1958, with Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, first U. S. Army Missile Command Base in Italy.
25. Bob Hope and me on Christmas, 1958, with Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, first U. S. Army Missile Command Base in Italy.
26. I’ve got Bob and Lucy just where I want them—at my feet—during a visit on their set. But don’t worry, they didn’t stay there long.
26. I’ve got Bob and Lucy just where I want them—at my feet—during a visit on their set. But don’t worry, they didn’t stay there long.
27. The conversation must have been dull, or was Darryl Zanuck just pretending to be asleep? I almost didn’t get on the set. The picture wasRoots of Heaven, directed by John Huston, who never cared for me after my review ofMoby Dick. I felt sorry for the whale, and it was made of cement.
27. The conversation must have been dull, or was Darryl Zanuck just pretending to be asleep? I almost didn’t get on the set. The picture wasRoots of Heaven, directed by John Huston, who never cared for me after my review ofMoby Dick. I felt sorry for the whale, and it was made of cement.
28. I like to think it was a draw between Betty Furness and me where hats are concerned. But in all honesty she had an edge on me. Both of them came from Sally Victor.
28. I like to think it was a draw between Betty Furness and me where hats are concerned. But in all honesty she had an edge on me. Both of them came from Sally Victor.
29. Henry Luce and I trying to impress each other. Jerome Zerbe, in the background, was the winner. He remembered everything we said, but I’ve forgotten. (Photo by Walter Daran)
29. Henry Luce and I trying to impress each other. Jerome Zerbe, in the background, was the winner. He remembered everything we said, but I’ve forgotten. (Photo by Walter Daran)
30. Mrs. Bob Considine, Gary Cooper, Hedda in Madrid, where the señoritas and señoras followed him as if he were the Pied Piper.
30. Mrs. Bob Considine, Gary Cooper, Hedda in Madrid, where the señoritas and señoras followed him as if he were the Pied Piper.
31. Perry Como never did take me seriously, and here’s a picture to prove it. (NBC Photo by Frank Carroll)
31. Perry Como never did take me seriously, and here’s a picture to prove it. (NBC Photo by Frank Carroll)
32. Two of my best friends: Louella Parsons and Debbie Reynolds at a shower given for Debbie before the birth of her first child when she was Mrs. Eddie Fisher. I bribed the photographer to hold this print. I like it.
32. Two of my best friends: Louella Parsons and Debbie Reynolds at a shower given for Debbie before the birth of her first child when she was Mrs. Eddie Fisher. I bribed the photographer to hold this print. I like it.
33. Rudy Vallee, now one of the great hits in New York inHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, listening in on a radio rehearsal of Jack Barrymore and me.
33. Rudy Vallee, now one of the great hits in New York inHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, listening in on a radio rehearsal of Jack Barrymore and me.
34. What a nerve I had showing my legs beside those of Marlene Dietrich.
34. What a nerve I had showing my legs beside those of Marlene Dietrich.
35. Hedda and Elvis sharing a koala.
35. Hedda and Elvis sharing a koala.
36. Hedda and Robert Preston in Mason City, Iowa, June 19, 1962, when 121 high school bands paraded through the city.
36. Hedda and Robert Preston in Mason City, Iowa, June 19, 1962, when 121 high school bands paraded through the city.
37. Whenever I see a picture of George Washington, I always try to get under it and this time I did with Dean Martin. (MGM Photo)
37. Whenever I see a picture of George Washington, I always try to get under it and this time I did with Dean Martin. (MGM Photo)
38. Well, now, look how Senator Javits and Joseph Binns have sliced off my hips, at a party at the Waldorf for Orphans of Italy. (Photo by Helen Grant)
38. Well, now, look how Senator Javits and Joseph Binns have sliced off my hips, at a party at the Waldorf for Orphans of Italy. (Photo by Helen Grant)
39. Adolph Zukor, Hedda, Mel Ferrer, and Audrey Hepburn at Friars dinner honoring Gary Cooper, which was his last public appearance. Coop became a star at Paramount Studios, whose founder was Adolph Zukor. But those who arranged the dinner—and they didn’t consult Cooper—didn’t have sense enough to place Mr. Zukor as an honored guest on the dais. (Photo by Jules Davis)
39. Adolph Zukor, Hedda, Mel Ferrer, and Audrey Hepburn at Friars dinner honoring Gary Cooper, which was his last public appearance. Coop became a star at Paramount Studios, whose founder was Adolph Zukor. But those who arranged the dinner—and they didn’t consult Cooper—didn’t have sense enough to place Mr. Zukor as an honored guest on the dais. (Photo by Jules Davis)
40. Jimmy Cagney and Hedda Hopper—all passion spent. (Earl Theisen/Look photo)
40. Jimmy Cagney and Hedda Hopper—all passion spent. (Earl Theisen/Look photo)
41. Barry Goldwater and Hedda Hopper at a luncheon for crippled children in Scottsdale, Arizona.
41. Barry Goldwater and Hedda Hopper at a luncheon for crippled children in Scottsdale, Arizona.