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Thursday, June 13, 2013 by Liz Smith “CHANNING TATUM is about to make the transition from big star to huge star. If he does, he’ll become that rarest of all things: an old-fashioned movie star in the age of reality TV.” So writes Rich Cohen in the new issue of Vanity Fair with Mr. Tatum on the cover. Essentially, it’s a well-put-together puff piece to promote his two coming films, “White House Down” and “Foxcatcher.” But that’s fine — La Publicite! Lots of lovely pictures of Channing, including an especially hot shot from 2001, when he was modeling, pants slung low. |
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In this VF excerpt from "Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations" writer Evans, who died last year, reveals a more candid Ava than she allowed in her published memoir. It’s fun! Ava was some woman. Tragic, in many ways, but strong, too, with a clear view of herself. Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra are openly discussed. And I like this self-assessment from Ava: “You can sum up my life in a sentence, honey. She made movies, she made out, she made a fucking mess of her life. But she never made jam!” And, of course, the article is packed with gorgeous photos of the woman about whom Elizabeth Taylor said — “Oh, please. Ava Gardner is much more beautiful than me.” |
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HERE’S SOME really good news! The most popular little luncheon in this old town has long been the one set up in the name of the late Henry Grunwald, onetime editor of Time magazine and wed to the popular girl-about-town, now grown up — Louise Grunwald.
Lo, these several years, Henry, was lost to us but before he left, he wrote an amazing book called “Twilight,” about how it felt to lose one’s sight. This touched every bodyand in his name was established a fund to benefit The Lighthouse, which Louise still hosts as one of the best, cleverest, funniest and most inspired gatherings in money-raising history. I have had the privilege to emcee the Grunwald lunch year after year at the Metropolitan Club. So this year we are celebrating on October 1, a Tuesday, and you wouldn’t want to miss it, for the honoree this year is none other than that fanciful and romantic former Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and general all-around social and fun-loving Henry Kissinger. I will see if I can think of something you don’t know about Doctor Kissinger and we will sell a lot of tickets. He has always been a controversial international figure, a regular lightning rod of attraction. You can get ready to reserve right now. Call Kelly Boyle at the Lighthouse at 212-821-9428. |
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I was at a dinner the other night with fashion’s Tim Gunn, the voice of reason on “Project Runway.” We were talking about how sloppy people look these days (and I include myself as an offender). Here’s Tim being derisive: “Leggings, leggings on men ... the tighter the better ... in my opinion, leggings and skinny skinny pants look like underwear to me! I can’t imagine a man going out on the street like that.” Here’s Gina, a reader who remarks: ”I long for the days when women and men groomed themselves and got dressed before going outdoors — rubber flip flops, tattoos, underwear worn on the outside, bras worn as tops. And what’s with the backwards baseball caps?” |
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| I HAD a wonderful day in the recent rain going to the St. Bernard’s School commencement for 2013 to see my godson, Spencer Hoge, almost 15, graduate and win The History Prize. Here he is, about to go on next season to Trinity and he is with his loving housekeeper Rachel Clark, who has also worked with me for 41 years. Rachel and I were just there as part of Spencer’s fan club. We were thrilled when he and his class sang “The Old Boys Song.” |
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Contact Liz Smith here. | Click here for NYSD contents. |