Today's Blind Items - The Bet -Old Hollywood
Johnny Grant knew everyone in Hollywood and he told me a lot of stories over the years. Some I promised never to tell and some he told me I could write about immediately. This one he wanted to wait until all the participants were dead, but since there is kind of an Old Hollywood theme today, I thought I might as well share it. It is not technically Old Hollywood since some of the participants are still alive but it shows you that debauchery and rude behavior were as common four decades ago as they are today. There was a bet between several producers back in the day involving this actress who almost still enjoys A+ list name recognition despite a career that has been sporadic to say the least. At one point in time the entire world knew her name. Her career started with a bet. Several producers had meetings with the actress who still looks amazing despite her age. She has been on and off with a current B- list mostly movie actor who has two great television roles, one of which also was in the movies. The producers all wanted to work with the actress and all claimed to have the perfect script for her. One night at a poker party, the group attempted to hash out who would get her first for a movie. They all agreed that whoever could sleep with her first would win the bet but they wanted proof.This was back in the day before camcorders but the group decided that photos just wouldn't do. It had to be sex and it had to be on film. The actress is probably still living off the gifts and cash that were offered by the producers. There was a point where some of the producers would end up losing money because they spent so much on her. The producer/director that won though did end up having a blockbuster with her and actually won the bet in about a month. The screening of the film of her having sex was the hottest invitation in town and multiple A+ list actors were on hand to not only see the actress in the movie but also hoping they too would land a role opposite her in her acting debut. As it turns out it went to an actor who was not even there but who was in an Academy Award winning film and had a run of about a decade as an A list mostly movie actor.
27 comments:
Hi again OG!
Jessica Lange?
Not bthat I think she looks amazing though
This has to be Bo Derek. John Corbett is the off/on boyfriend (Northern Exposure/Sex in the City). Blake Edwards is the producer/director for 10 and co-star was Dudley Moore.
Great guess Kathyv, Bo does fit for this.
i was thinking Bo Derek too!!!!
I read this as Faye Dunaway and the co-star as Warren Beatty (Bonnie and Clyde) but I don't think that was her film debut.
She still is gorgeous. I am surprised that her control freak hubby John Derek allowed her to be passed around like this. Maybe he was in on the bet as well?
Bo definitely works.
Bo Derek (Dating John Corbett) appears to be the frontrunner on this one. Morgan Fairchild is tv, so that ruled her out. Sharon Stone not in contention.
And Dudley Moore was definitely A list for a decade after that movie..He was in everything.
a-ha!
Late to the paaaaarty! Great job@kathyv.
And I love Dudley Moore and always have. Arthur the film, recalls a wonderful time in my life,0(childhood). Comic genious.
Bo was married to John Derek when "10" was made. I have difficulty imagining these producers betting on bedding one of their director's wives--let alone filming and screening the sex to further publicly humiliate him.
Who knows Topper....he might have felt a sense of pride that everyone wanted to bed his wife. If Blake Edwards won the bet, I am surprised that his wife Julie Andrews (who was also in the movie - played Moore's wife) didn't find out about it.
I loved Arthur....there wasn't a bad minute in that movie. It was so sad how Moore died.
Like the book Derek guess, but also thought of cybil Shepard..she affaired her way into films.first film was a hit, .tv and films, and still shows up looking pretty good.
While I can see Bo Derek as fitting some clues I'm tempted to treat this as an urban myth. I'm confused on two points. Why wouldn't the blind have included reference to a husband? Bo married John Derek in 1976 and didn't do 10 until 1979. Secondly, if all of these producers wanted to have her in their movies and all of the A list actors wanted to work with her, why didn't any of them work with her after 10? In the next decade she made only five films, most of which were vanity productions with John Derek.
I also read it as someone older. Bo was late 1970s. 40 years ago was early 1970s.
Who was sleeping with James Garner before he passed away?
I met and spoke with Johnny Grant (may he Rest in Peace) several times and he loved to share a little gossip time to time. I will treasure his memory and his stories:)
Back in the early to mid 1980's, I interviewed with Johnny Grant, Mayor of Hollywood, when he headed up the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. They were searching for a new Publicist position that was open. I didn't get the job, but Johnny was a well known character in Hollywood at the time.
During the interview, he asked me what would be a good way to clean up Hollywood Boulevard that would attract higher quality businesses at that time, because there were a lot of down and dirty souvenir shops along the Boulevard back then. I had said that New Owners needed to buy up all the property on both sides and turn it into a walking retail mall.
He didn't think that would work. Hollywood property even back was too overpriced.
I Know The Answer is Bo Derek & John Corbett buuut,
My Immediate thought was:
Goldie Hawn- her 1st Movie won her an Oscar for "Cactus Flower" in 1969 ; Director Gene Saks (often partnered w/Neil Simon writing shows)
Starred with Walter Matheau who was A list then ( Odd Couple, Hello Dolly, that Hitchcock film,Taking Of Pelham 1,2,3, etc..)
Kurt Russell for B- Boyfriend -he did tv show "The Quest", "The New Land" & "The Adventures of ...";
" The New Land" was a movie that the t.v series was based on the Movie.... just saying the 40 years ago timeline fits someone older like Goldie !!!
John Derek was gay. I don't think he cared much, as long it advanced her career.
The only thing with Goldie - she has not been off and on with Kurt Russell. While I believe they have an open relationship, they have been together steadily for over 30 years. Bo Derek and her beau seem to be more on than off.
Also, 4 decades ago could be the late 70's early 80's - it's not necessarily 40 plus years ago, just 4 decades so she could fit.
Ali McGraw?
Farah Fawcett?
Sally field
Is it a generational thing to see this as basically an assault? Filming a girl without her knowledge and throwing a party to show it? Is this why young girls have no tolerance for men anymore?
Post a Comment